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CNN Live At Daybreak

Mideast Crisis; Holocaust Remembrance; Child Molester Caught; Space Mission

Aired April 19, 2004 - 05:30   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A day to remember. Sirens wail as Israel comes to a virtual standstill.
And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. It is Monday, April 19. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date now.

A new book about President Bush's Iraq war plan goes on sale today. In the book, noted journalist Bob Woodward reveals that the president kept some decisions on the war secret from key cabinet members.

A convicted sex offender could face federal charges in the death of Dru Sjodin. Sjodin's body was found on Saturday. Federal charges could also make Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. eligible for the death penalty.

A suspect has led police to the body of a missing pregnant woman. Nineteen-year-old Tamara Dunstan was abducted during a robbery at her mother's home in Augusta, Georgia last Thursday. Ronald Burke is charged with murder in the case.

And sirens wail in Israel this morning on annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. Observances are also planned for many cities in the United States today.

Good morning -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hamas is vowing revenge again. This time the Palestinian group threatens what it calls 100 unique reprisals against Israel for killing its new leader.

Our John Vause has the latest for you from Gaza.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The question now is how long before Hamas strikes back at Israel. At the funeral of Abdel Aziz Rantisi, Hamas has promised 100 acts of retaliation. But similar vows of revenge were made in the days after the death of Sheikh Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, who, too, was killed by an Israeli missile strike. So far though, the militant group has not delivered a major blow against Israel.

Hamas, though, has said the strike against Israel would take some time and will be very unique. But Israeli security officials say the assassination of Rantisi has left the organization in serious distress and disarray amongst its senior leaders. They believe it will take some time before Hamas can regroup.

Palestinians, though, are now in the middle of three days of mourning. It follows a day of angry protests in Gaza and across the West Bank with the Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat warning the assassination of Rantisi will lead to renewed violence throughout the region.

YASSER ARAFAT, PALESTINIAN LEADER (through translator): This is not the path to peace. I remind them, Bush and Sharon, that they have prevented the road map through the quartet and any departure from the road map will only increase instability in the entire Middle East region.

VAUSE: Meantime, at Holocaust Remembrance Day services in Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed to crush all of those who attacked the Jewish people.

John Vause, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And across Israel and around the world, people are also pausing to pay homage to victims of the Holocaust.

Our senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers joins us live now from Jerusalem to tell us that part of the story.

Hello -- Walter.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

This is an annual commemoration in Israel. No traffic moves on the streets. Men, women and children pause, lower their heads and remember, remember what others in the world may prefer to forget.

It is but two minutes out of a nation's life, two minutes that have become frozen in time, frozen in thought but seared into the Israeli collective memory. Many Israelis, those of European descent, are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Holocaust victims. Each has a story to tell. The father, who remembers 18 uncles in Poland who did not believe it would happen, yet he alone survived. It is the Israeli grandmother, too, a Dutch Jew, as a girl hidden from the Nazis, shunted from basement to farm to attic. Today in Israel, with four grandchildren, they are a family reborn.

Israelis stand and remember during the siren's wail, remember Bergen-Belsen, Sachsenhausen, Treblinka and Auschwitz. Some may recall the killing fields of Baba Yar. Names that still send a chill down the necks of civilized people or should. This is a moment in time frozen in the thoughts of the living, seared by the memory of six million Jews killed by the Nazis. Israelis remember because so much of the world would rather forget or even deny. It is the rest of the world's inclination to forget or deny that so shapes the Israeli's character today -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Walter Rodgers, reporting live for us from Jerusalem this morning, many thanks to you.

Want to talk a little bit more about Iraq right now, because over the weekend it was a bloody one for American troops. What, some dozen U.S. soldiers died?

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Yes.

COSTELLO: David Clinch, our senior international editor, is here to tell us more.

CLINCH: About a dozen U.S. soldiers killed over the weekend. We're now at about 100 dead U.S. soldiers in Iraq in April alone 19 days into the month. A bloody scene already, a high death toll, that's obviously increased on a per-day basis on what we were seeing. We used to talk about one a day a few months ago, we're now up to four or five a day obviously on average.

And of course the other thing to remember is that this is happening without the all-out military assault on either Fallujah or Najaf, which are still threatened. We're watching that very closely. The coalition indicating that they are still giving a chance for negotiations in both the Sunni insurgency and the Shiite rebellion, but are also making it clear, both in public and behind the scenes to us, that their patience is not limitless in either area.

Now Najaf, of course, is the more complicated one with Muqtada al-Sadr hiding out near the main mosque, a very sensitive issue there. But even in Fallujah, clearly the Marines went in, they went in hard, they have not achieved their goal there and they are giving negotiations a chance. But they are ready to go in all out at some point once those negotiations end.

COSTELLO: Spain is going to withdrawal its 1,300 troops soon. How will that affect the coalition?

CLINCH: Well on the surface the U.S. and others making it clear that 1,300 or so troops who were not engaged in major combat even while they were there, although they did get involved in some involuntary combat towards the end, won't have a major effect. But it is an annoyance for them. The Polish commander that controls that what is now 9,000-plus group in that very sensitive area trying to find ways to fill that out. Not many countries, according to the Polish prime minister, I was reading a comment from him today, no country is offering support in that area right now in the absence of a U.N. resolution, which is, of course, what, according to the Spanish, put them over the edge to confirm they were leaving.

COSTELLO: But that U.N. resolution is being worked on, isn't it? CLINCH: Yes, well there is...

COSTELLO: Why didn't...

CLINCH: ... U.N. resolutions and there is U.N. resolutions. There is a U.N. resolution to confirm day facto what exists on the ground, a U.S.-led coalition. And there is a U.N. resolution, which -- with varying opinions of different countries would create a new system with the U.N. having more power and more specific control over the security and political situation. That kind of U.N. resolution is being thought about and talked about but does not seem to be making much headway at the moment.

COSTELLO: All right. David Clinch,...

CLINCH: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... many thanks to you.

CLINCH: OK.

COSTELLO: We are not quite through with this topic. In our next hour, Chip Franklin, libertarian radio host for WBAL in Baltimore, joins us on the phone live to talk about the war in Iraq and of course, Bob Woodward's book, "Plan of Attack."

On the campaign trail, Democrat John Kerry in Florida this week is being critical of the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq, and he's also being forced to defend his own political record.

CNN's Candy Crowley reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Sporting a newly acquired Florida tan, John Kerry observed the Sunday rituals, church service and "Meet the Press," where he pushed his position that the road out of Iraq goes through the White House.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It may well be that we need a new president, a breath of fresh air to re-establish credibility with the rest of the world, so that we can have a believable administration as to how we proceed.

CROWLEY: Plagued by poll numbers showing over half of Americans believe Kerry says whatever he thinks people want to hear at the time, the senator was pressed to explain his statements and his record.

First, his vote for the Iraq resolution and then his vote against a spending bill to fund it.

KERRY: That vote would never have prevented any of those - the body armor, ammunition, or anything from getting to our troops.

CROWLEY: Raising the retirement age and means testing, Social Security. KERRY: No, I rejected that. We looked at that and we found we don't have to do it.

CROWLEY: A 1971 statement when Kerry said the U.N. should oversee the deployment of U.S. troops.

KERRY: That's one of those stupid things that a 27-year old kid says. When you're fresh back from Vietnam, and angry about it...

CROWLEY: A Vietnam era statement charging widespread atrocities.

KERRY: Where did all that dark hair go, Tim? That's a big question for me. You know, I've thought a lot for a long time about that period of time, the things we said. And I think the word is a bad word. I think it's an inappropriate word.

CROWLEY: Critiquing Kerry's performance later, Republicans said the senator only added to the confusion surrounding his record. The Bush campaign was particularly eager to highlight Kerry's refusal to rule out a future vote against funding the war in Iraq.

The audience was a good deal friendlier. By the time Kerry arrived at the University of Miami to deliver the usual.

KERRY: Misleading America again about everything.

CROWLEY (on camera): Kerry's trip to Florida is a mixture of fundraisers and rallying the faithful. It will include a Monday appearance with former rival Senator Joe Lieberman, where else? In Palm Beach County. Home of the butterfly ballot.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: While Kerry says fresh blood is needed in the White House, Vice President Dick Cheney says the country needs to stay the course. Over the weekend, he questioned whether Kerry is ready to be the country's leader.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'll leave it for Senator Kerry to explain or explain away his votes and statements about the war on terror, our cause in Iraq and the needs of the American military. Whatever the explanation, it is not an impressive record for someone who aspires to become Commander in Chief in this time of testing for our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Look for a new CNN-USA Today Gallup Poll to be released this afternoon on President Bush's approval rating. As soon as we get the numbers, we'll pass them along to you.

A man who called himself a monster is behind bars this morning. Just ahead, a convicted sex offender who might have molested 200 children is arrested, but it's not for what you might think.

Later, blasting into orbit. We'll tell you where an American, Dutch and Russian crew is headed.

And in the next hour of DAYBREAK, midsized cars are put to the crash test. See if your car passed or failed.

This is DAYBREAK for Monday, April 19.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:46 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is expected to announce plans this morning to accelerate preparations for a future terrorist attack. The move is being made ahead of high-profile events like the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

Today is the 11th anniversary of the fiery end to a standoff at the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. Seventy-seven people died in the siege, many of them children.

In money news, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" tops at the box office. The sequel pulled in more than $25 million in its debut weekend. That's $3.5 million more than "Volume 1."

In the world of sports, Rusty Wallace finally found his way back to the winner's circle. Wallace notched his first NASCAR victory in almost three years by winning Sunday's race in Martinsville, Virginia.

In culture, VH1 held its 7th annual diva's concert in Las Vegas. The star-studded affair included performances by Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson and Debbie Harry. Jessica Simpson a diva?

MYERS: Well...

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: Never mind.

Congratulations to Rusty Wallace. I'll just put it that way.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines.

A massive manhunt is over for a convicted sex offender. Edward Stokes, who had been released from prison in California on a technicality, has been captured in Oregon.

CNN's Miguel Marquez tells us what led to his arrest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Serial child molester and self-described monster, Edward Harvey Stokes, is behind bars, arrested in Gresham, Oregon, a suburb of Portland, after a tip came in from a woman who had seen news reports about Stokes.

GRANT MCCORMICK, GRESHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT: He admitted who he was. And he was taken into custody without incident.

MARQUEZ: Investigators searched a used ambulance Stokes had parked in a lot south of Portland and white Ryder van that Stokes rented last week.

MCCORMICK: There is a mattress in back of the van. We don't know what that is being used for, but that will be processed.

MARQUEZ: Stokes was let out of prison on April 7th in Orange County, California after his sentence for sexual battery of a teenager was overturned. Stokes' accuser in the case, a 16-year old boy, killed himself shortly before trial. And a California appellate court ruled that Stokes had been denied his constitutional right to confront and cross examine his accuser.

While serving an earlier sentence for child molestation in Colorado, Stokes wrote to a prison therapist that he had 212 victims. After being let out of prison in California, Stokes applied for a driver's license in Washington state. And investigators say he gave a false address. Two warrants were issued for his arrest.

(on camera): A spokesman from Noma County jail says Stokes is being held on a no bail warrant. His arraignment to come as early as Monday morning.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: The road to war, according to Bob Woodward. Just ahead, your thoughts on his new book detailing the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq.

Plus, and there it goes, an international crew leaves Earth. We'll tell you where they are heading and what they will do when they get there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK. It's 5:52 Eastern.

For just the third time since the shuttle Columbia disaster, a manned space mission is now under way. Three space travelers, including an American astronaut, blasted off this morning on their way to the International Space Station.

CNN's Ryan Chilcote joins us live from Moscow with the latest on this mission.

Good morning.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Michael -- American Michael Fincke, Russian Gennady Padalka and Dutchman Andre Kuipers have been in orbit now for a bit more than six hours. They have got 46 hours to go until they reach the International Space Station. That's where they are going to link up with Michael Foale and Alexander Kaleri. They have been up there for more than six months now. That's the eighth crew of the International Space Station.

The five of them will spend the next nine days together before Michael Foale, Alexander Kaleri and Andre Kuipers return to Earth, leaving Michael Fincke and Gennady Padalka up there for another six months. They are now the ninth crew to live on the International Space Station.

And they have got quite a bit of work to do up there. A lot of experiments looking at how the gravity or lack of gravity affects the body up there in space. I know that the Russian cosmonaut also has an experiment that he is going to be doing looking at now growing the third generation of peas in space. They have two space walks planned. And in addition of that, they have some pictures of their family. And I know that Michael Fincke, the American astronaut, has brought up a bunch of MP3s with him to deal with what must be some pretty lonely downtime up there -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You're not kidding. I didn't realize they were growing peas up there -- Ryan.

CHILCOTE: Well indeed they are up there for six months. They have a lot of useful work to do. But you know the thing is that because of the shuttle, the shuttles being grounded in February of last year, it is now two-man crews as opposed to three-man crews on the station. Minus those shuttles, they simply can't support more people. So a lot of what the astronauts and cosmonauts have to do up there is simply maintaining the station -- the station's systems as they are now -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ryan Chilcote reporting live from Moscow this morning.

We want to open our 'DAYBREAK E-Mail Bag' right now, because we've been getting a lot of e-mails on Bob Woodward's new book,...

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: ... "Plan of Attack." He was on "60 Minutes" yesterday. And...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... made some astounding claims about the Bush administration.

MYERS: He did. And you know we're finding these -- there's no middle gray ground. Either you believe him or you think he is trying to sell his sister to make a buck.

COSTELLO: Right.

MYERS: I mean and the e-mails are just going right down party lines, as I can see it, but...

COSTELLO: That's how I kind of read it, too. OK.

This one comes from Mark (ph). He says in the interview Mr. Woodward says that two people went into a room, closed the door to have a private conversation, yet he states what they said. Can he hear through walls? If so, does he have kids? I sure wouldn't want a parent that could hear me through walls.

MYERS: That's good.

It's obvious that anyone besides he can do no wrong Republicans that Bush and his Iraq had -- Bush had his eyes on Iraq firmly from day one. Also proven Cheney could have been the most dangerous person ever in the White House. That's from Doc (ph).

COSTELLO: This is from Joey (ph) from Pittsburgh, Texas. He says yes, you can believe Bob Woodward. He is a proven investigative reporter and he has that rare gift. Those people he interviews open up to him without thinking of the consequences. This man has integrity written all over him.

MYERS: And this is from Roy (ph) in Niagara on the lake (ph). Give me a break, this guy would sell his sister for a buck. How many people does he have to destroy to make money? That's from Roy.

And this one -- this one right down party lines. Of course everyone will remark that Woodward's book according to party lines one way and the other Republicans attacking Woodward for credibility and the other ones saying it's obvious that credibility is falling at each America fatality in Iraq. That was from Mildred (ph).

COSTELLO: Mildred, you probably got it most right of all.

But let's read this one from Terry (ph) from Dearborn, Michigan. He says it is sad, however, that what Bob Woodward said on "60 Minutes" is probably true. It is sad not only because our soldiers are needlessly dying in Iraq, but also because this means that we can't believe what our president tells us. A leader without credibility cannot effectively lead our country.

And you can bet this will be the talk of the airwaves all day long, talk of TV all day long...

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: ... and we're going to get more into it as DAYBREAK progresses and throughout the CNN all day long.

MYERS: Is the book on sale now?

COSTELLO: It goes on sale today.

MYERS: There you go.

COSTELLO: So it should be interesting...

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: ... to see if it sells out like other books have.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: A crucial test for midsized cars in the next hour of DAYBREAK. Find out if your car is on the list that failed a side impact crash test.

And conflict within the coalition forces, Spain decides to pull its troops out of Iraq right now. Will other countries follow suit? We'll have details for you ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired April 19, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: A day to remember. Sirens wail as Israel comes to a virtual standstill.
And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. It is Monday, April 19. From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date now.

A new book about President Bush's Iraq war plan goes on sale today. In the book, noted journalist Bob Woodward reveals that the president kept some decisions on the war secret from key cabinet members.

A convicted sex offender could face federal charges in the death of Dru Sjodin. Sjodin's body was found on Saturday. Federal charges could also make Alfonso Rodriguez Jr. eligible for the death penalty.

A suspect has led police to the body of a missing pregnant woman. Nineteen-year-old Tamara Dunstan was abducted during a robbery at her mother's home in Augusta, Georgia last Thursday. Ronald Burke is charged with murder in the case.

And sirens wail in Israel this morning on annual Holocaust Remembrance Day. Observances are also planned for many cities in the United States today.

Good morning -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Hamas is vowing revenge again. This time the Palestinian group threatens what it calls 100 unique reprisals against Israel for killing its new leader.

Our John Vause has the latest for you from Gaza.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The question now is how long before Hamas strikes back at Israel. At the funeral of Abdel Aziz Rantisi, Hamas has promised 100 acts of retaliation. But similar vows of revenge were made in the days after the death of Sheikh Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, who, too, was killed by an Israeli missile strike. So far though, the militant group has not delivered a major blow against Israel.

Hamas, though, has said the strike against Israel would take some time and will be very unique. But Israeli security officials say the assassination of Rantisi has left the organization in serious distress and disarray amongst its senior leaders. They believe it will take some time before Hamas can regroup.

Palestinians, though, are now in the middle of three days of mourning. It follows a day of angry protests in Gaza and across the West Bank with the Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat warning the assassination of Rantisi will lead to renewed violence throughout the region.

YASSER ARAFAT, PALESTINIAN LEADER (through translator): This is not the path to peace. I remind them, Bush and Sharon, that they have prevented the road map through the quartet and any departure from the road map will only increase instability in the entire Middle East region.

VAUSE: Meantime, at Holocaust Remembrance Day services in Israel, the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed to crush all of those who attacked the Jewish people.

John Vause, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And across Israel and around the world, people are also pausing to pay homage to victims of the Holocaust.

Our senior international correspondent Walter Rodgers joins us live now from Jerusalem to tell us that part of the story.

Hello -- Walter.

WALTER RODGERS, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.

This is an annual commemoration in Israel. No traffic moves on the streets. Men, women and children pause, lower their heads and remember, remember what others in the world may prefer to forget.

It is but two minutes out of a nation's life, two minutes that have become frozen in time, frozen in thought but seared into the Israeli collective memory. Many Israelis, those of European descent, are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Holocaust victims. Each has a story to tell. The father, who remembers 18 uncles in Poland who did not believe it would happen, yet he alone survived. It is the Israeli grandmother, too, a Dutch Jew, as a girl hidden from the Nazis, shunted from basement to farm to attic. Today in Israel, with four grandchildren, they are a family reborn.

Israelis stand and remember during the siren's wail, remember Bergen-Belsen, Sachsenhausen, Treblinka and Auschwitz. Some may recall the killing fields of Baba Yar. Names that still send a chill down the necks of civilized people or should. This is a moment in time frozen in the thoughts of the living, seared by the memory of six million Jews killed by the Nazis. Israelis remember because so much of the world would rather forget or even deny. It is the rest of the world's inclination to forget or deny that so shapes the Israeli's character today -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Walter Rodgers, reporting live for us from Jerusalem this morning, many thanks to you.

Want to talk a little bit more about Iraq right now, because over the weekend it was a bloody one for American troops. What, some dozen U.S. soldiers died?

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Yes.

COSTELLO: David Clinch, our senior international editor, is here to tell us more.

CLINCH: About a dozen U.S. soldiers killed over the weekend. We're now at about 100 dead U.S. soldiers in Iraq in April alone 19 days into the month. A bloody scene already, a high death toll, that's obviously increased on a per-day basis on what we were seeing. We used to talk about one a day a few months ago, we're now up to four or five a day obviously on average.

And of course the other thing to remember is that this is happening without the all-out military assault on either Fallujah or Najaf, which are still threatened. We're watching that very closely. The coalition indicating that they are still giving a chance for negotiations in both the Sunni insurgency and the Shiite rebellion, but are also making it clear, both in public and behind the scenes to us, that their patience is not limitless in either area.

Now Najaf, of course, is the more complicated one with Muqtada al-Sadr hiding out near the main mosque, a very sensitive issue there. But even in Fallujah, clearly the Marines went in, they went in hard, they have not achieved their goal there and they are giving negotiations a chance. But they are ready to go in all out at some point once those negotiations end.

COSTELLO: Spain is going to withdrawal its 1,300 troops soon. How will that affect the coalition?

CLINCH: Well on the surface the U.S. and others making it clear that 1,300 or so troops who were not engaged in major combat even while they were there, although they did get involved in some involuntary combat towards the end, won't have a major effect. But it is an annoyance for them. The Polish commander that controls that what is now 9,000-plus group in that very sensitive area trying to find ways to fill that out. Not many countries, according to the Polish prime minister, I was reading a comment from him today, no country is offering support in that area right now in the absence of a U.N. resolution, which is, of course, what, according to the Spanish, put them over the edge to confirm they were leaving.

COSTELLO: But that U.N. resolution is being worked on, isn't it? CLINCH: Yes, well there is...

COSTELLO: Why didn't...

CLINCH: ... U.N. resolutions and there is U.N. resolutions. There is a U.N. resolution to confirm day facto what exists on the ground, a U.S.-led coalition. And there is a U.N. resolution, which -- with varying opinions of different countries would create a new system with the U.N. having more power and more specific control over the security and political situation. That kind of U.N. resolution is being thought about and talked about but does not seem to be making much headway at the moment.

COSTELLO: All right. David Clinch,...

CLINCH: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... many thanks to you.

CLINCH: OK.

COSTELLO: We are not quite through with this topic. In our next hour, Chip Franklin, libertarian radio host for WBAL in Baltimore, joins us on the phone live to talk about the war in Iraq and of course, Bob Woodward's book, "Plan of Attack."

On the campaign trail, Democrat John Kerry in Florida this week is being critical of the Bush administration's handling of the war in Iraq, and he's also being forced to defend his own political record.

CNN's Candy Crowley reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CANDY CROWLEY, CNN SR. POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Sporting a newly acquired Florida tan, John Kerry observed the Sunday rituals, church service and "Meet the Press," where he pushed his position that the road out of Iraq goes through the White House.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It may well be that we need a new president, a breath of fresh air to re-establish credibility with the rest of the world, so that we can have a believable administration as to how we proceed.

CROWLEY: Plagued by poll numbers showing over half of Americans believe Kerry says whatever he thinks people want to hear at the time, the senator was pressed to explain his statements and his record.

First, his vote for the Iraq resolution and then his vote against a spending bill to fund it.

KERRY: That vote would never have prevented any of those - the body armor, ammunition, or anything from getting to our troops.

CROWLEY: Raising the retirement age and means testing, Social Security. KERRY: No, I rejected that. We looked at that and we found we don't have to do it.

CROWLEY: A 1971 statement when Kerry said the U.N. should oversee the deployment of U.S. troops.

KERRY: That's one of those stupid things that a 27-year old kid says. When you're fresh back from Vietnam, and angry about it...

CROWLEY: A Vietnam era statement charging widespread atrocities.

KERRY: Where did all that dark hair go, Tim? That's a big question for me. You know, I've thought a lot for a long time about that period of time, the things we said. And I think the word is a bad word. I think it's an inappropriate word.

CROWLEY: Critiquing Kerry's performance later, Republicans said the senator only added to the confusion surrounding his record. The Bush campaign was particularly eager to highlight Kerry's refusal to rule out a future vote against funding the war in Iraq.

The audience was a good deal friendlier. By the time Kerry arrived at the University of Miami to deliver the usual.

KERRY: Misleading America again about everything.

CROWLEY (on camera): Kerry's trip to Florida is a mixture of fundraisers and rallying the faithful. It will include a Monday appearance with former rival Senator Joe Lieberman, where else? In Palm Beach County. Home of the butterfly ballot.

Candy Crowley, CNN, Miami.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: While Kerry says fresh blood is needed in the White House, Vice President Dick Cheney says the country needs to stay the course. Over the weekend, he questioned whether Kerry is ready to be the country's leader.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD CHENEY, VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'll leave it for Senator Kerry to explain or explain away his votes and statements about the war on terror, our cause in Iraq and the needs of the American military. Whatever the explanation, it is not an impressive record for someone who aspires to become Commander in Chief in this time of testing for our country.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Look for a new CNN-USA Today Gallup Poll to be released this afternoon on President Bush's approval rating. As soon as we get the numbers, we'll pass them along to you.

A man who called himself a monster is behind bars this morning. Just ahead, a convicted sex offender who might have molested 200 children is arrested, but it's not for what you might think.

Later, blasting into orbit. We'll tell you where an American, Dutch and Russian crew is headed.

And in the next hour of DAYBREAK, midsized cars are put to the crash test. See if your car passed or failed.

This is DAYBREAK for Monday, April 19.

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COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:46 Eastern. Here is what's all new this morning.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is expected to announce plans this morning to accelerate preparations for a future terrorist attack. The move is being made ahead of high-profile events like the Republican and Democratic National Conventions.

Today is the 11th anniversary of the fiery end to a standoff at the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas. Seventy-seven people died in the siege, many of them children.

In money news, "Kill Bill: Vol. 2" tops at the box office. The sequel pulled in more than $25 million in its debut weekend. That's $3.5 million more than "Volume 1."

In the world of sports, Rusty Wallace finally found his way back to the winner's circle. Wallace notched his first NASCAR victory in almost three years by winning Sunday's race in Martinsville, Virginia.

In culture, VH1 held its 7th annual diva's concert in Las Vegas. The star-studded affair included performances by Patti LaBelle, Jessica Simpson and Debbie Harry. Jessica Simpson a diva?

MYERS: Well...

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: Never mind.

Congratulations to Rusty Wallace. I'll just put it that way.

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COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines.

A massive manhunt is over for a convicted sex offender. Edward Stokes, who had been released from prison in California on a technicality, has been captured in Oregon.

CNN's Miguel Marquez tells us what led to his arrest.

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MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Serial child molester and self-described monster, Edward Harvey Stokes, is behind bars, arrested in Gresham, Oregon, a suburb of Portland, after a tip came in from a woman who had seen news reports about Stokes.

GRANT MCCORMICK, GRESHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT: He admitted who he was. And he was taken into custody without incident.

MARQUEZ: Investigators searched a used ambulance Stokes had parked in a lot south of Portland and white Ryder van that Stokes rented last week.

MCCORMICK: There is a mattress in back of the van. We don't know what that is being used for, but that will be processed.

MARQUEZ: Stokes was let out of prison on April 7th in Orange County, California after his sentence for sexual battery of a teenager was overturned. Stokes' accuser in the case, a 16-year old boy, killed himself shortly before trial. And a California appellate court ruled that Stokes had been denied his constitutional right to confront and cross examine his accuser.

While serving an earlier sentence for child molestation in Colorado, Stokes wrote to a prison therapist that he had 212 victims. After being let out of prison in California, Stokes applied for a driver's license in Washington state. And investigators say he gave a false address. Two warrants were issued for his arrest.

(on camera): A spokesman from Noma County jail says Stokes is being held on a no bail warrant. His arraignment to come as early as Monday morning.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Los Angeles.

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COSTELLO: The road to war, according to Bob Woodward. Just ahead, your thoughts on his new book detailing the Bush administration's decision to invade Iraq.

Plus, and there it goes, an international crew leaves Earth. We'll tell you where they are heading and what they will do when they get there.

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COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK. It's 5:52 Eastern.

For just the third time since the shuttle Columbia disaster, a manned space mission is now under way. Three space travelers, including an American astronaut, blasted off this morning on their way to the International Space Station.

CNN's Ryan Chilcote joins us live from Moscow with the latest on this mission.

Good morning.

RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Michael -- American Michael Fincke, Russian Gennady Padalka and Dutchman Andre Kuipers have been in orbit now for a bit more than six hours. They have got 46 hours to go until they reach the International Space Station. That's where they are going to link up with Michael Foale and Alexander Kaleri. They have been up there for more than six months now. That's the eighth crew of the International Space Station.

The five of them will spend the next nine days together before Michael Foale, Alexander Kaleri and Andre Kuipers return to Earth, leaving Michael Fincke and Gennady Padalka up there for another six months. They are now the ninth crew to live on the International Space Station.

And they have got quite a bit of work to do up there. A lot of experiments looking at how the gravity or lack of gravity affects the body up there in space. I know that the Russian cosmonaut also has an experiment that he is going to be doing looking at now growing the third generation of peas in space. They have two space walks planned. And in addition of that, they have some pictures of their family. And I know that Michael Fincke, the American astronaut, has brought up a bunch of MP3s with him to deal with what must be some pretty lonely downtime up there -- Carol.

COSTELLO: You're not kidding. I didn't realize they were growing peas up there -- Ryan.

CHILCOTE: Well indeed they are up there for six months. They have a lot of useful work to do. But you know the thing is that because of the shuttle, the shuttles being grounded in February of last year, it is now two-man crews as opposed to three-man crews on the station. Minus those shuttles, they simply can't support more people. So a lot of what the astronauts and cosmonauts have to do up there is simply maintaining the station -- the station's systems as they are now -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Ryan Chilcote reporting live from Moscow this morning.

We want to open our 'DAYBREAK E-Mail Bag' right now, because we've been getting a lot of e-mails on Bob Woodward's new book,...

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: ... "Plan of Attack." He was on "60 Minutes" yesterday. And...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... made some astounding claims about the Bush administration.

MYERS: He did. And you know we're finding these -- there's no middle gray ground. Either you believe him or you think he is trying to sell his sister to make a buck.

COSTELLO: Right.

MYERS: I mean and the e-mails are just going right down party lines, as I can see it, but...

COSTELLO: That's how I kind of read it, too. OK.

This one comes from Mark (ph). He says in the interview Mr. Woodward says that two people went into a room, closed the door to have a private conversation, yet he states what they said. Can he hear through walls? If so, does he have kids? I sure wouldn't want a parent that could hear me through walls.

MYERS: That's good.

It's obvious that anyone besides he can do no wrong Republicans that Bush and his Iraq had -- Bush had his eyes on Iraq firmly from day one. Also proven Cheney could have been the most dangerous person ever in the White House. That's from Doc (ph).

COSTELLO: This is from Joey (ph) from Pittsburgh, Texas. He says yes, you can believe Bob Woodward. He is a proven investigative reporter and he has that rare gift. Those people he interviews open up to him without thinking of the consequences. This man has integrity written all over him.

MYERS: And this is from Roy (ph) in Niagara on the lake (ph). Give me a break, this guy would sell his sister for a buck. How many people does he have to destroy to make money? That's from Roy.

And this one -- this one right down party lines. Of course everyone will remark that Woodward's book according to party lines one way and the other Republicans attacking Woodward for credibility and the other ones saying it's obvious that credibility is falling at each America fatality in Iraq. That was from Mildred (ph).

COSTELLO: Mildred, you probably got it most right of all.

But let's read this one from Terry (ph) from Dearborn, Michigan. He says it is sad, however, that what Bob Woodward said on "60 Minutes" is probably true. It is sad not only because our soldiers are needlessly dying in Iraq, but also because this means that we can't believe what our president tells us. A leader without credibility cannot effectively lead our country.

And you can bet this will be the talk of the airwaves all day long, talk of TV all day long...

MYERS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: ... and we're going to get more into it as DAYBREAK progresses and throughout the CNN all day long.

MYERS: Is the book on sale now?

COSTELLO: It goes on sale today.

MYERS: There you go.

COSTELLO: So it should be interesting...

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: ... to see if it sells out like other books have.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: A crucial test for midsized cars in the next hour of DAYBREAK. Find out if your car is on the list that failed a side impact crash test.

And conflict within the coalition forces, Spain decides to pull its troops out of Iraq right now. Will other countries follow suit? We'll have details for you ahead.

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