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CNN Live Today
In Iraq, Hostage Crisis Remains Very Fluid; Tour of Duty About to Get Longer for About 21,000 U.S. Army Troops
Aired April 15, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: We'll get started down here at CNN headquarters. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here is what is happening at this hour.
Sources say that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has approved a plan adding three months to the combat tours of nearly 20,000 troops in Iraq. The decision follows a request by the U.S. Central Command General John Abizaid. Troops have been told they would not be in Iraq for more than a year.
The Japanese government reports three Japanese hostages abducted last week in Iraq have been released. An al Jazeera video shows the three appearing to be unharmed and embracing a Muslim cleric. At the same time, Japan is investigating reports that two more of its citizens have been kidnapped in Iraq.
Incoming Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero promises an all out fight against terrorism. But he'll only send troops abroad after getting international approval as well as approval from Spain's Parliament. Zapatero has vowed to withdraw Spanish troop from Iraq unless the U.N. takes charge there by June 30.
And it is tax day. If you already haven't filed the taxes, get them in by midnight. You can also get a four-month filing extension. But you still have to pay any money owed by the end of the day. An estimated 30 million people have waited until the last minute to file those taxes.
We're going to go ahead and begin this hour in Iraq. That is where the hostage crisis remains very fluid at this time. Just hours after government officials in Rome confirm that militants executed an Italian hostage, Japan has announced that three of its citizens have been freed.
Our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf is in the capital, she has the latest developments -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Daryn, these are three very lucky and obviously, quite relieved people. Now, they include an aid worker, a researcher and a freelance journalist. Now, the fears were that they would be harmed. Instead, they were released into the custody of a Muslim organization at a major Sunni mosque. We can see from the pictures that they appear to be in good health, unharmed and obviously, a huge relief.
After they were taken last week, their captors issued a statement, and issued pictures showing them blindfolded and threatening to burn them alive, if the Japanese did not withdraw their peacekeeping troops in the south of the country. The Japanese have not, but these people were released unharmed.
One Italian hostage not so lucky, he was shot dead by his captors; the video released to the al Jazeera television network. And three more Italian security guards are still being held presumably facing the same fate. Negotiations are going on to try to end that hostage taking.
Meanwhile, Russians are streaming out of the country. The Russian diplomat here says that most of the 800 contractors and other workers here are expected to leave. Russia is bringing in planes to take the workers out after several of them were taken hostage when armed gunmen burst into their home -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane, with the Japanese with their captors, clearly those demands were not met. So any indication why they decided to release those hostages at this time?
ARRAF: It's all quite shadowy, Daryn. The FBI is among other groups that are here, trying to figure out exactly who is taking these people and how to get them released. But obviously it's something very difficult to combat. Now with the Italians, they have obviously made a very strong political statement, to say the least, by killing one of their captors. With the Japanese, they may have believed that they get better and more publicity by releasing them. It's really hard to tell why exactly. Hard to tell, too, what went on behind the scenes to gain their release. But there are a lot of intermediaries involved, local and religious officials -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane Arraf in Baghdad.
More now on the Italian hostage, one Italian official was shown a videotape of that execution. And Rome has dispatched an envoy to work for the release of the remaining Italian hostages.
Our Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci filed this report just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF (on camera): Confirmation of the slaying of the one of the Italian hostages held captives in Iraq came last night, as the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Fratini was participating in a popular talk show on state's television, in which also relatives and friends of some of the captors were also participating. The Italian foreign minister telling the audience and the viewers that the Italian ambassador in Doha, Qatar had viewed a videotaped that was obtained by the Arabic news channel al Jazeera, in which the execution of one of those hostages was shown.
These of course, are dramatic hours for Italy. And as well, of course, indeed for the family and friends of the other relatives held captives in Iraq. Because in a statement that was released with that videotape, a group calling itself the Mujahideen Brigade has vowed to kill the other three hostages, if the Italian government does not meet their demands. Those demands being an Italian pullout from Iraq, Italy currently has 3,000 troops over there, as well as an apology by the Prime Minister Berlusconi.
Now, the Italian prime minister yesterday released a statement saying, quote, "They, as the hostage captivators have cut short a life, but they have not damaged our resolve and our commitment to peace." Indicating that at this time the Italian government has no intention to even discuss the possibility of withdrawing its troops from Iraq. The position of the Italian government, at this time, is that there will be no negotiations with the perpetrators of these crimes.
Nevertheless, the Italian government has dispatched a top diplomat to Baghdad in trying to establish some kind of a contact, perhaps through intermediaries with the people who are holding the other three hostages. Not to negotiate the Italian government says, but establish some kind of dialogue. And try to perhaps secure the release of the other three hostages.
Now, the victim's name was Fabrizio Quattrocchi. He was a 36- year-old man who worked in Iraq as a private security officer for a private firm over there. He arrived in Iraq back in December. He was there, according to some news report, he was there because he wanted to save some money in order to come back here, buy a house, marry his girlfriend and start a family.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And that was Alessio Vinci, our bureau chief in Rome.
The tour of duty is about to get longer for about 21,000 U.S. Army troops in Iraq. The decision has yet to be announced. It seemingly though, breaks the Army's pledge to not allow assignments there to last beyond a year.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is at her post with more on this developing story.
Barbara, good morning.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Defense Secretary Second Rumsfeld expected to make it official sometime later today about 20,000 U.S. troops will stay in Iraq, for an extra 90 days beyond their promised one-year tour of duty. Now, at the moment, it looks like those troops will be made up of the First Armored Division, the Second Armored Cavalry out of Fort Polk, Louisiana and a number of other support units.
General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff is in Baghdad. He held a press conference that ended just a little while ago. And he talked about the security situation in Iraq, and especially in Fallujah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEN. RICHARD MYERS, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: It's a situation where you have clearly some foreign fighter, former regime element members, who again, while the cease-fire is ongoing, are attacking our Marines. The Marines are obeying the cease-fire, but they're being fired upon. They can return fire in self-defense, which they do. But they're trying their best to follow the rules of the cease-fire and negotiations are does going. We'll have to see how they play out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: But the question now is how long will all of this last? Twenty thousand troops to stay an extra 90 days, if the military believes this insurgency, this requirement for the extra troops is going to last. They're going to have to make some decisions fairly soon about the troops that will replace those who are staying. And so far, there is no decision about any of that just yet -- Daryn.
KAGAN: When you say make some decisions about the troops who would replace, you're saying which troops those would be, how long they would have to stay? Or not making any promises at this point because it's just not possible to keep those promises?
STARR: Well, they do have -- they have had until now a pretty straightforward, well-understood rotation schedule, if you will, for troops. They stay one-year and then they rotate out. Now, that's based on the requirement that they had, which was going to be about 115,000 troops by the end of June. But with this new situation, if they really believe permanently, or for some period of time at least, they're going to need the extra 20,000 troops.
And they're going to need that kind of manpower on the ground for some period of time. They're going to leave those there for 90 days, they've got to bring in troops to replace them, let them go home. That will shift the whole rotation schedule. And they just don't know yet whether they have that requirement for sometime to come and how they will fill it.
KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you.
There is another recording purportedly from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The voice on the audiotape offers a truce to European nations, which, quote, "Stop attacking Muslims." The U.S. is excluded from any such deal. The tape makes reference to the March 11 Madrid train bombings and 9/11 attacks, as examples of al Qaeda actions in response to the attack on Muslims. The speaker, whose identity has not been independently confirmed, also threatens revenge against the U.S. and Israel for the assassination last month of founder -- of the founder of Hamas.
The last audiotape believed to be from bin Laden came in January. That one described the U.S. involvement in Iraq as the beginning of an occupation of the Persian Gulf States for their oil. The last time bin Laden was seen on videotape aired last September, as he walked with his top deputy. In Washington, members of the 9/11 Commission say they are still not sure what will be their final report. It is due in July. This week's hearings featured a growing list of reasons for the intelligence failures leading up to the September 11 attacks. And CIA chief George Tenet surprised a lot of people, when he said the intelligence shortcomings will take five years to correct. Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from a member of the panel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLADE GORTON, MEMBER, 9/11 COMMISSION: That was a shocking statement on the part of George Tenet. He has certainly done a pretty good job since 9/11 in improving the CIA. I think that Bob Mueller has done an even better job with the FBI. But I hope that that five- year estimate, you know, isn't just an excuse for a lack of performance. I think we need to be prepared more quickly than that.
We've had some successes. Obviously, it's been 2 1/2 years since there has been an attack here in the United States, but we need a CIA with more confidence than was shown yesterday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Also on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from William Webster. He the man, of course, who headed both the CIA and the FBI.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM WEBSTER, FMR. DIRECTOR, CIA & FBI: We frequently hear about an MI-5 model, based on what takes place in Great Britain, the Secret Service. It's far different, in my view, than what we have traditionally had and what we need to have in a country as large and as vast as our own. The important thing to do is to be sure that the FBI agents in the field are fully trained in their responsibilities for counter-terrorism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Webster says the biggest change within the intelligence community is the need to share information among the various agencies. He says the creation of the Homeland Security Department is a major step in that direction.
We are coming up on 12 minutes past the hour. The lure of a big paycheck for some contract security workers in Iraq. The pay is no longer worth the risk.
And who would you rather have as a college roommate? Would you room with George Bush or John Kerry? College students polled themselves and the results are up.
And later, a cultural movement document 24/7. We're going to take a peak inside a new network; it is devoted to all things hip-hop.
This is CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Checking in on news from Wisconsin now. An attorney for the student from Wisconsin, who is charged with staging her own disappearance last month, goes to court on her behalf today. Authorities filed a criminal complaint yesterday against Audrey Seiler, who also has two misdemeanor counts of obstruction to face as well. Police found Seiler four days after she vanished. Her claim being abducted sparked a massive manhunt. Seiler, because of her action, faces a possible sentence of up to nine months in jail and fines over $10,000.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDY HOPPER, ATTORNEY FOR AUDREY SEILER: Even the police are still investigating this matter; we're still investigating it. And until we really have all of the facts, we're not going to know exactly what happened. That's why we try cases like this in a court of law and not fully in the court of public opinion, so that all of the facts can come in. And a trier of fact can hear all of the facts and understand exactly what happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Hopper adds that he couldn't say whether Seiler made up her story or not. He says she's staying with her family and has been under the care of doctors.
On now to presidential politics, the war in Iraq is forging some common ground between the two major presidential candidates. At a college in New York City yesterday, John Kerry was confronted by a retired professor, who said the Democrat's opposition to withdrawing from Iraq offers no counter-balance to Mr. Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People hate George Bush but by the end of your presidency. But by the end of your presidency, people we will hate for you the same thing. You may fool some of the Americans that you are different from George Bush on this war. But you're not fooling most of the world and you're not going to fool Iraqis.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, let me say to you, sir, are you finished with your question?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pardon me?
KERRY: Are you finished? I want to make sure you're finished.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can say more. But if you want, I'll be happy to.
(LAUGHTER)
KERRY: I have consistently been critical how we got where we are but we are where we are, sir. And it would be unwise beyond belief for the United States of America to leave a failed Iraq in its wake. (END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Let's look at some numbers now. A poll by Harvard University's Institute of Politics last month, takes a look at the presidential race through the eyes of college students. When asked if a Bush-Kerry election were held today, 48 percent of those polled chose the Democrat compared to 38 percent for the incumbent.
And then asked who would be the better college roommate? George Bush got 43 percent of the vote compared to 42 percent for John Kerry.
Well, you know the music, you know the fashion. but do you really know hip-hop culture? You'll soon be able to tune in 24 hours a day. More on the hip hop network ahead.
And your taxes are due today. Need we remind you? Gerri Willis is here with tax tips checking out, you know, getting ready for this big day here -- Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Yes, today is the day, April 15. And if you're one of those people who just cannot meet the deadline, we're going to tell you exactly what to do. Coming up next on CNN "LIVE TODAY."
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The numbers, though, that most people are looking at today, your tax numbers. Many of you have already filed your tax forms and even have your refund in your pocket. But many others are trying to do their taxes or file an extension before the midline -- midnight deadline tonight.
CNN-fn personal finance correspondent, Gerri Willis, some tax tips for all the folks out there.
Good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Yes, today is the day. And you know what? You have to make it. You have to file something or you face incredible penalties and interest payments in the future. So what do you need? If you're having a hard time and you need an extension it's easy enough to get a four-month extension by filing Form 4868. You can get that from irs.gov, the web site or any tax preparation software will have a copy of it as well.
Now, if you can't pay your bill, if that's the problem, the IRS will allow you to develop your own installment plan. You can pay your tax bill over time. You've got to get form 9465. That's 9465. Now, if your bill is less than $10,000 you're going to have to pay it over three years. At least over $10,000 will give you up to five years -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Lets talk about some positive news. What about those taxpayers out there, who have a nice chunk of cash in their pocket because they got a refund?
WILLIS: Well, you know, you can ask somebody else and they might tell you to go to the mall. But not me.
KAGAN: Yes!
WILLIS: Not me.
KAGAN: No?
WILLIS: I'm not saying that! There are lots of smart things you can do with the money. About $2,000, families are getting on average this year, could be a little higher. Hey, what about your kids? Why not start that college savings program you thought so much about? You could start a 529 Plan, that's what the states offer to parents who want to invest overtime with no tax consequence. Go to savingforcollege.com.
And think about that credit card debt. You know, guess what? Most families have $9,000 in credit card debt. They're paying hundreds of dollars in interest fees every year. You could carve that back just a little bit with your refund and save yourself a whole lot of dough -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, every party needs a pooper, that's why I invite you.
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: It's me!
KAGAN: No. I know. No, it's actually very good advice. It makes for a better party down the line if you follow your tips.
Hey, because you're here to serve, we want you to answer a question from a specific viewer. This is from Rahman. And he writes in to you Gerri and says, "I sold my primary residence in 2003 with no capital gains tax implication. However, I paid 6 percent real estate agent fees. Is that fee tax deductible?"
WILLIS: Well, short is -- short answer is there is probably no more tax benefit for you. But more broadly for people who are in the situation, they're selling a house, the brokerage commission can be deducted from the sales price. And that will ultimately reduce how much money you make, your capital gain on the house.
KAGAN: Hmm.
WILLIS: Now, keep in mind that that capital gains exclusion, they're pretty generous here. If you're single, $250,000 that you can take in a capital gain, no tax applies. Now, if you're married filing jointly that number is 500,000, Daryn. So the taxes are pretty generous on this score. And it's really hard to make that brokerage commission make a big difference in your tax bill.
KAGAN: All right. Gerri Willis, thanks for the tip. You said you were going to file an extension?
WILLIS: Oh, no. No. No. They're gone already. KAGAN: You're done?
WILLIS: I'm done. How about you -- Daryn?
KAGAN: I'm done. Done. Done. Done.
WILLIS: Good.
KAGAN: Yes, actually, well trained. Thank you so much, Gerri. Appreciate it.
WILLIS: You're welcome.
KAGAN: The promise of getting some good pay, other than that no guarantees for contract workers in Iraq. For some money, it's no longer the deciding factor.
And we have the extraordinary story of an every day hero. A young boy's dying wish for his classmates.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the latest developments at this hour.
The CIA is analyzing a new audiotape said to be from Usama bin Laden. The speaker threatens revenge on the U.S. for the March 22 Israeli killing of the founder of Hamas. But it offers a truce to the European countries that stop attacking Muslims. A CIA official says it's clear the tape was made in the last three weeks. Intelligence officials are trying to determine whether the voice on the tape is that of Usama bin Laden.
President Bush is on the road and on the stump today. Just a few minutes ago, he left the White House en route to Iowa to address an economic symposium on rural America. Just last night, Iowa's Senate adopted a resolution calling for the state's congressional delegation to support making permanent Mr. Bush's tax cuts.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair meets with the world's top diplomats later today to discuss the war in Iraq. Mr. Blair meets with United Nations' General-Secretary Kofi Annan over dinner tonight. And then tomorrow, Mr. Blair will be meeting with President Bush.
Palestinian leaders are voicing outrage against President Bush and his endorsement yesterday of an Israeli proposal to hold onto parts of the West Bank. Yasser Arafat is vowing, quote, "To defend our land and sacred places.
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Aired April 15, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: We'll get started down here at CNN headquarters. I'm Daryn Kagan. Here is what is happening at this hour.
Sources say that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has approved a plan adding three months to the combat tours of nearly 20,000 troops in Iraq. The decision follows a request by the U.S. Central Command General John Abizaid. Troops have been told they would not be in Iraq for more than a year.
The Japanese government reports three Japanese hostages abducted last week in Iraq have been released. An al Jazeera video shows the three appearing to be unharmed and embracing a Muslim cleric. At the same time, Japan is investigating reports that two more of its citizens have been kidnapped in Iraq.
Incoming Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero promises an all out fight against terrorism. But he'll only send troops abroad after getting international approval as well as approval from Spain's Parliament. Zapatero has vowed to withdraw Spanish troop from Iraq unless the U.N. takes charge there by June 30.
And it is tax day. If you already haven't filed the taxes, get them in by midnight. You can also get a four-month filing extension. But you still have to pay any money owed by the end of the day. An estimated 30 million people have waited until the last minute to file those taxes.
We're going to go ahead and begin this hour in Iraq. That is where the hostage crisis remains very fluid at this time. Just hours after government officials in Rome confirm that militants executed an Italian hostage, Japan has announced that three of its citizens have been freed.
Our Baghdad bureau chief Jane Arraf is in the capital, she has the latest developments -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Daryn, these are three very lucky and obviously, quite relieved people. Now, they include an aid worker, a researcher and a freelance journalist. Now, the fears were that they would be harmed. Instead, they were released into the custody of a Muslim organization at a major Sunni mosque. We can see from the pictures that they appear to be in good health, unharmed and obviously, a huge relief.
After they were taken last week, their captors issued a statement, and issued pictures showing them blindfolded and threatening to burn them alive, if the Japanese did not withdraw their peacekeeping troops in the south of the country. The Japanese have not, but these people were released unharmed.
One Italian hostage not so lucky, he was shot dead by his captors; the video released to the al Jazeera television network. And three more Italian security guards are still being held presumably facing the same fate. Negotiations are going on to try to end that hostage taking.
Meanwhile, Russians are streaming out of the country. The Russian diplomat here says that most of the 800 contractors and other workers here are expected to leave. Russia is bringing in planes to take the workers out after several of them were taken hostage when armed gunmen burst into their home -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane, with the Japanese with their captors, clearly those demands were not met. So any indication why they decided to release those hostages at this time?
ARRAF: It's all quite shadowy, Daryn. The FBI is among other groups that are here, trying to figure out exactly who is taking these people and how to get them released. But obviously it's something very difficult to combat. Now with the Italians, they have obviously made a very strong political statement, to say the least, by killing one of their captors. With the Japanese, they may have believed that they get better and more publicity by releasing them. It's really hard to tell why exactly. Hard to tell, too, what went on behind the scenes to gain their release. But there are a lot of intermediaries involved, local and religious officials -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane Arraf in Baghdad.
More now on the Italian hostage, one Italian official was shown a videotape of that execution. And Rome has dispatched an envoy to work for the release of the remaining Italian hostages.
Our Rome bureau chief Alessio Vinci filed this report just a short time ago.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALESSIO VINCI, CNN ROME BUREAU CHIEF (on camera): Confirmation of the slaying of the one of the Italian hostages held captives in Iraq came last night, as the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Fratini was participating in a popular talk show on state's television, in which also relatives and friends of some of the captors were also participating. The Italian foreign minister telling the audience and the viewers that the Italian ambassador in Doha, Qatar had viewed a videotaped that was obtained by the Arabic news channel al Jazeera, in which the execution of one of those hostages was shown.
These of course, are dramatic hours for Italy. And as well, of course, indeed for the family and friends of the other relatives held captives in Iraq. Because in a statement that was released with that videotape, a group calling itself the Mujahideen Brigade has vowed to kill the other three hostages, if the Italian government does not meet their demands. Those demands being an Italian pullout from Iraq, Italy currently has 3,000 troops over there, as well as an apology by the Prime Minister Berlusconi.
Now, the Italian prime minister yesterday released a statement saying, quote, "They, as the hostage captivators have cut short a life, but they have not damaged our resolve and our commitment to peace." Indicating that at this time the Italian government has no intention to even discuss the possibility of withdrawing its troops from Iraq. The position of the Italian government, at this time, is that there will be no negotiations with the perpetrators of these crimes.
Nevertheless, the Italian government has dispatched a top diplomat to Baghdad in trying to establish some kind of a contact, perhaps through intermediaries with the people who are holding the other three hostages. Not to negotiate the Italian government says, but establish some kind of dialogue. And try to perhaps secure the release of the other three hostages.
Now, the victim's name was Fabrizio Quattrocchi. He was a 36- year-old man who worked in Iraq as a private security officer for a private firm over there. He arrived in Iraq back in December. He was there, according to some news report, he was there because he wanted to save some money in order to come back here, buy a house, marry his girlfriend and start a family.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: And that was Alessio Vinci, our bureau chief in Rome.
The tour of duty is about to get longer for about 21,000 U.S. Army troops in Iraq. The decision has yet to be announced. It seemingly though, breaks the Army's pledge to not allow assignments there to last beyond a year.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr is at her post with more on this developing story.
Barbara, good morning.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Defense Secretary Second Rumsfeld expected to make it official sometime later today about 20,000 U.S. troops will stay in Iraq, for an extra 90 days beyond their promised one-year tour of duty. Now, at the moment, it looks like those troops will be made up of the First Armored Division, the Second Armored Cavalry out of Fort Polk, Louisiana and a number of other support units.
General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff is in Baghdad. He held a press conference that ended just a little while ago. And he talked about the security situation in Iraq, and especially in Fallujah.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) GEN. RICHARD MYERS, CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF: It's a situation where you have clearly some foreign fighter, former regime element members, who again, while the cease-fire is ongoing, are attacking our Marines. The Marines are obeying the cease-fire, but they're being fired upon. They can return fire in self-defense, which they do. But they're trying their best to follow the rules of the cease-fire and negotiations are does going. We'll have to see how they play out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: But the question now is how long will all of this last? Twenty thousand troops to stay an extra 90 days, if the military believes this insurgency, this requirement for the extra troops is going to last. They're going to have to make some decisions fairly soon about the troops that will replace those who are staying. And so far, there is no decision about any of that just yet -- Daryn.
KAGAN: When you say make some decisions about the troops who would replace, you're saying which troops those would be, how long they would have to stay? Or not making any promises at this point because it's just not possible to keep those promises?
STARR: Well, they do have -- they have had until now a pretty straightforward, well-understood rotation schedule, if you will, for troops. They stay one-year and then they rotate out. Now, that's based on the requirement that they had, which was going to be about 115,000 troops by the end of June. But with this new situation, if they really believe permanently, or for some period of time at least, they're going to need the extra 20,000 troops.
And they're going to need that kind of manpower on the ground for some period of time. They're going to leave those there for 90 days, they've got to bring in troops to replace them, let them go home. That will shift the whole rotation schedule. And they just don't know yet whether they have that requirement for sometime to come and how they will fill it.
KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon. Barbara, thank you.
There is another recording purportedly from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. The voice on the audiotape offers a truce to European nations, which, quote, "Stop attacking Muslims." The U.S. is excluded from any such deal. The tape makes reference to the March 11 Madrid train bombings and 9/11 attacks, as examples of al Qaeda actions in response to the attack on Muslims. The speaker, whose identity has not been independently confirmed, also threatens revenge against the U.S. and Israel for the assassination last month of founder -- of the founder of Hamas.
The last audiotape believed to be from bin Laden came in January. That one described the U.S. involvement in Iraq as the beginning of an occupation of the Persian Gulf States for their oil. The last time bin Laden was seen on videotape aired last September, as he walked with his top deputy. In Washington, members of the 9/11 Commission say they are still not sure what will be their final report. It is due in July. This week's hearings featured a growing list of reasons for the intelligence failures leading up to the September 11 attacks. And CIA chief George Tenet surprised a lot of people, when he said the intelligence shortcomings will take five years to correct. Earlier on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from a member of the panel.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SLADE GORTON, MEMBER, 9/11 COMMISSION: That was a shocking statement on the part of George Tenet. He has certainly done a pretty good job since 9/11 in improving the CIA. I think that Bob Mueller has done an even better job with the FBI. But I hope that that five- year estimate, you know, isn't just an excuse for a lack of performance. I think we need to be prepared more quickly than that.
We've had some successes. Obviously, it's been 2 1/2 years since there has been an attack here in the United States, but we need a CIA with more confidence than was shown yesterday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Also on CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," we heard from William Webster. He the man, of course, who headed both the CIA and the FBI.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WILLIAM WEBSTER, FMR. DIRECTOR, CIA & FBI: We frequently hear about an MI-5 model, based on what takes place in Great Britain, the Secret Service. It's far different, in my view, than what we have traditionally had and what we need to have in a country as large and as vast as our own. The important thing to do is to be sure that the FBI agents in the field are fully trained in their responsibilities for counter-terrorism.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Webster says the biggest change within the intelligence community is the need to share information among the various agencies. He says the creation of the Homeland Security Department is a major step in that direction.
We are coming up on 12 minutes past the hour. The lure of a big paycheck for some contract security workers in Iraq. The pay is no longer worth the risk.
And who would you rather have as a college roommate? Would you room with George Bush or John Kerry? College students polled themselves and the results are up.
And later, a cultural movement document 24/7. We're going to take a peak inside a new network; it is devoted to all things hip-hop.
This is CNN LIVE TODAY.
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KAGAN: Checking in on news from Wisconsin now. An attorney for the student from Wisconsin, who is charged with staging her own disappearance last month, goes to court on her behalf today. Authorities filed a criminal complaint yesterday against Audrey Seiler, who also has two misdemeanor counts of obstruction to face as well. Police found Seiler four days after she vanished. Her claim being abducted sparked a massive manhunt. Seiler, because of her action, faces a possible sentence of up to nine months in jail and fines over $10,000.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RANDY HOPPER, ATTORNEY FOR AUDREY SEILER: Even the police are still investigating this matter; we're still investigating it. And until we really have all of the facts, we're not going to know exactly what happened. That's why we try cases like this in a court of law and not fully in the court of public opinion, so that all of the facts can come in. And a trier of fact can hear all of the facts and understand exactly what happened.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Hopper adds that he couldn't say whether Seiler made up her story or not. He says she's staying with her family and has been under the care of doctors.
On now to presidential politics, the war in Iraq is forging some common ground between the two major presidential candidates. At a college in New York City yesterday, John Kerry was confronted by a retired professor, who said the Democrat's opposition to withdrawing from Iraq offers no counter-balance to Mr. Bush.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: People hate George Bush but by the end of your presidency. But by the end of your presidency, people we will hate for you the same thing. You may fool some of the Americans that you are different from George Bush on this war. But you're not fooling most of the world and you're not going to fool Iraqis.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, let me say to you, sir, are you finished with your question?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Pardon me?
KERRY: Are you finished? I want to make sure you're finished.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can say more. But if you want, I'll be happy to.
(LAUGHTER)
KERRY: I have consistently been critical how we got where we are but we are where we are, sir. And it would be unwise beyond belief for the United States of America to leave a failed Iraq in its wake. (END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Let's look at some numbers now. A poll by Harvard University's Institute of Politics last month, takes a look at the presidential race through the eyes of college students. When asked if a Bush-Kerry election were held today, 48 percent of those polled chose the Democrat compared to 38 percent for the incumbent.
And then asked who would be the better college roommate? George Bush got 43 percent of the vote compared to 42 percent for John Kerry.
Well, you know the music, you know the fashion. but do you really know hip-hop culture? You'll soon be able to tune in 24 hours a day. More on the hip hop network ahead.
And your taxes are due today. Need we remind you? Gerri Willis is here with tax tips checking out, you know, getting ready for this big day here -- Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn. Yes, today is the day, April 15. And if you're one of those people who just cannot meet the deadline, we're going to tell you exactly what to do. Coming up next on CNN "LIVE TODAY."
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KAGAN: The numbers, though, that most people are looking at today, your tax numbers. Many of you have already filed your tax forms and even have your refund in your pocket. But many others are trying to do their taxes or file an extension before the midline -- midnight deadline tonight.
CNN-fn personal finance correspondent, Gerri Willis, some tax tips for all the folks out there.
Good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Yes, today is the day. And you know what? You have to make it. You have to file something or you face incredible penalties and interest payments in the future. So what do you need? If you're having a hard time and you need an extension it's easy enough to get a four-month extension by filing Form 4868. You can get that from irs.gov, the web site or any tax preparation software will have a copy of it as well.
Now, if you can't pay your bill, if that's the problem, the IRS will allow you to develop your own installment plan. You can pay your tax bill over time. You've got to get form 9465. That's 9465. Now, if your bill is less than $10,000 you're going to have to pay it over three years. At least over $10,000 will give you up to five years -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Lets talk about some positive news. What about those taxpayers out there, who have a nice chunk of cash in their pocket because they got a refund?
WILLIS: Well, you know, you can ask somebody else and they might tell you to go to the mall. But not me.
KAGAN: Yes!
WILLIS: Not me.
KAGAN: No?
WILLIS: I'm not saying that! There are lots of smart things you can do with the money. About $2,000, families are getting on average this year, could be a little higher. Hey, what about your kids? Why not start that college savings program you thought so much about? You could start a 529 Plan, that's what the states offer to parents who want to invest overtime with no tax consequence. Go to savingforcollege.com.
And think about that credit card debt. You know, guess what? Most families have $9,000 in credit card debt. They're paying hundreds of dollars in interest fees every year. You could carve that back just a little bit with your refund and save yourself a whole lot of dough -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, every party needs a pooper, that's why I invite you.
(LAUGHTER)
WILLIS: It's me!
KAGAN: No. I know. No, it's actually very good advice. It makes for a better party down the line if you follow your tips.
Hey, because you're here to serve, we want you to answer a question from a specific viewer. This is from Rahman. And he writes in to you Gerri and says, "I sold my primary residence in 2003 with no capital gains tax implication. However, I paid 6 percent real estate agent fees. Is that fee tax deductible?"
WILLIS: Well, short is -- short answer is there is probably no more tax benefit for you. But more broadly for people who are in the situation, they're selling a house, the brokerage commission can be deducted from the sales price. And that will ultimately reduce how much money you make, your capital gain on the house.
KAGAN: Hmm.
WILLIS: Now, keep in mind that that capital gains exclusion, they're pretty generous here. If you're single, $250,000 that you can take in a capital gain, no tax applies. Now, if you're married filing jointly that number is 500,000, Daryn. So the taxes are pretty generous on this score. And it's really hard to make that brokerage commission make a big difference in your tax bill.
KAGAN: All right. Gerri Willis, thanks for the tip. You said you were going to file an extension?
WILLIS: Oh, no. No. No. They're gone already. KAGAN: You're done?
WILLIS: I'm done. How about you -- Daryn?
KAGAN: I'm done. Done. Done. Done.
WILLIS: Good.
KAGAN: Yes, actually, well trained. Thank you so much, Gerri. Appreciate it.
WILLIS: You're welcome.
KAGAN: The promise of getting some good pay, other than that no guarantees for contract workers in Iraq. For some money, it's no longer the deciding factor.
And we have the extraordinary story of an every day hero. A young boy's dying wish for his classmates.
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KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's take a look at the latest developments at this hour.
The CIA is analyzing a new audiotape said to be from Usama bin Laden. The speaker threatens revenge on the U.S. for the March 22 Israeli killing of the founder of Hamas. But it offers a truce to the European countries that stop attacking Muslims. A CIA official says it's clear the tape was made in the last three weeks. Intelligence officials are trying to determine whether the voice on the tape is that of Usama bin Laden.
President Bush is on the road and on the stump today. Just a few minutes ago, he left the White House en route to Iowa to address an economic symposium on rural America. Just last night, Iowa's Senate adopted a resolution calling for the state's congressional delegation to support making permanent Mr. Bush's tax cuts.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair meets with the world's top diplomats later today to discuss the war in Iraq. Mr. Blair meets with United Nations' General-Secretary Kofi Annan over dinner tonight. And then tomorrow, Mr. Blair will be meeting with President Bush.
Palestinian leaders are voicing outrage against President Bush and his endorsement yesterday of an Israeli proposal to hold onto parts of the West Bank. Yasser Arafat is vowing, quote, "To defend our land and sacred places.
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