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CNN Live At Daybreak

Countdown to Handover, 37 Days To Government Change; Rip Currents, National Beach Safety Week

Aired May 24, 2004 - 06:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: (AUDIO GAP), isn't it? Yes indeed. Good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. It's Monday. Here are the latest headlines for you now.
An explosion within the past hour in central was apparently the work of a car bomber -- or car bombers, I should say. There are conflicting reports on casualties. CNN correspondent Guy Raz is on the scene. He reports as many as four people have been killed. The car exploded outside an entrance to the so-called green zone, where coalition headquarters is located.

One peacekeeper from Norway has been killed and another wounded in an attack on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. A vehicle of the International Security Assistance Force was hit by rocket-propelled grenades.

Authorities in Paris now say only four people and not five were killed when a terminal roof at Charles de Gaulle Airport collapsed. No reason given for the lower death toll. It's still unclear what caused the roof to collapse.

In money news, Treasury Secretary John Snow tells G7 finance ministers that oil producing nations must increase their production. Saudi Arabia has agreed to boost its production next month by 28 percent.

In sports, a great birthday for golf pro Steve Flesch. He turned 37 and shoots an 11 under 269 to win the Colonial golf tournament one stroke ahead of Chad Campbell.

In culture, David turns 500 this year. The masterpiece by Michelangelo has spent the past year being restored, and now it's being put back on public view in Florence, Italy.

Severe storms brought heavy rains, which brought floods into neighborhoods in Gurney, Illinois. That's north of Chicago. The Des Plains River is expected to crest today well over flood stage at Gurney.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: President Bush plans a series of speeches to explain the Iraq transition and what will happen to American troops in Iraq after the June 30 handover. The first speech airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. I'm joined by our senior international editor now, David Clinch, to tell us what might be in that speech.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Right. Well, it should be very interesting. In fact, there will be two, probably not coincidental, pieces of information, let me put it this way, coming out from the Bush administration today.

One, first of all before the Bush speech tonight, we are being told now by various sources that a new proposed U.N. resolution will be put forward in New York today. Some interesting suggestions that it will go a lot further towards full sovereignty for Iraq, full power for Iraq over oil money, security -- all of those things. Now, that's still a proposed resolution; no vote expected soon. So that's...

COSTELLO: And how much involvement will the United Nations have in that transition of power?

CLINCH: Right. Well, it's one connected to the other. The suggestions from a lot of the coalition partners and from other U.N. countries is that the more power given to the Iraqis, the more sovereignty that they get, the more inclined other U.N. countries might be to get involved after that fact, as well as, of course 130,000-plus U.S. troops staying right there in Iraq even after sovereignty. But still, those two things we're watching today -- a resolution at the U.N. for debate at this point, not vote, and then President Bush's speech tonight in which some of the same issues and suggestions will undoubtedly come up, but again, a series of speeches leading up to that handover. So, some interesting things there.

And, of course a large explosion again in Baghdad today. Our crews were out asking Iraqis what they want from the handover today. So, we're sort of trying to cover the behind-the-scenes aspect of the stories, what normal working Iraqis want from the handover, what they want from their own government. And we're doing that, another big bang, another car bomb just outside the green zone. Unclear at this point exactly what was being targeted, but too close for comfort again.

COSTELLO: All right, David Clinch, many thanks to you.

CLINCH: All right.

COSTELLO: So, as David said, shortly after 8:00 p.m., we may know the plan. But what will the president plan be?

Let's head live to D.C. and James Carafano, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

Good morning.

JAMES CARAFANO, SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Good to be with you.

COSTELLO: So, what do you think this plan will entail? CARAFANO: Well, you know, I think the notion there hasn't been a plan is really kind of silly. There has always been a plan. There are too many tasks that the administration has to do. It legally and morally requires an occupying power to do this.

One of them -- well, three actually. One of them we've already one, which is prevent a humanitarian crisis. That's in the past. We have to set up a legitimate government. We have to put Iraqi security forces in the field. And then we have to withdraw our forces.

So, you know, there may be some new details. There may be some nuances. But the basics of the plan, the basic things we have to do are still there.

COSTELLO: Well, you say that the president really isn't expected to name names as far as who should rule Iraq. Should we be concerned about that? We should be concerned about that, right?

CARAFANO: No, I don't think so. I mean, you know, at the end of the day, you know, this is only going to succeed if the Iraqis, the three major ethnic groups -- the Shiites, the Kurds and the Sunnis -- want to live together in one country. And quite honestly, there is every indication now that they do.

I mean, I think the news that people really miss is there was a rise-up in Fallujah that was mostly driven by foreign fighters who believe -- there was a rise-up in the south and Najaf, led by a radical Shiite, al-Sadr. And neither case of those really led to a wider spread of violence. So, I think that's a good indicator that the Iraqis want to have a country.

And so, now it's really a question -- and this is always the key question -- is: Is there domestic leadership that's going to step forward and lead the country in the right direction? And that's really more up to the Iraqis than it is up to the Americans.

COSTELLO: So, is there some name being bandied about by the Iraqis that we haven't heard?

CARAFANO: I don't think so. I mean, I think what you're going to see is a lot of familiar faces that have already been discussed, people that are in the council. I think you'll see an expansion of the council, a greater representation. I think you'll see Brahimi's plan come forward, being sent to all of the interests. I think the Kurds will get more representation. You know, I think there is going to have to be some guarantees there for the Sunni community, because they're the minority community in the country, the smallest. They are also the front of the Ba'athist Party, which subjugated the country for decades.

So, they're going to have to have some reassurances that the country isn't going to take revenge on them.

COSTELLO: You know...

CARAFANO: The Shi'as are the majority of the population, and they're going to have to be well represented.

COSTELLO: You know, I have read articles that the best idea would be to place some sort of military strongman in power temporarily. Is that a possibility?

CARAFANO: Well, you know, I think it's going to be -- you know, it's going to be a domestic solution. I mean, we're going to turn this over to interim government. They're going to prepare the country for elections. There are going to be elections. Once there is an elected government, that elected government is really going to drive the train. And I really don't think they're going to have an interest in having U.S. occupation forces, and large numbers of U.S. occupation forces there for a long time.

So, I've really got to think they're going to want their country back, and it's really going to be internal Iraqi politics. You know, nobody can predict the future. But, you know, all we know is that looking back historically, when domestic leadership comes forward that cares for the country, such as in the case of West Germany or Japan or Austria, you have the success. Well, in some cases, you have a strongman come forward and you have an authoritarian machine. Look at South Korea. I mean, they had an authoritarian government come in place, and it took decades for them to get democracy back.

COSTELLO: James Carafano from the Heritage Foundation joining DAYBREAK this morning. Thank you.

President Bush's speech tonight is at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. That airs at 8:00 Eastern tonight. Our Paula Zahn has a special on the address. Be sure to catch that as well.

Rip currents are responsible for more than 100 deaths each year, so a word of caution for those of you heading to the beach this coming Memorial Day weekend. Do not swim alone.

CNN's Julie Vallese joins us from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with more on the dangers and a new program intended to keep swimmers safe.

Good morning, Julie.

JULIE VALLESE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Walk any beach in the country where waves break at shore, and you have rip currents. Well, Mother Nature may provide the sun and the sand. Rip currents are a force that can kill. But they are also survivable if you know what to do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VALLESE (voice over): Each year, approximately 90 million people visit America's beaches, and every one of them face the potential danger of being caught in a rip current. Sandee LaMotte's husband, a CNN reporter and bureau chief, was killed when he tried to rescue his son from a rip current last year. SANDEE LAMOTTE, HUSBAND'S DEATH CAUSED BY RIP CURRENTS: Larry started to swim the maybe two arm lengths or three that it would have taken him to get to Ryan. Right at the time that he entered the water, a wave went over Ryan's head, so he lost -- and the next thing he knows, there was no daddy.

VALLESE: But LaMotte's son, Ryan, did survive, but six people died on that same Florida beach that day. A hundred people die in rip currents every year. They occur in oceans, seas and the Great Lakes.

ADM. CONRAD LAUTENBACHER, NDAA ADMINISTRATOR: This will be an opportunity for people to use the latest technology, not only with weather, but look at surf forecasts and look then at the surf forecasts and what the rip current vulnerabilities are at that particular time.

VALLESE: The reason so many people get caught in them is swimmers panic, become tired and lose the struggle. Staying calm and not fighting the current is the beginning of surviving it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Swim to the side, along the shoreline and then at an angle away from the rip current towards shore.

LAMOTTE: Water is dangerous. We think about drownings, but we don't think about it happening to us.

VALLESE: Rip currents begin at the shorelines. So, you don't have to be in deep water to get caught in the current.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Now, one thing to keep in mind: The chance of drowning on a beach where a lifeguard is present is 1 in 18 million. Eight percent of beach rescues are because of rip currents. So, if a beach isn't guarded, swimming may be at a risk much too great.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: Julie Vallese live in North Carolina this morning.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, plenty to talk about on the DAYBREAK scorecard. We'll hoop it up with Chris Cotter. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Within the last hour, suspected suicide car bombers strike out by checkpoint No. 3, the so-called "assassin's gate entrance" to Baghdad's green zone. Our Guy Raz on the scene reports possibly four suicide bombers were killed. They may be the only deaths from this incident.

President Bush is expected to outline plans for the handover of Iraq when he addresses the nation tonight. CNN will have live coverage of the president's speech beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

In money news, the Nasdaq is closing up shop in China. The move comes less than a week after China announced it was opening its own high-tech index. Ten Chinese companies are listed by Nasdaq.

In sports, the French Open gets under way, oh, just about -- actually, it got under way 90 minutes ago. Americans Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Lindsey Davenport are all in action in Paris today.

In culture, it was big green at the box office for the big, green guy. "Shrek 2" crushes the competition with a $104.3 million take at the box office over the weekend.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

Let's head live to New York now and check in with Bill and Soledad for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

And I suspect some analysis of the president's pending speech tonight.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, indeed, you're very right there, Carol. On a Monday morning, we start a whole new week here on "AMERICAN MORNING." We'll talk with the White House about what's expected later tonight. A lot of people are wondering what the strategy is going forward, fewer than 40 days to the handover on June 30. We'll get to all that from the White House in a moment.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And many people are calling for more specifics this time around.

Also this morning, I'm sure you've been reporting about General Sanchez and claims that Sanchez may have witnesses some of the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. Well, this morning, of course, the question becomes: Why would a military lawyer who is saying this stake his career on these claims? And, of course, the general has issued a very strong denial of that. We're going to talk to Lieutenant Colonel David Beth (ph) this morning about that.

HEMMER: Also weather news, absolute devastating news on Saturday and again on Sunday in this small Nebraska town, Carol, absolutely leveled. One woman lost her life. And then we'll talk to a storm chaser, Mike Phelps (ph), with us a few weeks ago. He's back with us today. This guy...

COSTELLO: Crazy.

HEMMER: ... makes a living chasing this stuff. Yes, some say crazy.

O'BRIEN: You know what? I was going to say that.

COSTELLO: Yes. HEMMER: He saw at least one tornado over the weekend, and he said it was just absolutely magnificent to see it out in the open. But when they go into these towns, the results are devastating, as we saw again this weekend.

O'BRIEN: Right.

COSTELLO: All right, we'll check back with you in 10 minutes. Bill and Soledad, many thanks.

HEMMER: All right.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, high stakes hoops and some players come through for their fans. We'll take a look at the DAYBREAK scorecard with Chris Cotter. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, welcome back to DAYBREAK.

The French Open has begun, and already we have a winner -- not of the whole tournament, but part of it. The Williams sisters aren't in action today, but Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi are. We'll get to them in a moment.

But first, let's bring in CNN sports contributor Chris Cotter.

Before we get to tennis, I know we have to talk about basketball.

CHRIS COTTER, CNN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Well, it's a little relief for you. You get to talk about something other than basketball. You keep talking to me about your Tigers. You keep talking to me about how the Lions are going to do this football season. Basketball season is still here. It's going to go well into June.

COSTELLO: Into the endless playoff season.

COTTER: Hockey is down to two. Basketball is down to four teams left. So, just a couple of more weeks and then we'll move on.

COSTELLO: Well, I must say that I'm glad the Lakers lost.

COTTER: You know what? The Lakers didn't lose last night, and it was a huge effort by some of the Minnesota Timberwolves, because their point guard, Sam Cassell, couldn't go in this game. So, they relied heavily on the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) K.G., Kevin Garnett, you see him here, the MVP, getting it done. He's unguarded. I mean, the Lakers can't guard him when he's on his game.

But then you had Wally Szczerbiak and Derrick Martin, a couple of guys off the bench, really performing well for Minnesota.

So, what does this mean? It means Minnesota has a chance -- a slight chance.

COSTELLO: Oh, come on! COTTER: If they had of lost this game it would have been all over with without Sam Cassell. He can't go, and that's going to be the big story Tuesday night in L.A. If Sam Cassell can go and give them appreciable minutes, then they have a shot. If Sam Cassell can't go, they have no chance at beating the Lakers.

COSTELLO: Which means we'll continue to listen to the smug Shaquille O'Neal, saying they've got to get me the ball because I am the team.

COTTER: He is what he is. He tells the truth. They do have to get him the basketball. I mean, last night Kobe Bryant performed very well, but he was a one-man wrecking crew. Shaq was pretty much held in check. They have to get Shaq the ball down low where he wants it, and if they do that they're unbeatable. And they've been pretty much unbeatable at home.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: There are so many stars on that team, though. They all want the ball it seems. And he's the squeaky wheel. I think he'll probably get the oil at some point.

COTTER: Yes. Their chemistry should start to work, though. Because you're right, so many stars. When they do work through those chemistry issues and they get it going, they're almost unbeatable.

COSTELLO: Yes, it's called control the ego.

OK, let's talk about tennis now, shall we?

COTTER: Sure, I guess.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: Why don't men like tennis? I don't get it.

COTTER: Well, you like women's, Rob, though?

MARCIANO: Yes, the women are always fine. And the men's game is all power.

COSTELLO: Yes, yes.

COTTER: Yes.

MARCIANO: And the women are actually more fun to watch these days.

COSTELLO: Martina Navratilova, 47 years old, entering the French Open this year. That's just incredible.

COTTER: Well, with so many injuries on the women's draw, too. Justine Henin-Hardenne won today, and that's good. But the Williams sisters have been kind of banged and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has been kind of banged up as well. So, Martina Navratilova, she hasn't played in a grand slam event in 10 years. She could make some noise. Whether she could win at age 47, I don't know, but don't put anything past her. I mean, she could definitely, you know, pull an upset here and there and make some noise in this tournament.

COSTELLO: Wouldn't that be fascinating?

COTTER: I'd love it.

COSTELLO: I would just absolutely love that.

COTTER: I mean, do you remember Jimmy Conners at the U.S. Open about 10 years ago, 10-12 years ago?

MARCIANO: That was awesome.

COTTER: That was unbelievable. If we could see that again at (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that would be fantastic.

MARCIANO: And if she does win, she might come out with her own hamburger cooking machine like Joe Foreman. You know, keep coming back, keep coming back.

COTTER: And make billions.

COSTELLO: I'm sure she wants to do that.

You know, Andre Agassi, I'd like to talk about him for just a second, because he hasn't been doing all that great, right?

COTTER: Yes, he actually...

COSTELLO: And you have to wonder when he's going to hang it up.

COTTER: And it's clay, too. And he hasn't been performing very well on clay. He lost to, I think, the 398th ranked player in the world in his last tournament on clay, a warm-up for this event. So, keep an eye on him, though, because he's a cagey veteran. He's getting up there in age. It's a young person's sport. But watch him to see how he performs. He might do all right.

The men's draw, there aren't very many clear-cut favorites there, either. You know, the clay court specialists will come to the floor, but, you know, a guy like Agassi, Andy Roddick, may have some problems, because clay will slow down his serve. Look for a guy like Juan Carlos Ferraro, last year's defending champion.

COSTELLO: And most people are saying who?

COTTER: Yes, Juan Carlos Ferraro.

COSTELLO: Which is a problem.

COTTER: That is a problem with this event.

COSTELLO: I know. I know.

COTTER: And, you know, whether it's him or whether it's Roger Fetter (ph) or somebody like that, the name recognition just isn't there. MARCIANO: He's got a cool name, though, so maybe people will watch for that.

COSTELLO: It depends on how we look...

COTTER: He's a Spaniard, huh?

COSTELLO: That's right. Thank you, Chris. Thanks for coming in.

COTTER: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: It is time to reveal the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz. Would you like to read these, Rob? On Friday.

MARCIANO: OK, sure. The U.S. House voted to preserve the child tax credit. How much is that tax reduction? The answer is $1,000. And Julie Vallese reported tips in the Powerful Savings Program that can help cut your fuel costs. Name two of them. Those tips are, (1), tune up your car, check the tires for proper inflation, and use the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil and keep your air filters clean.

And the winner is Linda Whitman, Casper, Wyoming.

COSTELLO: Linda Whitman, congratulations! You have won yourself a beautiful DAYBREAK mug.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She knew all that stuff?

COSTELLO: I'm telling you, our viewers are smart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know.

COSTELLO: You can put nothing past them.

Here's your chance to win a DAYBREAK coffee mug.

Today's coffee quiz questions: What are the two best ways to survive a rip current? And what famous statue has been cleaned and will be unveiled today?

We will name the winner tomorrow morning. Daybreak@CNN.com.

Look at that mug.

(CROSSTALK)

COTTER: I'm going to try and steal it.

MARCIANO: We've only got one, dude. Don't do that.

COSTELLO: I know.

COTTER: We're shipping this one out to Wyoming.

COSTELLO: We've had so many stolen, it's depressing.

Rob will join us next for "The Lightning Round," but first the latest headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, we should remind people that Chad is coming back on Wednesday.

MARCIANO: Yes. Yes, he is.

COSTELLO: Nothing dire has happened.

MARCIANO: No.

COSTELLO: He's just on vacation.

MARCIANO: A well-deserved vacation.

COSTELLO: Definitely so, but we've been very happy to have you.

MARCIANO: I've enjoyed it.

COSTELLO: And it's time for "The Lightning Round."

MARCIANO: OK, let's do it.

COSTELLO: One of your favorite segments of our program.

MARCIANO: I do enjoy this with you, Carol.

COSTELLO: OK, get this.

MARCIANO: What do you have for us?

COSTELLO: Take a look at this rare white buffalo in Arizona. And she gave birth to an even rarer white calf over the weekend. They say it's a 1 in a 10 million occurrence, Rob.

MARCIANO: Really?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MARCIANO: Do you know what Ted Turner would say?

COSTELLO: What?

MARCIANO: That's good eatin'.

COSTELLO: Oh, man! Well, this is what many American Indian tribes say. They consider the birth of a white buffalo symbolic of rebirth when the world's people are in troubled times.

MARCIANO: Really?

COSTELLO: Hopefully (UNINTELLIGIBLE). MARCIANO: That's a nice ending...

COSTELLO: That's much more beautiful than...

MARCIANO: ... than my wisecrack remark.

COSTELLO: What goes up must come down. That's the premise behind this talking toilet ghost. It sells for seven bucks, Rob, and it reminds men to put the seat down.

MARCIANO: I think my wife would pay 20 for it.

COSTELLO: You think so?

MARCIANO: Yes.

COSTELLO: Such a cute little thing, too, isn't it?

MARCIANO: It's similar to a cow that you can put on your refrigerator, and when the light goes on, it moos at you.

COSTELLO: I was thinking that very thing.

MARCIANO: It discourages you from eating.

COSTELLO: That's it for us. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. You make it a great Monday.

MARCIANO: See you later.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.


Aired May 24, 2004 - 06:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: (AUDIO GAP), isn't it? Yes indeed. Good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. It's Monday. Here are the latest headlines for you now.
An explosion within the past hour in central was apparently the work of a car bomber -- or car bombers, I should say. There are conflicting reports on casualties. CNN correspondent Guy Raz is on the scene. He reports as many as four people have been killed. The car exploded outside an entrance to the so-called green zone, where coalition headquarters is located.

One peacekeeper from Norway has been killed and another wounded in an attack on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. A vehicle of the International Security Assistance Force was hit by rocket-propelled grenades.

Authorities in Paris now say only four people and not five were killed when a terminal roof at Charles de Gaulle Airport collapsed. No reason given for the lower death toll. It's still unclear what caused the roof to collapse.

In money news, Treasury Secretary John Snow tells G7 finance ministers that oil producing nations must increase their production. Saudi Arabia has agreed to boost its production next month by 28 percent.

In sports, a great birthday for golf pro Steve Flesch. He turned 37 and shoots an 11 under 269 to win the Colonial golf tournament one stroke ahead of Chad Campbell.

In culture, David turns 500 this year. The masterpiece by Michelangelo has spent the past year being restored, and now it's being put back on public view in Florence, Italy.

Severe storms brought heavy rains, which brought floods into neighborhoods in Gurney, Illinois. That's north of Chicago. The Des Plains River is expected to crest today well over flood stage at Gurney.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: President Bush plans a series of speeches to explain the Iraq transition and what will happen to American troops in Iraq after the June 30 handover. The first speech airs tonight at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. I'm joined by our senior international editor now, David Clinch, to tell us what might be in that speech.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Right. Well, it should be very interesting. In fact, there will be two, probably not coincidental, pieces of information, let me put it this way, coming out from the Bush administration today.

One, first of all before the Bush speech tonight, we are being told now by various sources that a new proposed U.N. resolution will be put forward in New York today. Some interesting suggestions that it will go a lot further towards full sovereignty for Iraq, full power for Iraq over oil money, security -- all of those things. Now, that's still a proposed resolution; no vote expected soon. So that's...

COSTELLO: And how much involvement will the United Nations have in that transition of power?

CLINCH: Right. Well, it's one connected to the other. The suggestions from a lot of the coalition partners and from other U.N. countries is that the more power given to the Iraqis, the more sovereignty that they get, the more inclined other U.N. countries might be to get involved after that fact, as well as, of course 130,000-plus U.S. troops staying right there in Iraq even after sovereignty. But still, those two things we're watching today -- a resolution at the U.N. for debate at this point, not vote, and then President Bush's speech tonight in which some of the same issues and suggestions will undoubtedly come up, but again, a series of speeches leading up to that handover. So, some interesting things there.

And, of course a large explosion again in Baghdad today. Our crews were out asking Iraqis what they want from the handover today. So, we're sort of trying to cover the behind-the-scenes aspect of the stories, what normal working Iraqis want from the handover, what they want from their own government. And we're doing that, another big bang, another car bomb just outside the green zone. Unclear at this point exactly what was being targeted, but too close for comfort again.

COSTELLO: All right, David Clinch, many thanks to you.

CLINCH: All right.

COSTELLO: So, as David said, shortly after 8:00 p.m., we may know the plan. But what will the president plan be?

Let's head live to D.C. and James Carafano, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

Good morning.

JAMES CARAFANO, SENIOR RESEARCH FELLOW HERITAGE FOUNDATION: Good to be with you.

COSTELLO: So, what do you think this plan will entail? CARAFANO: Well, you know, I think the notion there hasn't been a plan is really kind of silly. There has always been a plan. There are too many tasks that the administration has to do. It legally and morally requires an occupying power to do this.

One of them -- well, three actually. One of them we've already one, which is prevent a humanitarian crisis. That's in the past. We have to set up a legitimate government. We have to put Iraqi security forces in the field. And then we have to withdraw our forces.

So, you know, there may be some new details. There may be some nuances. But the basics of the plan, the basic things we have to do are still there.

COSTELLO: Well, you say that the president really isn't expected to name names as far as who should rule Iraq. Should we be concerned about that? We should be concerned about that, right?

CARAFANO: No, I don't think so. I mean, you know, at the end of the day, you know, this is only going to succeed if the Iraqis, the three major ethnic groups -- the Shiites, the Kurds and the Sunnis -- want to live together in one country. And quite honestly, there is every indication now that they do.

I mean, I think the news that people really miss is there was a rise-up in Fallujah that was mostly driven by foreign fighters who believe -- there was a rise-up in the south and Najaf, led by a radical Shiite, al-Sadr. And neither case of those really led to a wider spread of violence. So, I think that's a good indicator that the Iraqis want to have a country.

And so, now it's really a question -- and this is always the key question -- is: Is there domestic leadership that's going to step forward and lead the country in the right direction? And that's really more up to the Iraqis than it is up to the Americans.

COSTELLO: So, is there some name being bandied about by the Iraqis that we haven't heard?

CARAFANO: I don't think so. I mean, I think what you're going to see is a lot of familiar faces that have already been discussed, people that are in the council. I think you'll see an expansion of the council, a greater representation. I think you'll see Brahimi's plan come forward, being sent to all of the interests. I think the Kurds will get more representation. You know, I think there is going to have to be some guarantees there for the Sunni community, because they're the minority community in the country, the smallest. They are also the front of the Ba'athist Party, which subjugated the country for decades.

So, they're going to have to have some reassurances that the country isn't going to take revenge on them.

COSTELLO: You know...

CARAFANO: The Shi'as are the majority of the population, and they're going to have to be well represented.

COSTELLO: You know, I have read articles that the best idea would be to place some sort of military strongman in power temporarily. Is that a possibility?

CARAFANO: Well, you know, I think it's going to be -- you know, it's going to be a domestic solution. I mean, we're going to turn this over to interim government. They're going to prepare the country for elections. There are going to be elections. Once there is an elected government, that elected government is really going to drive the train. And I really don't think they're going to have an interest in having U.S. occupation forces, and large numbers of U.S. occupation forces there for a long time.

So, I've really got to think they're going to want their country back, and it's really going to be internal Iraqi politics. You know, nobody can predict the future. But, you know, all we know is that looking back historically, when domestic leadership comes forward that cares for the country, such as in the case of West Germany or Japan or Austria, you have the success. Well, in some cases, you have a strongman come forward and you have an authoritarian machine. Look at South Korea. I mean, they had an authoritarian government come in place, and it took decades for them to get democracy back.

COSTELLO: James Carafano from the Heritage Foundation joining DAYBREAK this morning. Thank you.

President Bush's speech tonight is at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. That airs at 8:00 Eastern tonight. Our Paula Zahn has a special on the address. Be sure to catch that as well.

Rip currents are responsible for more than 100 deaths each year, so a word of caution for those of you heading to the beach this coming Memorial Day weekend. Do not swim alone.

CNN's Julie Vallese joins us from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, with more on the dangers and a new program intended to keep swimmers safe.

Good morning, Julie.

JULIE VALLESE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.

Walk any beach in the country where waves break at shore, and you have rip currents. Well, Mother Nature may provide the sun and the sand. Rip currents are a force that can kill. But they are also survivable if you know what to do.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

VALLESE (voice over): Each year, approximately 90 million people visit America's beaches, and every one of them face the potential danger of being caught in a rip current. Sandee LaMotte's husband, a CNN reporter and bureau chief, was killed when he tried to rescue his son from a rip current last year. SANDEE LAMOTTE, HUSBAND'S DEATH CAUSED BY RIP CURRENTS: Larry started to swim the maybe two arm lengths or three that it would have taken him to get to Ryan. Right at the time that he entered the water, a wave went over Ryan's head, so he lost -- and the next thing he knows, there was no daddy.

VALLESE: But LaMotte's son, Ryan, did survive, but six people died on that same Florida beach that day. A hundred people die in rip currents every year. They occur in oceans, seas and the Great Lakes.

ADM. CONRAD LAUTENBACHER, NDAA ADMINISTRATOR: This will be an opportunity for people to use the latest technology, not only with weather, but look at surf forecasts and look then at the surf forecasts and what the rip current vulnerabilities are at that particular time.

VALLESE: The reason so many people get caught in them is swimmers panic, become tired and lose the struggle. Staying calm and not fighting the current is the beginning of surviving it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Swim to the side, along the shoreline and then at an angle away from the rip current towards shore.

LAMOTTE: Water is dangerous. We think about drownings, but we don't think about it happening to us.

VALLESE: Rip currents begin at the shorelines. So, you don't have to be in deep water to get caught in the current.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

Now, one thing to keep in mind: The chance of drowning on a beach where a lifeguard is present is 1 in 18 million. Eight percent of beach rescues are because of rip currents. So, if a beach isn't guarded, swimming may be at a risk much too great.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: Julie Vallese live in North Carolina this morning.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, plenty to talk about on the DAYBREAK scorecard. We'll hoop it up with Chris Cotter. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:44 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Within the last hour, suspected suicide car bombers strike out by checkpoint No. 3, the so-called "assassin's gate entrance" to Baghdad's green zone. Our Guy Raz on the scene reports possibly four suicide bombers were killed. They may be the only deaths from this incident.

President Bush is expected to outline plans for the handover of Iraq when he addresses the nation tonight. CNN will have live coverage of the president's speech beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

In money news, the Nasdaq is closing up shop in China. The move comes less than a week after China announced it was opening its own high-tech index. Ten Chinese companies are listed by Nasdaq.

In sports, the French Open gets under way, oh, just about -- actually, it got under way 90 minutes ago. Americans Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Lindsey Davenport are all in action in Paris today.

In culture, it was big green at the box office for the big, green guy. "Shrek 2" crushes the competition with a $104.3 million take at the box office over the weekend.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

Let's head live to New York now and check in with Bill and Soledad for a look at what's coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

And I suspect some analysis of the president's pending speech tonight.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, indeed, you're very right there, Carol. On a Monday morning, we start a whole new week here on "AMERICAN MORNING." We'll talk with the White House about what's expected later tonight. A lot of people are wondering what the strategy is going forward, fewer than 40 days to the handover on June 30. We'll get to all that from the White House in a moment.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And many people are calling for more specifics this time around.

Also this morning, I'm sure you've been reporting about General Sanchez and claims that Sanchez may have witnesses some of the prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. Well, this morning, of course, the question becomes: Why would a military lawyer who is saying this stake his career on these claims? And, of course, the general has issued a very strong denial of that. We're going to talk to Lieutenant Colonel David Beth (ph) this morning about that.

HEMMER: Also weather news, absolute devastating news on Saturday and again on Sunday in this small Nebraska town, Carol, absolutely leveled. One woman lost her life. And then we'll talk to a storm chaser, Mike Phelps (ph), with us a few weeks ago. He's back with us today. This guy...

COSTELLO: Crazy.

HEMMER: ... makes a living chasing this stuff. Yes, some say crazy.

O'BRIEN: You know what? I was going to say that.

COSTELLO: Yes. HEMMER: He saw at least one tornado over the weekend, and he said it was just absolutely magnificent to see it out in the open. But when they go into these towns, the results are devastating, as we saw again this weekend.

O'BRIEN: Right.

COSTELLO: All right, we'll check back with you in 10 minutes. Bill and Soledad, many thanks.

HEMMER: All right.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, high stakes hoops and some players come through for their fans. We'll take a look at the DAYBREAK scorecard with Chris Cotter. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, welcome back to DAYBREAK.

The French Open has begun, and already we have a winner -- not of the whole tournament, but part of it. The Williams sisters aren't in action today, but Andy Roddick and Andre Agassi are. We'll get to them in a moment.

But first, let's bring in CNN sports contributor Chris Cotter.

Before we get to tennis, I know we have to talk about basketball.

CHRIS COTTER, CNN SPORTS CONTRIBUTOR: Well, it's a little relief for you. You get to talk about something other than basketball. You keep talking to me about your Tigers. You keep talking to me about how the Lions are going to do this football season. Basketball season is still here. It's going to go well into June.

COSTELLO: Into the endless playoff season.

COTTER: Hockey is down to two. Basketball is down to four teams left. So, just a couple of more weeks and then we'll move on.

COSTELLO: Well, I must say that I'm glad the Lakers lost.

COTTER: You know what? The Lakers didn't lose last night, and it was a huge effort by some of the Minnesota Timberwolves, because their point guard, Sam Cassell, couldn't go in this game. So, they relied heavily on the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) K.G., Kevin Garnett, you see him here, the MVP, getting it done. He's unguarded. I mean, the Lakers can't guard him when he's on his game.

But then you had Wally Szczerbiak and Derrick Martin, a couple of guys off the bench, really performing well for Minnesota.

So, what does this mean? It means Minnesota has a chance -- a slight chance.

COSTELLO: Oh, come on! COTTER: If they had of lost this game it would have been all over with without Sam Cassell. He can't go, and that's going to be the big story Tuesday night in L.A. If Sam Cassell can go and give them appreciable minutes, then they have a shot. If Sam Cassell can't go, they have no chance at beating the Lakers.

COSTELLO: Which means we'll continue to listen to the smug Shaquille O'Neal, saying they've got to get me the ball because I am the team.

COTTER: He is what he is. He tells the truth. They do have to get him the basketball. I mean, last night Kobe Bryant performed very well, but he was a one-man wrecking crew. Shaq was pretty much held in check. They have to get Shaq the ball down low where he wants it, and if they do that they're unbeatable. And they've been pretty much unbeatable at home.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: There are so many stars on that team, though. They all want the ball it seems. And he's the squeaky wheel. I think he'll probably get the oil at some point.

COTTER: Yes. Their chemistry should start to work, though. Because you're right, so many stars. When they do work through those chemistry issues and they get it going, they're almost unbeatable.

COSTELLO: Yes, it's called control the ego.

OK, let's talk about tennis now, shall we?

COTTER: Sure, I guess.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: Why don't men like tennis? I don't get it.

COTTER: Well, you like women's, Rob, though?

MARCIANO: Yes, the women are always fine. And the men's game is all power.

COSTELLO: Yes, yes.

COTTER: Yes.

MARCIANO: And the women are actually more fun to watch these days.

COSTELLO: Martina Navratilova, 47 years old, entering the French Open this year. That's just incredible.

COTTER: Well, with so many injuries on the women's draw, too. Justine Henin-Hardenne won today, and that's good. But the Williams sisters have been kind of banged and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) has been kind of banged up as well. So, Martina Navratilova, she hasn't played in a grand slam event in 10 years. She could make some noise. Whether she could win at age 47, I don't know, but don't put anything past her. I mean, she could definitely, you know, pull an upset here and there and make some noise in this tournament.

COSTELLO: Wouldn't that be fascinating?

COTTER: I'd love it.

COSTELLO: I would just absolutely love that.

COTTER: I mean, do you remember Jimmy Conners at the U.S. Open about 10 years ago, 10-12 years ago?

MARCIANO: That was awesome.

COTTER: That was unbelievable. If we could see that again at (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that would be fantastic.

MARCIANO: And if she does win, she might come out with her own hamburger cooking machine like Joe Foreman. You know, keep coming back, keep coming back.

COTTER: And make billions.

COSTELLO: I'm sure she wants to do that.

You know, Andre Agassi, I'd like to talk about him for just a second, because he hasn't been doing all that great, right?

COTTER: Yes, he actually...

COSTELLO: And you have to wonder when he's going to hang it up.

COTTER: And it's clay, too. And he hasn't been performing very well on clay. He lost to, I think, the 398th ranked player in the world in his last tournament on clay, a warm-up for this event. So, keep an eye on him, though, because he's a cagey veteran. He's getting up there in age. It's a young person's sport. But watch him to see how he performs. He might do all right.

The men's draw, there aren't very many clear-cut favorites there, either. You know, the clay court specialists will come to the floor, but, you know, a guy like Agassi, Andy Roddick, may have some problems, because clay will slow down his serve. Look for a guy like Juan Carlos Ferraro, last year's defending champion.

COSTELLO: And most people are saying who?

COTTER: Yes, Juan Carlos Ferraro.

COSTELLO: Which is a problem.

COTTER: That is a problem with this event.

COSTELLO: I know. I know.

COTTER: And, you know, whether it's him or whether it's Roger Fetter (ph) or somebody like that, the name recognition just isn't there. MARCIANO: He's got a cool name, though, so maybe people will watch for that.

COSTELLO: It depends on how we look...

COTTER: He's a Spaniard, huh?

COSTELLO: That's right. Thank you, Chris. Thanks for coming in.

COTTER: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: It is time to reveal the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz. Would you like to read these, Rob? On Friday.

MARCIANO: OK, sure. The U.S. House voted to preserve the child tax credit. How much is that tax reduction? The answer is $1,000. And Julie Vallese reported tips in the Powerful Savings Program that can help cut your fuel costs. Name two of them. Those tips are, (1), tune up your car, check the tires for proper inflation, and use the manufacturer's recommended grade of motor oil and keep your air filters clean.

And the winner is Linda Whitman, Casper, Wyoming.

COSTELLO: Linda Whitman, congratulations! You have won yourself a beautiful DAYBREAK mug.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She knew all that stuff?

COSTELLO: I'm telling you, our viewers are smart.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know.

COSTELLO: You can put nothing past them.

Here's your chance to win a DAYBREAK coffee mug.

Today's coffee quiz questions: What are the two best ways to survive a rip current? And what famous statue has been cleaned and will be unveiled today?

We will name the winner tomorrow morning. Daybreak@CNN.com.

Look at that mug.

(CROSSTALK)

COTTER: I'm going to try and steal it.

MARCIANO: We've only got one, dude. Don't do that.

COSTELLO: I know.

COTTER: We're shipping this one out to Wyoming.

COSTELLO: We've had so many stolen, it's depressing.

Rob will join us next for "The Lightning Round," but first the latest headlines.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Oh, we should remind people that Chad is coming back on Wednesday.

MARCIANO: Yes. Yes, he is.

COSTELLO: Nothing dire has happened.

MARCIANO: No.

COSTELLO: He's just on vacation.

MARCIANO: A well-deserved vacation.

COSTELLO: Definitely so, but we've been very happy to have you.

MARCIANO: I've enjoyed it.

COSTELLO: And it's time for "The Lightning Round."

MARCIANO: OK, let's do it.

COSTELLO: One of your favorite segments of our program.

MARCIANO: I do enjoy this with you, Carol.

COSTELLO: OK, get this.

MARCIANO: What do you have for us?

COSTELLO: Take a look at this rare white buffalo in Arizona. And she gave birth to an even rarer white calf over the weekend. They say it's a 1 in a 10 million occurrence, Rob.

MARCIANO: Really?

COSTELLO: Yes.

MARCIANO: Do you know what Ted Turner would say?

COSTELLO: What?

MARCIANO: That's good eatin'.

COSTELLO: Oh, man! Well, this is what many American Indian tribes say. They consider the birth of a white buffalo symbolic of rebirth when the world's people are in troubled times.

MARCIANO: Really?

COSTELLO: Hopefully (UNINTELLIGIBLE). MARCIANO: That's a nice ending...

COSTELLO: That's much more beautiful than...

MARCIANO: ... than my wisecrack remark.

COSTELLO: What goes up must come down. That's the premise behind this talking toilet ghost. It sells for seven bucks, Rob, and it reminds men to put the seat down.

MARCIANO: I think my wife would pay 20 for it.

COSTELLO: You think so?

MARCIANO: Yes.

COSTELLO: Such a cute little thing, too, isn't it?

MARCIANO: It's similar to a cow that you can put on your refrigerator, and when the light goes on, it moos at you.

COSTELLO: I was thinking that very thing.

MARCIANO: It discourages you from eating.

COSTELLO: That's it for us. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now. You make it a great Monday.

MARCIANO: See you later.

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