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CNN Live At Daybreak
A Protest Against Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners; Reunion Between Former Hostage Thomas Hamill and His Wife
Aired May 05, 2004 - 06:00 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: If walls could talk -- this morning, an inside look at this prison and the tales of abuse that took place inside.
And good morning to you.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Here are the latest headlines for you right now.
Iraqis demonstrate against the abuse of prisoners at that notorious prison near Baghdad. This morning, President Bush talks about the abuse scandal with two Arab TV networks.
More fallout from the Iraqi prisoner abuse story, too. A Senate panel holds a closed door hearing today to see if intelligence officials are linked to the scandal.
Concerns over touch screen voting will be raised today at a hearing in Washington. At least 50 million of you will vote electronically in November.
Three bombs explode outside of a police station in Athens, Greece early this morning. No injuries. The attack comes 100 days before Athens hosts the Summer Olympics -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: We start with the latest developments coming out of Iraq. The Iraqi Fallujah Brigade formally takes over today from U.S. Marines in the city west of Baghdad. A former Iraqi intelligence official who was trained in Great Britain is in charge of those Iraqi troops in Fallujah.
President Bush will do 10 minute interviews with two Arab television networks this morning. He'll address the controversy surrounding the abuse of Iraqi prisoners under U.S. control. That comes as the Pentagon announces it will keep about 138,000 troops in Iraq through the end of next year. That number was supposed to fall to 115,000 this summer.
Well, there has been an anti-American rally outside of that notorious prison near Baghdad. It's over now.
Our Ben Wedeman was there.
He watched the demonstrations.
He joins us live now from Baghdad.
Tell us about it -- Ben. BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, it happened, it began about two and a half hours ago outside Abu Ghraib -- a procession of about 300 to 350 people. They were carrying placards with anti-American, anti-U.S. coalition slogans. They were also carrying a very large Iraqi flag.
Now, a small delegation from that, mostly religious leaders, did have an opportunity to speak with representatives of the prison administration, U.S. soldiers. And afterwards, I spoke with one of those who was in that discussion, which was held right outside in front of all of the demonstrators. And he said that they felt that they should make it clear to the administration of the prison their grievances, their desires to see all the prisoners freed, to at least ensure that they are treated better and obviously they raised specific concerns from those photographs of alleged abuse.
Afterwards, he said, though, he didn't really have an awful lot of faith in the United States, that, he said that their experience with the Americans over the past year has been one disappointment after another -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ben Wedeman live in Baghdad this morning.
Secretary of State Colin Powell describes the Iraqi prison abuse as "totally despicable." In an interview with CNN's Larry King, Powell says the small number of soldiers involved shouldn't take away from the contributions of other soldiers in Iraq. Powell adds that the current anti-American atmosphere is challenging.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE")
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We are going through a rough spot right now. People are looking at our actions in Iraq, and in some cases in the Arab world, they don't understand it. I think they will begin to understand it more when we transfer sovereignty back to an interim government at the end of next month, when they see Iraqi faces again in charge and Iraqis responsible for their own destiny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: CNN's Octavia Nasr is covering Arab reaction to the prisoner abuse story and to President Bush's interview on Arab television. She will join us live later this hour to respond to some of your e-mail comments and questions. And that question this morning is what can the United States do to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, or does it matter? Let us know what you think. Send your comments to daybreak@cnn.com, daybreak@cnn.com. We will read them in a couple of minutes on DAYBREAK.
To Germany now and a long awaited reunion. Former hostage Thomas Hamill and his wife Kellie are seeing each other for the first time since his kidnapping in Iraq last month.
Chris Burns is at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where Hamill has been recuperating. And Mr. Hamill released a statement and it's quite touching -- Chris.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very touching, Carol. In fact, at first there were no words exchanged between the couple when they first met, when they first got together here, when Kellie arrived from the States this morning. Officials here say that no words were exchanged. It was just a very, very emotional reunion after that three week ordeal as a hostage, after his fuel convoy was hijacked and ambushed in Iraq.
Mr. Hamill is now free, of course. He's here being cared for. And he released a statement after their reunion. He said that, "My recovery is definitely improving now that my wife Kellie is here with me. My only plan now is to go home as soon as possible, spend some quality private time with my family." He says that, he asks people to, "please continue to pray for all the civilians, soldiers and hostages and my friends and colleagues who are still missing, as well as their families that are going through this difficult time." He says, "Kellie brought me my favorite boots" -- cowboy boots, by the way -- "jeans and a bright red shirt so I could feel a lot more comfortable and closer to home. I'm ready to get back home and hug my children."
In fact, he asked his wife to cook him a steak and chocolate cake dinner tonight, so that's what she is going to be doing.
But, of course, Mr. Hamill was talking about a lot of serious things, too. He has two coworkers who are still missing in that ambush. And there's a U.S. soldier who is a hostage. There was a video released from his captors. So very much it's, you know, kind of bittersweet -- very happy to see his wife, but also very worried about those he left behind in Iraq -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And he really gave no clue as to what happened to those other hostages, if he saw them after, you know, his captors took him away?
BURNS: Well, this is why he is actually staying here. There's no reason medically to stay here, actually, because he's not having any surgery until he gets back. He was shot in the arm and has a pretty bad wound there. But doctors don't want to treat that until he gets back to the States. Here, he's going through counseling for his emotional trauma that he went through, but also an intel briefing by teams of U.S. military people who are trying to get to the bottom of really where he was, who he saw, any kind of detail that they can get so they can track down where those missing coworkers and that kidnapped American soldier are.
So very much, it's very much intelligence debriefings that he's undergoing right now. But they're not giving any details to the press about that -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We can understand that. Chris Burns live from Landstuhl, Germany this morning.
Now for the stories making news across America this Wednesday.
In southern California, hundreds of residents are forced from their homes by spreading wildfires. Six fires have scorched nearly 20,000 acres and at least a dozen homes have been destroyed. Erratic winds in the area making it more difficult for firefighters to control the spread.
Also in southern California, three teenagers are on trial, charged with gang raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl and then videotaping it all. They could each spend 55 years in prison if convicted.
Computer experts say more than a million computers have been affected by the new Sasser worm. The worm has targeted computers running the latest Windows operating systems. So far, businesses, banks and even the British Coast Guard have been affected.
If you still can, log onto cnn.com for more on the Sasser worm. There is also information on protecting your computer, so check it out. That's at cnn.com.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, the effort to win over an entire region of the world. Images of prison abuse certainly do not help America's image in the Arab world. It's already on shaky ground there.
And then, it may not look like it, but this is a political battleground in America's heartland.
And the mouse ears lock horns with Miramax over a controversial filmmaker's newest release. That would be Michael Moore, you're right.
This is DAYBREAK for May 5.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Coming up, America's image -- what can the United States do to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, or does it matter? Send us your thoughts. We'll analyze Arab opinion with our senior editor of Arab affairs. DAYBREAK back in one minute. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It is 6:12 Eastern time.
Here's what's all new this morning.
It is happening today. The Iraqi Fallujah Brigade is officially taking over security from U.S. Marines around the city. Up until the agreement for the Iraqi troops to take over, the Marines had been involved in daily gun battles with the Iraqis.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw calls Ariel Sharon's plans for withdrawing from Gaza a good starting point, but Israel must do more. He made those remarks during a news conference today with Israel's foreign minister.
In money news, Neville Isdelle has worked at Coca-Cola for 38 years. Now he's going to run the place. The 60-year-old Irish citizen is succeeding Douglas Daft as CEO.
In sports, the Philadelphia Flyers are heading to the Eastern Conference finals after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. And the San Jose Sharks beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 to advance to the Western Conference finals.
In culture, the champ Muhammad Ali has been honored by the Arab- American Institute. The group cites Ali for providing money, medical relief and food to African and Asian countries -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.
It is now time to focus on what they're saying this morning. It's something we do every Wednesday on DAYBREAK -- tap into what Arab television is saying about us.
The hot topic today -- President Bush will appear on Arab TV and take questions about the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq.
With me this morning is Octavia Nasr, our senior editor for Arab affairs.
And, Octavia, before we get to talking, I want to show that promotion that you pulled from Arab television depicting President Bush. I want our audience to look.
OCTAVIA NASR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So this is very interesting. This is airing on Al Jazeera. And what exactly are they trying to say through this promotional spot?
NASR: This promotion says Al Jazeera cares about the opinion and the other opinion. That's their motto. So basically you see President Bush and his opinion about Iran, about North Korea being the axis of evil. And then while you hear him say that in plain English -- no translation -- you see the pictures from the other side. So here you're looking at North Korea and sort of a project for nuclear weapons.
Now, also, there is an interesting thing in there. As the president says here, "We do not deal with countries like North Korea and Iran," they're showing pictures of U.S. diplomats meeting with North Koreans and Iranians.
So here's the question. It depends on who looks at this tape. Some people will look at it and say totally anti-American. Others will look at it and say very pro-American. So, you know, whether you know the story, whether you know what we're talking about, what we're looking at in these pictures, there's definitely a very interesting message behind it.
COSTELLO: Well, but the question Americans would have is what did Al Jazeera mean to impart through that promotional spot?
NASR: And this is where everyone is going to understand it differently. Some people watched it here and they said it's pro- American. I don't think it's pro-American, I think it's anti- American, because they're showing the double standard, sort of, of the U.S. government. We don't want to deal with these people, at the same time here we are dealing with these people, meeting with them, cozying up with them.
The message from Al Jazeera is clear. They want to say it's the opinion, which is the U.S. opinion, and the other opinion. In this case it's the Iran and North Korea.
COSTELLO: And the contradiction here is playing out right now with events happening right now, with the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. President Bush will go on Arab television later today and he will be taking questions from Arab journalists.
How will that play in the Arab world?
NASR: Well, first of all, I think we have to clarify one thing. He's not going on Arab television in general. He chose Al-Arabiya, which is a Saudi-owned Dubai-based Arab network. Also, Al-Arabiya has not the reach that Al Jazeera has, for example. So basically by speaking to Al-Arabiya, the president is excluding viewers in the Americas, in Asia and in Australia.
So basically he has a message. He's going to be talking to Al- Arabiya only, of all the Arab TV networks, and taking their questions.
COSTELLO: Will he say, should he say he's sorry?
NASR: I think he should, yes. I think people expect him to say he's sorry. I think this is one of the simplest and easiest words to say for Americans. I mean if you sneeze, people say, you know, do you have a cold? I'm sorry you have a cold. You know, you have a headache, I'm sorry. It's so easy for Americans to say that. But it seems that this is the hardest thing to come out of the president's mouth.
COSTELLO: In fairness, though, Condoleezza Rice went on Arab television and she apologized.
Isn't that enough?
Richard Armitage apologized.
Isn't that enough?
NASR: See, no one apologized in the sense that people are expecting. You know, people are saying people will be reprimanded, people will be punished, this is not American and all this stuff. I think when you read Arab media, when you watch Arab media, I think the message is clear -- say sorry. Just in the same way that you take the glory of the American troops in Iraq and say they liberated Iraq, you speak with the we. You know, you say we liberated Iraq. Our actions liberated the Iraqi people. In the same way you take the credit for what the troops, the U.S. troops are doing in Iraq, you should say sorry for what this group did in Iraq.
COSTELLO: I just wanted to get some -- to some of our viewer e- mails before you have to go.
This is from Marcus. He says: "Get out of Iraq. We have no business there. That is the only way we are going to have support of the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people."
Is he right?
NASR: Well, he's right in a way. See, winning the hearts and minds of the Arabs in general, and the Iraqi people, is not that easy. It's not done by pulling out of Iraq or going into Iraq. It's done in a totally different way. And people are saying, I mean you have to stop thinking about the hearts and minds of the Arabs and start thinking about their brains at this point. You cannot win their hearts and minds. There is a much bigger issue in the Arab world than Iraq.
Iraq is important, but really the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the bread and butter of that society. And as long as the U.S. seems to be siding with one and not the other, you know, there's not going to be a chance to win the hearts and minds.
COSTELLO: Just another quick point.
President Bush is going on Al-Arabiya and also al-Harat.
Is that better?
NASR: Well, al-Harat is his own TV station. So it's like saying, you know, Ted Turner, 10 years ago, speaking on CNN or giving an interview to CNN. It's his own station. This is U.S....
COSTELLO: And, frankly, how many people actually watch that?
NASR: A lot of Iraqis watch al-Harat, because it's free. It's available, it's a terrestrial station. You don't need a dish. It' snot expensive to get it. So a lot of people inside will be watching. Outside, a question mark.
COSTELLO: All right, Octavia Nasr, very glad you joined us this morning.
NASR: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
Time for a little business buzz right now.
Actually, it's not time for a little business buzz.
We'll have it for you after this break.
You stay right there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Carrie Lee at the NASDAQ market site.
The "New York Times" reporting today that the Walt Disney Company is blocking its Miramax film division from disturbing a new documentary by Michael Moore, of "Bowling for Columbine" fame, that harshly criticizes President Bush. The film is called "Fahrenheit 911" and it links Mr. Bush, as well as prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden.
The film also critics Mr. Bush's actions surrounding the September 11 attacks.
Now, Disney basically has the rights to prevent Miramax from disturbing films under circumstances such as an excessive budget or an NC-17 rating. Miramax does not believe this is one of those cases. But according to the "New York Times," Disney is not going to budge from its stance. Disney, one executive says, caters to all families of all political persuasions and the release of this film could alienate some of them.
Meanwhile, Michael Moore is going to present the film this month at the Cannes Film Festival. Also overseas rights have been sold to a number of companies. So that is the latest from the "New York Times."
Turning to stocks, futures looking like a pretty flat open for this Wednesday's session. One stock to watch, Dow component Coca- Cola. The company has named a long time veteran elect to the new chairman and chief executive position. Early this summer, Neville Isdelle is expected to take the helm from current CEO and chairman, Douglas Daft.
And that is the latest from here.
DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Coming up in the next half hour of DAYBREAK, a slice of American life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The only jobs that are available anymore is either working at fast food or grocery stores or like retail jobs. That's it. That's it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: What really helps a candidate win the White House? We'll take you to one town where voters have picked the winner in all but one election year.
Plus, a former commander-in-chief working around the clock to finish his book. Bill Clinton's book -- that's today's hot talker.
And could dairy help your diet goals? Our nutrition expert Lisa Drayer will join us live later.
We're back in a minute.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired May 5, 2004 - 06:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: If walls could talk -- this morning, an inside look at this prison and the tales of abuse that took place inside.
And good morning to you.
From the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.
Here are the latest headlines for you right now.
Iraqis demonstrate against the abuse of prisoners at that notorious prison near Baghdad. This morning, President Bush talks about the abuse scandal with two Arab TV networks.
More fallout from the Iraqi prisoner abuse story, too. A Senate panel holds a closed door hearing today to see if intelligence officials are linked to the scandal.
Concerns over touch screen voting will be raised today at a hearing in Washington. At least 50 million of you will vote electronically in November.
Three bombs explode outside of a police station in Athens, Greece early this morning. No injuries. The attack comes 100 days before Athens hosts the Summer Olympics -- Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: We start with the latest developments coming out of Iraq. The Iraqi Fallujah Brigade formally takes over today from U.S. Marines in the city west of Baghdad. A former Iraqi intelligence official who was trained in Great Britain is in charge of those Iraqi troops in Fallujah.
President Bush will do 10 minute interviews with two Arab television networks this morning. He'll address the controversy surrounding the abuse of Iraqi prisoners under U.S. control. That comes as the Pentagon announces it will keep about 138,000 troops in Iraq through the end of next year. That number was supposed to fall to 115,000 this summer.
Well, there has been an anti-American rally outside of that notorious prison near Baghdad. It's over now.
Our Ben Wedeman was there.
He watched the demonstrations.
He joins us live now from Baghdad.
Tell us about it -- Ben. BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, it happened, it began about two and a half hours ago outside Abu Ghraib -- a procession of about 300 to 350 people. They were carrying placards with anti-American, anti-U.S. coalition slogans. They were also carrying a very large Iraqi flag.
Now, a small delegation from that, mostly religious leaders, did have an opportunity to speak with representatives of the prison administration, U.S. soldiers. And afterwards, I spoke with one of those who was in that discussion, which was held right outside in front of all of the demonstrators. And he said that they felt that they should make it clear to the administration of the prison their grievances, their desires to see all the prisoners freed, to at least ensure that they are treated better and obviously they raised specific concerns from those photographs of alleged abuse.
Afterwards, he said, though, he didn't really have an awful lot of faith in the United States, that, he said that their experience with the Americans over the past year has been one disappointment after another -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Ben Wedeman live in Baghdad this morning.
Secretary of State Colin Powell describes the Iraqi prison abuse as "totally despicable." In an interview with CNN's Larry King, Powell says the small number of soldiers involved shouldn't take away from the contributions of other soldiers in Iraq. Powell adds that the current anti-American atmosphere is challenging.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM CNN'S "LARRY KING LIVE")
COLIN POWELL, SECRETARY OF STATE: We are going through a rough spot right now. People are looking at our actions in Iraq, and in some cases in the Arab world, they don't understand it. I think they will begin to understand it more when we transfer sovereignty back to an interim government at the end of next month, when they see Iraqi faces again in charge and Iraqis responsible for their own destiny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: CNN's Octavia Nasr is covering Arab reaction to the prisoner abuse story and to President Bush's interview on Arab television. She will join us live later this hour to respond to some of your e-mail comments and questions. And that question this morning is what can the United States do to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, or does it matter? Let us know what you think. Send your comments to daybreak@cnn.com, daybreak@cnn.com. We will read them in a couple of minutes on DAYBREAK.
To Germany now and a long awaited reunion. Former hostage Thomas Hamill and his wife Kellie are seeing each other for the first time since his kidnapping in Iraq last month.
Chris Burns is at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where Hamill has been recuperating. And Mr. Hamill released a statement and it's quite touching -- Chris.
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Very touching, Carol. In fact, at first there were no words exchanged between the couple when they first met, when they first got together here, when Kellie arrived from the States this morning. Officials here say that no words were exchanged. It was just a very, very emotional reunion after that three week ordeal as a hostage, after his fuel convoy was hijacked and ambushed in Iraq.
Mr. Hamill is now free, of course. He's here being cared for. And he released a statement after their reunion. He said that, "My recovery is definitely improving now that my wife Kellie is here with me. My only plan now is to go home as soon as possible, spend some quality private time with my family." He says that, he asks people to, "please continue to pray for all the civilians, soldiers and hostages and my friends and colleagues who are still missing, as well as their families that are going through this difficult time." He says, "Kellie brought me my favorite boots" -- cowboy boots, by the way -- "jeans and a bright red shirt so I could feel a lot more comfortable and closer to home. I'm ready to get back home and hug my children."
In fact, he asked his wife to cook him a steak and chocolate cake dinner tonight, so that's what she is going to be doing.
But, of course, Mr. Hamill was talking about a lot of serious things, too. He has two coworkers who are still missing in that ambush. And there's a U.S. soldier who is a hostage. There was a video released from his captors. So very much it's, you know, kind of bittersweet -- very happy to see his wife, but also very worried about those he left behind in Iraq -- Carol.
COSTELLO: And he really gave no clue as to what happened to those other hostages, if he saw them after, you know, his captors took him away?
BURNS: Well, this is why he is actually staying here. There's no reason medically to stay here, actually, because he's not having any surgery until he gets back. He was shot in the arm and has a pretty bad wound there. But doctors don't want to treat that until he gets back to the States. Here, he's going through counseling for his emotional trauma that he went through, but also an intel briefing by teams of U.S. military people who are trying to get to the bottom of really where he was, who he saw, any kind of detail that they can get so they can track down where those missing coworkers and that kidnapped American soldier are.
So very much, it's very much intelligence debriefings that he's undergoing right now. But they're not giving any details to the press about that -- Carol.
COSTELLO: We can understand that. Chris Burns live from Landstuhl, Germany this morning.
Now for the stories making news across America this Wednesday.
In southern California, hundreds of residents are forced from their homes by spreading wildfires. Six fires have scorched nearly 20,000 acres and at least a dozen homes have been destroyed. Erratic winds in the area making it more difficult for firefighters to control the spread.
Also in southern California, three teenagers are on trial, charged with gang raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl and then videotaping it all. They could each spend 55 years in prison if convicted.
Computer experts say more than a million computers have been affected by the new Sasser worm. The worm has targeted computers running the latest Windows operating systems. So far, businesses, banks and even the British Coast Guard have been affected.
If you still can, log onto cnn.com for more on the Sasser worm. There is also information on protecting your computer, so check it out. That's at cnn.com.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, the effort to win over an entire region of the world. Images of prison abuse certainly do not help America's image in the Arab world. It's already on shaky ground there.
And then, it may not look like it, but this is a political battleground in America's heartland.
And the mouse ears lock horns with Miramax over a controversial filmmaker's newest release. That would be Michael Moore, you're right.
This is DAYBREAK for May 5.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Coming up, America's image -- what can the United States do to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people, or does it matter? Send us your thoughts. We'll analyze Arab opinion with our senior editor of Arab affairs. DAYBREAK back in one minute. That's daybreak@cnn.com.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It is 6:12 Eastern time.
Here's what's all new this morning.
It is happening today. The Iraqi Fallujah Brigade is officially taking over security from U.S. Marines around the city. Up until the agreement for the Iraqi troops to take over, the Marines had been involved in daily gun battles with the Iraqis.
British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw calls Ariel Sharon's plans for withdrawing from Gaza a good starting point, but Israel must do more. He made those remarks during a news conference today with Israel's foreign minister.
In money news, Neville Isdelle has worked at Coca-Cola for 38 years. Now he's going to run the place. The 60-year-old Irish citizen is succeeding Douglas Daft as CEO.
In sports, the Philadelphia Flyers are heading to the Eastern Conference finals after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. And the San Jose Sharks beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-1 to advance to the Western Conference finals.
In culture, the champ Muhammad Ali has been honored by the Arab- American Institute. The group cites Ali for providing money, medical relief and food to African and Asian countries -- Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.
It is now time to focus on what they're saying this morning. It's something we do every Wednesday on DAYBREAK -- tap into what Arab television is saying about us.
The hot topic today -- President Bush will appear on Arab TV and take questions about the prisoner abuse scandal in Iraq.
With me this morning is Octavia Nasr, our senior editor for Arab affairs.
And, Octavia, before we get to talking, I want to show that promotion that you pulled from Arab television depicting President Bush. I want our audience to look.
OCTAVIA NASR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: OK.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Speaker, the president of the United States.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: So this is very interesting. This is airing on Al Jazeera. And what exactly are they trying to say through this promotional spot?
NASR: This promotion says Al Jazeera cares about the opinion and the other opinion. That's their motto. So basically you see President Bush and his opinion about Iran, about North Korea being the axis of evil. And then while you hear him say that in plain English -- no translation -- you see the pictures from the other side. So here you're looking at North Korea and sort of a project for nuclear weapons.
Now, also, there is an interesting thing in there. As the president says here, "We do not deal with countries like North Korea and Iran," they're showing pictures of U.S. diplomats meeting with North Koreans and Iranians.
So here's the question. It depends on who looks at this tape. Some people will look at it and say totally anti-American. Others will look at it and say very pro-American. So, you know, whether you know the story, whether you know what we're talking about, what we're looking at in these pictures, there's definitely a very interesting message behind it.
COSTELLO: Well, but the question Americans would have is what did Al Jazeera mean to impart through that promotional spot?
NASR: And this is where everyone is going to understand it differently. Some people watched it here and they said it's pro- American. I don't think it's pro-American, I think it's anti- American, because they're showing the double standard, sort of, of the U.S. government. We don't want to deal with these people, at the same time here we are dealing with these people, meeting with them, cozying up with them.
The message from Al Jazeera is clear. They want to say it's the opinion, which is the U.S. opinion, and the other opinion. In this case it's the Iran and North Korea.
COSTELLO: And the contradiction here is playing out right now with events happening right now, with the Iraqi prison abuse scandal. President Bush will go on Arab television later today and he will be taking questions from Arab journalists.
How will that play in the Arab world?
NASR: Well, first of all, I think we have to clarify one thing. He's not going on Arab television in general. He chose Al-Arabiya, which is a Saudi-owned Dubai-based Arab network. Also, Al-Arabiya has not the reach that Al Jazeera has, for example. So basically by speaking to Al-Arabiya, the president is excluding viewers in the Americas, in Asia and in Australia.
So basically he has a message. He's going to be talking to Al- Arabiya only, of all the Arab TV networks, and taking their questions.
COSTELLO: Will he say, should he say he's sorry?
NASR: I think he should, yes. I think people expect him to say he's sorry. I think this is one of the simplest and easiest words to say for Americans. I mean if you sneeze, people say, you know, do you have a cold? I'm sorry you have a cold. You know, you have a headache, I'm sorry. It's so easy for Americans to say that. But it seems that this is the hardest thing to come out of the president's mouth.
COSTELLO: In fairness, though, Condoleezza Rice went on Arab television and she apologized.
Isn't that enough?
Richard Armitage apologized.
Isn't that enough?
NASR: See, no one apologized in the sense that people are expecting. You know, people are saying people will be reprimanded, people will be punished, this is not American and all this stuff. I think when you read Arab media, when you watch Arab media, I think the message is clear -- say sorry. Just in the same way that you take the glory of the American troops in Iraq and say they liberated Iraq, you speak with the we. You know, you say we liberated Iraq. Our actions liberated the Iraqi people. In the same way you take the credit for what the troops, the U.S. troops are doing in Iraq, you should say sorry for what this group did in Iraq.
COSTELLO: I just wanted to get some -- to some of our viewer e- mails before you have to go.
This is from Marcus. He says: "Get out of Iraq. We have no business there. That is the only way we are going to have support of the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people."
Is he right?
NASR: Well, he's right in a way. See, winning the hearts and minds of the Arabs in general, and the Iraqi people, is not that easy. It's not done by pulling out of Iraq or going into Iraq. It's done in a totally different way. And people are saying, I mean you have to stop thinking about the hearts and minds of the Arabs and start thinking about their brains at this point. You cannot win their hearts and minds. There is a much bigger issue in the Arab world than Iraq.
Iraq is important, but really the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the bread and butter of that society. And as long as the U.S. seems to be siding with one and not the other, you know, there's not going to be a chance to win the hearts and minds.
COSTELLO: Just another quick point.
President Bush is going on Al-Arabiya and also al-Harat.
Is that better?
NASR: Well, al-Harat is his own TV station. So it's like saying, you know, Ted Turner, 10 years ago, speaking on CNN or giving an interview to CNN. It's his own station. This is U.S....
COSTELLO: And, frankly, how many people actually watch that?
NASR: A lot of Iraqis watch al-Harat, because it's free. It's available, it's a terrestrial station. You don't need a dish. It' snot expensive to get it. So a lot of people inside will be watching. Outside, a question mark.
COSTELLO: All right, Octavia Nasr, very glad you joined us this morning.
NASR: Thank you.
COSTELLO: Interesting.
Time for a little business buzz right now.
Actually, it's not time for a little business buzz.
We'll have it for you after this break.
You stay right there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CARRIE LEE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Carrie Lee at the NASDAQ market site.
The "New York Times" reporting today that the Walt Disney Company is blocking its Miramax film division from disturbing a new documentary by Michael Moore, of "Bowling for Columbine" fame, that harshly criticizes President Bush. The film is called "Fahrenheit 911" and it links Mr. Bush, as well as prominent Saudis, including the family of Osama bin Laden.
The film also critics Mr. Bush's actions surrounding the September 11 attacks.
Now, Disney basically has the rights to prevent Miramax from disturbing films under circumstances such as an excessive budget or an NC-17 rating. Miramax does not believe this is one of those cases. But according to the "New York Times," Disney is not going to budge from its stance. Disney, one executive says, caters to all families of all political persuasions and the release of this film could alienate some of them.
Meanwhile, Michael Moore is going to present the film this month at the Cannes Film Festival. Also overseas rights have been sold to a number of companies. So that is the latest from the "New York Times."
Turning to stocks, futures looking like a pretty flat open for this Wednesday's session. One stock to watch, Dow component Coca- Cola. The company has named a long time veteran elect to the new chairman and chief executive position. Early this summer, Neville Isdelle is expected to take the helm from current CEO and chairman, Douglas Daft.
And that is the latest from here.
DAYBREAK will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Coming up in the next half hour of DAYBREAK, a slice of American life.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The only jobs that are available anymore is either working at fast food or grocery stores or like retail jobs. That's it. That's it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: What really helps a candidate win the White House? We'll take you to one town where voters have picked the winner in all but one election year.
Plus, a former commander-in-chief working around the clock to finish his book. Bill Clinton's book -- that's today's hot talker.
And could dairy help your diet goals? Our nutrition expert Lisa Drayer will join us live later.
We're back in a minute.
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