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CNN Live At Daybreak
Fight for Iraq; Sacrifice, Ultimate Price
Aired April 23, 2004 - 06:30 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: It's Friday, April 23. This is DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. We'll get to that report in just a minute, but first the latest headlines right now for you.
U.S. Marines are telling Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah they have just days to hand over heavy weapons or face a possible attack. Weapons turned over so far have been described as unusable junk.
A Red Cross disaster team is now on the scene of a horrific train explosion in North Korea. Red Cross officials say at least 54 people have been confirmed killed, more than 1,200 injured.
A grand jury has indicted a Saint Louis Blues defense man Mike Danton (ph) and a friend in a murder-for-hire plot. Authorities say Danton (ph) wanted to have his male lover killed.
And Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning is expected to be one of the top players selected in this weekend's NFL draft. San Diego has first pick, but a pre-draft deal could land Manning elsewhere.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: Now to the latest on the war front. The face-off in Fallujah heats up as the U.S. makes demands, and in Washington, D.C., it looks like an about face in Iraq policy.
Live to D.C. now and CNN's Bill Prasad.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The Marines draw a line in the sand in Fallujah today. The message to the enemy is clear: Give up your weapons or else.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): Marines poised to strike Fallujah as a cease-fire disintegrates. Insurgents were supposed to hand over their heavy weapons. Of the few weapons given up so far, most were inoperable.
LT. GEN. JAMES CONWAY, SENIOR MARINE COMMANDER IN IRAQ: We were not pleased at all with the turn-in that we saw yesterday. In terms of volume, it probably amounted to a pickup truck full.
PRASAD: In a major shift of U.S. policy, officials now say a few former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party will be allowed to return to the government and military. They had been banned, but with unrest escalating, officials look at another approach.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are working to try to develop an equitable solution to address the widely divergent activities of former Ba'athist Party members.
PRASAD: Controversial pictures of caskets of soldiers killed in Iraq are now on the Internet. The photos were released under the Freedom of Information Act. That release is now under review, because it conflicts with Pentagon policy banning news media coverage of the return of military remains.
And in Texas, soldiers come home after serving in Iraq. A joyful celebration offering a stunning contrast on how war changes lives and takes lives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
The Pentagon says it doesn't release pictures of flag-draped coffins out of respect for the families, but some critics argue the Pentagon is simply trying to conceal an ugly reality of war.
Carol -- back to you.
COSTELLO: But, Bill, this isn't a new policy, is it?
PRASAD: No, actually the policy has been around since the beginning of the Persian Gulf war back in 1991. It has been reinforced to a great extent recently. It used to be, Carol, standard operating procedure for reporters to go out to Dover, Delaware, Dover Air Force Base there, to cover the remains coming back and to cover the very solemn events surrounding those flag-draped coffins.
COSTELLO: Bill Prasad reporting live from Washington, D.C. this morning.
Residents of a small town in Kansas are praying for loved ones on the front lines and mourning those killed in battle.
Ed Lavandera has their story for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TRACY SMITH, UNIONTOWN HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: He's in Afghanistan right now.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Don't tell Tracy Smith the war on terror isn't personal. His kids are on the front lines.
SMITH: Tyler Martin's in Baghdad right now and driving a supply train. LAVANDERA: Smith is the principal at Uniontown High School in Southeast Kansas. Last year, he put up 25 American flags in the school cafeteria -- each flag honoring a graduate working in the U.S. military.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I know them all.
LAVANDERA: But this tribute has come to symbolize how much one community has sacrificed. Two flags now rest at half-staff -- two graduates lost in war's fury.
SMITH: It's hard to believe. It's hard to imagine that it's hit home twice. It's hard enough with one, but twice as hard with two.
LAVANDERA: In February, class of 2000 graduate David Hall was killed in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, 1997 graduate Michael Spiers was killed in Iraq. Four other graduates are in combat zones right now. Many of the others could be sent there soon.
SMITH: I don't know that words can explain the sorrow and the fear and the pain that we've got because of it. We just hope that it won't happen again.
LAVANDERA: People around here are divided over the war, but they're united in supporting their own.
Senior Shane Gates is headed for the Army. He thinks about the lowered flags every day. Maybe that's why some of his classmates have urged him to change his mind.
SHANE GATES, UNIONTOWN STUDENT: Why would you want to go in the Army? It's a waste of your life. And like I said, my Home Ec teacher told them, if I'm not going to do it, who's going to do it? Someone has to join. And to me, it's not a waste of my life.
LAVANDERA: Just over 800 U.S. troops have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan operations.
(on camera): It might be hard to understand just how painful that kind of loss is until you come to a town like Redfield, Kansas. The population here is just over 100, but it's where David Hall grew up in that green-roofed house, and his buddy, Michael Spiers, grew up just two blocks away -- two young men who have reminded their neighbors of just how devastating war can be.
(voice-over): When night falls on the Kansas prairie, Donna Linn spends a lot of time at the cemetery where David Hall, the boy she called "Butch," was laid to rest.
DONNA LINN, DAVID HALL'S MOTHER: He not only was my son, he was my friend.
LAVANDERA: Butch and Michael Spiers were two of 25, a source of pride and honor that still means a lot.
LINN: These two boys were doing what they wanted to do when they were killed. It don't make it any easier. I mean, it really don't.
LAVANDERA: Around here, many people say they've done their duty. They've sacrificed enough, and they want their kids home.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Uniontown, Kansas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: A CNN exclusive for you now. A Muslim leader in the Philippines may be an ally to world leaders in the war on terror. He's doing something that many Americans want. He's calling on Muslims to renounce terrorism.
In an exclusive interview, he spoke with CNN's Maria Ressa from prison, so let's go live to Manila now and find out more about this.
Good morning -- Maria.
MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
This is the first time since he was arrested three years ago that Nur Misuari has been allowed to receive reporters. We interviewed him in his detention cell in a military prison.
His message is something that the Philippine government welcomes, as you say. It is, he asking all Muslims to renounce terrorism. He says terrorism leads to a no-win situation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NUR MISUARI, FORMER CHAIRMAN MNLF: That (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is one of the cleanest revolutionary movements in the world. Its record is clear. It can speak for itself. It has never been linked up with any kind of terrorism activities.
It's part of our doctrine never to go against the people, because in our strategic position, we say that the question of victory and defeat depends on how close we are to the people, because without the people behind us, we cannot pursue our cause.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RESSA: Although he faces charges of rebellion and is detained, Misuari remains an influential Muslim voice. He has negotiated peace treaties with four Philippine presidents and has been a team leader in a fight for an independent Mindanao for more than three decades.
In fact, his message now comes at a time -- it is extremely timely, because the Philippine government is getting ready to begin peace negotiations with a splinter group of the MNLF, a group called the MILF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The MILF, however, has documented links to al Qaeda.
Back to you -- Carol. COSTELLO: So, do you think his message will resonate, Maria?
RESSA: Well, generally, it makes many Muslims in the southern Philippines think twice about it. Many Muslims are distrustful of what they call propaganda from a global war on terror. They see Philippine President Arroyo as an ally of President Bush. And in that way, she has not truly been able to speak to the Muslims.
This message coming from an acknowledged Muslim leader, who has not given up the cause for creating a Muslim state, has a lot of resonance within the Muslim community, and certainly it's made many Muslims think.
COSTELLO: Maria Ressa live from Manila this morning.
Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:43 Eastern Time. Here's what's all new this morning.
The latest word from an aid worker in North Korea is that at least 150 people were killed and more than 1,200 injured in a huge train explosion.
In Iraq, Civilian Administrator Paul Bremer will be tweaking the no Ba'ath Party member policy. He now wants to allow some former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party included in government and military posts.
In money news, automaker Daimler-Chrysler plans to dump money- losing Mitsubishi Motors. Daimler-Chrysler says it will try to sell its 37 percent stake in the Japanese auto company.
In sports, tennis player Anna Kournikova is being sued by her own parents. They say she has taken over the $5 million Miami waterfront home the three jointly own, and they want money for their share of it.
In culture, the man who discovered the Titanic is going back to the sunken ship. Robert Ballard's television expedition is aimed at halting the ship's deterioration.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.
Now let's head live to New York to check in with Bill and Soledad to see what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Good morning.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol. Good morning to you.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It feels like a Friday already, Carol, I'll tell you, yes. You know, you...
O'BRIEN: All day, as they say, right?
HEMMER: Yeah, that's right, all day, thankfully. You've been showing these pictures of returning soldiers and Marines. We're going to talk about that this morning. A bit of controversy out there about what the images do and the impact they have.
Also, a story from the AP, the crop dusters and the terror threat. We'll explain all of that coming up in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we're going to take a look at the link, maybe, between heart attacks and driving. We'll investigate whether that link is true.
HEMMER: Also, in money matters today, David Bach is here. He's our money guru. He's going to help us figure out our own financial lives, is he not?
O'BRIEN: What you can do with your tax refund.
HEMMER: That's right.
O'BRIEN: If you're getting a big, old, hefty tax refund, where you should put that money. And he's not going to say into a new stereo.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Believe it or not.
HEMMER: Darn it! Also...
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: But no.
HEMMER: Also, Ben Stein, a very smart man, a very funny man, too. He's written a book that tells you everything not to do if you had to go -- well, if you want to go broke, essentially, though. So, he'll be with us today as well.
O'BRIEN: That's what we've got today, Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, I'll be listening, because, boy, do I need help with my finances. Thank you, Bill and Soledad. We'll catch you in about 15 minutes. It is Friday.
HEMMER: Have a great weekend.
COSTELLO: You, too. It is Friday, going on Saturday, as we've been saying, and "13 Going on 30" is playing on a big screen near you this weekend. Before you buy tickets, though, hear what our movie critic has to say about that and some other box-office premieres.
Plus, we'll tell you what all of these people are kicking and screaming about.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Talking about movies, but we can't talk about them with Chad, because you never see movies.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I don't see anything.
COSTELLO: But there is a lot to choose from at the movies this weekend. And "13 going on 30," Jennifer Garner goes to a party as an awkward teen and wakes up more than a decade older.
MYERS: Nice.
COSTELLO: Denzel Washington is a "Man on Fire," going after bad guys in Mexico.
And "Close Your Eyes" will keep you awake, watching an insomniac pursue a serial killer. That's been before, too.
MYERS: Really.
COSTELLO: Before you fork over some cash, let's see what Tom O'Neil of "InTouch Weekly" magazine has to say about these movies.
Good morning, Tom.
TOM O'NEIL, "INTOUCH WEEKLY" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: OK, "13 going on 30," it looks cute.
O'NEIL: It's more than cute, actually. This is great news for "Alias" fans, because we all know that Jennifer Garner can act, but now the world can get to know. She is terrific in this movie. And although we've seen this plot before, like in "Big" with Tom Hanks, the young teen waking up in the adult body, hey, all Tom Hanks did in "Big" was jump around on a bunch of big piano keys. Jennifer Garner gets to moonwalk.
COSTELLO: Whoa!
O'NEIL: And she does it really well. She plays...
COSTELLO: Why can't Hollywood come up with some unique ideas?
O'NEIL: I know, but when they stick with the cookie-cutter ideas and they do them this well, it's all like this movie is going to do fairly well this weekend -- probably $13 million. But expect word of mouth to keep this thing in the theaters a long time.
COSTELLO: OK, maybe I'll go see that one. I don't know. How about...
O'NEIL: It's good.
COSTELLO: ... "Man on Fire?" Which is a very strange title for a movie, I must say.
O'NEIL: Yes, and I think we're seeing a pattern at the box office now, Carol. If revenge is sweet, you could end up with a toothache at the movie house these days. We have got "Kill Bill," "The Punisher," "Walking Tall," and now Denzel plays a retired CIA assassin, who's in Mexico City, who has been hired to protect the daughter of some tycoons.
Of course, she gets kidnapped, and, of course, he goes out stalking them afterwards, but the movie is not cliche, really, and it's filmed, as you can see, in a very gritty art house way.
By the way, Robert DeNiro was originally cast in this role. Denzel is much, much better as he swigs whiskey and still dreams of killing people.
COSTELLO: We love Denzel Washington. Do you know the thing I've noticed about these revenge movies is the revenge violence is really, really gory.
O'NEIL: Yes, they're cranking it up higher and higher and putting more and more of these movies out. What does that tell us about the national psyche, huh?
COSTELLO: Nothing...
O'NEIL: Why don't they just go get Osama bin Laden and get this over with?
COSTELLO: Gee! "Close Your Eyes," this movie sounds interesting to me, but, again, it sounds like an idea that's been recycled.
O'NEIL: Oh, and take the advice of these moviemakers. If you end up in a theater this weekend, if your date takes you to "Close Your Eyes," close your eyes. This is a horrible movie that is horrible. It's that bad. It's -- oh! It's one of the -- it's a cliche they have not reinvented well. A hypnotherapist looks into the minds of his patients, and he is stalking a serial killer. There's a young mute girl, whose body spouts all of these tattoos of pentagrams and zodiac signs.
They originally -- this movie is so bad, they originally tried to fix it by changing the title, "Sleep Doctor" to this and that, this and that. Why didn't they try fixing the movie?
COSTELLO: Exactly, or just sending it to videotape -- straight to videotape. Tom O'Neil, thanks for joining us this morning.
O'NEIL: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: See, it's a good thing you don't go see movies, perhaps.
MYERS: What do they cost now, 8 bucks, 9 bucks?
COSTELLO: In some cities.
MYERS: And in the city now, like 12, 13? It's crazy stuff.
Time to win the DAYBREAK coffee mug. There he is right there. We'll get it in the mail for you.
COSTELLO: There he is.
MYERS: There he is.
COSTELLO: Chip, the coffee mug.
MYERS: Two questions for you.
What company disputes the claim about its product in the South Beach Diet book? We had that story a couple of times, actually.
And how many years has New Orleans hosted the Jazz and Heritage Festival, one of the classic festivals in the entire country, the New Orleans Jazz Festival?
COSTELLO: Oh, it's a party, too.
MYERS: It sure is.
COSTELLO: A great party. Of course, we'll name the winner on Monday.
MYERS: Name them both, and send us your e-mail at daybreak@CNN.com.
COSTELLO: That is daybreak@CNN.com.
Chad will join me for "The Lightning Round" coming up, but first here are the latest headlines for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Oh, I just want to listen to the music.
It is time for "The Lightning Round." Do we have that special, special effect? Thank goodness. It wouldn't be Friday without it.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard University, Chad, and also punk rock aerobics. Look at that. Punk rock aerobics...
MYERS: I thought that had something to do with exercise.
COSTELLO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) come on, people!
MYERS: It looks dangerous.
COSTELLO: That's weird. And in New Zealand, rejected by his mother, declared a mutant by his vet, but adored by his owner and many others. Yes, this is Whipper (ph) the Budgy (ph).
MYERS: Wow!
COSTELLO: That's one strange-looking bird, isn't it?
MYERS: It looks like a mop. COSTELLO: It does, doesn't it? I've never seen one like that.
MYERS: No.
COSTELLO: That's little Budgy (ph).
No noisy drunks at this Paris pub, Chad. The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) communication is handwritten notes passed from patron to patron. Two friends from New York got the idea to host these hushed events, because they could not go out for a drink and have a quiet conversation at bars in the states, so now you just write notes to one another. I think that would be just too time-consuming for me.
MYERS: Exactly.
COSTELLO: But it would be very, very quiet.
MYERS: It would be. It would be nice.
COSTELLO: And finally, where do you wear a necklace like this? Take a look at that.
MYERS: Anywhere you want to.
COSTELLO: Exactly. This diamond and pearl creation will go on the Christie's auction block in Hong Kong. It is the largest-ever diamond offered at auction in Asia. It's expected to fetch up to...
MYERS: $1.5 million.
COSTELLO: No, $2.3 million.
MYERS: Well, I'm only going to...
COSTELLO: You should have changed it.
MYERS: I'm going to bid 1.5.
COSTELLO: Oh, OK, no problem. I'm sure Sally will appreciate the thought.
"AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. You have a great weekend.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired April 23, 2004 - 06:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: It's Friday, April 23. This is DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. We'll get to that report in just a minute, but first the latest headlines right now for you.
U.S. Marines are telling Iraqi insurgents in Fallujah they have just days to hand over heavy weapons or face a possible attack. Weapons turned over so far have been described as unusable junk.
A Red Cross disaster team is now on the scene of a horrific train explosion in North Korea. Red Cross officials say at least 54 people have been confirmed killed, more than 1,200 injured.
A grand jury has indicted a Saint Louis Blues defense man Mike Danton (ph) and a friend in a murder-for-hire plot. Authorities say Danton (ph) wanted to have his male lover killed.
And Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning is expected to be one of the top players selected in this weekend's NFL draft. San Diego has first pick, but a pre-draft deal could land Manning elsewhere.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: Now to the latest on the war front. The face-off in Fallujah heats up as the U.S. makes demands, and in Washington, D.C., it looks like an about face in Iraq policy.
Live to D.C. now and CNN's Bill Prasad.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
The Marines draw a line in the sand in Fallujah today. The message to the enemy is clear: Give up your weapons or else.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): Marines poised to strike Fallujah as a cease-fire disintegrates. Insurgents were supposed to hand over their heavy weapons. Of the few weapons given up so far, most were inoperable.
LT. GEN. JAMES CONWAY, SENIOR MARINE COMMANDER IN IRAQ: We were not pleased at all with the turn-in that we saw yesterday. In terms of volume, it probably amounted to a pickup truck full.
PRASAD: In a major shift of U.S. policy, officials now say a few former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party will be allowed to return to the government and military. They had been banned, but with unrest escalating, officials look at another approach.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are working to try to develop an equitable solution to address the widely divergent activities of former Ba'athist Party members.
PRASAD: Controversial pictures of caskets of soldiers killed in Iraq are now on the Internet. The photos were released under the Freedom of Information Act. That release is now under review, because it conflicts with Pentagon policy banning news media coverage of the return of military remains.
And in Texas, soldiers come home after serving in Iraq. A joyful celebration offering a stunning contrast on how war changes lives and takes lives.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
The Pentagon says it doesn't release pictures of flag-draped coffins out of respect for the families, but some critics argue the Pentagon is simply trying to conceal an ugly reality of war.
Carol -- back to you.
COSTELLO: But, Bill, this isn't a new policy, is it?
PRASAD: No, actually the policy has been around since the beginning of the Persian Gulf war back in 1991. It has been reinforced to a great extent recently. It used to be, Carol, standard operating procedure for reporters to go out to Dover, Delaware, Dover Air Force Base there, to cover the remains coming back and to cover the very solemn events surrounding those flag-draped coffins.
COSTELLO: Bill Prasad reporting live from Washington, D.C. this morning.
Residents of a small town in Kansas are praying for loved ones on the front lines and mourning those killed in battle.
Ed Lavandera has their story for you.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TRACY SMITH, UNIONTOWN HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL: He's in Afghanistan right now.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Don't tell Tracy Smith the war on terror isn't personal. His kids are on the front lines.
SMITH: Tyler Martin's in Baghdad right now and driving a supply train. LAVANDERA: Smith is the principal at Uniontown High School in Southeast Kansas. Last year, he put up 25 American flags in the school cafeteria -- each flag honoring a graduate working in the U.S. military.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, I know them all.
LAVANDERA: But this tribute has come to symbolize how much one community has sacrificed. Two flags now rest at half-staff -- two graduates lost in war's fury.
SMITH: It's hard to believe. It's hard to imagine that it's hit home twice. It's hard enough with one, but twice as hard with two.
LAVANDERA: In February, class of 2000 graduate David Hall was killed in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, 1997 graduate Michael Spiers was killed in Iraq. Four other graduates are in combat zones right now. Many of the others could be sent there soon.
SMITH: I don't know that words can explain the sorrow and the fear and the pain that we've got because of it. We just hope that it won't happen again.
LAVANDERA: People around here are divided over the war, but they're united in supporting their own.
Senior Shane Gates is headed for the Army. He thinks about the lowered flags every day. Maybe that's why some of his classmates have urged him to change his mind.
SHANE GATES, UNIONTOWN STUDENT: Why would you want to go in the Army? It's a waste of your life. And like I said, my Home Ec teacher told them, if I'm not going to do it, who's going to do it? Someone has to join. And to me, it's not a waste of my life.
LAVANDERA: Just over 800 U.S. troops have died in the Iraq and Afghanistan operations.
(on camera): It might be hard to understand just how painful that kind of loss is until you come to a town like Redfield, Kansas. The population here is just over 100, but it's where David Hall grew up in that green-roofed house, and his buddy, Michael Spiers, grew up just two blocks away -- two young men who have reminded their neighbors of just how devastating war can be.
(voice-over): When night falls on the Kansas prairie, Donna Linn spends a lot of time at the cemetery where David Hall, the boy she called "Butch," was laid to rest.
DONNA LINN, DAVID HALL'S MOTHER: He not only was my son, he was my friend.
LAVANDERA: Butch and Michael Spiers were two of 25, a source of pride and honor that still means a lot.
LINN: These two boys were doing what they wanted to do when they were killed. It don't make it any easier. I mean, it really don't.
LAVANDERA: Around here, many people say they've done their duty. They've sacrificed enough, and they want their kids home.
Ed Lavandera, CNN, Uniontown, Kansas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: A CNN exclusive for you now. A Muslim leader in the Philippines may be an ally to world leaders in the war on terror. He's doing something that many Americans want. He's calling on Muslims to renounce terrorism.
In an exclusive interview, he spoke with CNN's Maria Ressa from prison, so let's go live to Manila now and find out more about this.
Good morning -- Maria.
MARIA RESSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
This is the first time since he was arrested three years ago that Nur Misuari has been allowed to receive reporters. We interviewed him in his detention cell in a military prison.
His message is something that the Philippine government welcomes, as you say. It is, he asking all Muslims to renounce terrorism. He says terrorism leads to a no-win situation.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NUR MISUARI, FORMER CHAIRMAN MNLF: That (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is one of the cleanest revolutionary movements in the world. Its record is clear. It can speak for itself. It has never been linked up with any kind of terrorism activities.
It's part of our doctrine never to go against the people, because in our strategic position, we say that the question of victory and defeat depends on how close we are to the people, because without the people behind us, we cannot pursue our cause.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
RESSA: Although he faces charges of rebellion and is detained, Misuari remains an influential Muslim voice. He has negotiated peace treaties with four Philippine presidents and has been a team leader in a fight for an independent Mindanao for more than three decades.
In fact, his message now comes at a time -- it is extremely timely, because the Philippine government is getting ready to begin peace negotiations with a splinter group of the MNLF, a group called the MILF, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The MILF, however, has documented links to al Qaeda.
Back to you -- Carol. COSTELLO: So, do you think his message will resonate, Maria?
RESSA: Well, generally, it makes many Muslims in the southern Philippines think twice about it. Many Muslims are distrustful of what they call propaganda from a global war on terror. They see Philippine President Arroyo as an ally of President Bush. And in that way, she has not truly been able to speak to the Muslims.
This message coming from an acknowledged Muslim leader, who has not given up the cause for creating a Muslim state, has a lot of resonance within the Muslim community, and certainly it's made many Muslims think.
COSTELLO: Maria Ressa live from Manila this morning.
Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:43 Eastern Time. Here's what's all new this morning.
The latest word from an aid worker in North Korea is that at least 150 people were killed and more than 1,200 injured in a huge train explosion.
In Iraq, Civilian Administrator Paul Bremer will be tweaking the no Ba'ath Party member policy. He now wants to allow some former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party included in government and military posts.
In money news, automaker Daimler-Chrysler plans to dump money- losing Mitsubishi Motors. Daimler-Chrysler says it will try to sell its 37 percent stake in the Japanese auto company.
In sports, tennis player Anna Kournikova is being sued by her own parents. They say she has taken over the $5 million Miami waterfront home the three jointly own, and they want money for their share of it.
In culture, the man who discovered the Titanic is going back to the sunken ship. Robert Ballard's television expedition is aimed at halting the ship's deterioration.
(WEATHER BREAK)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.
Now let's head live to New York to check in with Bill and Soledad to see what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."
Good morning.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol. Good morning to you.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It feels like a Friday already, Carol, I'll tell you, yes. You know, you...
O'BRIEN: All day, as they say, right?
HEMMER: Yeah, that's right, all day, thankfully. You've been showing these pictures of returning soldiers and Marines. We're going to talk about that this morning. A bit of controversy out there about what the images do and the impact they have.
Also, a story from the AP, the crop dusters and the terror threat. We'll explain all of that coming up in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: Also this morning, we're going to take a look at the link, maybe, between heart attacks and driving. We'll investigate whether that link is true.
HEMMER: Also, in money matters today, David Bach is here. He's our money guru. He's going to help us figure out our own financial lives, is he not?
O'BRIEN: What you can do with your tax refund.
HEMMER: That's right.
O'BRIEN: If you're getting a big, old, hefty tax refund, where you should put that money. And he's not going to say into a new stereo.
HEMMER: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Believe it or not.
HEMMER: Darn it! Also...
(CROSSTALK)
O'BRIEN: But no.
HEMMER: Also, Ben Stein, a very smart man, a very funny man, too. He's written a book that tells you everything not to do if you had to go -- well, if you want to go broke, essentially, though. So, he'll be with us today as well.
O'BRIEN: That's what we've got today, Carol.
COSTELLO: All right, I'll be listening, because, boy, do I need help with my finances. Thank you, Bill and Soledad. We'll catch you in about 15 minutes. It is Friday.
HEMMER: Have a great weekend.
COSTELLO: You, too. It is Friday, going on Saturday, as we've been saying, and "13 Going on 30" is playing on a big screen near you this weekend. Before you buy tickets, though, hear what our movie critic has to say about that and some other box-office premieres.
Plus, we'll tell you what all of these people are kicking and screaming about.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Talking about movies, but we can't talk about them with Chad, because you never see movies.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I don't see anything.
COSTELLO: But there is a lot to choose from at the movies this weekend. And "13 going on 30," Jennifer Garner goes to a party as an awkward teen and wakes up more than a decade older.
MYERS: Nice.
COSTELLO: Denzel Washington is a "Man on Fire," going after bad guys in Mexico.
And "Close Your Eyes" will keep you awake, watching an insomniac pursue a serial killer. That's been before, too.
MYERS: Really.
COSTELLO: Before you fork over some cash, let's see what Tom O'Neil of "InTouch Weekly" magazine has to say about these movies.
Good morning, Tom.
TOM O'NEIL, "INTOUCH WEEKLY" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: OK, "13 going on 30," it looks cute.
O'NEIL: It's more than cute, actually. This is great news for "Alias" fans, because we all know that Jennifer Garner can act, but now the world can get to know. She is terrific in this movie. And although we've seen this plot before, like in "Big" with Tom Hanks, the young teen waking up in the adult body, hey, all Tom Hanks did in "Big" was jump around on a bunch of big piano keys. Jennifer Garner gets to moonwalk.
COSTELLO: Whoa!
O'NEIL: And she does it really well. She plays...
COSTELLO: Why can't Hollywood come up with some unique ideas?
O'NEIL: I know, but when they stick with the cookie-cutter ideas and they do them this well, it's all like this movie is going to do fairly well this weekend -- probably $13 million. But expect word of mouth to keep this thing in the theaters a long time.
COSTELLO: OK, maybe I'll go see that one. I don't know. How about...
O'NEIL: It's good.
COSTELLO: ... "Man on Fire?" Which is a very strange title for a movie, I must say.
O'NEIL: Yes, and I think we're seeing a pattern at the box office now, Carol. If revenge is sweet, you could end up with a toothache at the movie house these days. We have got "Kill Bill," "The Punisher," "Walking Tall," and now Denzel plays a retired CIA assassin, who's in Mexico City, who has been hired to protect the daughter of some tycoons.
Of course, she gets kidnapped, and, of course, he goes out stalking them afterwards, but the movie is not cliche, really, and it's filmed, as you can see, in a very gritty art house way.
By the way, Robert DeNiro was originally cast in this role. Denzel is much, much better as he swigs whiskey and still dreams of killing people.
COSTELLO: We love Denzel Washington. Do you know the thing I've noticed about these revenge movies is the revenge violence is really, really gory.
O'NEIL: Yes, they're cranking it up higher and higher and putting more and more of these movies out. What does that tell us about the national psyche, huh?
COSTELLO: Nothing...
O'NEIL: Why don't they just go get Osama bin Laden and get this over with?
COSTELLO: Gee! "Close Your Eyes," this movie sounds interesting to me, but, again, it sounds like an idea that's been recycled.
O'NEIL: Oh, and take the advice of these moviemakers. If you end up in a theater this weekend, if your date takes you to "Close Your Eyes," close your eyes. This is a horrible movie that is horrible. It's that bad. It's -- oh! It's one of the -- it's a cliche they have not reinvented well. A hypnotherapist looks into the minds of his patients, and he is stalking a serial killer. There's a young mute girl, whose body spouts all of these tattoos of pentagrams and zodiac signs.
They originally -- this movie is so bad, they originally tried to fix it by changing the title, "Sleep Doctor" to this and that, this and that. Why didn't they try fixing the movie?
COSTELLO: Exactly, or just sending it to videotape -- straight to videotape. Tom O'Neil, thanks for joining us this morning.
O'NEIL: Thanks, Carol.
COSTELLO: See, it's a good thing you don't go see movies, perhaps.
MYERS: What do they cost now, 8 bucks, 9 bucks?
COSTELLO: In some cities.
MYERS: And in the city now, like 12, 13? It's crazy stuff.
Time to win the DAYBREAK coffee mug. There he is right there. We'll get it in the mail for you.
COSTELLO: There he is.
MYERS: There he is.
COSTELLO: Chip, the coffee mug.
MYERS: Two questions for you.
What company disputes the claim about its product in the South Beach Diet book? We had that story a couple of times, actually.
And how many years has New Orleans hosted the Jazz and Heritage Festival, one of the classic festivals in the entire country, the New Orleans Jazz Festival?
COSTELLO: Oh, it's a party, too.
MYERS: It sure is.
COSTELLO: A great party. Of course, we'll name the winner on Monday.
MYERS: Name them both, and send us your e-mail at daybreak@CNN.com.
COSTELLO: That is daybreak@CNN.com.
Chad will join me for "The Lightning Round" coming up, but first here are the latest headlines for you.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Oh, I just want to listen to the music.
It is time for "The Lightning Round." Do we have that special, special effect? Thank goodness. It wouldn't be Friday without it.
Cambridge, Massachusetts, home to Harvard University, Chad, and also punk rock aerobics. Look at that. Punk rock aerobics...
MYERS: I thought that had something to do with exercise.
COSTELLO: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) come on, people!
MYERS: It looks dangerous.
COSTELLO: That's weird. And in New Zealand, rejected by his mother, declared a mutant by his vet, but adored by his owner and many others. Yes, this is Whipper (ph) the Budgy (ph).
MYERS: Wow!
COSTELLO: That's one strange-looking bird, isn't it?
MYERS: It looks like a mop. COSTELLO: It does, doesn't it? I've never seen one like that.
MYERS: No.
COSTELLO: That's little Budgy (ph).
No noisy drunks at this Paris pub, Chad. The (UNINTELLIGIBLE) communication is handwritten notes passed from patron to patron. Two friends from New York got the idea to host these hushed events, because they could not go out for a drink and have a quiet conversation at bars in the states, so now you just write notes to one another. I think that would be just too time-consuming for me.
MYERS: Exactly.
COSTELLO: But it would be very, very quiet.
MYERS: It would be. It would be nice.
COSTELLO: And finally, where do you wear a necklace like this? Take a look at that.
MYERS: Anywhere you want to.
COSTELLO: Exactly. This diamond and pearl creation will go on the Christie's auction block in Hong Kong. It is the largest-ever diamond offered at auction in Asia. It's expected to fetch up to...
MYERS: $1.5 million.
COSTELLO: No, $2.3 million.
MYERS: Well, I'm only going to...
COSTELLO: You should have changed it.
MYERS: I'm going to bid 1.5.
COSTELLO: Oh, OK, no problem. I'm sure Sally will appreciate the thought.
"AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. You have a great weekend.
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