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American Morning

Baghdad Explosions; Pain at the Pump

Aired May 24, 2004 - 07:30   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.


SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, welcome everybody. Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Here are some of the headlines that we're looking at this morning.

President Bush speaking to the nation tonight to explain what will happen when power is transferred to Iraqis on June 30. It is the first of several speeches the president will make about Iraq in the coming weeks.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, as many as four are dead in Baghdad after a car bomb exploded near coalition headquarters. There are now reports of yet another explosion, details not known just yet. The coalition announced that two U.S. troops also killed elsewhere in Iraq in a roadside bombing on Sunday this past weekend.

O'BRIEN: And officials in Paris have lowered their death toll to four in that roof collapse at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Officials say there are no initial signs of terrorism, but that the investigation also has really just gotten under way.

HEMMER: Another story we're watching out of Iraq, there may be some video evidence backing up claims made by some Iraqis that U.S. forces attacked a wedding party last week near the Iraq/Syrian border. U.S. officials claim the attack, which killed as many as 45 people, targeted a meeting of high-level anti-coalition forces.

But first, again, some explosions in Baghdad over the past hour. Live to the capital and Harris Whitbeck for more on these stories.

Harris -- good afternoon there. What do have you for us?

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.

We have heard two explosions from our vantage point in central Baghdad within the last hour. We have some concrete information on the first of those explosions, which occurred just outside the Athinson's Gate (ph) entrance to the Green Zone, which, as you know, houses the Coalition Provisional Authority.

A U.S. military spokesman said one semi-armored SUV was apparently hit by an improvised explosive device, and he said at this point four people who were inside that vehicle died. There is no word yet on the identities of those people, Bill, but the Iraqi National Police on the scene say the occupants of the car that blew up were not Iraqis, although he couldn't confirm what their nationalities might be.

Again, there is still U.S. and British military elements at the scene of that explosion, which occurred outside the Athinson's Gate entrance to the Green Zone in central Baghdad -- Bill.

HEMMER: Meanwhile, Harris, we mentioned this wedding ceremony that was raided about a week ago, more than 40 dead. Now, there is videotape that says indeed it was a wedding. The U.S. and the coalition are still saying they believe this was a safe house used by insurgents. What more have we learned now as a result of this videotape?

WHITBECK: Well, the videotape has certainly sparked more questions on the U.S. air strike. That has been controversial from the start. The video, which was obtained by APTN, clearly shows what looks like a tribal wedding celebration that was attacked. And in one of the images you can clearly see a wedding musician, who was playing at that wedding and who was buried in Baghdad the next day. And APTN had pictures of that musician being buried. And it certainly does look like the same person.

Now, neither APTN nor CNN have been able to verify the authenticity of this latest video. But U.S. military spokesmen in Baghdad continue to insist the attack was on a safe house used by foreign fighters as they entered Iraq from that border area. They showed pictures of military equipment and medical equipment that they say prove their versions of the events.

Now, Bill, the point here is that regardless of the veracity of these claims and regardless of where the truth may lie, it is all about perceptions in Iraq, and the perception among many Iraqis is that the U.S. mistakenly attacked a wedding party. So that seems to be the sense here.

Again, it's really not clear where the truth is. Somebody clearly is not telling it though -- Bill.

HEMMER: Harris Whitbeck, thanks, in Baghdad -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Saudi Arabia's decision to increase its oil output beginning next month is good news for American consumers, who have seen gas prices soar. In the past two weeks, the average price has jumped 14 cents to more than $2 a gallon. The rising price at the pump has led attorneys general from seven states to ask the president for an investigation. They want to know whether the oil and gas industries are conspiring to drive up prices.

Joining us this morning from New Haven, Connecticut is that state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal.

Nice to see you, sir. Thanks for being with us.

RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, CONNECTICUT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Thank you, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Is there any evidence that you have that in fact there is conspiring going on between the oil companies?

BLUMENTHAL: Well, that's the key question, Soledad. We do have anecdotal evidence. We have some information that we have gathered during the course of our state investigations, and each of us has the power to investigate antitrust and consumer protection violations. But we don't have the resources or the authority that the federal government does to reach beyond our borders -- indeed beyond the borders of the United States -- and issue grand jury subpoenas, compel testimony in the way that the federal government does. And that's why we believe very, very strongly that the federal government should be more proactive and more aggressive in pursuing possible conspiracies or collusion.

O'BRIEN: There are some people who would say there are lots of reasons for the higher gas prices. For example, consumption is up. For example, everybody seems to be driving an SUV these days. For example, there are all of these issues of supply and demand. Don't any of those reasons or that rationale make sense?

BLUMENTHAL: They're right. There are many reasons for the rise in gas prices, and collusion may simply be aggravating other factors and the impact of those other factors. But we want to make sure of two things. First, that if there is more supply, for example, from Saudi Arabia, that prices do come down. And the mere fact of federal scrutiny can be enormously important in making that market elastic on the way down, as well as it's been on the way up.

And second, we want to make sure that the facts are uncovered. We're not saying there ought to be a prosecution. We haven't reached any conclusions. The only way we'll really know is if there is a searching, aggressive investigation by the federal government.

O'BRIEN: As we mentioned when we started talking, I said you've sent this letter off to the White House. What specifically do you want the White House to do?

BLUMENTHAL: First and foremost, a federal investigation either by the Department of Justice, the antitrust division, or by the Federal Trade Commission, working in partnership with the states.

And second, what many of us would like to see is a stop to the stockpiling of the strategic petroleum reserve, measures against zone pricing, which is a standard industry practice of dividing the nation, indeed individual states, into different geographic areas, and charging them according to what they think that geographic area will bear. Again, a situation that is conducive to collusion, conspiracy, price fixing, all of the standard tactics used where market power is concentrated, as it is in this industry, perhaps a reason that we've seen refinery capacity diminish over the years, as well as the number of refineries.

O'BRIEN: If the White House doesn't do anything or decides not to participate in your investigation, do you all still go through with it?

BLUMENTHAL: We will continue our activities, because we have an obligation as law enforcement officers to continue our investigations, as we have done in past years, and prosecutions. But we really can't do it alone. Only the federal government and a national investigation can offer a really effective and enduring solution to a national problem like this one.

O'BRIEN: Richard Blumenthal is Connecticut's attorney general. Thanks for being with this morning.

BLUMENTHAL: Thank you, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Bill.

(WEATHER BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, an accusation that the top general in Iraq knew about the prison abuse well before he says he did.

HEMMER: Also in a moment, Michael Jackson's prosecutors are worried. They want to make sure there really is a trial. We'll explain that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: And the king of Cannes. Michael Moore wins a big award. But does that mean that lots more people are going to actually see his movie, which is highly critical of President Bush? We'll look at those stories just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody, on a Monday morning, 18 minutes before the hour.

Back over to Heidi Collins yet again and the news. The president, a major speech later tonight.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: A major speech. People will really be watching this one, that's for sure, Bill.

President Bush does go before the nation tonight. He is going to outline plans for the transfer of power in Iraq during the primetime speech. It is the first address in a series of speeches. Aides say it is an effort to reassure the public about the war. Mr. Bush is expected to stress his plan to create a democracy in Iraq.

The U.S. military is firmly denying a report that a top general in Iraq witnessed Iraq prisoner abuse first-hand. But according to "The Washington Post," a military lawyer claims he was told Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez was present during unspecified interrogations at the Abu Ghraib prison. Sanchez stands by his testimony that he was unaware of any abuse until January.

In Paris, four people are dead after the collapse of a section of terminal at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Tons of concrete and steel collapsed, crushing several cars yesterday. Rescuers with dogs continue to search the rubble. And according to officials, an investigation into the collapse will determine if the entire terminal will need to be torn down.

The prosecutor in the Michael Jackson case is opposing the pop singer's move for bail reduction. Jackson, after pleading not guilty to child molestation charges, is currently free on $3 million bail. The D.A.'s office filed a motion suggesting Jackson's immense wealth poses a flight risk. Jackson's attorneys made no comment. The motion is expected to be argued in a hearing on Friday. We'll be watching that one for you.

And at the box office this weekend, "Shrek 2" is No. 1. The Dreamworks animated sequel starring the voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz pulled in more than $104 million just this weekend. That makes it No. 2 in the ranking for the biggest three-day movie tally. The epic, "Troy," falls to second place leaving the monster thriller, "Van Helsing," in third. So, the green guy is bringing in the green bucks.

HEMMER: I think it's worth it to see it. Larry King has a voice in that film.

COLLINS: He does, does he?

HEMMER: He is the voice of the ugly stepsister. A true story.

COLLINS: Larry!

HEMMER: He makes it worthwhile to go check it out, huh?

O'BRIEN: How did "Troy" do, your movie "Troy," the one you were talking about that was going to beat all the competition?

HEMMER: I think it's still cut in half, I think.

COLLINS: Well, it was second.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Well, the problem is they spent, like, 200 million to make the darn thing.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that's the problem.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: True.

HEMMER: OK.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that would be the problem.

Sill to come on AMERICAN MORNING, Madonna launches her most provocative tour yet.

Also, P. Diddy, he sings, he acts and now he wants to interview the president.

And an unflattering portrait of President Bush honored in France. "90-Second Pop" is just ahead. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Madonna is back, and you can see her for the low, low price of $936. Honest. Face value for some of the tickets. Welcome back, everybody, on a Monday. ""90-Second Pop" comes your way.

B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly," nice to see you, B.J. Good morning.

Good to see you.

HEMMER: Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine. And a first-timer, humorist Paul Scheer, making his "90- Second Pop" debut.

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Welcome.

HEMMER: How do you feel?

PAUL SCHEER, HUMORIST: Very good.

HEMMER: Nervous?

SCHEER: Yes, I'm tired. I'm tired.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: It's very early, yes. Welcome to DAYBREAK.

SCHEER: I know.

HEMMER: Michael Moore wins at Cannes over the weekend. It shocked everybody, I think even him. Before we get into what happened in France, why is this film so controversial?

SIGESMUND: Basically, it takes aim at President Bush and his handling of the war in Iraq, and it connects the Bush family to several prominent Saudis.

HEMMER: Or so he alleges in this film.

SIGESMUND: Yes, yes. And including the family of Osama himself. But the reason this is so controversial, you know, Cannes gave this film a lot of legitimacy now, and overnight it has become a huge thorn in President Bush's side. This is a two-hour screen against the president that now feels has a must-see feel to it like we saw with "The Passion."

HEMMER: But you read the review last week. The critics panned this film. They said all of the information was old. It was all in a book two years ago.

SIGESMUND: Yes, but that doesn't matter. You know, 5 to 10 million people are going to see it when they ultimately release it at the height of the election season. So, its impact cannot be underestimated.

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: I think what's more exciting is the drama between Harvey Weinstein and Michael Eisner. I mean, the drama between the political side is important, but this is really going to be a problem for Michael Eisner, because...

SIGESMUND: But I think...

SCHEER: Miramax is going to pull out from Disney now and actually be their own company again.

BERNARD: And it's going to be really bad for them to lose Pixar in one year and Mirimax in the other.

HEMMER: How much of this was a political statement, do you believe, in southern France? Quentin Tarantino said no. Don't look at it that way.

(CROSSTALK)

SCHEER: The French are getting back at America. We've called them freedom fries, and now they're like, you know what? Screw you guys. We're going to make this our No. 1 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SIGESMUND: Yes. There is so much anti-Americanism in the air abroad right now. It just makes sense.

HEMMER: Who distributes it then?

SIGESMUND: Either Lions Gate or New Market, I think.

HEMMER: The last documentary to win at Cannes was what?

SCHEER: Oh, that was Jacques Cousteau.

BERNARD: Cousteau.

HEMMER: Very good. Very good, you guys!

SIGESMUND: Yes, that show...

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: You'll be back, by the way.

Madonna starts her tour tonight in Los Angeles. Boy, what does she have planned, huh?

SCHEER: Just when you think it was safe, Madonna is back. All right. She used to be -- you know, she's into Kabbalah. She writes children's books. But now her new tour, "Reinvention," has an electric chair, pregnant women that are nearly naked and lot of lesbian fantasy scenes.

BERNARD: It's typical Madonna, though. Don't you think?

SCHEER: It's awesome, and yes...

BERNARD: I mean, it's really just her same stuff. But what's happened is she started the whole shocking everybody thing with her "Like a Virgin" tour, rolling around the stage in her wedding dress. And now it's so hard for her to be shocking, because everybody else is caught up with her completely.

SIGESMUND: Although Leigh Rosenberg (ph), Madonna's rep, told "US Weekly" that there aren't scantly-clad pregnant women in the show. But she did say that behind the scenes, back stage, it's the mellowest vibe she's ever experienced on a Madonna tour.

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: She attributed it to Kabbalah.

HEMMER: Sara, I think your point is exactly right. She always has to push it to continue to get headlines and attention.

BERNARD: Absolutely. And now she's got Britney and Christina doing all the same things they used to do.

HEMMER: She's competing with Britney.

SCHEER: I'm actually scared for the next Britney tour, because now Britney has to one-up Madonna. At this point, she has to...

SIGESMUND: There will not be a return of John Paul bustier cone bra. She is not (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the past.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: P. Diddy wants to talk to John Kerry and George Bush. His quote was, I'm going to make Kerry and Bush squirm.

BERNARD: Yes, watch out.

HEMMER: What's he got planned?

BERNARD: Well, he's working on a political talk show. So, he's going from Broadway -- he's trying to be Tim Russert now, I think is actually what he's trying to do. He's got a show in the works called "Project Change." And he has figured out that the people who get to ask the president questions are often screened. Can you believe it?

HEMMER: Yes.

BERNARD: So what he wants to do is get real people from New York, from Detroit to ask what they really want to know and put the questions to them live on TV.

SIGESMUND: The amazing thing, though, is that reps for Bush and Kerry have both said that they're both willing to do it.

HEMMER: Wow!

SIGESMUND: So, I think it's just a matter of time.

BERNARD: I think this is really going to be the first step into P. Diddy's political aspirations. I think he's looking for a way in.

SCHEER: I think he's looking for a V.P. nomination.

SIGESMUND: Well, he seems to feel that there is nothing he can't do.

BERNARD: Yes, he's not afraid of failure or embarrassment.

HEMMER: They say he's a very busy man, "Raisins in the Sun" on Broadway, the Ticket has record sales at that theater. He's got a perfume planned.

BERNARD: Yes, Sean John perfume.

SIGESMUND: Yes.

HEMMER: Is it perfume or is it cologne?

BERNARD: I think it's perfume.

HEMMER: What is he going to do? Why not?

BERNARD: The ladies, he knows what to do.

SCHEER: I mean, like, two years ago he was allegedly in, you know, this incident with a gun in a club. And now he's like McLaughlin. You know, this is amazing for this guy. Like, he's turned around.

HEMMER: Well done, Paul. You'll be back. See you later, OK? Sarah, B.J., good to see you on a Monday.

All right, here's Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, just what's wrong with scantily-clad pregnant women? Excuse me.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: A lot.

O'BRIEN: A lot, says Jack.

Soledad, you should be there on stage.

O'BRIEN: Oh, please! Please, no!

Still to come this morning, the president's primetime speech about the future of Iraq. What do you need to hear him say? Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Time to check in with Jack and the question of the day. CAFFERTY: Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Good morning.

CAFFERTY: The stakes for the president tonight couldn't be much higher. He's going to talk to the nation about the war in Iraq. The question surrounding that thing include the prisoner abuse scandal, violence against U.S. troops, the U.N.'s role, if there is going to be one and what it will be, the June 30 handover, who we're going to hand things off to, and how effective they're going to be.

And, of course, the president is keeping an eye on November's election and his declining approval ratings, which are in the latest polls at the low of his presidency.

So, what's the most important thing you want to hear from President Bush tonight? The two most popular answers, I won't run for re-election and I resign, and I mean overwhelmingly those are the two most popular responses. Here are some others.

Ronnie in New York: "Of course, I'd like to hear George Bush say we've made a radically wrong turn. We're barreling down a dark road with our headlights off and me behind the wheel, and I don't know how to drive."

Bob in Conroe, Texas: "That there actually is a plan in Iraq to get our boys out and that we're not just operating on the react-as-we- go mode."

"S" writes: "I supported and still support President Bush. I'd like to hear him say he's going to ask Congress or $90 billion to really study and manufacture economical cars with alternative energy, completely remove the source of oil from our dictionary and our way of life."

And Tracy in Jamestown, New York: "America needs to hear the president say that he will begin to take responsibility for what happens in Iraq. So far, he's adamantly refused to take any responsibility for anything that has happened there."

AM@CNN.com.

HEMMER: So, tonight starts the first of what? A month?

CAFFERTY: Do you know what's in short supply?

HEMMER: What?

CAFFERTY: Letters that say I think he's doing a hell after job. I haven't gotten many of those.

O'BRIEN: Interesting.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: Can we say it's early? CAFFERTY: You can say whatever you want. I'm just telling what you the mailbox has got in it.

HEMMER: The first of five weeks, right? The first of five scheduled speeches beginning tonight?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

O'BRIEN: It's going to be interesting to hear the tone, you know, because a friendly audience (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

CAFFERTY: You know what? It ain't about talking. Things have got to start to change over there.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: In a moment here, there is an awful lot of cleaning up to do across parts of the plains, especially Nebraska. Violent twisters to blame over the weekend. Forecasts say there may be more storms yet again today. The latest in a moment right after this, top of the hour on AMERICAN MORNING.

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Aired May 24, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, welcome everybody. Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Here are some of the headlines that we're looking at this morning.

President Bush speaking to the nation tonight to explain what will happen when power is transferred to Iraqis on June 30. It is the first of several speeches the president will make about Iraq in the coming weeks.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Also, as many as four are dead in Baghdad after a car bomb exploded near coalition headquarters. There are now reports of yet another explosion, details not known just yet. The coalition announced that two U.S. troops also killed elsewhere in Iraq in a roadside bombing on Sunday this past weekend.

O'BRIEN: And officials in Paris have lowered their death toll to four in that roof collapse at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Officials say there are no initial signs of terrorism, but that the investigation also has really just gotten under way.

HEMMER: Another story we're watching out of Iraq, there may be some video evidence backing up claims made by some Iraqis that U.S. forces attacked a wedding party last week near the Iraq/Syrian border. U.S. officials claim the attack, which killed as many as 45 people, targeted a meeting of high-level anti-coalition forces.

But first, again, some explosions in Baghdad over the past hour. Live to the capital and Harris Whitbeck for more on these stories.

Harris -- good afternoon there. What do have you for us?

HARRIS WHITBECK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Bill.

We have heard two explosions from our vantage point in central Baghdad within the last hour. We have some concrete information on the first of those explosions, which occurred just outside the Athinson's Gate (ph) entrance to the Green Zone, which, as you know, houses the Coalition Provisional Authority.

A U.S. military spokesman said one semi-armored SUV was apparently hit by an improvised explosive device, and he said at this point four people who were inside that vehicle died. There is no word yet on the identities of those people, Bill, but the Iraqi National Police on the scene say the occupants of the car that blew up were not Iraqis, although he couldn't confirm what their nationalities might be.

Again, there is still U.S. and British military elements at the scene of that explosion, which occurred outside the Athinson's Gate entrance to the Green Zone in central Baghdad -- Bill.

HEMMER: Meanwhile, Harris, we mentioned this wedding ceremony that was raided about a week ago, more than 40 dead. Now, there is videotape that says indeed it was a wedding. The U.S. and the coalition are still saying they believe this was a safe house used by insurgents. What more have we learned now as a result of this videotape?

WHITBECK: Well, the videotape has certainly sparked more questions on the U.S. air strike. That has been controversial from the start. The video, which was obtained by APTN, clearly shows what looks like a tribal wedding celebration that was attacked. And in one of the images you can clearly see a wedding musician, who was playing at that wedding and who was buried in Baghdad the next day. And APTN had pictures of that musician being buried. And it certainly does look like the same person.

Now, neither APTN nor CNN have been able to verify the authenticity of this latest video. But U.S. military spokesmen in Baghdad continue to insist the attack was on a safe house used by foreign fighters as they entered Iraq from that border area. They showed pictures of military equipment and medical equipment that they say prove their versions of the events.

Now, Bill, the point here is that regardless of the veracity of these claims and regardless of where the truth may lie, it is all about perceptions in Iraq, and the perception among many Iraqis is that the U.S. mistakenly attacked a wedding party. So that seems to be the sense here.

Again, it's really not clear where the truth is. Somebody clearly is not telling it though -- Bill.

HEMMER: Harris Whitbeck, thanks, in Baghdad -- Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Saudi Arabia's decision to increase its oil output beginning next month is good news for American consumers, who have seen gas prices soar. In the past two weeks, the average price has jumped 14 cents to more than $2 a gallon. The rising price at the pump has led attorneys general from seven states to ask the president for an investigation. They want to know whether the oil and gas industries are conspiring to drive up prices.

Joining us this morning from New Haven, Connecticut is that state's attorney general, Richard Blumenthal.

Nice to see you, sir. Thanks for being with us.

RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, CONNECTICUT ATTORNEY GENERAL: Thank you, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Is there any evidence that you have that in fact there is conspiring going on between the oil companies?

BLUMENTHAL: Well, that's the key question, Soledad. We do have anecdotal evidence. We have some information that we have gathered during the course of our state investigations, and each of us has the power to investigate antitrust and consumer protection violations. But we don't have the resources or the authority that the federal government does to reach beyond our borders -- indeed beyond the borders of the United States -- and issue grand jury subpoenas, compel testimony in the way that the federal government does. And that's why we believe very, very strongly that the federal government should be more proactive and more aggressive in pursuing possible conspiracies or collusion.

O'BRIEN: There are some people who would say there are lots of reasons for the higher gas prices. For example, consumption is up. For example, everybody seems to be driving an SUV these days. For example, there are all of these issues of supply and demand. Don't any of those reasons or that rationale make sense?

BLUMENTHAL: They're right. There are many reasons for the rise in gas prices, and collusion may simply be aggravating other factors and the impact of those other factors. But we want to make sure of two things. First, that if there is more supply, for example, from Saudi Arabia, that prices do come down. And the mere fact of federal scrutiny can be enormously important in making that market elastic on the way down, as well as it's been on the way up.

And second, we want to make sure that the facts are uncovered. We're not saying there ought to be a prosecution. We haven't reached any conclusions. The only way we'll really know is if there is a searching, aggressive investigation by the federal government.

O'BRIEN: As we mentioned when we started talking, I said you've sent this letter off to the White House. What specifically do you want the White House to do?

BLUMENTHAL: First and foremost, a federal investigation either by the Department of Justice, the antitrust division, or by the Federal Trade Commission, working in partnership with the states.

And second, what many of us would like to see is a stop to the stockpiling of the strategic petroleum reserve, measures against zone pricing, which is a standard industry practice of dividing the nation, indeed individual states, into different geographic areas, and charging them according to what they think that geographic area will bear. Again, a situation that is conducive to collusion, conspiracy, price fixing, all of the standard tactics used where market power is concentrated, as it is in this industry, perhaps a reason that we've seen refinery capacity diminish over the years, as well as the number of refineries.

O'BRIEN: If the White House doesn't do anything or decides not to participate in your investigation, do you all still go through with it?

BLUMENTHAL: We will continue our activities, because we have an obligation as law enforcement officers to continue our investigations, as we have done in past years, and prosecutions. But we really can't do it alone. Only the federal government and a national investigation can offer a really effective and enduring solution to a national problem like this one.

O'BRIEN: Richard Blumenthal is Connecticut's attorney general. Thanks for being with this morning.

BLUMENTHAL: Thank you, Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Bill.

(WEATHER BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Still to come this morning, an accusation that the top general in Iraq knew about the prison abuse well before he says he did.

HEMMER: Also in a moment, Michael Jackson's prosecutors are worried. They want to make sure there really is a trial. We'll explain that in a moment.

O'BRIEN: And the king of Cannes. Michael Moore wins a big award. But does that mean that lots more people are going to actually see his movie, which is highly critical of President Bush? We'll look at those stories just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Welcome back, everybody, on a Monday morning, 18 minutes before the hour.

Back over to Heidi Collins yet again and the news. The president, a major speech later tonight.

HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: A major speech. People will really be watching this one, that's for sure, Bill.

President Bush does go before the nation tonight. He is going to outline plans for the transfer of power in Iraq during the primetime speech. It is the first address in a series of speeches. Aides say it is an effort to reassure the public about the war. Mr. Bush is expected to stress his plan to create a democracy in Iraq.

The U.S. military is firmly denying a report that a top general in Iraq witnessed Iraq prisoner abuse first-hand. But according to "The Washington Post," a military lawyer claims he was told Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez was present during unspecified interrogations at the Abu Ghraib prison. Sanchez stands by his testimony that he was unaware of any abuse until January.

In Paris, four people are dead after the collapse of a section of terminal at the Charles de Gaulle Airport. Tons of concrete and steel collapsed, crushing several cars yesterday. Rescuers with dogs continue to search the rubble. And according to officials, an investigation into the collapse will determine if the entire terminal will need to be torn down.

The prosecutor in the Michael Jackson case is opposing the pop singer's move for bail reduction. Jackson, after pleading not guilty to child molestation charges, is currently free on $3 million bail. The D.A.'s office filed a motion suggesting Jackson's immense wealth poses a flight risk. Jackson's attorneys made no comment. The motion is expected to be argued in a hearing on Friday. We'll be watching that one for you.

And at the box office this weekend, "Shrek 2" is No. 1. The Dreamworks animated sequel starring the voices of Mike Myers and Cameron Diaz pulled in more than $104 million just this weekend. That makes it No. 2 in the ranking for the biggest three-day movie tally. The epic, "Troy," falls to second place leaving the monster thriller, "Van Helsing," in third. So, the green guy is bringing in the green bucks.

HEMMER: I think it's worth it to see it. Larry King has a voice in that film.

COLLINS: He does, does he?

HEMMER: He is the voice of the ugly stepsister. A true story.

COLLINS: Larry!

HEMMER: He makes it worthwhile to go check it out, huh?

O'BRIEN: How did "Troy" do, your movie "Troy," the one you were talking about that was going to beat all the competition?

HEMMER: I think it's still cut in half, I think.

COLLINS: Well, it was second.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: Well, the problem is they spent, like, 200 million to make the darn thing.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that's the problem.

(CROSSTALK)

O'BRIEN: True.

HEMMER: OK.

O'BRIEN: Yes, that would be the problem.

Sill to come on AMERICAN MORNING, Madonna launches her most provocative tour yet.

Also, P. Diddy, he sings, he acts and now he wants to interview the president.

And an unflattering portrait of President Bush honored in France. "90-Second Pop" is just ahead. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: Madonna is back, and you can see her for the low, low price of $936. Honest. Face value for some of the tickets. Welcome back, everybody, on a Monday. ""90-Second Pop" comes your way.

B.J. Sigesmund, staff editor for "US Weekly," nice to see you, B.J. Good morning.

Good to see you.

HEMMER: Sarah Bernard, contributing editor for "New York" magazine. And a first-timer, humorist Paul Scheer, making his "90- Second Pop" debut.

B.J. SIGESMUND, "US WEEKLY": Welcome.

HEMMER: How do you feel?

PAUL SCHEER, HUMORIST: Very good.

HEMMER: Nervous?

SCHEER: Yes, I'm tired. I'm tired.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: It's very early, yes. Welcome to DAYBREAK.

SCHEER: I know.

HEMMER: Michael Moore wins at Cannes over the weekend. It shocked everybody, I think even him. Before we get into what happened in France, why is this film so controversial?

SIGESMUND: Basically, it takes aim at President Bush and his handling of the war in Iraq, and it connects the Bush family to several prominent Saudis.

HEMMER: Or so he alleges in this film.

SIGESMUND: Yes, yes. And including the family of Osama himself. But the reason this is so controversial, you know, Cannes gave this film a lot of legitimacy now, and overnight it has become a huge thorn in President Bush's side. This is a two-hour screen against the president that now feels has a must-see feel to it like we saw with "The Passion."

HEMMER: But you read the review last week. The critics panned this film. They said all of the information was old. It was all in a book two years ago.

SIGESMUND: Yes, but that doesn't matter. You know, 5 to 10 million people are going to see it when they ultimately release it at the height of the election season. So, its impact cannot be underestimated.

SARAH BERNARD, "NEW YORK" MAGAZINE: I think what's more exciting is the drama between Harvey Weinstein and Michael Eisner. I mean, the drama between the political side is important, but this is really going to be a problem for Michael Eisner, because...

SIGESMUND: But I think...

SCHEER: Miramax is going to pull out from Disney now and actually be their own company again.

BERNARD: And it's going to be really bad for them to lose Pixar in one year and Mirimax in the other.

HEMMER: How much of this was a political statement, do you believe, in southern France? Quentin Tarantino said no. Don't look at it that way.

(CROSSTALK)

SCHEER: The French are getting back at America. We've called them freedom fries, and now they're like, you know what? Screw you guys. We're going to make this our No. 1 (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

SIGESMUND: Yes. There is so much anti-Americanism in the air abroad right now. It just makes sense.

HEMMER: Who distributes it then?

SIGESMUND: Either Lions Gate or New Market, I think.

HEMMER: The last documentary to win at Cannes was what?

SCHEER: Oh, that was Jacques Cousteau.

BERNARD: Cousteau.

HEMMER: Very good. Very good, you guys!

SIGESMUND: Yes, that show...

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: You'll be back, by the way.

Madonna starts her tour tonight in Los Angeles. Boy, what does she have planned, huh?

SCHEER: Just when you think it was safe, Madonna is back. All right. She used to be -- you know, she's into Kabbalah. She writes children's books. But now her new tour, "Reinvention," has an electric chair, pregnant women that are nearly naked and lot of lesbian fantasy scenes.

BERNARD: It's typical Madonna, though. Don't you think?

SCHEER: It's awesome, and yes...

BERNARD: I mean, it's really just her same stuff. But what's happened is she started the whole shocking everybody thing with her "Like a Virgin" tour, rolling around the stage in her wedding dress. And now it's so hard for her to be shocking, because everybody else is caught up with her completely.

SIGESMUND: Although Leigh Rosenberg (ph), Madonna's rep, told "US Weekly" that there aren't scantly-clad pregnant women in the show. But she did say that behind the scenes, back stage, it's the mellowest vibe she's ever experienced on a Madonna tour.

(CROSSTALK)

SIGESMUND: She attributed it to Kabbalah.

HEMMER: Sara, I think your point is exactly right. She always has to push it to continue to get headlines and attention.

BERNARD: Absolutely. And now she's got Britney and Christina doing all the same things they used to do.

HEMMER: She's competing with Britney.

SCHEER: I'm actually scared for the next Britney tour, because now Britney has to one-up Madonna. At this point, she has to...

SIGESMUND: There will not be a return of John Paul bustier cone bra. She is not (UNINTELLIGIBLE) in the past.

(CROSSTALK)

HEMMER: P. Diddy wants to talk to John Kerry and George Bush. His quote was, I'm going to make Kerry and Bush squirm.

BERNARD: Yes, watch out.

HEMMER: What's he got planned?

BERNARD: Well, he's working on a political talk show. So, he's going from Broadway -- he's trying to be Tim Russert now, I think is actually what he's trying to do. He's got a show in the works called "Project Change." And he has figured out that the people who get to ask the president questions are often screened. Can you believe it?

HEMMER: Yes.

BERNARD: So what he wants to do is get real people from New York, from Detroit to ask what they really want to know and put the questions to them live on TV.

SIGESMUND: The amazing thing, though, is that reps for Bush and Kerry have both said that they're both willing to do it.

HEMMER: Wow!

SIGESMUND: So, I think it's just a matter of time.

BERNARD: I think this is really going to be the first step into P. Diddy's political aspirations. I think he's looking for a way in.

SCHEER: I think he's looking for a V.P. nomination.

SIGESMUND: Well, he seems to feel that there is nothing he can't do.

BERNARD: Yes, he's not afraid of failure or embarrassment.

HEMMER: They say he's a very busy man, "Raisins in the Sun" on Broadway, the Ticket has record sales at that theater. He's got a perfume planned.

BERNARD: Yes, Sean John perfume.

SIGESMUND: Yes.

HEMMER: Is it perfume or is it cologne?

BERNARD: I think it's perfume.

HEMMER: What is he going to do? Why not?

BERNARD: The ladies, he knows what to do.

SCHEER: I mean, like, two years ago he was allegedly in, you know, this incident with a gun in a club. And now he's like McLaughlin. You know, this is amazing for this guy. Like, he's turned around.

HEMMER: Well done, Paul. You'll be back. See you later, OK? Sarah, B.J., good to see you on a Monday.

All right, here's Soledad.

O'BRIEN: Well, just what's wrong with scantily-clad pregnant women? Excuse me.

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: A lot.

O'BRIEN: A lot, says Jack.

Soledad, you should be there on stage.

O'BRIEN: Oh, please! Please, no!

Still to come this morning, the president's primetime speech about the future of Iraq. What do you need to hear him say? Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Time to check in with Jack and the question of the day. CAFFERTY: Good morning.

O'BRIEN: Good morning.

CAFFERTY: The stakes for the president tonight couldn't be much higher. He's going to talk to the nation about the war in Iraq. The question surrounding that thing include the prisoner abuse scandal, violence against U.S. troops, the U.N.'s role, if there is going to be one and what it will be, the June 30 handover, who we're going to hand things off to, and how effective they're going to be.

And, of course, the president is keeping an eye on November's election and his declining approval ratings, which are in the latest polls at the low of his presidency.

So, what's the most important thing you want to hear from President Bush tonight? The two most popular answers, I won't run for re-election and I resign, and I mean overwhelmingly those are the two most popular responses. Here are some others.

Ronnie in New York: "Of course, I'd like to hear George Bush say we've made a radically wrong turn. We're barreling down a dark road with our headlights off and me behind the wheel, and I don't know how to drive."

Bob in Conroe, Texas: "That there actually is a plan in Iraq to get our boys out and that we're not just operating on the react-as-we- go mode."

"S" writes: "I supported and still support President Bush. I'd like to hear him say he's going to ask Congress or $90 billion to really study and manufacture economical cars with alternative energy, completely remove the source of oil from our dictionary and our way of life."

And Tracy in Jamestown, New York: "America needs to hear the president say that he will begin to take responsibility for what happens in Iraq. So far, he's adamantly refused to take any responsibility for anything that has happened there."

AM@CNN.com.

HEMMER: So, tonight starts the first of what? A month?

CAFFERTY: Do you know what's in short supply?

HEMMER: What?

CAFFERTY: Letters that say I think he's doing a hell after job. I haven't gotten many of those.

O'BRIEN: Interesting.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: Can we say it's early? CAFFERTY: You can say whatever you want. I'm just telling what you the mailbox has got in it.

HEMMER: The first of five weeks, right? The first of five scheduled speeches beginning tonight?

CAFFERTY: Yes.

O'BRIEN: It's going to be interesting to hear the tone, you know, because a friendly audience (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

CAFFERTY: You know what? It ain't about talking. Things have got to start to change over there.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.

CAFFERTY: Yes.

HEMMER: In a moment here, there is an awful lot of cleaning up to do across parts of the plains, especially Nebraska. Violent twisters to blame over the weekend. Forecasts say there may be more storms yet again today. The latest in a moment right after this, top of the hour on AMERICAN MORNING.

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