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CNN Live Today

Basra Attacks, Fallujah Firefight; Saudi Suicide Attack

Aired April 21, 2004 - 11:00   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, CNN ANCHOR: A date is set for President Bush and Vice President Cheney to appear before the commission investigating the September 11 attacks. They are scheduled to meet with the panel next Thursday. Officials say the president and vice president will answer all of the commissioner's questions during the joint appearance.
Suicide bombers unleashed an attack on the Iraqi city of Basra. At least 68 people were killed in the attack. Some were children on their way to school.

And in Fallujah, U.S. Marines fight back after an attack by Iraqi insurgents. Dozens of fighters attacked the Marines with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Three Marines were reported wounded, nine insurgents killed.

A suicide bomb blast rocked the Saudi capital of Riyadh today. The explosion ripped the facade off the General Security Building. A Saudi official says at least 9 people are dead, 125 people are hurt. He says authorities were tipped off that six explosions were planned. They did manage to find and defuse five of those six bombs.

Crews in Illinois are searching for four or five people possibly trapped in the rubble left behind by a deadly tornado. At least three people were killed when the twister leveled a building in Utica, Illinois. Tornadoes also ripped across northern Indiana last night, but no deaths were reported there.

It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast and 8:00 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN center in Atlanta, good morning once again, I'm Daryn Kagan.

The fight for Iraq is up first on CNN. Battles erupt in the volatile city of Fallujah, and suicide bomb attacks kill dozens in Basra, including several schoolchildren.

CNN's Jim Clancy is in Baghdad with details on a violent day in Iraq -- Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, it was almost beyond belief, the scenes that we saw today in Basra, five suicide bombers detonating their explosive charges in front of police facilities in that city. In the path, of course, many civilian vehicles. It came just after 7:00 in the morning, a lot of people on their way to their jobs; students, too, on their way to class. In all, some 68 people killed, more than 100 others wounded. Now, some of those killed were preschool children, were middle school children on their way to class. They were killed in the blast at one of the police stations. You can see two of the charred buses that they had been riding in -- really, vans used as school buses here in Iraq. Their bodies reported to be charred beyond recognition.

The head of the Governing Council, Massoud Barzoni (ph), calling this an act of terror, and it clearly was aimed at the civilians in Iraq; also aimed at the police.

In another incident there in Basra, there were two bombs successively detonated at the police academy. The first was detonated. There were a number of British troops wounded, two of them seriously. It is believed 16 police officers in all were killed. And then a second suicide bomber drove his vehicle in just as police and rescue workers were trying to clear the scene and treat the wounded.

A very terrible day in Basra. And, you know, it is a city in the far south of Iraq that had escaped most of the violence during this month of April, but any notion of security, Daryn, is completely dashed by these horrific bombings today.

KAGAN: And so, from the south, let's head west to Baghdad to Fallujah and that very fragile cease-fire. What's the latest from there, Jim?

CLANCY: Well, the sun came up this morning, and apparently, the anti-coalition fighters came out, 40 or 50 of them, making an assault on U.S. Marine position, firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. That touched off a running, three-hour gun battle. It was fought on rooftops. It was fought on the streets. It was fought by helicopters and F-16 warplanes in the air. The sound of gunfire echoing through the city.

Not a single fighter has turned in any weapons, as called for by the cease-fire agreement. No surrender of any foreign fighters in that city.

In all, Marines say, they killed about 18 of the insurgents in these battles today. Three U.S. Marines were wounded, two of them medivaced to safety.

Real questions are now being asked about whether this cease-fire is going to work. U.S. military commanders say if it does not, the Marines are prepared to go back in and disarm forcefully those people who have been fighting them in Fallujah -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Jim Clancy with the latest from Baghdad.

Another country has announced plans to pull its troops out of Iraq following Spain's lead. Now, the Dominican Republic says it will withdraw its 300 troops from Iraq as soon as possible. Honduras says that its 350 troops will return home within the next two months.

Australia, meanwhile, has vowed to keep its forces in Iraq, but the prime minister, John Howard, says no additional troops which be sent to fill the void left by other countries.

The Bush administration says the coalition in Iraq remains strong, despite the decision by those countries to pull out. On CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," the spokesman for the coalition echoed that sentiment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN SENOR, COALITION SPOKESMAN: It is a very international effort. We are disappointed when some countries may withdraw, but recognize that some of the parts here is what's really important. It is the credibility of the totality of the effort. No one single entity completely bolsters the effort or completely undermines it in the event that they withdraw.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Administration officials say other members of the coalition have expressed their steadfast support for the military operation in Iraq.

Heavy hitters from the Bush team are updating Congress on Iraq for a second day.

Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, watching that story for us this morning and has an update for us.

Barbara -- good morning again.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Daryn.

Well, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, now day two on Capitol Hill for both of them. This morning, they are testifying before that -- before the House Armed Services Committee.

Now, there are a lot of very tough questions from the committee, of course. They want to know where this is all headed, the violence in Iraq, the transition on June 30.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz giving a very passionate defense of the mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL WOLFOWITZ, DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY: And while it is important not to view the accomplishments in Iraq through rose-colored glasses, it seems to me that some people have given themselves over completely to the darkest of pessimism. To some people, all progress in Iraq is illusory, and every silver lining has a cloud.

I think the American people should know what their forces are accomplishing in Iraq, how the efforts of our service men and women are transforming the lives of 25 million, predominantly Muslims, for the better, and transforming a region that for too long has accommodated despotism and bred terrorists.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: But with the violence even earlier today in Iraq, Daryn, in Fallujah and in Basra in the south, a lot of concern here at the Pentagon. A top Pentagon official telling CNN, the view now is that the cease-fire in Fallujah, in particular -- I'm quoting him -- "is very tenuous." They want to figure out if this latest round of violence is some sort of effort by opposition forces, by suspected insurgents, to end the cease-fire, or whether it was some sort of random event. Nonetheless, a lot of sensitivity to this entire question -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr, we'll cut you loose to monitor those hearings on Capitol Hill.

The latest now on the suicide attack today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The intense explosions sheered away the front of a five-story security building in the Saudi capital. Hospital workers say nine people killed, 125 wounded. Officials say five other explosions were planned, but Saudi authorities raced to diffuse those bombs.

Let's bring back Nasser Al Satti. He joins us by phone Dubai in the United -- actually, I think you are in Riyadh -- Nasser.

NASSER AL SATTI, ARAB NEWS JOURNALIST: Yes, I'm with you.

KAGAN: What is the latest you can tell us about the scene in Riyadh?

AL SATTI: Nothing so far. I mean, nothing is new so far. We're trying to keep up and continue with the press agencies here. It's -- I don't think we've got more than what you have there, guys, but probably in another 30 minutes we'll have more news. And then we will update you.

KAGAN: OK. Meanwhile, set the scene for us. This happened about 2:00 p.m. local time, Wednesday afternoon in the United States. That does not have the same significance as Wednesday in Riyadh.

AL SATTI: Yes. Wednesday is -- see, it's the last working day in the week here, because usually in Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic world, Thursday and Friday is an official weekend. So, Wednesday, it's just like a regular working day, but by the end of the day most people prefer themselves to leave to their towns or suburbs or go home. So, when the explosion happened, it was about, like, the end of the working day almost.

KAGAN: So, this would have been as people were leaving work. Tell me a little bit more. Saudi officials are saying there were actually six bombs that were set. Are you getting any information about how the government was tipped off to this series of bombs?

AL SATTI: Well, I really don't know. We didn't look to this now. It's not easy to get the information. The information is quite scarce on this. And I don't want to give you conflicting information from different resources, because until now we don't have anything confirmed.

But as you know, in the last few days there were many cars detonating and diffused, and that was really success and quite appreciated by the people here in Saudi Arabia, and they give all of the credit to their police security.

KAGAN: And at this time, there is nobody who is claiming credit?

AL SATTI: No, I said the credit is -- you give it to the police securities that they detonated and diffused these things. I mean, they didn't -- I mean, they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all of these attempts.

KAGAN: Yes. No, but is there any group who is claiming credit for setting the bombs?

AL SATTI: Not now. Nobody actually claimed the responsibility, and nobody, until now -- and even there is not attributable to anybody. It's not attributable to anybody until now.

KAGAN: As you said, you expect more information to come out within the next half-hour. We will check back with you. Nasser Al Satti joining us from Riyadh.

Coming up next, a date has been set for the president and vice president to testify before the 9/11 Commission. Suzanne Malveaux will be along with the latest from the White House.

And, remembering the splendid splinter. Ted Williams, one of baseball's greatest hitters, there's a new book looking at his life and his legacy. We'll have a preview.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We now know when -- when exactly President Bush and Vice President Cheney will talk informally with the 9/11 Commission next week.

Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, with us with more on that.

Good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, both of them will be in the hot seat. This is going to be next Thursday. That is April 29. White House spokesman Scott McClellan confirming what we have been reporting all morning, that the two of them will sit down before the full 9/11 Commission to answer questions informally. They will not be under oath, but we have been told that they will answer all of the questions, so it is not a limited session here. Initially there was a time constraint. That is no longer the case.

We know that it will be at the White House. It will take place in the morning.

Daryn, as you know, of course, this comes after tremendous pressure not only from Democrats but also from some top Republicans who felt the administration needed to be more cooperative with the commission.

Initially, the president and the vice president said they would only meet with the chair and the vice chair initially. They would not declassify that presidential daily brief. Well, all of that since changed since the former counterterrorism chief, Richard Clarke, went before the 9/11 Commission, making dramatic accusations, saying that this White House failed to respond to some of those terrorist attacks before the September 11 attack. The administration certainly hopes to rebut that -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne, President Bush was asked last week during his news conference why he felt the need for himself and for Vice President Cheney to appear together. He didn't answer that question at the news conference. He, rather, dodged it. Has there been an explanation coming from the White House about that?

MALVEAUX: And the White House has not answered that question yet. The thinking here, however, is that the administration -- that both of them at least wanted to put some sort of condition on this interview. As you know, this has been an ongoing process. The administration initially did not approve of the 9/11 Commission, initially did not turn over some of the documents, did not provide that presidential daily brief, declassifying that.

Well, as you know, much of that has changed, and even the 9/11 Commission says that they are receiving unprecedented cooperation from the administration.

The bottom line here is they want to prove to the American people they have nothing to hide. But, as you know, Daryn, it has been a process.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux, at the White House.

The search for survivors continues at this hour after a deadly tornado sweeps across Illinois. A live report is coming up. And parts of the Midwest can expect another round of rough weather. Today, Jacqui Jeras will be here with her forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And let's slow you a live picture right now from the White House, from the Rose Garden. You'll see Mrs. Bush, alongside Mr. Bush. And there to Mrs. Bush's left is Cathy Miller (ph). She is a teacher in Rhode Island, and she is going to be given the Crystal Apple Award. It goes to the Teacher of the Year. She is from Davisville (ph) Middle School in North Kingston, Rhode Island. So, there is the U.S.' Crystal Apple Teacher of the Year.

(BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The governor of Illinois will get a look at tornado damage today in the town of Utica. Storms left at least three people dead. The recovery efforts still go on as others are missing this morning.

Our Lisa Leiter is on the scene in Utica, Illinois -- Lisa.

LISA LEITER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there. Well, you're absolutely right. The number is still at three confirmed dead here when the 100-year-old sandstone building that housed the Milestone tavern collapsed. And there are still four to five people -- officials here don't have an accurate count of how many people are still trapped in the rubble underneath that building.

The sheriff said about an hour ago he expected the recovery effort to take a few more hours because of the amount of the debris. They're moving very carefully because they want to avoid any further injuries.

Now, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, as you mentioned, is expected to be here around noon Central Time, 1:00 Eastern Time, to survey the damage. State officials tell me, they do not yet know the impact of the storms.

But Utica Mayor Fred Esmond (ph) doesn't need state officials to tell him how devastating this was for his town. Take a look at these pictures here of this street, where you have homes just literally with the roofs ripped off, windows blasted out, shingles hanging off the side of the house here. And you see many workers trying to start the cleanup effort there.

Right over here next to me is Wolfam (ph) Elementary School, which also has extensive damage there. Windows blown out, the blinds, as you can see, totally warped, the roof damaged. And the regional superintendent of schools in this area was out here this morning, surveying the damage, saying that the school would be closed for rest of the week. He doesn't know where these students will be placed, and he doesn't really know when the schools will reopen.

This is the worst tornado to hit this area in 14 years.

Back to you.

KAGAN: Lisa Leiter with the latest from Utica. More ahead as the governor of Illinois arrives there in a couple of hours.

(WEATHER BREAK)

KAGAN: Some people are thinking, though, summer, thinking about what's going on outside. Thinking about losing weight for summer? Well, we have some props. Fat. We have soap that claims if you wash with the soap, you're not going to be hungry later. What's the real deal on all of this? We're going to look at some props and things that say they can help you lose weight before the summer season. That's coming up. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired April 21, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A date is set for President Bush and Vice President Cheney to appear before the commission investigating the September 11 attacks. They are scheduled to meet with the panel next Thursday. Officials say the president and vice president will answer all of the commissioner's questions during the joint appearance.
Suicide bombers unleashed an attack on the Iraqi city of Basra. At least 68 people were killed in the attack. Some were children on their way to school.

And in Fallujah, U.S. Marines fight back after an attack by Iraqi insurgents. Dozens of fighters attacked the Marines with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades. Three Marines were reported wounded, nine insurgents killed.

A suicide bomb blast rocked the Saudi capital of Riyadh today. The explosion ripped the facade off the General Security Building. A Saudi official says at least 9 people are dead, 125 people are hurt. He says authorities were tipped off that six explosions were planned. They did manage to find and defuse five of those six bombs.

Crews in Illinois are searching for four or five people possibly trapped in the rubble left behind by a deadly tornado. At least three people were killed when the twister leveled a building in Utica, Illinois. Tornadoes also ripped across northern Indiana last night, but no deaths were reported there.

It is 11:00 a.m. on the East Coast and 8:00 a.m. on the West Coast. From CNN center in Atlanta, good morning once again, I'm Daryn Kagan.

The fight for Iraq is up first on CNN. Battles erupt in the volatile city of Fallujah, and suicide bomb attacks kill dozens in Basra, including several schoolchildren.

CNN's Jim Clancy is in Baghdad with details on a violent day in Iraq -- Jim.

JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Daryn, it was almost beyond belief, the scenes that we saw today in Basra, five suicide bombers detonating their explosive charges in front of police facilities in that city. In the path, of course, many civilian vehicles. It came just after 7:00 in the morning, a lot of people on their way to their jobs; students, too, on their way to class. In all, some 68 people killed, more than 100 others wounded. Now, some of those killed were preschool children, were middle school children on their way to class. They were killed in the blast at one of the police stations. You can see two of the charred buses that they had been riding in -- really, vans used as school buses here in Iraq. Their bodies reported to be charred beyond recognition.

The head of the Governing Council, Massoud Barzoni (ph), calling this an act of terror, and it clearly was aimed at the civilians in Iraq; also aimed at the police.

In another incident there in Basra, there were two bombs successively detonated at the police academy. The first was detonated. There were a number of British troops wounded, two of them seriously. It is believed 16 police officers in all were killed. And then a second suicide bomber drove his vehicle in just as police and rescue workers were trying to clear the scene and treat the wounded.

A very terrible day in Basra. And, you know, it is a city in the far south of Iraq that had escaped most of the violence during this month of April, but any notion of security, Daryn, is completely dashed by these horrific bombings today.

KAGAN: And so, from the south, let's head west to Baghdad to Fallujah and that very fragile cease-fire. What's the latest from there, Jim?

CLANCY: Well, the sun came up this morning, and apparently, the anti-coalition fighters came out, 40 or 50 of them, making an assault on U.S. Marine position, firing rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles. That touched off a running, three-hour gun battle. It was fought on rooftops. It was fought on the streets. It was fought by helicopters and F-16 warplanes in the air. The sound of gunfire echoing through the city.

Not a single fighter has turned in any weapons, as called for by the cease-fire agreement. No surrender of any foreign fighters in that city.

In all, Marines say, they killed about 18 of the insurgents in these battles today. Three U.S. Marines were wounded, two of them medivaced to safety.

Real questions are now being asked about whether this cease-fire is going to work. U.S. military commanders say if it does not, the Marines are prepared to go back in and disarm forcefully those people who have been fighting them in Fallujah -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Jim Clancy with the latest from Baghdad.

Another country has announced plans to pull its troops out of Iraq following Spain's lead. Now, the Dominican Republic says it will withdraw its 300 troops from Iraq as soon as possible. Honduras says that its 350 troops will return home within the next two months.

Australia, meanwhile, has vowed to keep its forces in Iraq, but the prime minister, John Howard, says no additional troops which be sent to fill the void left by other countries.

The Bush administration says the coalition in Iraq remains strong, despite the decision by those countries to pull out. On CNN's "AMERICAN MORNING," the spokesman for the coalition echoed that sentiment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAN SENOR, COALITION SPOKESMAN: It is a very international effort. We are disappointed when some countries may withdraw, but recognize that some of the parts here is what's really important. It is the credibility of the totality of the effort. No one single entity completely bolsters the effort or completely undermines it in the event that they withdraw.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KAGAN: Administration officials say other members of the coalition have expressed their steadfast support for the military operation in Iraq.

Heavy hitters from the Bush team are updating Congress on Iraq for a second day.

Our Pentagon correspondent, Barbara Starr, watching that story for us this morning and has an update for us.

Barbara -- good morning again.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again to you, Daryn.

Well, Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, General Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, now day two on Capitol Hill for both of them. This morning, they are testifying before that -- before the House Armed Services Committee.

Now, there are a lot of very tough questions from the committee, of course. They want to know where this is all headed, the violence in Iraq, the transition on June 30.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz giving a very passionate defense of the mission.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL WOLFOWITZ, DEPUTY DEFENSE SECRETARY: And while it is important not to view the accomplishments in Iraq through rose-colored glasses, it seems to me that some people have given themselves over completely to the darkest of pessimism. To some people, all progress in Iraq is illusory, and every silver lining has a cloud.

I think the American people should know what their forces are accomplishing in Iraq, how the efforts of our service men and women are transforming the lives of 25 million, predominantly Muslims, for the better, and transforming a region that for too long has accommodated despotism and bred terrorists.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: But with the violence even earlier today in Iraq, Daryn, in Fallujah and in Basra in the south, a lot of concern here at the Pentagon. A top Pentagon official telling CNN, the view now is that the cease-fire in Fallujah, in particular -- I'm quoting him -- "is very tenuous." They want to figure out if this latest round of violence is some sort of effort by opposition forces, by suspected insurgents, to end the cease-fire, or whether it was some sort of random event. Nonetheless, a lot of sensitivity to this entire question -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Barbara Starr, we'll cut you loose to monitor those hearings on Capitol Hill.

The latest now on the suicide attack today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The intense explosions sheered away the front of a five-story security building in the Saudi capital. Hospital workers say nine people killed, 125 wounded. Officials say five other explosions were planned, but Saudi authorities raced to diffuse those bombs.

Let's bring back Nasser Al Satti. He joins us by phone Dubai in the United -- actually, I think you are in Riyadh -- Nasser.

NASSER AL SATTI, ARAB NEWS JOURNALIST: Yes, I'm with you.

KAGAN: What is the latest you can tell us about the scene in Riyadh?

AL SATTI: Nothing so far. I mean, nothing is new so far. We're trying to keep up and continue with the press agencies here. It's -- I don't think we've got more than what you have there, guys, but probably in another 30 minutes we'll have more news. And then we will update you.

KAGAN: OK. Meanwhile, set the scene for us. This happened about 2:00 p.m. local time, Wednesday afternoon in the United States. That does not have the same significance as Wednesday in Riyadh.

AL SATTI: Yes. Wednesday is -- see, it's the last working day in the week here, because usually in Saudi Arabia and the Arab and Islamic world, Thursday and Friday is an official weekend. So, Wednesday, it's just like a regular working day, but by the end of the day most people prefer themselves to leave to their towns or suburbs or go home. So, when the explosion happened, it was about, like, the end of the working day almost.

KAGAN: So, this would have been as people were leaving work. Tell me a little bit more. Saudi officials are saying there were actually six bombs that were set. Are you getting any information about how the government was tipped off to this series of bombs?

AL SATTI: Well, I really don't know. We didn't look to this now. It's not easy to get the information. The information is quite scarce on this. And I don't want to give you conflicting information from different resources, because until now we don't have anything confirmed.

But as you know, in the last few days there were many cars detonating and diffused, and that was really success and quite appreciated by the people here in Saudi Arabia, and they give all of the credit to their police security.

KAGAN: And at this time, there is nobody who is claiming credit?

AL SATTI: No, I said the credit is -- you give it to the police securities that they detonated and diffused these things. I mean, they didn't -- I mean, they (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all of these attempts.

KAGAN: Yes. No, but is there any group who is claiming credit for setting the bombs?

AL SATTI: Not now. Nobody actually claimed the responsibility, and nobody, until now -- and even there is not attributable to anybody. It's not attributable to anybody until now.

KAGAN: As you said, you expect more information to come out within the next half-hour. We will check back with you. Nasser Al Satti joining us from Riyadh.

Coming up next, a date has been set for the president and vice president to testify before the 9/11 Commission. Suzanne Malveaux will be along with the latest from the White House.

And, remembering the splendid splinter. Ted Williams, one of baseball's greatest hitters, there's a new book looking at his life and his legacy. We'll have a preview.

This is CNN LIVE TODAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: We now know when -- when exactly President Bush and Vice President Cheney will talk informally with the 9/11 Commission next week.

Our White House correspondent, Suzanne Malveaux, with us with more on that.

Good morning.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.

Well, both of them will be in the hot seat. This is going to be next Thursday. That is April 29. White House spokesman Scott McClellan confirming what we have been reporting all morning, that the two of them will sit down before the full 9/11 Commission to answer questions informally. They will not be under oath, but we have been told that they will answer all of the questions, so it is not a limited session here. Initially there was a time constraint. That is no longer the case.

We know that it will be at the White House. It will take place in the morning.

Daryn, as you know, of course, this comes after tremendous pressure not only from Democrats but also from some top Republicans who felt the administration needed to be more cooperative with the commission.

Initially, the president and the vice president said they would only meet with the chair and the vice chair initially. They would not declassify that presidential daily brief. Well, all of that since changed since the former counterterrorism chief, Richard Clarke, went before the 9/11 Commission, making dramatic accusations, saying that this White House failed to respond to some of those terrorist attacks before the September 11 attack. The administration certainly hopes to rebut that -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Suzanne, President Bush was asked last week during his news conference why he felt the need for himself and for Vice President Cheney to appear together. He didn't answer that question at the news conference. He, rather, dodged it. Has there been an explanation coming from the White House about that?

MALVEAUX: And the White House has not answered that question yet. The thinking here, however, is that the administration -- that both of them at least wanted to put some sort of condition on this interview. As you know, this has been an ongoing process. The administration initially did not approve of the 9/11 Commission, initially did not turn over some of the documents, did not provide that presidential daily brief, declassifying that.

Well, as you know, much of that has changed, and even the 9/11 Commission says that they are receiving unprecedented cooperation from the administration.

The bottom line here is they want to prove to the American people they have nothing to hide. But, as you know, Daryn, it has been a process.

KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux, at the White House.

The search for survivors continues at this hour after a deadly tornado sweeps across Illinois. A live report is coming up. And parts of the Midwest can expect another round of rough weather. Today, Jacqui Jeras will be here with her forecast.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: And let's slow you a live picture right now from the White House, from the Rose Garden. You'll see Mrs. Bush, alongside Mr. Bush. And there to Mrs. Bush's left is Cathy Miller (ph). She is a teacher in Rhode Island, and she is going to be given the Crystal Apple Award. It goes to the Teacher of the Year. She is from Davisville (ph) Middle School in North Kingston, Rhode Island. So, there is the U.S.' Crystal Apple Teacher of the Year.

(BUSINESS NEWS UPDATE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: The governor of Illinois will get a look at tornado damage today in the town of Utica. Storms left at least three people dead. The recovery efforts still go on as others are missing this morning.

Our Lisa Leiter is on the scene in Utica, Illinois -- Lisa.

LISA LEITER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi there. Well, you're absolutely right. The number is still at three confirmed dead here when the 100-year-old sandstone building that housed the Milestone tavern collapsed. And there are still four to five people -- officials here don't have an accurate count of how many people are still trapped in the rubble underneath that building.

The sheriff said about an hour ago he expected the recovery effort to take a few more hours because of the amount of the debris. They're moving very carefully because they want to avoid any further injuries.

Now, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, as you mentioned, is expected to be here around noon Central Time, 1:00 Eastern Time, to survey the damage. State officials tell me, they do not yet know the impact of the storms.

But Utica Mayor Fred Esmond (ph) doesn't need state officials to tell him how devastating this was for his town. Take a look at these pictures here of this street, where you have homes just literally with the roofs ripped off, windows blasted out, shingles hanging off the side of the house here. And you see many workers trying to start the cleanup effort there.

Right over here next to me is Wolfam (ph) Elementary School, which also has extensive damage there. Windows blown out, the blinds, as you can see, totally warped, the roof damaged. And the regional superintendent of schools in this area was out here this morning, surveying the damage, saying that the school would be closed for rest of the week. He doesn't know where these students will be placed, and he doesn't really know when the schools will reopen.

This is the worst tornado to hit this area in 14 years.

Back to you.

KAGAN: Lisa Leiter with the latest from Utica. More ahead as the governor of Illinois arrives there in a couple of hours.

(WEATHER BREAK)

KAGAN: Some people are thinking, though, summer, thinking about what's going on outside. Thinking about losing weight for summer? Well, we have some props. Fat. We have soap that claims if you wash with the soap, you're not going to be hungry later. What's the real deal on all of this? We're going to look at some props and things that say they can help you lose weight before the summer season. That's coming up. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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