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CNN Live Today
U.S. Commanders Stike Deal With Local Representatives in Fallujah
Aired April 30, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot for us to do here we'll get started. Good morning. From CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. First the headlines.
Extraordinary preparations at the courthouse where Michael Jackson will soon here the grand jury indictment against him. High metal fences and nearly a hundred police will keep fans and vehicles away from the building when Jackson arrives next hour. Jackson has hired a new attorney to defend him on seven felony counts of child molestation.
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of President Bush declaring major combat over in Iraq. Beneath a banner that was declaring "Mission Accomplished," since then more than 400 U.S. troops have died in hostile confrontations. Many more than died in the initial invasion.
In Kazakhstan, a flawless bull's eye islanding for the International Space Station. Russian, Alexander Kaleri and American, Michael Foale had been in orbit for six months. Andre Kuipers of the Netherlands had been on the station for nine days. It's the third time a crew has returned to earth aboard a Soyuz capsule.
And near San Francisco Bay, a ruptured pipeline dumped about 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel into a wetlands area. Officials say it is largely contained in a 600-acre area; it's not likely to spread into the rest of the marsh. Cleanup though, will take at least several weeks
We have a lot happening live today in the next couple of hours. Live this hour, we'll have the latest from Iraq. Any minute now, the besieged city of Fallujah where diplomacy is advancing and U.S. forces are pulling back in just a couple of seconds. We do see movement from Baghdad. We're going to hear from the coalition's military and civilian leaders. You can be sure as soon as that briefing begins we'll go to it live right here at CNN.
Meanwhile, let's check in on Iraq. Diplomacy and a tentative deal lurch ahead in Fallujah, a city under siege for nearly a month. U.S. commanders have struck a deal with local representatives. U.S. troops are going to pull back. Local forces are going to move in.
For the latest on this developing story, let's check in with our Ben Wedeman -- Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hello, Daryn. As you've said, some progress in the situation in Fallujah. We see that the U.S. Marines are beginning to gradually redeploy into what are described as rural areas, giving an opportunity for this rather hastily thrown together Iraqi force, led and composed of former members of Saddam Hussein's army. They are a force numbering somewhere between 600 and a thousand. To a certain extent, they've armed themselves, but they are receiving some assistance from the coalition as they prepare for their mission. Which is to go into Fallujah, and try to reestablish some form of law and order.
Of course, the problem is that there has been no word from the insurgents themselves whether they are willing to cooperate with this Iraqi force. In another bit of news we've received recently, there is renewed fighting it appears in some parts of Fallujah, where the Marines have not pulled back from. So the situation still very unclear there -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ben, and this again is why we're waiting for this briefing to get underway in Baghdad. But can you tell us about the controversy over these photos that have been published here in the U.S. over -- that were taken an alleged prison abuse at a prisoner there -- at a prison there in Baghdad?
WEDEMAN: Yes, Daryn, word of that story is getting around. Those pictures gradually getting a wider and wider audience, as the Arabic satellite news networks broadcast them. And by and large, I can say that the reaction here is one of disgust and anger; and much of it focused on the United States.
Now, the situation made somewhat worse by the fact that the alleged events took place in the Abu Ghraib prison, which before was the main prison of Saddam Hussein. That place was well known as a place where routine torture and abuse occurred.
And we went out earlier today and sampled some of the opinion of people on the streets of Baghdad. This is what some of them said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As Iraqis, we reject this and even human rights principles reject this. If you have a prisoner, investigate him in the proper way. Otherwise, we will repeat what used to happen in the past. They came in the name of democracy and freedom. So these practices should be rejected.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): When America says it is investigating a female general on some other military for crimes inside the prison. Are the crimes only in Baghdad in Abu Ghraib? What about Guantanamo? What about (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on Fallujah and Najaf? Terrorism is terrorism, whether it is torturing man or arresting man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, Daryn, the shock is not restricted to Iraqis. Earlier today, I spoke with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt of the U.S.-led coalition, who told me he is shocked and appalled by this story. Of course, it's still under investigation, but he says that the pictures would indicate that the people involved in this incident may have violated all of the tenets that the Army teaches its soldiers about respect for human dignity. and he's also a bit concerned that as this story spreads, the reaction to it could be violent -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ben Wedeman in Baghdad.
We'll be hearing from the general Kimmitt in just a few minutes. We are keeping our eyes on that -- the briefing that is set to begin in Baghdad. Once again, we'll be going to that live as soon as it begins. And there is a live picture there from that briefing.
Meanwhile, let's take this chance to check in on Najaf. Negotiations also underway in that southern city, that is where tribal leaders and local police hoping to end the standoff between U.S. forces and the militia men that are loyal to a radical cleric, who is still holed up there.
Our Jane Arraf joins us by phone from Najaf -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Daryn, very early stages here of what might be, though, a political layout of this. Now what we have are attempts to reach the local leadership, religious leaders and try to forge a political solution. Rather similar to what's happened in Fallujah, which is essentially getting local, the Iraqi army and Iraqi Civil Defense Forces and police back in control of the city.
Now, one of the things that is being talked about is the offer to members of that band militia to lay down their arms and join either the Iraqi army or the Civil Defense Forces. This is kind of a change of approach from what we've been hearing for the past couple of weeks, which was that the U.S. forces were going to kill or capture Muqtada al Sadr and destroy the Mehdi militia. This does seem to be an attempt to forge a political way out of what is a very tense military situation -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane, what about the actual force and strength of these Iraqi security forces they're talking about using? Are they capable of the job?
ARRAF: Well, that is one of the big problems. They were -- it's a relatively new force, as you know. Now, these were all dissolved after the war and reconstituted. but essentially it's a whole different ball game in the last three weeks. When the Mehdi militia came in and took control of Sadr City, seized control of the holy city of Najaf, a lot of the police and a lot of the Civil Defense Forces melted away.
It's a huge problem and to help address that, they've brought back one of the generals from the war, General David Petreaus, head of the 101 Airborne. In fact, he was in Najaf today for meetings today to figure out how exactly they will exactly reconstitute these forces. It is the biggest challenge and it's seen as the only way to stability; to figure out how many members, how many loyal members of these forces are remaining and how to build them up again -- Daryn. KAGAN: Jane Arraf in Najaf, thank you for that.
We will be back to Baghdad as soon as that briefing begins. Meanwhile, some other news.
A cargo worker, who snapped photos of the coffins carrying America's war dead, has returned home to the U.S. without a job and without apologies. The military contractor fired her and her husband when one of the photographs was published in violation of Defense Department rules. The cargo worker says that she intended no malice or political statement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAMI SILICIO, FIRED CARGO WORKER: I hope that it finds its way into the hearts of everybody. and so everybody can feel how I felt when I was up on that plane. I felt overwhelmed by the whole devastation of how the parents were going to feel and how the grief -- how they were going to be grieving for their loved ones.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: The woman says she has no job leads and no regrets.
Is it a television tribute, or a partisan attack on the White House and the war in Iraq? The Sinclair Broadcast Group has ordered its seven ABC affiliates to pull the plug on tonight's broadcast of "Nightline." The late night news show is simply airing the names and photographs of more than 500 U.S. killed in the Iraq War. Be sure to tune into "ANDERSON COOPER 360" when "Nightline's" Ted Koppel talks to Anderson about the controversy. That's 7:00 Eastern tonight.
There is some assessments coming from behind the closed doors of yesterday's 9/11 questioning at the White House. Members of the bipartisan commission met with President Bush and Vice President Cheney for more than three hours. The reviews from those inside the Oval Office has been generally positive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIM ROEMER, 9/11 COMMISSIONER: I personally felt very comfortable with a host of wide-ranging tough questions that I asked of the president of the United States. He answered them as directly as he could. He was cooperative. He was frank. He was gracious with his time. And we will now move into the next set of hearings that are very important, very gut wrenching about heroes, about people that walked back into burning buildings that eventually collapsed. Are we ready for the next emergency?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: At the bottom of the hour, CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash takes a closer look at that extraordinary gathering, which took place yesterday.
Once again, we are standing by going live to Baghdad as soon as the briefing begins with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt. Also, we're expecting Dan Senor, another spokesman from the Coalition Provisional Authority. When it happens you'll see it live here on CNN.
We are also live from California. The Michael Jackson caravan heading toward court, you can see the picture from outside the courtroom from Santa Maria, California for the pop star's arraignment. Will protective measures keep things calmer than they were back in January? Stay with us to find out.
And a mission accomplished? It's been one year since President Bush uttered that statement. What's being said now? A live report on that is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Michael Jackson is due in court the next hour. And for the first time, we should learn about the grand jury indictment in his child molestation case. Jackson says his life is at stake, an urgency that is not lost on the crowd and the police massing outside the courthouse at this hour.
That's where we find our Miguel Marquez in Santa Maria, California.
Miguel, good morning.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Urge -- good morning. Urgency may be the right way to say it, Daryn, I can tell you. Let's take a look at the live picture of one of the pool cameras that we have set up here of the crowd that's gathered here. Far fewer fans so far this time than in January when Mr. Jackson was arraigned on a criminal complaint. Several dozen have already been allowed into the courtroom. There will be about 60 fans in there to watch today's arraignment. But the media at this point probably outnumbers the fans.
Now last night, there was also a candlelight vigil at Neverland ranch for Mr. Jackson. Several fans from around the world were there. But again, it was about a hundred fans and about a hundred members of the media so it was about half and half. There is also right now, apparently a caravan headed up here. The "Keep The Faith" caravan, as they call it, bringing fans, even more fans up to this area.
Now, the last time Jackson was in court January 14, he was arraigned on a criminal complaint that was brought the previous year. He was arraigned on seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts against a minor under 14 years of age. And two counts of giving alcohol to a minor to facilitate those acts. Mr. Jackson pleaded not guilty and maintained that all of these accusations are nothing more than a big lie. We expect that he will be arraigned on similar charges to those today, if not the exact same charges, based on what a grand jury handed up to a judge. The judge will read those charges to Mr. Jackson today and we'll have a better idea of exactly what they are.
By his side will not be Mark Geragos and Ben Brafman. Big change there this week. Thomas Mesereau Jr., a Los Angeles attorney is taking over Mr. Jackson's defense; he will be in court today. Presumably he will instruct Mr. Jackson to plead not guilty on these charges. Or they may take some more time and we may not get a plea out of Mr. Jackson today. It's not entirely clear how that will work.
The last time Mr. Jackson was in court, the judge started off the proceeding -- he was about 10 minutes late. The judge started off the proceeding by saying, "Mr. Jackson, you have started off on a wrong foot with me." This time, given the way that we have seen how Santa Barbara Superior Court is handling is up here in Santa Maria and the Jackson camp seem to be handling it, we expect he'll be on time. And we expect a much more subdued performance -- Daryn.
KAGAN: We will be checking back in with you. Miguel Marquez in Santa Maria, thank you.
Now we go across the world live to Baghdad. Here is the daily briefing with the Coalition Provisional Authority.
(INTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)
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 30, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot for us to do here we'll get started. Good morning. From CNN headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Daryn Kagan. First the headlines.
Extraordinary preparations at the courthouse where Michael Jackson will soon here the grand jury indictment against him. High metal fences and nearly a hundred police will keep fans and vehicles away from the building when Jackson arrives next hour. Jackson has hired a new attorney to defend him on seven felony counts of child molestation.
Tomorrow marks the anniversary of President Bush declaring major combat over in Iraq. Beneath a banner that was declaring "Mission Accomplished," since then more than 400 U.S. troops have died in hostile confrontations. Many more than died in the initial invasion.
In Kazakhstan, a flawless bull's eye islanding for the International Space Station. Russian, Alexander Kaleri and American, Michael Foale had been in orbit for six months. Andre Kuipers of the Netherlands had been on the station for nine days. It's the third time a crew has returned to earth aboard a Soyuz capsule.
And near San Francisco Bay, a ruptured pipeline dumped about 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel into a wetlands area. Officials say it is largely contained in a 600-acre area; it's not likely to spread into the rest of the marsh. Cleanup though, will take at least several weeks
We have a lot happening live today in the next couple of hours. Live this hour, we'll have the latest from Iraq. Any minute now, the besieged city of Fallujah where diplomacy is advancing and U.S. forces are pulling back in just a couple of seconds. We do see movement from Baghdad. We're going to hear from the coalition's military and civilian leaders. You can be sure as soon as that briefing begins we'll go to it live right here at CNN.
Meanwhile, let's check in on Iraq. Diplomacy and a tentative deal lurch ahead in Fallujah, a city under siege for nearly a month. U.S. commanders have struck a deal with local representatives. U.S. troops are going to pull back. Local forces are going to move in.
For the latest on this developing story, let's check in with our Ben Wedeman -- Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, hello, Daryn. As you've said, some progress in the situation in Fallujah. We see that the U.S. Marines are beginning to gradually redeploy into what are described as rural areas, giving an opportunity for this rather hastily thrown together Iraqi force, led and composed of former members of Saddam Hussein's army. They are a force numbering somewhere between 600 and a thousand. To a certain extent, they've armed themselves, but they are receiving some assistance from the coalition as they prepare for their mission. Which is to go into Fallujah, and try to reestablish some form of law and order.
Of course, the problem is that there has been no word from the insurgents themselves whether they are willing to cooperate with this Iraqi force. In another bit of news we've received recently, there is renewed fighting it appears in some parts of Fallujah, where the Marines have not pulled back from. So the situation still very unclear there -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ben, and this again is why we're waiting for this briefing to get underway in Baghdad. But can you tell us about the controversy over these photos that have been published here in the U.S. over -- that were taken an alleged prison abuse at a prisoner there -- at a prison there in Baghdad?
WEDEMAN: Yes, Daryn, word of that story is getting around. Those pictures gradually getting a wider and wider audience, as the Arabic satellite news networks broadcast them. And by and large, I can say that the reaction here is one of disgust and anger; and much of it focused on the United States.
Now, the situation made somewhat worse by the fact that the alleged events took place in the Abu Ghraib prison, which before was the main prison of Saddam Hussein. That place was well known as a place where routine torture and abuse occurred.
And we went out earlier today and sampled some of the opinion of people on the streets of Baghdad. This is what some of them said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): As Iraqis, we reject this and even human rights principles reject this. If you have a prisoner, investigate him in the proper way. Otherwise, we will repeat what used to happen in the past. They came in the name of democracy and freedom. So these practices should be rejected.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): When America says it is investigating a female general on some other military for crimes inside the prison. Are the crimes only in Baghdad in Abu Ghraib? What about Guantanamo? What about (UNINTELLIGIBLE) on Fallujah and Najaf? Terrorism is terrorism, whether it is torturing man or arresting man.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WEDEMAN: Now, Daryn, the shock is not restricted to Iraqis. Earlier today, I spoke with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt of the U.S.-led coalition, who told me he is shocked and appalled by this story. Of course, it's still under investigation, but he says that the pictures would indicate that the people involved in this incident may have violated all of the tenets that the Army teaches its soldiers about respect for human dignity. and he's also a bit concerned that as this story spreads, the reaction to it could be violent -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Ben Wedeman in Baghdad.
We'll be hearing from the general Kimmitt in just a few minutes. We are keeping our eyes on that -- the briefing that is set to begin in Baghdad. Once again, we'll be going to that live as soon as it begins. And there is a live picture there from that briefing.
Meanwhile, let's take this chance to check in on Najaf. Negotiations also underway in that southern city, that is where tribal leaders and local police hoping to end the standoff between U.S. forces and the militia men that are loyal to a radical cleric, who is still holed up there.
Our Jane Arraf joins us by phone from Najaf -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Daryn, very early stages here of what might be, though, a political layout of this. Now what we have are attempts to reach the local leadership, religious leaders and try to forge a political solution. Rather similar to what's happened in Fallujah, which is essentially getting local, the Iraqi army and Iraqi Civil Defense Forces and police back in control of the city.
Now, one of the things that is being talked about is the offer to members of that band militia to lay down their arms and join either the Iraqi army or the Civil Defense Forces. This is kind of a change of approach from what we've been hearing for the past couple of weeks, which was that the U.S. forces were going to kill or capture Muqtada al Sadr and destroy the Mehdi militia. This does seem to be an attempt to forge a political way out of what is a very tense military situation -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Jane, what about the actual force and strength of these Iraqi security forces they're talking about using? Are they capable of the job?
ARRAF: Well, that is one of the big problems. They were -- it's a relatively new force, as you know. Now, these were all dissolved after the war and reconstituted. but essentially it's a whole different ball game in the last three weeks. When the Mehdi militia came in and took control of Sadr City, seized control of the holy city of Najaf, a lot of the police and a lot of the Civil Defense Forces melted away.
It's a huge problem and to help address that, they've brought back one of the generals from the war, General David Petreaus, head of the 101 Airborne. In fact, he was in Najaf today for meetings today to figure out how exactly they will exactly reconstitute these forces. It is the biggest challenge and it's seen as the only way to stability; to figure out how many members, how many loyal members of these forces are remaining and how to build them up again -- Daryn. KAGAN: Jane Arraf in Najaf, thank you for that.
We will be back to Baghdad as soon as that briefing begins. Meanwhile, some other news.
A cargo worker, who snapped photos of the coffins carrying America's war dead, has returned home to the U.S. without a job and without apologies. The military contractor fired her and her husband when one of the photographs was published in violation of Defense Department rules. The cargo worker says that she intended no malice or political statement.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TAMI SILICIO, FIRED CARGO WORKER: I hope that it finds its way into the hearts of everybody. and so everybody can feel how I felt when I was up on that plane. I felt overwhelmed by the whole devastation of how the parents were going to feel and how the grief -- how they were going to be grieving for their loved ones.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: The woman says she has no job leads and no regrets.
Is it a television tribute, or a partisan attack on the White House and the war in Iraq? The Sinclair Broadcast Group has ordered its seven ABC affiliates to pull the plug on tonight's broadcast of "Nightline." The late night news show is simply airing the names and photographs of more than 500 U.S. killed in the Iraq War. Be sure to tune into "ANDERSON COOPER 360" when "Nightline's" Ted Koppel talks to Anderson about the controversy. That's 7:00 Eastern tonight.
There is some assessments coming from behind the closed doors of yesterday's 9/11 questioning at the White House. Members of the bipartisan commission met with President Bush and Vice President Cheney for more than three hours. The reviews from those inside the Oval Office has been generally positive.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TIM ROEMER, 9/11 COMMISSIONER: I personally felt very comfortable with a host of wide-ranging tough questions that I asked of the president of the United States. He answered them as directly as he could. He was cooperative. He was frank. He was gracious with his time. And we will now move into the next set of hearings that are very important, very gut wrenching about heroes, about people that walked back into burning buildings that eventually collapsed. Are we ready for the next emergency?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: At the bottom of the hour, CNN White House correspondent Dana Bash takes a closer look at that extraordinary gathering, which took place yesterday.
Once again, we are standing by going live to Baghdad as soon as the briefing begins with Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt. Also, we're expecting Dan Senor, another spokesman from the Coalition Provisional Authority. When it happens you'll see it live here on CNN.
We are also live from California. The Michael Jackson caravan heading toward court, you can see the picture from outside the courtroom from Santa Maria, California for the pop star's arraignment. Will protective measures keep things calmer than they were back in January? Stay with us to find out.
And a mission accomplished? It's been one year since President Bush uttered that statement. What's being said now? A live report on that is just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Michael Jackson is due in court the next hour. And for the first time, we should learn about the grand jury indictment in his child molestation case. Jackson says his life is at stake, an urgency that is not lost on the crowd and the police massing outside the courthouse at this hour.
That's where we find our Miguel Marquez in Santa Maria, California.
Miguel, good morning.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Urge -- good morning. Urgency may be the right way to say it, Daryn, I can tell you. Let's take a look at the live picture of one of the pool cameras that we have set up here of the crowd that's gathered here. Far fewer fans so far this time than in January when Mr. Jackson was arraigned on a criminal complaint. Several dozen have already been allowed into the courtroom. There will be about 60 fans in there to watch today's arraignment. But the media at this point probably outnumbers the fans.
Now last night, there was also a candlelight vigil at Neverland ranch for Mr. Jackson. Several fans from around the world were there. But again, it was about a hundred fans and about a hundred members of the media so it was about half and half. There is also right now, apparently a caravan headed up here. The "Keep The Faith" caravan, as they call it, bringing fans, even more fans up to this area.
Now, the last time Jackson was in court January 14, he was arraigned on a criminal complaint that was brought the previous year. He was arraigned on seven counts of lewd and lascivious acts against a minor under 14 years of age. And two counts of giving alcohol to a minor to facilitate those acts. Mr. Jackson pleaded not guilty and maintained that all of these accusations are nothing more than a big lie. We expect that he will be arraigned on similar charges to those today, if not the exact same charges, based on what a grand jury handed up to a judge. The judge will read those charges to Mr. Jackson today and we'll have a better idea of exactly what they are.
By his side will not be Mark Geragos and Ben Brafman. Big change there this week. Thomas Mesereau Jr., a Los Angeles attorney is taking over Mr. Jackson's defense; he will be in court today. Presumably he will instruct Mr. Jackson to plead not guilty on these charges. Or they may take some more time and we may not get a plea out of Mr. Jackson today. It's not entirely clear how that will work.
The last time Mr. Jackson was in court, the judge started off the proceeding -- he was about 10 minutes late. The judge started off the proceeding by saying, "Mr. Jackson, you have started off on a wrong foot with me." This time, given the way that we have seen how Santa Barbara Superior Court is handling is up here in Santa Maria and the Jackson camp seem to be handling it, we expect he'll be on time. And we expect a much more subdued performance -- Daryn.
KAGAN: We will be checking back in with you. Miguel Marquez in Santa Maria, thank you.
Now we go across the world live to Baghdad. Here is the daily briefing with the Coalition Provisional Authority.
(INTERRUPTED BY LIVE EVENT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
