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CNN Live Today
U.S. Forces Roll into Najaf, Taken Control of Governor's Office
Aired May 06, 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: Already developing into a very busy breaking news day. We're going to get started right away. Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
We have another dramatic story developing this hour; it is coming out of Najaf, Iraq. U.S. forces have rolled into the city and taken control of the governor's office.
Our Jane Arraf joins us by videophone with more on the latest -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi (AUDIO GAP)
KAGAN: All right. As you can see, we're using videophone technology and the picture did freeze up there. We are going to reestablish contact with our Jane Arraf but basically she is in Najaf in the southern part of Iraq. The place where she is, it has come under fire and it's a very dangerous situation. We'll be checking back with her for the latest.
While we try to do that, let's go ahead and take a look at the headlines that are taking place at this hour.
U.S. forces in Iraq are now in control of the governor's office in Najaf. The troops rolled into the city today without resistance. They're securing the area for the Iraqi leadership that will follow. The coalition has selected an Iraqi official as the new provincial governor.
A suicide car bombing in Baghdad today killed seven people including a U.S. soldier. The blast occurred near a military checkpoint of a heavily guarded Green Zone. The bomber was among the six Iraqis also killed in the blast. Two U.S. soldiers died overnight from a homemade bomb.
Jordan's king will be at the White House this afternoon discussing Middle East peace effort. It's a rescheduled of a meeting with President Bush last month. King Abdullah II had abruptly canceled that meeting to protest U.S. support for a controversial Israeli plan to withdraw settlements from Gaza but not from the West Bank.
Here in the U.S., from the Enron scandal, the wife of former finance chief Andrew Fastow will be in a Houston courtroom in the next hour. She's expected to plead guilty to filing a false tax return. That is a misdemeanor; it carries a maximum one-year sentence. Six felony counts against Lea Fastow were dropped earlier.
We have a number of developing stories out of Iraq this morning. The International Committee of Red Cross adds to the scandal of alleged prisoner abuse. It says, quote, "It repeatedly requested U.S. authorities to take corrective action." Meanwhile, some senators are suggesting that the Abu Ghraib prison should be torn down.
Elsewhere, the U.S. death toll climbs as American troops battle insurgents in Najaf and Diwaniya.
And President Bush is requesting $25 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But is that enough?
Let's get the latest now from Baghdad. Ben Wedeman joining us from the capital -- Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. Well, there was a car bomb this morning at a checkpoint on a road leading to the so- called Green Zone. That's where the coalition authority is headquartered. And according to coalition officials that car bombing bears all of the hallmarks of Abu Musab al Zarqawi. That's that Jordanian national who has been linked with Usama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, and coalition officials believe may have been behind many of the car bombings in Iraq over the last few months. And in fact, in the last few hours, a responsibility -- a claim of responsibility for that bombing has come, has been posted on a website by a shadowy group that claims Zarqawi as its so-called "mir" or leader.
It says that the bomber, in this instance, came from Saudi Arabia and that the car was packed with 600 kilograms. That's about 1,300 pounds of TNT. Now, this car bomb went off at about 7:30 low -- 7:30 a.m. local time at this checkpoint. In that blast, five Iraqi civilians were killed, as well as a U.S. soldier in addition to the suicide bomber. And of course, his identity is still unknown. The blast went off right next to a line of workers who were waiting to go in to their jobs -- to go to their jobs inside the Green Zone. Now, according to coalition officials the bomb did contain artillery rounds, which created a lot of shrapnel that littered the entire area. This is the first car bomb to go off in Baghdad since the 17 of March, when a blast killed 7 people at a hotel.
Meanwhile overnight, two U.S. soldiers were killed in Baghdad by a roadside bomb. Also, U.S. troops were in action in Sadr City; that's a predominantly Shiite suburb of Baghdad. There apparently, a U.S. convoy was attacked by suspected insurgents, no U.S. casualties in this instance; although 10 insurgents or suspected insurgents were killed in that fighting -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Ben, we're going to get back to you. Right now, we have been able to reestablish contact with our Jane Arraf. She is in Najaf and have her on the phone now with the latest in what is taking place in that southern city -- Jane.
ARRAF: Daryn, we're under fire here at the governor's office, where the U.S. military has taken control to install a new governor who has just been announced in Baghdad. Now, there is firing coming from the alleys. The building is extremely well protected by U.S. forces. They have been firing back with 58 caliber weapons from tanks and there has been air support that is called in. But a suspected militia members have been engaging in firing from nearby alleys and from rooftops. There have also been mortars fired around here.
But again, the U.S. military has seized control of the governor's building. There have been some attacks by militia members here around the building. The U.S. military is still holding it. Scattered firing can be heard but most of the firing is coming from the U.S. side -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Jane, in fact, to give our viewers a better idea of what you're facing as you are there with the troops, let's go ahead and show a little bit of videotape of what took place just a few minutes ago. Listen in on the phone, Jane.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BOMB BLAST)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Can you make this (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
ARRAF: Yes, I can. Who's the anchor?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daryn Kagan on the line.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And that is what is taking place just as we were trying to set up a live shot. And we can see -- we appreciate Jane that you have your helmet and that you have your vest on as well. Is there any sense of just how close all that firing is coming from, from where you are?
ARRAF: It's actually at an adjacent alley. Now the -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if you can still hear me on this line.
KAGAN: We can hear you.
ARRAF: But the local security guards who were here were saying that there are militia members who have been firing from nearby rooftops and from the alley. Daryn, it looks as if we've just established a picture again. so we're going to try to get the picture back to you. But the firing has been coming from some alleys quite close to here, across from the governor's office.
Now, the governor's office is in Najaf and it has been secured by Iraqi security guards. They say that they welcome the arrival of the American forces. They've heard there is a new governor, this U.S.- installed governor; but obviously, not everyone is happy about this.
There has been -- it's a brief slow now, but there has been quite intense firing with U.S. firing back with tanks and other weapons. We've just heard rocket-propelled grenades and there have been mortars in nearby areas -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And what about the significance of taking this governor's office and also the installation of the new governor?
ARRAF: Well, it's a very significant, symbolic step. Now, this has quite a troubled history. The governor's building and the people who have occupied it, one of the first governors after the war installed by the U.S. coalition, was later arrested and charged with charges and convicted of charges, including kidnapping, threatening of bank official, embezzlement. Just a huge variety of charges; he was jailed for 14 years.
Now they're trying again. And the person that they have chosen is an Iraqi who was jailed in '9,1 for his role in the Shiia uprising, went to the United States and has come back from the United States. Now, this has been a problem in the past. People who have been -- come back, Iraqis who have come back who haven't, according to Iraqis who have remained, stayed here and suffered the same way they have. But he is someone the U.S. civilian coalition has confidence in -- Daryn.
KAGAN: OK. I do think we have reestablished, as you were saying, contact once again with our videophone. So let's see if we can get that picture up so that we can actually see you. There you are. We have you on the phone and can see your picture there. If you turn around just to explain exactly where you are and the danger that the troops you're with face right now -- Jane.
ARRAF: I'm not sure how much you can see on this videophone picture. But Rick, if we can just show our viewers a little bit of what we are looking at. And what you are likely seeing are U.S. soldiers here by the far wall of the governor's building. It's just past there looking in that direction that the firing has come from. Now, the U.S. responded with quite heavy fire on its side, firing back with tanks and other weapons. So the firing has stopped momentarily, but they are expecting it to start again -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And we will be checking back with you throughout the morning and throughout the day. Jane Arraf in Najaf, take cover and be safe and we will be back with you. Thank you for that.
Also from Iraq, more photographs of alleged prisoner abuse at Baghdad military prison. This is the front cover of today's "Washington Post." The woman holding the leash that is tied to a naked man is identified as private First Class Lindy England. She is with the 372 Military Police Company and has been identified in reports as one of the soldiers in the earlier set of prison photos. England mother's says that her daughter told her, quote, "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The way that this prison scandal is developing and the way the pictures have come out, and the information has been released to the media before it made its way to Capitol Hill, is causing a lot of anger in Congress.
Let's get more on the view from Capitol Hill. Our correspondent Ed Henry, standing by for that.
Ed, good morning. ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. How are you?
You can feel the drama starting to unfold, expectations building for Secretary Rumsfeld's testimony on Friday. Now, let me give you a little hint of what he's going to say in that testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Friday. Rumsfeld this morning had breakfast with four Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee. One of those members, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, just spoke to me a moment ago, told me that Rumsfeld is very upbeat, confident that he can deal with this on Friday in the testimony. And also laid out that Rumsfeld said he believes there is a rational explanation for everything that happened in the prison scandal.
Rumsfeld also told the senators that he is confident that the military was acting as quickly as they could early on in this scandal. There was clearly communications problems in getting it to the civilian leadership. He's going to explain why they did not move more quickly to deal with this. But Sessions -- Senator Sessions said that Rumsfeld obviously is very skilled at dealing with these kinds of tough questions. He's done this before and there are great expectations for what he's going to say.
Now, Democrats are also anticipating the testimony very much. And one of the members on that Armed Services Committee, Joe Lieberman, gave CNN a preview a little earlier today of what he wants to ask.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT) ARMED SVCS. CMTE.: How did this happen? And I want to ask the secretary to look critically at himself and everybody else. Did some of the decisions he made about not fully applying the rules of the Geneva Convention to these Iraqi prisoners in any way contribute to the immoral and intolerable acts that occurred? Was there some -- well, how did this break down in discipline occur?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: Daryn, there is also pressure building on Rumsfeld on another front this morning. Senators in both parties led by Democrat Ben Nelson Republican Pat Roberts of Kansas, they're saying that they want this prison in Iraq torn down. They want to see it bulldozed. They think it's a horrible symbol and that it needs to be taken down. Senator John McCain, I spoke to a little while ago as well, he's a member of the Armed Services Committee. He says he wants to see it demolished.
Senator Nelson said if the Pentagon does not act on its own to tear down the prison, Senator Nelson will sponsor an amendment that will demand the Pentagon actually take the prison down -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Ed, let me ask you about this request that's expected to come out of the White House. That $25 billion request for founding for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Is that likely to be approved? HENRY: Oh, absolutely. I think how you're going to see it sold is very clearly, House majority leader Tom DeLay last night was asked that very question. And he was asked the question: what about this $25 billion for Iraq? And DeLay very quickly corrected reporters and said, "It's not money for Iraq it's money for our troops." That's how it's going to be sold. Republicans are going to make it very clear the Democrats are going to have a hard time blocking any of this money. Both parties know the troops need more money.
KAGAN: Ed Henry on Capitol Hill. And Ed, as our newest correspondent, let me welcome you to CNN. Good to have you on board.
HENRY: Thank you.
KAGAN: Thanks so much.
HENRY: Thank you.
KAGAN: Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, the president battles continuing fallout over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. We're going to take you live to the White House for more on that issue.
Also, a trans-Atlantic journey in a rowboat? A mom and her daughter did it. Why?
And later...
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No guys around, huh?
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, actually...
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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KAGAN: Nowhere is the weather more key this morning than in Southern California. The Eagle Fire near Temecula is now mostly contained thanks to cooler temperatures and less wind. The blaze broke out Sunday; it quickly spread over 15,000 acres. The flames now moving away from town, residents are being allowed back to survey the damage. At least 14 homes in Temecula have already been lost.
We have a kid coming up in the show you absolutely have to hear his story. It's about battling cancer. He did it a digital way to fight the disease, created by a 9-year-old cancer patient. He took to his video game to fight cancer cells. He is our "Everyday Hero" and you'll meet him ahead.
Also, Michael Moore roars back at the House of the Mouse. The story and an update on our top stories coming up
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KAGAN: Why row across an ocean? One reason could be because it's there, of course. But a mother and daughter from Britain did it to raise money for epilepsy research. This is how they did it. They left the Canary Islands back in January. A hundred and five days and 3,000 miles later, they have arrived safely in Barbados. Sarah and Sally Kettles are in Barbados. And we have mom with us right now, Sary Kettle -- Sarah Kettle joining us by phone.
Congratulations.
SARAH KETTLE, ROWED THE ATLANTIC: Thank you.
KAGAN: I guess the big question would be why? Why was epilepsy research and raising money for that important to you and your daughter?
KETTLE, SARAH: Well, Sally tried already before and when she had to return she asked me to do it. And I just said yes why not?
KAGAN: Now, 105 days across the ocean. Explain to us exactly what the logistics of doing this.
KETTLE, SARAH: Just rowing. Just rowing, eating, sleeping.
KAGAN: In what -- now we're looking at pictures. If you could describe the boat that you were in.
KETTLE, SARAH: It's marine ply. It's designed for two people and it's a lovely boat. It's perfectly safe. We were safe in it and it's a fantastic boat.
KAGAN: One hundred and five days. What were the biggest challenges as you crossed the ocean?
KETTLE, SARAH: Challenges were eating food that we got because I suffered sea lag disease. So eating the food was quite difficult for me because my taste buds are very alert. So we soon we managed it.
KAGAN: Now, some would -- I know some mothers and daughters that would say the biggest challenge would be spending 105 days with, you know, your daughter or your mom in any kind of situation. Let alone in these drastic situations.
KETTLE, SARAH: No! It was fine. It was lovely. We loved every moment of it.
KAGAN: OK. Now, your daughter, Sally, is standing by as well. So why don't you hand the phone over to her. We're doing this very low tech.
KETTLE, SARAH: That's right. I'll get her.
KAGAN: OK.
Sally?
SALLY KETTLE, ROWED THE ATLANTIC: Yes, hello!
KAGAN: Hello! Well, congratulations on making it across the ocean, you and your Mum.
KETTLE, SALLY: Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Your mom was explaining that epilepsy research, very important and that you were -- explain a little bit more about why this was the cause that you wanted to raise money for.
KETTLE, SALLY: Yes, sure. My boyfriend has epilepsy and my uncle also has epilepsy. And so we thought it was the best thing to do, especially as epilepsy is not seen very much in society at the moment. So we thought we'd bring it out of the shadows.
KAGAN: And what was the biggest challenge you felt for you in 105 days crossing the ocean?
KETTLE, SALLY: Food. We didn't have very good food, unfortunately! It was -- all we thought about was having an Indian take-away, and going home and baking and doing lots of food type stuff. We would stop eating chili carne and lots of chocolates.
KAGAN: And what is next for you and your mom?
KETTLE, SALLY: I've got to go home and get a job.
KAGAN: Mm-hmm. There is that.
KETTLE, SALLY: There's that. And my mum is going to go back and she's going to continue her gardening. I'd like to write a book about my experiences and we'll see how that goes.
KAGAN: Well, when the book is done, you'll come back and visit with us and we'll talk about that.
KETTLE, SALLY: That would be brilliant. Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Quickly, tell us how much you did raise for epilepsy research.
KETTLE, SALLY: It would be about half a million U.S. dollars.
KAGAN: Excellent. Congratulations on that.
KETTLE, SALLY: Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Quit an accomplishment. Sarah and Sally Kettle rowed their way 105 days across the Atlantic Ocean.
We do have a huge breaking news story that is developing out of Iraq, and that is what is taking place in Najaf.
Our Jane Arraf is there and we're going to go back and check back with her -- Jane.
ARRAF: Daryn, we are in the gila -- sorry, in the governor's office where U.S. forces have taken control. Now, this is almost simultaneously with an announcement in Baghdad that the U.S. civilian coalition has appointed a new governor to come back here, and try to reassert security and authority in a city that's been taken over by forces loyal to a radical Shiite cleric.
Now, the forces here have not taken it without resistance; and we've had quite a lot of gunfire. We have with us the head of the 2nd Battalion 32nd Armor, Lieutenant Colonel Pat White to tell us what...
What have we been hearing that's out there? How serious is that?
LT. COL. PAT WHITE, CMDR. 2 BATTALION 32 ARMOR: Ah, Jane, it's probably not that serious. It's small pockets of three to five men moving around with rifles and pistols, and rocket propelled grenade. Attempting really harassing fire is what we're seeing from multiple sides. A little bit of pressure to the north more than we expected, but we have killed some enemy up there. And now we'll continue to defend the governor's palace until he gets here and then we'll stay here to protect him as well.
ARRAF: You seem to be increasing offensive operations, attacks against the Mehdi militia. Is that part of your strategy here?
WHITE: Well, what we're doing is conducting operation where we see fit. So that as we develop a target through intelligence, we'll go out to that target and we'll do a precision operation. And then we will move back out because we really are knowledgeable in the sensitivities of the holy city. And we want the Shiia people to understand that we will not take any aggressions against any of their holy mosques, unless it's been used for storage of weapons. But the Ali mosque and the Kufa mosque, at this point in time, are our primary targets that we're observing. And I'm keeping my soldiers away from there.
ARRAF: One of the things that seems to be apparent in all this is you've, obviously, got a lot more weaponry, a lot more firepower. You're facing an enemy that isn't at great numbers as you say, but they are fighting unconventional warfare. What kind of challenge is that?
WHITE: I think the challenge is to minimize the collateral damage of peaceful people. I mean directly across the street from the governor's compound is the neighborhood of about 30,000 individuals that have been living here for quite sometime. And when the Mehdi attacks, he's attacking these people as well. So my forces really have to use aimed precision fire to kill the enemy he attacks.
ARRAF: How are you going to avoid having to stay here longer than you already have? Having to stay in Iraq and Najaf?
WHITE: Well, Jane, that's really not my decision. And we will remain here until the job is finished, or until my higher chain of command tells me that we can depart and go home.
ARRAF: I guess part of that is the Iraqi security forces. What stage are they in being able to help secure at least part of this city?
WHITE: Well, here on the three compounds that we've occupied today, there were Iraqi security forces present. This evening, we'll reintegrate them into the security of this compound with coalition forces. We also have the Iraqi police working downtown Najaf. Their main police station is directly to the south of the governor's palace. They were up on duty today. They're also patrolling. And we're working to reintegrate the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps as well into the overall security of some of the government buildings. And at some point in time, we'll continue to train more Iraqi police and more Iraqi Civil Defense Corps personnel.
(GUNFIRE)
ARRAF: And there is the gunfire again.
WHITE: Sure. And what we're seeing is up to the north, a little heavier resistance going against a couple of tanks that we have positioned up there. Poking their heads around corners while they're firing RPGs, and so we've gone into a defensive position. And we're going to allow them to continue to attack if they want to.
ARRAF: Thank you so much, Colonel.
WHITE: Sure, Jane.
ARRAF: That was Lieutenant Colonel Pat White telling us about these ongoing battles around the city. But clearly, still staying far away from the holy sites in Najaf. and here they have taken control and intend to stay in the governor's building until the governor arrives -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, Jane, that seemed like a very relax lieutenant colonel. He didn't seem concerned about what is going on around you even though we continue to hear that type of gunfire. Give us a better sense of what it feels like to be standing there...
ARRAF: You know the thing is, Daryn when it's -- when it's this loud it generally means that it's outgoing gunfire, which means it's being fired by the U.S. military that we happen to be with right now. Which makes it quite a lot less dangerous than it were perhaps not as loud, but coming from the other side. That's perhaps why Colonel White looked so relaxed.
KAGAN: All right. Well, we'll be checking back with you Jane Arraf in Najaf. And thanks to the lieutenant colonel as well.
Doing damage control in the Middle East, the king of Jordan comes calling on President Bush today. We're going to go live to the White House with the latest on that.
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Aired May 6, 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: Already developing into a very busy breaking news day. We're going to get started right away. Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
We have another dramatic story developing this hour; it is coming out of Najaf, Iraq. U.S. forces have rolled into the city and taken control of the governor's office.
Our Jane Arraf joins us by videophone with more on the latest -- Jane.
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Hi (AUDIO GAP)
KAGAN: All right. As you can see, we're using videophone technology and the picture did freeze up there. We are going to reestablish contact with our Jane Arraf but basically she is in Najaf in the southern part of Iraq. The place where she is, it has come under fire and it's a very dangerous situation. We'll be checking back with her for the latest.
While we try to do that, let's go ahead and take a look at the headlines that are taking place at this hour.
U.S. forces in Iraq are now in control of the governor's office in Najaf. The troops rolled into the city today without resistance. They're securing the area for the Iraqi leadership that will follow. The coalition has selected an Iraqi official as the new provincial governor.
A suicide car bombing in Baghdad today killed seven people including a U.S. soldier. The blast occurred near a military checkpoint of a heavily guarded Green Zone. The bomber was among the six Iraqis also killed in the blast. Two U.S. soldiers died overnight from a homemade bomb.
Jordan's king will be at the White House this afternoon discussing Middle East peace effort. It's a rescheduled of a meeting with President Bush last month. King Abdullah II had abruptly canceled that meeting to protest U.S. support for a controversial Israeli plan to withdraw settlements from Gaza but not from the West Bank.
Here in the U.S., from the Enron scandal, the wife of former finance chief Andrew Fastow will be in a Houston courtroom in the next hour. She's expected to plead guilty to filing a false tax return. That is a misdemeanor; it carries a maximum one-year sentence. Six felony counts against Lea Fastow were dropped earlier.
We have a number of developing stories out of Iraq this morning. The International Committee of Red Cross adds to the scandal of alleged prisoner abuse. It says, quote, "It repeatedly requested U.S. authorities to take corrective action." Meanwhile, some senators are suggesting that the Abu Ghraib prison should be torn down.
Elsewhere, the U.S. death toll climbs as American troops battle insurgents in Najaf and Diwaniya.
And President Bush is requesting $25 billion for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. But is that enough?
Let's get the latest now from Baghdad. Ben Wedeman joining us from the capital -- Ben.
BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Daryn. Well, there was a car bomb this morning at a checkpoint on a road leading to the so- called Green Zone. That's where the coalition authority is headquartered. And according to coalition officials that car bombing bears all of the hallmarks of Abu Musab al Zarqawi. That's that Jordanian national who has been linked with Usama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, and coalition officials believe may have been behind many of the car bombings in Iraq over the last few months. And in fact, in the last few hours, a responsibility -- a claim of responsibility for that bombing has come, has been posted on a website by a shadowy group that claims Zarqawi as its so-called "mir" or leader.
It says that the bomber, in this instance, came from Saudi Arabia and that the car was packed with 600 kilograms. That's about 1,300 pounds of TNT. Now, this car bomb went off at about 7:30 low -- 7:30 a.m. local time at this checkpoint. In that blast, five Iraqi civilians were killed, as well as a U.S. soldier in addition to the suicide bomber. And of course, his identity is still unknown. The blast went off right next to a line of workers who were waiting to go in to their jobs -- to go to their jobs inside the Green Zone. Now, according to coalition officials the bomb did contain artillery rounds, which created a lot of shrapnel that littered the entire area. This is the first car bomb to go off in Baghdad since the 17 of March, when a blast killed 7 people at a hotel.
Meanwhile overnight, two U.S. soldiers were killed in Baghdad by a roadside bomb. Also, U.S. troops were in action in Sadr City; that's a predominantly Shiite suburb of Baghdad. There apparently, a U.S. convoy was attacked by suspected insurgents, no U.S. casualties in this instance; although 10 insurgents or suspected insurgents were killed in that fighting -- Daryn.
KAGAN: All right. Ben, we're going to get back to you. Right now, we have been able to reestablish contact with our Jane Arraf. She is in Najaf and have her on the phone now with the latest in what is taking place in that southern city -- Jane.
ARRAF: Daryn, we're under fire here at the governor's office, where the U.S. military has taken control to install a new governor who has just been announced in Baghdad. Now, there is firing coming from the alleys. The building is extremely well protected by U.S. forces. They have been firing back with 58 caliber weapons from tanks and there has been air support that is called in. But a suspected militia members have been engaging in firing from nearby alleys and from rooftops. There have also been mortars fired around here.
But again, the U.S. military has seized control of the governor's building. There have been some attacks by militia members here around the building. The U.S. military is still holding it. Scattered firing can be heard but most of the firing is coming from the U.S. side -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Jane, in fact, to give our viewers a better idea of what you're facing as you are there with the troops, let's go ahead and show a little bit of videotape of what took place just a few minutes ago. Listen in on the phone, Jane.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(BOMB BLAST)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. Can you make this (UNINTELLIGIBLE)
ARRAF: Yes, I can. Who's the anchor?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Daryn Kagan on the line.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: And that is what is taking place just as we were trying to set up a live shot. And we can see -- we appreciate Jane that you have your helmet and that you have your vest on as well. Is there any sense of just how close all that firing is coming from, from where you are?
ARRAF: It's actually at an adjacent alley. Now the -- (UNINTELLIGIBLE) if you can still hear me on this line.
KAGAN: We can hear you.
ARRAF: But the local security guards who were here were saying that there are militia members who have been firing from nearby rooftops and from the alley. Daryn, it looks as if we've just established a picture again. so we're going to try to get the picture back to you. But the firing has been coming from some alleys quite close to here, across from the governor's office.
Now, the governor's office is in Najaf and it has been secured by Iraqi security guards. They say that they welcome the arrival of the American forces. They've heard there is a new governor, this U.S.- installed governor; but obviously, not everyone is happy about this.
There has been -- it's a brief slow now, but there has been quite intense firing with U.S. firing back with tanks and other weapons. We've just heard rocket-propelled grenades and there have been mortars in nearby areas -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And what about the significance of taking this governor's office and also the installation of the new governor?
ARRAF: Well, it's a very significant, symbolic step. Now, this has quite a troubled history. The governor's building and the people who have occupied it, one of the first governors after the war installed by the U.S. coalition, was later arrested and charged with charges and convicted of charges, including kidnapping, threatening of bank official, embezzlement. Just a huge variety of charges; he was jailed for 14 years.
Now they're trying again. And the person that they have chosen is an Iraqi who was jailed in '9,1 for his role in the Shiia uprising, went to the United States and has come back from the United States. Now, this has been a problem in the past. People who have been -- come back, Iraqis who have come back who haven't, according to Iraqis who have remained, stayed here and suffered the same way they have. But he is someone the U.S. civilian coalition has confidence in -- Daryn.
KAGAN: OK. I do think we have reestablished, as you were saying, contact once again with our videophone. So let's see if we can get that picture up so that we can actually see you. There you are. We have you on the phone and can see your picture there. If you turn around just to explain exactly where you are and the danger that the troops you're with face right now -- Jane.
ARRAF: I'm not sure how much you can see on this videophone picture. But Rick, if we can just show our viewers a little bit of what we are looking at. And what you are likely seeing are U.S. soldiers here by the far wall of the governor's building. It's just past there looking in that direction that the firing has come from. Now, the U.S. responded with quite heavy fire on its side, firing back with tanks and other weapons. So the firing has stopped momentarily, but they are expecting it to start again -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And we will be checking back with you throughout the morning and throughout the day. Jane Arraf in Najaf, take cover and be safe and we will be back with you. Thank you for that.
Also from Iraq, more photographs of alleged prisoner abuse at Baghdad military prison. This is the front cover of today's "Washington Post." The woman holding the leash that is tied to a naked man is identified as private First Class Lindy England. She is with the 372 Military Police Company and has been identified in reports as one of the soldiers in the earlier set of prison photos. England mother's says that her daughter told her, quote, "I was in the wrong place at the wrong time."
The way that this prison scandal is developing and the way the pictures have come out, and the information has been released to the media before it made its way to Capitol Hill, is causing a lot of anger in Congress.
Let's get more on the view from Capitol Hill. Our correspondent Ed Henry, standing by for that.
Ed, good morning. ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. How are you?
You can feel the drama starting to unfold, expectations building for Secretary Rumsfeld's testimony on Friday. Now, let me give you a little hint of what he's going to say in that testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee on Friday. Rumsfeld this morning had breakfast with four Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee. One of those members, Jeff Sessions of Alabama, just spoke to me a moment ago, told me that Rumsfeld is very upbeat, confident that he can deal with this on Friday in the testimony. And also laid out that Rumsfeld said he believes there is a rational explanation for everything that happened in the prison scandal.
Rumsfeld also told the senators that he is confident that the military was acting as quickly as they could early on in this scandal. There was clearly communications problems in getting it to the civilian leadership. He's going to explain why they did not move more quickly to deal with this. But Sessions -- Senator Sessions said that Rumsfeld obviously is very skilled at dealing with these kinds of tough questions. He's done this before and there are great expectations for what he's going to say.
Now, Democrats are also anticipating the testimony very much. And one of the members on that Armed Services Committee, Joe Lieberman, gave CNN a preview a little earlier today of what he wants to ask.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH LIEBERMAN (D-CT) ARMED SVCS. CMTE.: How did this happen? And I want to ask the secretary to look critically at himself and everybody else. Did some of the decisions he made about not fully applying the rules of the Geneva Convention to these Iraqi prisoners in any way contribute to the immoral and intolerable acts that occurred? Was there some -- well, how did this break down in discipline occur?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HENRY: Daryn, there is also pressure building on Rumsfeld on another front this morning. Senators in both parties led by Democrat Ben Nelson Republican Pat Roberts of Kansas, they're saying that they want this prison in Iraq torn down. They want to see it bulldozed. They think it's a horrible symbol and that it needs to be taken down. Senator John McCain, I spoke to a little while ago as well, he's a member of the Armed Services Committee. He says he wants to see it demolished.
Senator Nelson said if the Pentagon does not act on its own to tear down the prison, Senator Nelson will sponsor an amendment that will demand the Pentagon actually take the prison down -- Daryn.
KAGAN: And Ed, let me ask you about this request that's expected to come out of the White House. That $25 billion request for founding for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Is that likely to be approved? HENRY: Oh, absolutely. I think how you're going to see it sold is very clearly, House majority leader Tom DeLay last night was asked that very question. And he was asked the question: what about this $25 billion for Iraq? And DeLay very quickly corrected reporters and said, "It's not money for Iraq it's money for our troops." That's how it's going to be sold. Republicans are going to make it very clear the Democrats are going to have a hard time blocking any of this money. Both parties know the troops need more money.
KAGAN: Ed Henry on Capitol Hill. And Ed, as our newest correspondent, let me welcome you to CNN. Good to have you on board.
HENRY: Thank you.
KAGAN: Thanks so much.
HENRY: Thank you.
KAGAN: Coming up on CNN LIVE TODAY, the president battles continuing fallout over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. We're going to take you live to the White House for more on that issue.
Also, a trans-Atlantic journey in a rowboat? A mom and her daughter did it. Why?
And later...
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: No guys around, huh?
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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Does anybody need anything?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, I'll have an espresso.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, actually...
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KAGAN: Saying good-bye to a friend could be hard. Now looking at losing six friends. A look back at the friends that many of us feel like we know on CNN LIVE TODAY.
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KAGAN: Nowhere is the weather more key this morning than in Southern California. The Eagle Fire near Temecula is now mostly contained thanks to cooler temperatures and less wind. The blaze broke out Sunday; it quickly spread over 15,000 acres. The flames now moving away from town, residents are being allowed back to survey the damage. At least 14 homes in Temecula have already been lost.
We have a kid coming up in the show you absolutely have to hear his story. It's about battling cancer. He did it a digital way to fight the disease, created by a 9-year-old cancer patient. He took to his video game to fight cancer cells. He is our "Everyday Hero" and you'll meet him ahead.
Also, Michael Moore roars back at the House of the Mouse. The story and an update on our top stories coming up
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KAGAN: Why row across an ocean? One reason could be because it's there, of course. But a mother and daughter from Britain did it to raise money for epilepsy research. This is how they did it. They left the Canary Islands back in January. A hundred and five days and 3,000 miles later, they have arrived safely in Barbados. Sarah and Sally Kettles are in Barbados. And we have mom with us right now, Sary Kettle -- Sarah Kettle joining us by phone.
Congratulations.
SARAH KETTLE, ROWED THE ATLANTIC: Thank you.
KAGAN: I guess the big question would be why? Why was epilepsy research and raising money for that important to you and your daughter?
KETTLE, SARAH: Well, Sally tried already before and when she had to return she asked me to do it. And I just said yes why not?
KAGAN: Now, 105 days across the ocean. Explain to us exactly what the logistics of doing this.
KETTLE, SARAH: Just rowing. Just rowing, eating, sleeping.
KAGAN: In what -- now we're looking at pictures. If you could describe the boat that you were in.
KETTLE, SARAH: It's marine ply. It's designed for two people and it's a lovely boat. It's perfectly safe. We were safe in it and it's a fantastic boat.
KAGAN: One hundred and five days. What were the biggest challenges as you crossed the ocean?
KETTLE, SARAH: Challenges were eating food that we got because I suffered sea lag disease. So eating the food was quite difficult for me because my taste buds are very alert. So we soon we managed it.
KAGAN: Now, some would -- I know some mothers and daughters that would say the biggest challenge would be spending 105 days with, you know, your daughter or your mom in any kind of situation. Let alone in these drastic situations.
KETTLE, SARAH: No! It was fine. It was lovely. We loved every moment of it.
KAGAN: OK. Now, your daughter, Sally, is standing by as well. So why don't you hand the phone over to her. We're doing this very low tech.
KETTLE, SARAH: That's right. I'll get her.
KAGAN: OK.
Sally?
SALLY KETTLE, ROWED THE ATLANTIC: Yes, hello!
KAGAN: Hello! Well, congratulations on making it across the ocean, you and your Mum.
KETTLE, SALLY: Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Your mom was explaining that epilepsy research, very important and that you were -- explain a little bit more about why this was the cause that you wanted to raise money for.
KETTLE, SALLY: Yes, sure. My boyfriend has epilepsy and my uncle also has epilepsy. And so we thought it was the best thing to do, especially as epilepsy is not seen very much in society at the moment. So we thought we'd bring it out of the shadows.
KAGAN: And what was the biggest challenge you felt for you in 105 days crossing the ocean?
KETTLE, SALLY: Food. We didn't have very good food, unfortunately! It was -- all we thought about was having an Indian take-away, and going home and baking and doing lots of food type stuff. We would stop eating chili carne and lots of chocolates.
KAGAN: And what is next for you and your mom?
KETTLE, SALLY: I've got to go home and get a job.
KAGAN: Mm-hmm. There is that.
KETTLE, SALLY: There's that. And my mum is going to go back and she's going to continue her gardening. I'd like to write a book about my experiences and we'll see how that goes.
KAGAN: Well, when the book is done, you'll come back and visit with us and we'll talk about that.
KETTLE, SALLY: That would be brilliant. Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Quickly, tell us how much you did raise for epilepsy research.
KETTLE, SALLY: It would be about half a million U.S. dollars.
KAGAN: Excellent. Congratulations on that.
KETTLE, SALLY: Thank you very much.
KAGAN: Quit an accomplishment. Sarah and Sally Kettle rowed their way 105 days across the Atlantic Ocean.
We do have a huge breaking news story that is developing out of Iraq, and that is what is taking place in Najaf.
Our Jane Arraf is there and we're going to go back and check back with her -- Jane.
ARRAF: Daryn, we are in the gila -- sorry, in the governor's office where U.S. forces have taken control. Now, this is almost simultaneously with an announcement in Baghdad that the U.S. civilian coalition has appointed a new governor to come back here, and try to reassert security and authority in a city that's been taken over by forces loyal to a radical Shiite cleric.
Now, the forces here have not taken it without resistance; and we've had quite a lot of gunfire. We have with us the head of the 2nd Battalion 32nd Armor, Lieutenant Colonel Pat White to tell us what...
What have we been hearing that's out there? How serious is that?
LT. COL. PAT WHITE, CMDR. 2 BATTALION 32 ARMOR: Ah, Jane, it's probably not that serious. It's small pockets of three to five men moving around with rifles and pistols, and rocket propelled grenade. Attempting really harassing fire is what we're seeing from multiple sides. A little bit of pressure to the north more than we expected, but we have killed some enemy up there. And now we'll continue to defend the governor's palace until he gets here and then we'll stay here to protect him as well.
ARRAF: You seem to be increasing offensive operations, attacks against the Mehdi militia. Is that part of your strategy here?
WHITE: Well, what we're doing is conducting operation where we see fit. So that as we develop a target through intelligence, we'll go out to that target and we'll do a precision operation. And then we will move back out because we really are knowledgeable in the sensitivities of the holy city. And we want the Shiia people to understand that we will not take any aggressions against any of their holy mosques, unless it's been used for storage of weapons. But the Ali mosque and the Kufa mosque, at this point in time, are our primary targets that we're observing. And I'm keeping my soldiers away from there.
ARRAF: One of the things that seems to be apparent in all this is you've, obviously, got a lot more weaponry, a lot more firepower. You're facing an enemy that isn't at great numbers as you say, but they are fighting unconventional warfare. What kind of challenge is that?
WHITE: I think the challenge is to minimize the collateral damage of peaceful people. I mean directly across the street from the governor's compound is the neighborhood of about 30,000 individuals that have been living here for quite sometime. And when the Mehdi attacks, he's attacking these people as well. So my forces really have to use aimed precision fire to kill the enemy he attacks.
ARRAF: How are you going to avoid having to stay here longer than you already have? Having to stay in Iraq and Najaf?
WHITE: Well, Jane, that's really not my decision. And we will remain here until the job is finished, or until my higher chain of command tells me that we can depart and go home.
ARRAF: I guess part of that is the Iraqi security forces. What stage are they in being able to help secure at least part of this city?
WHITE: Well, here on the three compounds that we've occupied today, there were Iraqi security forces present. This evening, we'll reintegrate them into the security of this compound with coalition forces. We also have the Iraqi police working downtown Najaf. Their main police station is directly to the south of the governor's palace. They were up on duty today. They're also patrolling. And we're working to reintegrate the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps as well into the overall security of some of the government buildings. And at some point in time, we'll continue to train more Iraqi police and more Iraqi Civil Defense Corps personnel.
(GUNFIRE)
ARRAF: And there is the gunfire again.
WHITE: Sure. And what we're seeing is up to the north, a little heavier resistance going against a couple of tanks that we have positioned up there. Poking their heads around corners while they're firing RPGs, and so we've gone into a defensive position. And we're going to allow them to continue to attack if they want to.
ARRAF: Thank you so much, Colonel.
WHITE: Sure, Jane.
ARRAF: That was Lieutenant Colonel Pat White telling us about these ongoing battles around the city. But clearly, still staying far away from the holy sites in Najaf. and here they have taken control and intend to stay in the governor's building until the governor arrives -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Well, Jane, that seemed like a very relax lieutenant colonel. He didn't seem concerned about what is going on around you even though we continue to hear that type of gunfire. Give us a better sense of what it feels like to be standing there...
ARRAF: You know the thing is, Daryn when it's -- when it's this loud it generally means that it's outgoing gunfire, which means it's being fired by the U.S. military that we happen to be with right now. Which makes it quite a lot less dangerous than it were perhaps not as loud, but coming from the other side. That's perhaps why Colonel White looked so relaxed.
KAGAN: All right. Well, we'll be checking back with you Jane Arraf in Najaf. And thanks to the lieutenant colonel as well.
Doing damage control in the Middle East, the king of Jordan comes calling on President Bush today. We're going to go live to the White House with the latest on that.
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