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CNN Live At Daybreak

Report on a Conversation with an Iraqi Prisoner Who Claims He Was Abused; Latest on Former Hostage Thomas Hamill

Aired May 04, 2004 - 05:00   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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Far from home, but safe -- we'll get the latest on Thomas Hamill, the Mississippi man who escaped his captors.
It is Tuesday, May 4.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date with the latest headlines now.

New details on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners coming out. The military report, now in the hands of CNN, says there are, and I'm quoting here, "grave breaches of international law." It cites numerous incidents of sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses.

In southern California, an unsettling sign -- wildfires that usually come later in the summer already flaring up. Hundreds of residents of one community are forced to flee overnight.

A couple of Republican congressmen -- Chris Shays of Connecticut and Frank Wolf of Virginia, to be specific -- are calling on the CIA, the FBI and other intelligence agencies to help the U.N. investigate wrongdoing in the Iraqi Oil For Food Program.

Several former U.S. diplomats have sent a scathing letter to President Bush. They say his policy for the Middle East is costing Washington credibility around the globe and is undermining the peace process.

To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Let's talk about the situation in Iraq. The controversy over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, the finger pointing, the accusations. Here's the latest situation report for you.

A classified investigation of the Army's handling of Iraqi prisoners paints a picture of an undermanned military police brigade not properly trained. The report says there was systematic abuse of prisoners. Defense contractor CICA International has hired outside counsel to investigate its employees' actions. Pentagon officials say at least two military investigations are looking at whether private contractors had a role in the abuses.

A Canadian living in Los Angeles claims he was tortured and injured shortly after being taken into custody during the war in Iraq. He's now suing the Army for $350,000.

And in the holy city of Najaf, intense fighting between U.S. troops and members of a militia group loyal to an anti-American cleric holed up in the city.

Our Ben Wedeman spoke with two of the Iraqi men who were held prisoner by U.S. troops at that prison near Baghdad.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "That's me," says Haidar Sabar Ali, "Prisoner 13077 at Abu Ghraib Prison."

Coalition sources confirmed to CNN Prisoner #13077 was one of the seven naked men in these photographs.

"They cut off our clothing with knives," he recalls. "We're Muslims. We don't go naked in front of our families, but there we were, naked in front of American women and men."

As Haider explains it, this was punishment for beating a prisoner they suspected of spying on them for the Americans. This ordeal, he says, went on for about four hours.

"They were cursing at us," he says. "If you talked, they hit you hard in sensitive places -- in the kidney, in the chest, in the throat. Our bodies were full of bruises. They didn't let us out of the cells until all our wounds had healed."

He said he was questioned by U.S. military intelligence after the incident and asked to describe those involved.

"There are other pictures," he says. "American intelligence has them -- of dogs attacking us."

Abbas claims he was also a prisoner at Abu Ghraib, but not in any of the photographs. He didn't want his face to appear on camera.

"They would put the plastic cuffs on someone and leave him outside for hours in the rain and the cold," he tells me. "They would humiliate them. And this was just punishment for simple things."

The family of Walid Ahmed Hadi (ph), a prisoner at Abu Ghraib, has just seen the pictures of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Walid's mother, Bufana (ph), says one of the pictures was particularly disturbing.

"I felt as if this was Jesus crucified," she says. "I thought, that could be my son."

For Iraqi human rights activists, the situation at Abu Ghraib may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Says this activist, "There is no oversight on what is going on in the prisons, especially in Abu Ghraib, but also in other prisons around the country. In all those prisons, they do what they want."

Coalition officials say they take this matter extremely seriously and are conducting several investigations into the operations of the prison. The Iraqi Governing Council is now demanding that Iraqi judges be present when Americans interrogate prisoners and that Iraqi officials have free access to all American detention centers.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: The former commander of military police and U.S. prisons in Iraq tells CNN she does take responsibility for some of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners because the M.P.s were under her command. But Brigadier General Janis Karpinski also says the M.P.s got instructions, not from her, but from military intelligence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIG. GEN. JANIS KARPINSKI, U.S. ARMY RESERVE: One of the most despicable aspects of those pictures, those faces on those soldiers, those soldiers who belonged to one of my M.P. companies, absolutely. I don't know how they do this. I don't know how they allowed it -- allowed these activities to get so out of control. But I do know with almost absolute confidence that they didn't wake up one day and decide to do this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: You can see the whole interview with General Karpinski this morning on CNN's "American Morning." That begins, of course, at 7:00 Eastern.

Former American hostage Thomas Hamill gets to see his wife today. They will finally be reunited in Germany.

Chris Burns joins us live on the phone from the U.S. military facility in Landstuhl, Germany, where Hamill is being treated -- good morning, Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

And we might have a good first glimpse of Mr. Hamill in the next couple of hours. He's supposed to come out on a balcony of the hospital and wave and give a couple of words. Not taking any questions. He's kept it a pretty private visit so far here at Landstuhl Medical Center. That's the big U.S. medical center where a lot of U.S. troops who are wounded in Iraq come through before they go home. He's being checked for a shotgun -- a bullet wound in his right arm that he suffered on April 9 when his fuel convoy was ambushed in Iraq. He's being checked -- there should be a diagnosis from the doctor at a press conference in the next hour. And so far, though, just our latest word from a spokeswoman for the hospital says that he is in good condition and that he's expected to return back to the States at the end of the week.

Of course, all his folks back in Macon, Mississippi, his hometown, population 2,500, they're all anxious to know when he's going to be arriving back there. So it is believed some time toward the end of the week. But we would like, of course, to find out how he feels about his ordeal and also the missing who are still -- the people who are still missing from that ambush, two coworkers and a U.S. soldier -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes. The other thing people are wondering is if he was mistreated at all while in captivity. It doesn't seem so, because the only injury that we hear about is that bullet wound to the arm.

BURNS: Well, that's absolutely right. And, in fact, everything that we've heard, that he's in pretty good spirits. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California governor, who was here yesterday visiting troops from California, said he had a few words with him, shook his hand, wished him luck, said he was in really good spirits. So it does appear that he did come out -- come through this, apart from the bullet wound, he came out through this unscathed.

COSTELLO: He's certainly a courageous man.

BURNS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Chris Burns, we'll get back to you.

Thank you very much.

Chris Burns live from Landstuhl, Germany.

The Hamill family says they never gave up. Family members told our Larry King they were sure Thomas Hamill would survive his kidnapping.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE")

LARRY KING, HOST: Rhonda, had you given up hope?

RHONDA COOPER, THOMAS HAMILL'S COUSIN: Oh, no, sir. We haven't ever given up hope.

KING: So even though they threatened to kill him, you had always thought that he would come through?

COOPER: Yes, sir. I think we've all just had a piece about it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Tonight, Secretary of State Colin Powell will be Larry's guest. Do not miss that interview. That airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

And today's reunion for the Hamill family is giving hope to another American family with a loved one kidnapped in Iraq. Prayers being said for Army Private Keith Maupin's safe return to his hometown of Burlington, Kentucky. Maupin was kidnapped in the same convoy with Thomas Hamill three weeks ago.

And a sad farewell for a man who turned down millions of dollars in order to serve his country. Literally thousands of people attended a memorial service in San Jose, California for former NFL player Pat Tillman. He was so moved by the September 11 terrorist attacks that he gave up a $3.5 million career with the NFL to join the Army. Tillman, as you know, was killed last month in Afghanistan. He is being remembered as a hero.

Just ahead here on DAYBREAK, after 15 months in prison, a high school football star walks free. Georgia's Supreme Court rules in a controversial case involving allegations of racism and heavy-handed prosecution.

Is there new DNA evidence in the Michael Jackson case? We'll tell you about the latest twist in the investigation.

In the blame game over high gas prices, analysts say there could be a new culprit. Details on the China connection.

And a memorial to Americans who have died in the Iraq war. It's a homegrown effort that's straight from the heart.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 5:13 Eastern time.

Here's what's all new this morning.

The U.S. military has reprimanded six soldiers in connection to the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Six members of the military police also face criminal charges and an investigation has been opened into the role military intelligence may have played.

An Israeli rocket attack kills two Palestinians at a Gaza refugee camp today. Palestinian sources say at least 25 others were wounded. The sources say a school where the militants took shelter was targeted.

In money news, for the richest man in the world, it may seem like pocket change. The government fines Microsoft founder Bill Gates $800,000 for violating an anti-trust rule. At issue is Gates' purchase of stock in a drug company.

In sports, the Charlotte Bobcats have officially joined the NBA. Majority owner Bob Johnson made the final payment on the team's $300 million expansion fee. The Bobcats become the league's 30th team.

In culture, a lawsuit against Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie goes to court today. In the lawsuit director/actor Vincent D'Onofrio alleges the couple stole his idea for the remake of "Swept Away."

I can't believe anyone would actually want to take credit for that...

MYERS: And it's a remake.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

A former high school football star, an honors student, is back home today after spending 15 months in prison. His release came after the Georgia Supreme Court struck down his original 10 year sentence.

Kimberly Fettig of CNN affiliate WGCL reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIMBERLY FETTIG, WGCL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No longer confined by barbed wire and prison gates, Marcus Dixon is sleeping in a bed of his own choosing. This was the scene late Monday afternoon, as the former high school football star was released from custody by a Floyd County judge. Dozens stood by waiting patiently for their turn to give him a congratulatory hug.

MARCUS DIXON, RELEASED FROM PRISON: I just want to tell everybody how thankful I am to have all the supporters and all the letters of encouragement, the cards and everything. It's, it really helped me through the time I had in prison. I really do appreciate that.

FETTIG: Dixon's family home is quiet. They are away for two reasons. One, for Marcus's protection; and to avoid the throngs of cameras that have invaded Rome. Before taking his son away, Kim Jones thanked the citizens of Georgia for their prayers and support.

KIM JONES, FATHER OF MARCUS DIXON: And I thank god and I thank everybody that supported Marcus. There's no words to describe how I feel right now. I just feel great.

FETTIG: The majority of the judges believe the aggravated child molestation charge was misapplied. They asked the law makers to clarify what kind of conduct the law was meant to target. Floyd County prosecutors say they will ask the court to reconsider its decision. But for now, Marcus is free.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were kind of thinking it would be today, but we didn't know for sure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report from Kimberly Fettig (ph) of our Atlanta affiliate WGCL.

A tragic anniversary tops our look at stories making news across America this Tuesday.

An anti-war march is scheduled to take place on the campus of Kent State University today. Today is the 24th anniversary of the shootings by National Guardsmen which killed four students during an anti-Vietnam War demonstration.

Medical crews are standing by for heat related problems in southern California. The heat wave broke more records, with temperatures topping 100 degrees in several areas, including Los Angeles. The heat also led to some power outages in L.A.

The Sasser worm is quickly making its way through computer networks that use the latest Windows operating system. Home computers, especially those using broadband connections, are highly susceptible. In a cruel twist, a virus known as Net Ski (ph) is being launched, as well. Net Ski is being transmitted through e-mails, promising to fix the Sasser problem.

Next on DAYBREAK, we'll take you to a California beach that has become an unlikely spot for a weekly ritual of remembrance.

And what lies beneath these murky waters that's stirring up trouble topside? More on this beast ahead.

And what's revving up your sex life? Up next, some hot wheels that are tops on the love list.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

It's 5:22 Eastern time.

Time now to check the overseas markets and see what may be in store for Wall Street as the Fed meets on interest rates.

For that we go live to London and Jim Boulden -- good morning.

JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Boy, I'll tell you, we are waiting for that Fed announcement. Nobody in Europe thinks that the U.S. will raise interest rates, but the key is will they say something about what might happen in the next interest rate cycle? So, yes, very much so, we're going to hear about that tonight, and that will affect the markets tomorrow.

Now, London was closed yesterday, so we're still catching up to the good numbers that Wall Street saw on Monday. London is the only one really who has caught that positive spin from Wall Street. You can see that Germany and Paris are both down. Switzerland would be down just as much if it wasn't for the fact that a big Swiss bank, UBS, came out and said its first quarter profits were $1.9 billion. It's a big European bank. It shows that European banks are doing very well so far in the first quarter of 2004. So UBS helping to keep the Swiss market about zero. You can see just a little bit down at the moment.

Another thing helping the Swiss market is Swiss Re. Now, this is the world's second biggest reinsurance market. The reason Swiss Re is doing so well is because of that jury in New York yesterday saying that the 9/11 attacks were a single terrorist attack. They said it was not a double terrorist attack, despite the fact that it was two planes hitting two towers. So Swiss Re will only have to pay about $800 million to the developers of the World Trade Center and that's helping Swiss shares very much.

That's it for now -- back to you.

COSTELLO: Jim Boulden live in London for us this morning.

We begin our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener this morning with a look at some sharks in Los Angeles. Look at that dark figure. It caused the closure of Will Rogers State Beach in southern California. Several eight foot long sharks were spotted as close as 100 yards from the shore. Shark experts believe they are young great whites.

Tourists in New Hampshire can once again see the old man. Special viewfinders fitted with old pictures of the natural formation were unveiled near the mountain. Parts of the old man fell off the mountain a year ago, leaving the monument permanently disfigured.

Soldiers in Iraq no longer have to live off MREs. That would be meals ready to eat. Thanks to people all over the country, they're getting care packages from home. Several companies are helping people to stock and send the goodies to troops overseas. Oh, they deserve it, too, because who would want to eat MREs every day?

MYERS: They do. My mom sent my dad packages when he was in Korea. And she would make cookies. And by the time they got to Korea, they were crumbs. But the guys didn't care, they'd just take a handful of crumbs and eat them as crumbs. Nice story.

COSTELLO: That's a sweet story.

MYERS: I still remember that story, yes.

COSTELLO: Yes.

We have to talk about this new survey coming out of a German men's magazine.

MYERS: I hear.

COSTELLO: Shocking, isn't it?

MYERS: I know. I'm driving the wrong car.

COSTELLO: You're driving definitely the wrong car.

MYERS: BMW guys are getting it all. COSTELLO: Getting it all.

MYERS: Jeez, who would think?

COSTELLO: Yes, but they did this study on who has the most sex, depending on which kind of car you own. There you see, BMW owners have sex an average of 2.2 times a week, which is pretty pathetic if you think about it overall.

MYERS: Well, you own a BMW. Does that help you or is that just mea lonely (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

COSTELLO: I am not answering that question.

MYERS: Well, I didn't expect you to.

COSTELLO: But look at the Porsche drivers.

MYERS: I know.

COSTELLO: Only 1.4 times a -- we were wondering...

MYERS: Maybe it's the comb over that's not working for the Porsche guys.

COSTELLO: The comb over.

MYERS: I don't know.

COSTELLO: What's the .4 mean?

MYERS: Oh, budda bing. That may be the best line of the week.

You know, they didn't have Ford Ranger in there so I don't know.

COSTELLO: Ford Ranger!

MYERS: I don't know how that's working for me.

COSTELLO: Just thought you'd like to know this morning.

George Bush wraps up a two day campaign bus tour in Ohio today. The president makes four stops in the key battleground state after stumping in other industrial -- in another industrial swing state, and that would be Michigan. Unlike other recent trips to speak with voters, the bus trip is paid for by the Bush campaign and not taxpayers. The president talked about successes in the war on terror and the economy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have a difference, we have a different point of view on security matters. Over the years, my opponent has opposed many of the aircraft and weapons programs, including the Bradley fighting vehicle and the Tomahawk cruise missile you build right here in Michigan -- programs that are vital to our nation's defense and programs that are now helping us win the war on terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: John Kerry is tying his appearances today to National Teacher Appreciation Day. He will begin in Minneapolis, where he'll visit at risk students. Later, he'll travel to New Mexico to read to a kindergarten class and lead a discussion on strengthening education with parents, teachers and school administrators. Kerry wants to repeal Bush tax cuts for Americans making over $200,000 a year and use the money for education programs.

Turning to the political ad wars, Kerry made light of Bush campaign efforts to criticize his record.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know how many of you have seen any of the Republican advertisements? Anybody ever seen any of them? Well, I'll tell you this, I don't know what kind of jobs George Bush has created, but I know he hasn't gotten any fact checkers hired in the course of this campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM KERRY CAMPAIGN AD)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was born in an Army hospital in Colorado. His father was an Army Air Corps pilot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Two new Kerry ads, by the way, that are coming out today are biographical and don't even mention the president. The ads are now airing in 19 states.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

Information obtained from enemy prisoners can be a life saver. But just how far should interrogators go in order to extract it?

And potentially damaging evidence is piling up against the so- called king of pop. Why Michael Jackson's dirty laundry may come back to haunt him.

And we all know that gas prices are on the rise. But could an Asian culprit be the new cause? We're going to take you live to Beijing.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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Aired May 4, 2004 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Far from home, but safe -- we'll get the latest on Thomas Hamill, the Mississippi man who escaped his captors.
It is Tuesday, May 4.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Let me bring you up to date with the latest headlines now.

New details on the abuse of Iraqi prisoners coming out. The military report, now in the hands of CNN, says there are, and I'm quoting here, "grave breaches of international law." It cites numerous incidents of sadistic, blatant and wanton criminal abuses.

In southern California, an unsettling sign -- wildfires that usually come later in the summer already flaring up. Hundreds of residents of one community are forced to flee overnight.

A couple of Republican congressmen -- Chris Shays of Connecticut and Frank Wolf of Virginia, to be specific -- are calling on the CIA, the FBI and other intelligence agencies to help the U.N. investigate wrongdoing in the Iraqi Oil For Food Program.

Several former U.S. diplomats have sent a scathing letter to President Bush. They say his policy for the Middle East is costing Washington credibility around the globe and is undermining the peace process.

To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Let's talk about the situation in Iraq. The controversy over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, the finger pointing, the accusations. Here's the latest situation report for you.

A classified investigation of the Army's handling of Iraqi prisoners paints a picture of an undermanned military police brigade not properly trained. The report says there was systematic abuse of prisoners. Defense contractor CICA International has hired outside counsel to investigate its employees' actions. Pentagon officials say at least two military investigations are looking at whether private contractors had a role in the abuses.

A Canadian living in Los Angeles claims he was tortured and injured shortly after being taken into custody during the war in Iraq. He's now suing the Army for $350,000.

And in the holy city of Najaf, intense fighting between U.S. troops and members of a militia group loyal to an anti-American cleric holed up in the city.

Our Ben Wedeman spoke with two of the Iraqi men who were held prisoner by U.S. troops at that prison near Baghdad.

Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): "That's me," says Haidar Sabar Ali, "Prisoner 13077 at Abu Ghraib Prison."

Coalition sources confirmed to CNN Prisoner #13077 was one of the seven naked men in these photographs.

"They cut off our clothing with knives," he recalls. "We're Muslims. We don't go naked in front of our families, but there we were, naked in front of American women and men."

As Haider explains it, this was punishment for beating a prisoner they suspected of spying on them for the Americans. This ordeal, he says, went on for about four hours.

"They were cursing at us," he says. "If you talked, they hit you hard in sensitive places -- in the kidney, in the chest, in the throat. Our bodies were full of bruises. They didn't let us out of the cells until all our wounds had healed."

He said he was questioned by U.S. military intelligence after the incident and asked to describe those involved.

"There are other pictures," he says. "American intelligence has them -- of dogs attacking us."

Abbas claims he was also a prisoner at Abu Ghraib, but not in any of the photographs. He didn't want his face to appear on camera.

"They would put the plastic cuffs on someone and leave him outside for hours in the rain and the cold," he tells me. "They would humiliate them. And this was just punishment for simple things."

The family of Walid Ahmed Hadi (ph), a prisoner at Abu Ghraib, has just seen the pictures of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Walid's mother, Bufana (ph), says one of the pictures was particularly disturbing.

"I felt as if this was Jesus crucified," she says. "I thought, that could be my son."

For Iraqi human rights activists, the situation at Abu Ghraib may be just the tip of the iceberg.

Says this activist, "There is no oversight on what is going on in the prisons, especially in Abu Ghraib, but also in other prisons around the country. In all those prisons, they do what they want."

Coalition officials say they take this matter extremely seriously and are conducting several investigations into the operations of the prison. The Iraqi Governing Council is now demanding that Iraqi judges be present when Americans interrogate prisoners and that Iraqi officials have free access to all American detention centers.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: The former commander of military police and U.S. prisons in Iraq tells CNN she does take responsibility for some of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners because the M.P.s were under her command. But Brigadier General Janis Karpinski also says the M.P.s got instructions, not from her, but from military intelligence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIG. GEN. JANIS KARPINSKI, U.S. ARMY RESERVE: One of the most despicable aspects of those pictures, those faces on those soldiers, those soldiers who belonged to one of my M.P. companies, absolutely. I don't know how they do this. I don't know how they allowed it -- allowed these activities to get so out of control. But I do know with almost absolute confidence that they didn't wake up one day and decide to do this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: You can see the whole interview with General Karpinski this morning on CNN's "American Morning." That begins, of course, at 7:00 Eastern.

Former American hostage Thomas Hamill gets to see his wife today. They will finally be reunited in Germany.

Chris Burns joins us live on the phone from the U.S. military facility in Landstuhl, Germany, where Hamill is being treated -- good morning, Chris.

CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

And we might have a good first glimpse of Mr. Hamill in the next couple of hours. He's supposed to come out on a balcony of the hospital and wave and give a couple of words. Not taking any questions. He's kept it a pretty private visit so far here at Landstuhl Medical Center. That's the big U.S. medical center where a lot of U.S. troops who are wounded in Iraq come through before they go home. He's being checked for a shotgun -- a bullet wound in his right arm that he suffered on April 9 when his fuel convoy was ambushed in Iraq. He's being checked -- there should be a diagnosis from the doctor at a press conference in the next hour. And so far, though, just our latest word from a spokeswoman for the hospital says that he is in good condition and that he's expected to return back to the States at the end of the week.

Of course, all his folks back in Macon, Mississippi, his hometown, population 2,500, they're all anxious to know when he's going to be arriving back there. So it is believed some time toward the end of the week. But we would like, of course, to find out how he feels about his ordeal and also the missing who are still -- the people who are still missing from that ambush, two coworkers and a U.S. soldier -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Yes. The other thing people are wondering is if he was mistreated at all while in captivity. It doesn't seem so, because the only injury that we hear about is that bullet wound to the arm.

BURNS: Well, that's absolutely right. And, in fact, everything that we've heard, that he's in pretty good spirits. Even Arnold Schwarzenegger, the California governor, who was here yesterday visiting troops from California, said he had a few words with him, shook his hand, wished him luck, said he was in really good spirits. So it does appear that he did come out -- come through this, apart from the bullet wound, he came out through this unscathed.

COSTELLO: He's certainly a courageous man.

BURNS: Absolutely.

COSTELLO: Chris Burns, we'll get back to you.

Thank you very much.

Chris Burns live from Landstuhl, Germany.

The Hamill family says they never gave up. Family members told our Larry King they were sure Thomas Hamill would survive his kidnapping.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE")

LARRY KING, HOST: Rhonda, had you given up hope?

RHONDA COOPER, THOMAS HAMILL'S COUSIN: Oh, no, sir. We haven't ever given up hope.

KING: So even though they threatened to kill him, you had always thought that he would come through?

COOPER: Yes, sir. I think we've all just had a piece about it.

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Tonight, Secretary of State Colin Powell will be Larry's guest. Do not miss that interview. That airs at 9:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN.

And today's reunion for the Hamill family is giving hope to another American family with a loved one kidnapped in Iraq. Prayers being said for Army Private Keith Maupin's safe return to his hometown of Burlington, Kentucky. Maupin was kidnapped in the same convoy with Thomas Hamill three weeks ago.

And a sad farewell for a man who turned down millions of dollars in order to serve his country. Literally thousands of people attended a memorial service in San Jose, California for former NFL player Pat Tillman. He was so moved by the September 11 terrorist attacks that he gave up a $3.5 million career with the NFL to join the Army. Tillman, as you know, was killed last month in Afghanistan. He is being remembered as a hero.

Just ahead here on DAYBREAK, after 15 months in prison, a high school football star walks free. Georgia's Supreme Court rules in a controversial case involving allegations of racism and heavy-handed prosecution.

Is there new DNA evidence in the Michael Jackson case? We'll tell you about the latest twist in the investigation.

In the blame game over high gas prices, analysts say there could be a new culprit. Details on the China connection.

And a memorial to Americans who have died in the Iraq war. It's a homegrown effort that's straight from the heart.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It is 5:13 Eastern time.

Here's what's all new this morning.

The U.S. military has reprimanded six soldiers in connection to the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Six members of the military police also face criminal charges and an investigation has been opened into the role military intelligence may have played.

An Israeli rocket attack kills two Palestinians at a Gaza refugee camp today. Palestinian sources say at least 25 others were wounded. The sources say a school where the militants took shelter was targeted.

In money news, for the richest man in the world, it may seem like pocket change. The government fines Microsoft founder Bill Gates $800,000 for violating an anti-trust rule. At issue is Gates' purchase of stock in a drug company.

In sports, the Charlotte Bobcats have officially joined the NBA. Majority owner Bob Johnson made the final payment on the team's $300 million expansion fee. The Bobcats become the league's 30th team.

In culture, a lawsuit against Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie goes to court today. In the lawsuit director/actor Vincent D'Onofrio alleges the couple stole his idea for the remake of "Swept Away."

I can't believe anyone would actually want to take credit for that...

MYERS: And it's a remake.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

A former high school football star, an honors student, is back home today after spending 15 months in prison. His release came after the Georgia Supreme Court struck down his original 10 year sentence.

Kimberly Fettig of CNN affiliate WGCL reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIMBERLY FETTIG, WGCL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No longer confined by barbed wire and prison gates, Marcus Dixon is sleeping in a bed of his own choosing. This was the scene late Monday afternoon, as the former high school football star was released from custody by a Floyd County judge. Dozens stood by waiting patiently for their turn to give him a congratulatory hug.

MARCUS DIXON, RELEASED FROM PRISON: I just want to tell everybody how thankful I am to have all the supporters and all the letters of encouragement, the cards and everything. It's, it really helped me through the time I had in prison. I really do appreciate that.

FETTIG: Dixon's family home is quiet. They are away for two reasons. One, for Marcus's protection; and to avoid the throngs of cameras that have invaded Rome. Before taking his son away, Kim Jones thanked the citizens of Georgia for their prayers and support.

KIM JONES, FATHER OF MARCUS DIXON: And I thank god and I thank everybody that supported Marcus. There's no words to describe how I feel right now. I just feel great.

FETTIG: The majority of the judges believe the aggravated child molestation charge was misapplied. They asked the law makers to clarify what kind of conduct the law was meant to target. Floyd County prosecutors say they will ask the court to reconsider its decision. But for now, Marcus is free.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We were kind of thinking it would be today, but we didn't know for sure.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That report from Kimberly Fettig (ph) of our Atlanta affiliate WGCL.

A tragic anniversary tops our look at stories making news across America this Tuesday.

An anti-war march is scheduled to take place on the campus of Kent State University today. Today is the 24th anniversary of the shootings by National Guardsmen which killed four students during an anti-Vietnam War demonstration.

Medical crews are standing by for heat related problems in southern California. The heat wave broke more records, with temperatures topping 100 degrees in several areas, including Los Angeles. The heat also led to some power outages in L.A.

The Sasser worm is quickly making its way through computer networks that use the latest Windows operating system. Home computers, especially those using broadband connections, are highly susceptible. In a cruel twist, a virus known as Net Ski (ph) is being launched, as well. Net Ski is being transmitted through e-mails, promising to fix the Sasser problem.

Next on DAYBREAK, we'll take you to a California beach that has become an unlikely spot for a weekly ritual of remembrance.

And what lies beneath these murky waters that's stirring up trouble topside? More on this beast ahead.

And what's revving up your sex life? Up next, some hot wheels that are tops on the love list.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

It's 5:22 Eastern time.

Time now to check the overseas markets and see what may be in store for Wall Street as the Fed meets on interest rates.

For that we go live to London and Jim Boulden -- good morning.

JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning.

Boy, I'll tell you, we are waiting for that Fed announcement. Nobody in Europe thinks that the U.S. will raise interest rates, but the key is will they say something about what might happen in the next interest rate cycle? So, yes, very much so, we're going to hear about that tonight, and that will affect the markets tomorrow.

Now, London was closed yesterday, so we're still catching up to the good numbers that Wall Street saw on Monday. London is the only one really who has caught that positive spin from Wall Street. You can see that Germany and Paris are both down. Switzerland would be down just as much if it wasn't for the fact that a big Swiss bank, UBS, came out and said its first quarter profits were $1.9 billion. It's a big European bank. It shows that European banks are doing very well so far in the first quarter of 2004. So UBS helping to keep the Swiss market about zero. You can see just a little bit down at the moment.

Another thing helping the Swiss market is Swiss Re. Now, this is the world's second biggest reinsurance market. The reason Swiss Re is doing so well is because of that jury in New York yesterday saying that the 9/11 attacks were a single terrorist attack. They said it was not a double terrorist attack, despite the fact that it was two planes hitting two towers. So Swiss Re will only have to pay about $800 million to the developers of the World Trade Center and that's helping Swiss shares very much.

That's it for now -- back to you.

COSTELLO: Jim Boulden live in London for us this morning.

We begin our DAYBREAK Eye-Opener this morning with a look at some sharks in Los Angeles. Look at that dark figure. It caused the closure of Will Rogers State Beach in southern California. Several eight foot long sharks were spotted as close as 100 yards from the shore. Shark experts believe they are young great whites.

Tourists in New Hampshire can once again see the old man. Special viewfinders fitted with old pictures of the natural formation were unveiled near the mountain. Parts of the old man fell off the mountain a year ago, leaving the monument permanently disfigured.

Soldiers in Iraq no longer have to live off MREs. That would be meals ready to eat. Thanks to people all over the country, they're getting care packages from home. Several companies are helping people to stock and send the goodies to troops overseas. Oh, they deserve it, too, because who would want to eat MREs every day?

MYERS: They do. My mom sent my dad packages when he was in Korea. And she would make cookies. And by the time they got to Korea, they were crumbs. But the guys didn't care, they'd just take a handful of crumbs and eat them as crumbs. Nice story.

COSTELLO: That's a sweet story.

MYERS: I still remember that story, yes.

COSTELLO: Yes.

We have to talk about this new survey coming out of a German men's magazine.

MYERS: I hear.

COSTELLO: Shocking, isn't it?

MYERS: I know. I'm driving the wrong car.

COSTELLO: You're driving definitely the wrong car.

MYERS: BMW guys are getting it all. COSTELLO: Getting it all.

MYERS: Jeez, who would think?

COSTELLO: Yes, but they did this study on who has the most sex, depending on which kind of car you own. There you see, BMW owners have sex an average of 2.2 times a week, which is pretty pathetic if you think about it overall.

MYERS: Well, you own a BMW. Does that help you or is that just mea lonely (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...

COSTELLO: I am not answering that question.

MYERS: Well, I didn't expect you to.

COSTELLO: But look at the Porsche drivers.

MYERS: I know.

COSTELLO: Only 1.4 times a -- we were wondering...

MYERS: Maybe it's the comb over that's not working for the Porsche guys.

COSTELLO: The comb over.

MYERS: I don't know.

COSTELLO: What's the .4 mean?

MYERS: Oh, budda bing. That may be the best line of the week.

You know, they didn't have Ford Ranger in there so I don't know.

COSTELLO: Ford Ranger!

MYERS: I don't know how that's working for me.

COSTELLO: Just thought you'd like to know this morning.

George Bush wraps up a two day campaign bus tour in Ohio today. The president makes four stops in the key battleground state after stumping in other industrial -- in another industrial swing state, and that would be Michigan. Unlike other recent trips to speak with voters, the bus trip is paid for by the Bush campaign and not taxpayers. The president talked about successes in the war on terror and the economy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We have a difference, we have a different point of view on security matters. Over the years, my opponent has opposed many of the aircraft and weapons programs, including the Bradley fighting vehicle and the Tomahawk cruise missile you build right here in Michigan -- programs that are vital to our nation's defense and programs that are now helping us win the war on terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: John Kerry is tying his appearances today to National Teacher Appreciation Day. He will begin in Minneapolis, where he'll visit at risk students. Later, he'll travel to New Mexico to read to a kindergarten class and lead a discussion on strengthening education with parents, teachers and school administrators. Kerry wants to repeal Bush tax cuts for Americans making over $200,000 a year and use the money for education programs.

Turning to the political ad wars, Kerry made light of Bush campaign efforts to criticize his record.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I don't know how many of you have seen any of the Republican advertisements? Anybody ever seen any of them? Well, I'll tell you this, I don't know what kind of jobs George Bush has created, but I know he hasn't gotten any fact checkers hired in the course of this campaign.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM KERRY CAMPAIGN AD)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He was born in an Army hospital in Colorado. His father was an Army Air Corps pilot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Two new Kerry ads, by the way, that are coming out today are biographical and don't even mention the president. The ads are now airing in 19 states.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

Information obtained from enemy prisoners can be a life saver. But just how far should interrogators go in order to extract it?

And potentially damaging evidence is piling up against the so- called king of pop. Why Michael Jackson's dirty laundry may come back to haunt him.

And we all know that gas prices are on the rise. But could an Asian culprit be the new cause? We're going to take you live to Beijing.

This is DAYBREAK for Tuesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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