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CNN Live Today
Washington's Top Military Officer in Iraq Will Soon be Leaving; Legal Odyssey of Brandon Mayfield Apparently Over
Aired May 25, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
New developments out of Iraq today, firefighters put out a fire from a Baghdad car bombing. Iraqi police say that four people were killed in the attack. But U.S. military officials say there were only injuries. And in the holy city of Najaf, an explosion outside the walls of a temple has slightly damaged the building. It is not known who was responsible for that blast.
Stormy weather strikes the Midwest. Here in the U.S., again, tornadoes touching down in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska. Two people were hurt when a trailer home was picked up by one twister and dropped on to a car. Heavy rains have flooded rivers in Illinois and Iowa.
A cloud estimated to be 40 miles long is trailing from a chemical warehouse fire in Rockdale County just outside of Atlanta. The fire shut down Interstate 20 for a short time. Residents living near the fire have been evacuated and business is closed. No injuries have been reported. People are being told to avoid breathing fumes from the smoke.
Attorneys for Terry Nichols are presenting closing arguments in his state murder trial at this hour. Prosecutors rested their case by arguing Nichols was the key conspirator in the Oklahoma City bombing. If Nichols is convicted, jurors will decide whether to sentence him to death or another life in prison term.
Live this hour, coalition leaders overseeing both the military and political missions are holding a briefing in Baghdad that is set to get under way later this hour. We're expecting about 30 minutes after -- past the hour. We'll go live to Baghdad as soon as that begins.
Meanwhile, let's kick off the hour with President Bush; he is wrapping up an Oval Office gathering. In that Oval Office gathering, Iraqis are being welcomed. They're receiving medical care here in the U.S. it's intended as a message of commitment and compassion on this morning, after laying out his plans for a new Iraq.
Our senior White House correspondent John King gives us a closer look at what's ahead.
John, good morning. JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you Daryn. That Oval Office meeting also part of the president's effort to try to convince the American people and in this case, more importantly, the Iraqi people that the United States is on a humanitarian mission in Iraq. Now of course, in the wake of the prisoner abuse scandal, many questioning the occupation by U.S. forces in Iraq. This is all part of the president's effort both to raise his own personal approval ratings; they're down in the polls lately, as people see pictures of violence and the prisoner abuse scandal out of Iraq. Also, to prepare the country for the transition to a new Iraqi government in just five weeks from now.
The president speaking last night at the Army War College, urged Americans to essentially lift their eyes, look past the violence, look past the prisoner abuse scandal. The president insisting there is a clear plan to turn over sovereignty to the new Iraqi government on June 30. Mr. Bush though, also making clear that once you turn over sovereignty that does not mean U.S. troops are coming home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: After June 30, Americans and other forces will still have important duties. American military forces in Iraq will operate under American command. As a part of a multinational force authorized by the United Nations. Iraq's new sovereign government will still face enormous security challenges. And our forces will be there to help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Rare for this president to concede mistakes in the Iraq policy, but he did concede a couple last night. He said for one, Iraqi military forces, who have been redeployed, have not had the training necessary to perform up to U.S. standards. The president also being quite candid in saying that the White House and Pentagon underestimated the number of troops needed in Iraq during this transition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: Our commanders had estimated that a troop level below 115,000 would be sufficient at this point in the conflict. Given the recent increase in violence, we'll maintain our troop level at the current 138,000 as long as necessary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: The president even said he would send more troops if the generals in Iraq ask for them. No date certain for bringing U.S. troops home. Some of the president's critics say that is proof to them he still does not have a clear exit strategy. The White House says look for one of these speeches, about one a week, between now and June 30, when sovereignty is handed over. Still some important details, Daryn, to be worked out, including how will the U.S. troops relate to that new sovereign Iraqi government. Will the Iraqi government, for example, have the power to say no, if the U.S. troops want to launch an operation, like we've seen in the cities of Fallujah and Najaf in recent days -- Daryn?
KAGAN: John, it seems like much of the message to the American people was about expectation control. A year ago, making the speech mission accomplished. This time though the words from the president, things are bad and they're going to get really bad. So that when it does go south, people will say, well, the president said it would be like this.
KING: A dramatic difference. If you look at the May 1 speech a year ago on the USS Abraham Lincoln, you look at this speech at the War College last night, the tone so much more sober last night. And there is a reason for that. Of course, five times -- by some five times, almost six times the death toll has escalated in Iraq since that speech a little more than a year ago. You're exactly right, the president trying to set expectations, trying to get Americans optimistic that there actually will be a new government in Iraq. But also reminding them there are still many rough days ahead, as the president noted. As that June 30 date and the handover approaches, he is expecting more and more violence.
KAGAN: John King at the White House, good to have you with us this morning.
What about the president's top challenger? The president's speech drew a very divided response across the U.S. We want to show you a live picture from Reagan National Airport. That is John Kerry's new campaign plane being unveiled this morning at a campaign event there. Well, that is not -- those would be -- those would be bars. OK. Go to the videotape. We'd like to say.
And speaking about John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee says the speech offered no new strategy, and that will take presidential leadership to turn his words into action. Here is a quote from Senator Kerry. He says, "That's going to require the president to genuinely reach out to our allies so the United States doesn't have to continue to go it alone and to create the stability necessary to allow the people of Iraq to move forward. "
Meanwhile to the Pentagon, Washington's top military officer in Iraq will soon be leaving his post there. Pentagon officials are stressing that by replacing Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, this is just part of a normal rotation of commanders. And they say it's unrelated to mission setbacks in Iraq.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us with more on that replacement and other news out of the Pentagon.
Good morning, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Well, indeed Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the head of coalition and U.S. forces inside Iraq, will be leaving that post after 13 months in Iraq. He is headed out of the country. No new jobs slated for him yet. But officials stress it has nothing to do with the prisoner abuse scandal. Basically, after 13 months, a general gets to come home from Iraq as well. And indeed, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, the spokesman we're so used to seeing, he too, is slated to rotate out.
But somebody who is facing a much tougher personnel situation Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, the commander of the 800 Military Police Brigade. She is a Reservist. She was in charge when the abuses at Abu Ghraib took place. She has now been suspended from her job. By all accounts, her military career now over.
And as far as Abu Ghraib goes, last night President Bush made clear what he would like his plan to be for that notorious prison.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: America will fund the construction of a modern maximum- security prison. When that prison is completed, detainees at Abu Ghraib will be relocated. Then with the approval of the Iraqi government, we'll demolish the Abu Ghraib prison as a fitting symbol of Iraq's new beginning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: Now of course, many in Congress had already called for the demolition of the prison. And as far as the reaction in Iraq is to that proposal, mixed, at best. And of course, the president emphasizing any demolition of that prison would have to be with Iraqi consent -- Daryn.
KAGAN: I want to ask you a little bit more about the woman who was in charge of that prison, as you were mentioning, Brigadier General Janis Karpinski. You mentioned she's suspended. I think that she's been rather unusual in that she's been already outspoken in making her own case. Went on a media tour a couple weeks ago, is commenting on the suspension. Usually I would expect top military officials to kind of keep a lid on it until the whole thing has been resolved.
STARR: Well, many people would expect that; General Karpinski, as you say though, very vocal in her own defense. And it is an interesting strategy on her part, because the case against everyone who was at Abu Ghraib still officially remains open. General Abizaid, the head of Central Command, several days ago making clear that even those who so far have only faced administrative punishment, if you will, as more evidence comes to light, any case could basically go back into the military, criminal justice prosecutorial process. So everything really still remains open on this case -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.
And we have an update now on Private First Class Lynndie England, one of the soldiers accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners. Her lawyers say they're going to ask a military judge to throw out her confession. They say investigators pressed her to talk, even after she'd asked for an attorney. England is seen in some of the more notorious images from Abu Ghraib prison, including the one there. She is seen holding a leash attached to the neck of an apparent Iraqi detainee.
The legal odyssey of Brandon Mayfield is apparently over. It is less than three weeks after he was linked to the Madrid train bombings. A federal court is throwing out his case and the FBI is offering up an apology. But Mayfield says the bigger crime here is that he was targeted for merely being Muslim.
Our justice correspondent Kellie Arena has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a stunning twist, the case against Oregon lawyer Brandon Mayfield has been thrown out. His name cleared of any involvement in the Madrid train bombings.
BRANDON MAYFIELD, CLEARED IN MADRID BOMBING: I've been singled out and discriminated against, I feel, as a Muslim.
ARENA: The government says there was no discrimination. Only what officials thought was a fingerprint match.
KARIN IMMERGUT, U.S. ATTORNEY: The initial fingerprint that identified Mr. Mayfield was based on a computer match, supported by the analysis of fingerprint experts at the FBI lab in Quantico; who had nothing and had never heard of Brandon Mayfield.
ARENA: The problem, according to the FBI, was that examiners were working off what officials say was a sub-standard copy of the print found at the scene of the bombings, not the original. When Spanish authorities last week said the print belonged to an Algerian man, the FBI sent a team to Madrid to have a look at the Real McCoy.
BOB JORDAN, FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: The FBI regrets the hardships that this matter has placed upon Mr. Mayfield and his family.
ARENA: That may not be enough for Mayfield, who was never charged in the case, but held for two weeks as a material witness. He's considering legal action.
MAYFIELD: I'm what? Two or three days out of the detention center and I'm just now starting to not shake. My blood pressure, you know, risen. My pulse has risen. My heart hurts.
ARENA (on camera): The case may prompt changes in how the FBI does fingerprint analysis. The bureau says it is considering adopting new guidelines for examiners who are not dealing with an original print.
Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Ahead, the president's pronouncements to win support for his handover plan in Iraq. Carlos Watson takes a closer look at the president's speech and how it's playing.
And in the nation's mid section, officials warn one river hasn't even reached its crest yet. A live report from the rising water from Gurnee, Illinois.
Later, what's does the average Iraqi want from the struggle for democracy and freedom? This is CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: President Bush has unveiled his plan for returning control of Iraq to the Iraqis. It comes as his job rating has slumped to the lowest level since he took office. Look at this CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll taken before last night's speech. It shows 47 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling his job. Forty-nine percent disapprove.
Political analyst Carlos Watson has been reviewing the numbers and joins us from New York City.
Carlos, good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning.
KAGAN: Two sets of numbers I want to look at here. First, the lowest numbers of approval ever for President Bush. What do you make of that?
WATSON: Obviously a lot of worry. The president's numbers on the economy, on education, on lots of individual indices are being dragged down by the perception on Iraq. And obviously the perception has lots of heads. It includes, obviously, the prisoner abuse scandal, it includes the court martialling, it includes what's happening in terms of the fighting, the beheading, et cetera. So, real problems for the president with only about 23 weeks left to go before the election.
KAGAN: And yet, if you look at another set of numbers, and that is when you ask voters would they pick President Bush or would they pick Senator John Kerry, it's pretty much a dead heat. And you have to wonder how big of an advantage John Kerry needs to really pull ahead in this race.
WATSON: Senator John Kerry's not pulled away yet. I mean for all the president's -- for all the problems rather, that the president has had over the last several weeks, indeed over the last several months as it relates to Iraq, as you saw in our -- as you see in our poll, John Kerry's only up by some two points.
I think that's part of the reason why I would really pay attention to John Kerry's speech this Thursday in Seattle. Daryn, I think he's going to take a much more aggressive, much more offensive tack when it comes to foreign policy; speaking on not only what he would do in Iraq as president, but also what he would do on other hot spots, like North Korea, like Russia, Libya, et cetera. So I think that he recognizes that he hasn't pulled away. And recognizes that there is a real danger that summer may come, the president remains close. And if things improve in Iraq, the whole political equation could change in a negative way for him. KAGAN: Well, and speaking of Iraq, any minute we're about to see some videotape. And Carlos, I'm going to invite to stay with us and watch this videotape shot a few minutes ago from the White House. It's going to show President Bush meeting with a group of Iraqis, who have come here to the U.S. not just for medical treatment, but medical treatment they need because they were abuse victims under Saddam Hussein's regime. And this is a president who has been very steadfast in believing what he did in leading the country into war in Iraq was still the correct thing to do.
WATSON: Well, as the president pointed out yesterday...
KAGAN: OK. Carlos, stand by. Let's listen to the tape.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein with six other Iraqi citizens as well who suffered the same fate. They are examples of the brutality of the tyrant.
I'm also here with Marvin Zindler of Houston, Texas. I appreciate Joe Agris, the doctor who helped put these hands on these men; Don North, the documentary producer who made a film of this brutality which brought the plight of these gentlemen to the attention of Marvin and his foundation.
These men had hands restored because of the generosity and love of an American citizen, and I am so proud to welcome them to the Oval Office.
I assured them we have a plan to help Iraq achieve free elections. We'll transfer full sovereignty. They were pleased to hear that America will stay and help with security. We will continue to work on reconstruction matters.
I assured them I will continue to ask the world to help. And they want to vote.
BUSH: They want to have elections. And they're going back to Iraq soon, and we're so proud to have them here in the Oval Office.
Again, thank you, sir, for coming.
MR. KADHIM: Thank you very much.
BUSH: I appreciate that. Thank you.
Please be seated. And I'll answer a couple of questions.
QUESTION: Mr. President, can you say why General Sanchez is being replaced as the top commander in Iraq? Is that in any way related to the prisoner abuse scandal? And who's going to replace him?
BUSH: Rick Sanchez has done a fabulous job. He's been there for a long time. His service has been exemplary. And the Defense Department will add further comments to it. QUESTION: Mr. President, Chirac's office is quoted as saying President Chirac told you that the transfer of power has to be real.
BUSH: Yes.
QUESTION: Can you describe what you may have said that him to reassure him that the transfer of power...
BUSH: Yes. What President Chirac and others have said is they want to make sure that the transfer of sovereignty to the interim government is a real transfer.
And that's what we want. We want there to be a complete and real transfer of sovereignty so that the Iraqi citizens realize the fate of their country is now their responsibility.
And we'll be there to help. And we'll help in a variety of ways. We'll help by making sure our security forces are there to work with their security forces. We'll help to make sure the reconstruction money we have set aside is well spent. We'll help by getting -- to continue to work with other countries to help aid a free Iraq. We'll do what we need to do to help the interim government succeed in getting to the period of free elections.
BUSH: And I had a great conversation with President Chirac. We share the same goal: a free and stable and peaceful Iraq.
QUESTION: Mr. President, looking forward to the elections that you'd like to see in Iraq, is it imperative for Iraq to end up with a democracy, or are free elections enough to satisfy your aims at this point?
BUSH: What's imperative is the Iraqi citizens develop a constitution that they can call their own, a constitution written and approved by Iraqis.
As I said last night, our intention was never to have Iraq look like America. Our intention was to have Iraq be free and stable and whole; at peace with its neighbors.
A free Iraq will help change the history of the greater Middle East. A free Iraq will show the rest of the world that when people are given the chance their families in peace and security a civil society that's stable and hopeful will develop.
We want a society where the men who've suffered so much because of the whims of one brutal man, where their children can grow up and realize their full potential, where the schools work, where the health care system is good.
And there's no doubt in my mind that Iraq can achieve this great dream and vision. And there's no doubt in my mind someday their children will come to America, and say, "Thank goodness America stood the line and were strong and did not falter in the face of the violence of a few."
Thank you all for coming. Glad to have you here. God bless.
KAGAN: We've been listening in to the White House videotape that was shot there within the last hour. President Bush welcoming seven Iraqi men who came here to the U.S. These were men that were victims of Saddam Hussein's regime. They had, as a punishment, had their right hand cut off. They came here to Texas and had those hands restored with prosthetic devices. We're going to have much more on their story just ahead.
Right now, let's go to the political effect of what the president is facing; especially since the speech that he gave last night. And bring our John King in who has been listening in at the White House as well.
John, you heard the president talk a lot, making a lot of the same points that he made last night. The transfer of power will take place on and by June 30. But also, the impression and importance of the Iraqi people believing that this is different than the government that they've been under so far.
KING: Important, Daryn, for the Iraqi people to believe that. That this new interim government will be a temporary government, and they will get a new constitution, and they will get quickly by late this year or early next year national elections to elect a new assembly. The president trying to answer his skeptics on the ground in Iraq.
Also, his skeptics at the United Nations Security Council, because the president wants a new resolution to give this new interim government United Nations blessing. And of course, we've been through this before. France, Germany, and others raising questions about the U.S.' plans. President Chirac of France saying he wants to make sure this new government has, quote, "real power."
So the president trying to say U.S. troops will stay for security. U.S. troops will stay to help with reconstruction effort. But that the new limited -- the new government, even with its limited powers, will have sovereignty over Iraq. The debate at the United Nations is just beginning, Daryn. Everyone here at the White House believes it will be less acrimony as last time. But they do know they have some tough questions from France, Germany, and others to answer before they can get that new resolution passed. The president trying to address that.
And also saying the commander on the ground in Iraq, General Ricardo Sanchez, he will be rotating out. The president says he's rotating out because it's time to rotate him out, not in any way any punishment, or sanction, or displeasure here at the White House, according to the president.
KAGAN: Also, in talking about the expectation as we did at the top of the hour, you and I, John talked about. You heard the president talk a lot about the next step for Iraq, about a free Iraq, about elections. But you really didn't hear him use the word "democracy" as much as he has in the past. KING: Interesting question here. You've had some Republican lawmakers in Congress say hand it over to the interim government and then let's see what happens. As long as they have a new constitution and a modicum of freedom, as one put it the other day, that would be OK with him. The president and White House still insist Iraq should go on a path to democracy. But the president being very careful in saying let the Iraqi government -- the new interim government and then the new transitional assembly choose that path. It might look nothing at all like the United States, might look nothing at all like we see in Great Britain, or their parliamentary system. The president saying, yes, a democracy. But he's trying to insist here that he's not trying to say just what that democracy should look like.
KAGAN: John King at the White House, more from you at the top of the hour.
Let's go ahead and bring back in our political analyst Carlos Watson, who was also listening to the videotape.
Very moving there, Carlos, to see these men having their right hands restored. And we will, as I've said, have more on their stories just ahead. But this is the emotional side of President Bush, who has been resolute in that it was correct. And he's been unwavering in what has meant to go into Iraq, no matter what the cost has been.
WATSON: Well, you hear the president say in this nation of 25 million people that he's put the nation on a different path. That America has put -- Iraq on a different path with what they've done in humanitarian ways, as well as a military way.
But I think he's going to continue to face two very difficult sets of critics. And they're not who you expect. I don't think the voters and not necessarily international critics. But significantly, Republican members of Congress, like John McCain, like Chuck Hagel, like Lindsey Graham, who have been asking very difficult questions about what the administration plans to do in Iraq.
And I think the second very difficult set of questions will come from Republican members of the media, people like our own Tucker Carlson, people like Bob Novak, as well as columnists like George Will. I think that's where the president facing the most difficult set of fire between now and June 30. I think at a minimum, he's got to win over those two sets of observers. And if he's not able to do that, I think you'll see his numbers fall even further.
KAGAN: All right. Carlos Watson, we'll also see more from you in the next hour, about where you've been going and the different voters that you've been talking to.
We're at 26 minutes past the hour. Bracing for the worst in the Midwest. Days of severe storms leave a community wrecked. And the new area now braces for a river to crest. A live report from Illinois is straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The battle for complete control in Najaf, a mosque is damaged overnight and residents are not happy.
Actually, let's look at live pictures. Pictures/videotape we're getting in from New Mexico. Very far from Najaf. Raging flames reach for the sky, as crews fight two ferocious fires that have burned almost 13,000 acres in New Mexico so far. And fire restrictions are being imposed in central New Mexico. Some two-dozen homes have been evacuated. And 50 miles away, over 500 people are fighting a fire in the Cibola National Forest.
Farther west in California, Scott Peterson's lawyers say that prosecutors held back information that could clear their client, and just turned it over last week. Now defense attorney Mark Geragos wants sanctions against the prosecution in Peterson's double murder trial. At issue, Geragos says that police ignored other leads and focused solely on Peterson. The prosecution has not responded to that allegation.
And Union workers have reached a tentative agreement with SBC Communications, ending a four-day strike. The new five-year contract includes a wage hike, a job security plan, and a compromise on health care costs. The deal must still be ratified by union membership.
And retired U.S. General Tommy Franks is receiving an honorary knighthood from the British today. The award recognizes his leadership of coalition troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. An anti-war member of Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labor Party called the award, the ultimate in bad taste. It is an honorary degree, so you want have to call him "Sir Tommy."
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Aired May 25, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, HOST: Good morning from CNN headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan.
New developments out of Iraq today, firefighters put out a fire from a Baghdad car bombing. Iraqi police say that four people were killed in the attack. But U.S. military officials say there were only injuries. And in the holy city of Najaf, an explosion outside the walls of a temple has slightly damaged the building. It is not known who was responsible for that blast.
Stormy weather strikes the Midwest. Here in the U.S., again, tornadoes touching down in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska. Two people were hurt when a trailer home was picked up by one twister and dropped on to a car. Heavy rains have flooded rivers in Illinois and Iowa.
A cloud estimated to be 40 miles long is trailing from a chemical warehouse fire in Rockdale County just outside of Atlanta. The fire shut down Interstate 20 for a short time. Residents living near the fire have been evacuated and business is closed. No injuries have been reported. People are being told to avoid breathing fumes from the smoke.
Attorneys for Terry Nichols are presenting closing arguments in his state murder trial at this hour. Prosecutors rested their case by arguing Nichols was the key conspirator in the Oklahoma City bombing. If Nichols is convicted, jurors will decide whether to sentence him to death or another life in prison term.
Live this hour, coalition leaders overseeing both the military and political missions are holding a briefing in Baghdad that is set to get under way later this hour. We're expecting about 30 minutes after -- past the hour. We'll go live to Baghdad as soon as that begins.
Meanwhile, let's kick off the hour with President Bush; he is wrapping up an Oval Office gathering. In that Oval Office gathering, Iraqis are being welcomed. They're receiving medical care here in the U.S. it's intended as a message of commitment and compassion on this morning, after laying out his plans for a new Iraq.
Our senior White House correspondent John King gives us a closer look at what's ahead.
John, good morning. JOHN KING, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you Daryn. That Oval Office meeting also part of the president's effort to try to convince the American people and in this case, more importantly, the Iraqi people that the United States is on a humanitarian mission in Iraq. Now of course, in the wake of the prisoner abuse scandal, many questioning the occupation by U.S. forces in Iraq. This is all part of the president's effort both to raise his own personal approval ratings; they're down in the polls lately, as people see pictures of violence and the prisoner abuse scandal out of Iraq. Also, to prepare the country for the transition to a new Iraqi government in just five weeks from now.
The president speaking last night at the Army War College, urged Americans to essentially lift their eyes, look past the violence, look past the prisoner abuse scandal. The president insisting there is a clear plan to turn over sovereignty to the new Iraqi government on June 30. Mr. Bush though, also making clear that once you turn over sovereignty that does not mean U.S. troops are coming home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: After June 30, Americans and other forces will still have important duties. American military forces in Iraq will operate under American command. As a part of a multinational force authorized by the United Nations. Iraq's new sovereign government will still face enormous security challenges. And our forces will be there to help.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Rare for this president to concede mistakes in the Iraq policy, but he did concede a couple last night. He said for one, Iraqi military forces, who have been redeployed, have not had the training necessary to perform up to U.S. standards. The president also being quite candid in saying that the White House and Pentagon underestimated the number of troops needed in Iraq during this transition.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: Our commanders had estimated that a troop level below 115,000 would be sufficient at this point in the conflict. Given the recent increase in violence, we'll maintain our troop level at the current 138,000 as long as necessary.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: The president even said he would send more troops if the generals in Iraq ask for them. No date certain for bringing U.S. troops home. Some of the president's critics say that is proof to them he still does not have a clear exit strategy. The White House says look for one of these speeches, about one a week, between now and June 30, when sovereignty is handed over. Still some important details, Daryn, to be worked out, including how will the U.S. troops relate to that new sovereign Iraqi government. Will the Iraqi government, for example, have the power to say no, if the U.S. troops want to launch an operation, like we've seen in the cities of Fallujah and Najaf in recent days -- Daryn?
KAGAN: John, it seems like much of the message to the American people was about expectation control. A year ago, making the speech mission accomplished. This time though the words from the president, things are bad and they're going to get really bad. So that when it does go south, people will say, well, the president said it would be like this.
KING: A dramatic difference. If you look at the May 1 speech a year ago on the USS Abraham Lincoln, you look at this speech at the War College last night, the tone so much more sober last night. And there is a reason for that. Of course, five times -- by some five times, almost six times the death toll has escalated in Iraq since that speech a little more than a year ago. You're exactly right, the president trying to set expectations, trying to get Americans optimistic that there actually will be a new government in Iraq. But also reminding them there are still many rough days ahead, as the president noted. As that June 30 date and the handover approaches, he is expecting more and more violence.
KAGAN: John King at the White House, good to have you with us this morning.
What about the president's top challenger? The president's speech drew a very divided response across the U.S. We want to show you a live picture from Reagan National Airport. That is John Kerry's new campaign plane being unveiled this morning at a campaign event there. Well, that is not -- those would be -- those would be bars. OK. Go to the videotape. We'd like to say.
And speaking about John Kerry, the presumptive Democratic nominee says the speech offered no new strategy, and that will take presidential leadership to turn his words into action. Here is a quote from Senator Kerry. He says, "That's going to require the president to genuinely reach out to our allies so the United States doesn't have to continue to go it alone and to create the stability necessary to allow the people of Iraq to move forward. "
Meanwhile to the Pentagon, Washington's top military officer in Iraq will soon be leaving his post there. Pentagon officials are stressing that by replacing Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, this is just part of a normal rotation of commanders. And they say it's unrelated to mission setbacks in Iraq.
Our Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr joins us with more on that replacement and other news out of the Pentagon.
Good morning, Barbara.
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Well, indeed Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez, the head of coalition and U.S. forces inside Iraq, will be leaving that post after 13 months in Iraq. He is headed out of the country. No new jobs slated for him yet. But officials stress it has nothing to do with the prisoner abuse scandal. Basically, after 13 months, a general gets to come home from Iraq as well. And indeed, Brigadier General Mark Kimmitt, the spokesman we're so used to seeing, he too, is slated to rotate out.
But somebody who is facing a much tougher personnel situation Brigadier General Janis Karpinski, the commander of the 800 Military Police Brigade. She is a Reservist. She was in charge when the abuses at Abu Ghraib took place. She has now been suspended from her job. By all accounts, her military career now over.
And as far as Abu Ghraib goes, last night President Bush made clear what he would like his plan to be for that notorious prison.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BUSH: America will fund the construction of a modern maximum- security prison. When that prison is completed, detainees at Abu Ghraib will be relocated. Then with the approval of the Iraqi government, we'll demolish the Abu Ghraib prison as a fitting symbol of Iraq's new beginning.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
STARR: Now of course, many in Congress had already called for the demolition of the prison. And as far as the reaction in Iraq is to that proposal, mixed, at best. And of course, the president emphasizing any demolition of that prison would have to be with Iraqi consent -- Daryn.
KAGAN: I want to ask you a little bit more about the woman who was in charge of that prison, as you were mentioning, Brigadier General Janis Karpinski. You mentioned she's suspended. I think that she's been rather unusual in that she's been already outspoken in making her own case. Went on a media tour a couple weeks ago, is commenting on the suspension. Usually I would expect top military officials to kind of keep a lid on it until the whole thing has been resolved.
STARR: Well, many people would expect that; General Karpinski, as you say though, very vocal in her own defense. And it is an interesting strategy on her part, because the case against everyone who was at Abu Ghraib still officially remains open. General Abizaid, the head of Central Command, several days ago making clear that even those who so far have only faced administrative punishment, if you will, as more evidence comes to light, any case could basically go back into the military, criminal justice prosecutorial process. So everything really still remains open on this case -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.
And we have an update now on Private First Class Lynndie England, one of the soldiers accused of abusing Iraqi prisoners. Her lawyers say they're going to ask a military judge to throw out her confession. They say investigators pressed her to talk, even after she'd asked for an attorney. England is seen in some of the more notorious images from Abu Ghraib prison, including the one there. She is seen holding a leash attached to the neck of an apparent Iraqi detainee.
The legal odyssey of Brandon Mayfield is apparently over. It is less than three weeks after he was linked to the Madrid train bombings. A federal court is throwing out his case and the FBI is offering up an apology. But Mayfield says the bigger crime here is that he was targeted for merely being Muslim.
Our justice correspondent Kellie Arena has that story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLI ARENA, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In a stunning twist, the case against Oregon lawyer Brandon Mayfield has been thrown out. His name cleared of any involvement in the Madrid train bombings.
BRANDON MAYFIELD, CLEARED IN MADRID BOMBING: I've been singled out and discriminated against, I feel, as a Muslim.
ARENA: The government says there was no discrimination. Only what officials thought was a fingerprint match.
KARIN IMMERGUT, U.S. ATTORNEY: The initial fingerprint that identified Mr. Mayfield was based on a computer match, supported by the analysis of fingerprint experts at the FBI lab in Quantico; who had nothing and had never heard of Brandon Mayfield.
ARENA: The problem, according to the FBI, was that examiners were working off what officials say was a sub-standard copy of the print found at the scene of the bombings, not the original. When Spanish authorities last week said the print belonged to an Algerian man, the FBI sent a team to Madrid to have a look at the Real McCoy.
BOB JORDAN, FBI SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE: The FBI regrets the hardships that this matter has placed upon Mr. Mayfield and his family.
ARENA: That may not be enough for Mayfield, who was never charged in the case, but held for two weeks as a material witness. He's considering legal action.
MAYFIELD: I'm what? Two or three days out of the detention center and I'm just now starting to not shake. My blood pressure, you know, risen. My pulse has risen. My heart hurts.
ARENA (on camera): The case may prompt changes in how the FBI does fingerprint analysis. The bureau says it is considering adopting new guidelines for examiners who are not dealing with an original print.
Kelli Arena, CNN, Washington.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Ahead, the president's pronouncements to win support for his handover plan in Iraq. Carlos Watson takes a closer look at the president's speech and how it's playing.
And in the nation's mid section, officials warn one river hasn't even reached its crest yet. A live report from the rising water from Gurnee, Illinois.
Later, what's does the average Iraqi want from the struggle for democracy and freedom? This is CNN LIVE TODAY.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: President Bush has unveiled his plan for returning control of Iraq to the Iraqis. It comes as his job rating has slumped to the lowest level since he took office. Look at this CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll taken before last night's speech. It shows 47 percent of Americans approve of how the president is handling his job. Forty-nine percent disapprove.
Political analyst Carlos Watson has been reviewing the numbers and joins us from New York City.
Carlos, good morning.
CARLOS WATSON, POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning.
KAGAN: Two sets of numbers I want to look at here. First, the lowest numbers of approval ever for President Bush. What do you make of that?
WATSON: Obviously a lot of worry. The president's numbers on the economy, on education, on lots of individual indices are being dragged down by the perception on Iraq. And obviously the perception has lots of heads. It includes, obviously, the prisoner abuse scandal, it includes the court martialling, it includes what's happening in terms of the fighting, the beheading, et cetera. So, real problems for the president with only about 23 weeks left to go before the election.
KAGAN: And yet, if you look at another set of numbers, and that is when you ask voters would they pick President Bush or would they pick Senator John Kerry, it's pretty much a dead heat. And you have to wonder how big of an advantage John Kerry needs to really pull ahead in this race.
WATSON: Senator John Kerry's not pulled away yet. I mean for all the president's -- for all the problems rather, that the president has had over the last several weeks, indeed over the last several months as it relates to Iraq, as you saw in our -- as you see in our poll, John Kerry's only up by some two points.
I think that's part of the reason why I would really pay attention to John Kerry's speech this Thursday in Seattle. Daryn, I think he's going to take a much more aggressive, much more offensive tack when it comes to foreign policy; speaking on not only what he would do in Iraq as president, but also what he would do on other hot spots, like North Korea, like Russia, Libya, et cetera. So I think that he recognizes that he hasn't pulled away. And recognizes that there is a real danger that summer may come, the president remains close. And if things improve in Iraq, the whole political equation could change in a negative way for him. KAGAN: Well, and speaking of Iraq, any minute we're about to see some videotape. And Carlos, I'm going to invite to stay with us and watch this videotape shot a few minutes ago from the White House. It's going to show President Bush meeting with a group of Iraqis, who have come here to the U.S. not just for medical treatment, but medical treatment they need because they were abuse victims under Saddam Hussein's regime. And this is a president who has been very steadfast in believing what he did in leading the country into war in Iraq was still the correct thing to do.
WATSON: Well, as the president pointed out yesterday...
KAGAN: OK. Carlos, stand by. Let's listen to the tape.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein with six other Iraqi citizens as well who suffered the same fate. They are examples of the brutality of the tyrant.
I'm also here with Marvin Zindler of Houston, Texas. I appreciate Joe Agris, the doctor who helped put these hands on these men; Don North, the documentary producer who made a film of this brutality which brought the plight of these gentlemen to the attention of Marvin and his foundation.
These men had hands restored because of the generosity and love of an American citizen, and I am so proud to welcome them to the Oval Office.
I assured them we have a plan to help Iraq achieve free elections. We'll transfer full sovereignty. They were pleased to hear that America will stay and help with security. We will continue to work on reconstruction matters.
I assured them I will continue to ask the world to help. And they want to vote.
BUSH: They want to have elections. And they're going back to Iraq soon, and we're so proud to have them here in the Oval Office.
Again, thank you, sir, for coming.
MR. KADHIM: Thank you very much.
BUSH: I appreciate that. Thank you.
Please be seated. And I'll answer a couple of questions.
QUESTION: Mr. President, can you say why General Sanchez is being replaced as the top commander in Iraq? Is that in any way related to the prisoner abuse scandal? And who's going to replace him?
BUSH: Rick Sanchez has done a fabulous job. He's been there for a long time. His service has been exemplary. And the Defense Department will add further comments to it. QUESTION: Mr. President, Chirac's office is quoted as saying President Chirac told you that the transfer of power has to be real.
BUSH: Yes.
QUESTION: Can you describe what you may have said that him to reassure him that the transfer of power...
BUSH: Yes. What President Chirac and others have said is they want to make sure that the transfer of sovereignty to the interim government is a real transfer.
And that's what we want. We want there to be a complete and real transfer of sovereignty so that the Iraqi citizens realize the fate of their country is now their responsibility.
And we'll be there to help. And we'll help in a variety of ways. We'll help by making sure our security forces are there to work with their security forces. We'll help to make sure the reconstruction money we have set aside is well spent. We'll help by getting -- to continue to work with other countries to help aid a free Iraq. We'll do what we need to do to help the interim government succeed in getting to the period of free elections.
BUSH: And I had a great conversation with President Chirac. We share the same goal: a free and stable and peaceful Iraq.
QUESTION: Mr. President, looking forward to the elections that you'd like to see in Iraq, is it imperative for Iraq to end up with a democracy, or are free elections enough to satisfy your aims at this point?
BUSH: What's imperative is the Iraqi citizens develop a constitution that they can call their own, a constitution written and approved by Iraqis.
As I said last night, our intention was never to have Iraq look like America. Our intention was to have Iraq be free and stable and whole; at peace with its neighbors.
A free Iraq will help change the history of the greater Middle East. A free Iraq will show the rest of the world that when people are given the chance their families in peace and security a civil society that's stable and hopeful will develop.
We want a society where the men who've suffered so much because of the whims of one brutal man, where their children can grow up and realize their full potential, where the schools work, where the health care system is good.
And there's no doubt in my mind that Iraq can achieve this great dream and vision. And there's no doubt in my mind someday their children will come to America, and say, "Thank goodness America stood the line and were strong and did not falter in the face of the violence of a few."
Thank you all for coming. Glad to have you here. God bless.
KAGAN: We've been listening in to the White House videotape that was shot there within the last hour. President Bush welcoming seven Iraqi men who came here to the U.S. These were men that were victims of Saddam Hussein's regime. They had, as a punishment, had their right hand cut off. They came here to Texas and had those hands restored with prosthetic devices. We're going to have much more on their story just ahead.
Right now, let's go to the political effect of what the president is facing; especially since the speech that he gave last night. And bring our John King in who has been listening in at the White House as well.
John, you heard the president talk a lot, making a lot of the same points that he made last night. The transfer of power will take place on and by June 30. But also, the impression and importance of the Iraqi people believing that this is different than the government that they've been under so far.
KING: Important, Daryn, for the Iraqi people to believe that. That this new interim government will be a temporary government, and they will get a new constitution, and they will get quickly by late this year or early next year national elections to elect a new assembly. The president trying to answer his skeptics on the ground in Iraq.
Also, his skeptics at the United Nations Security Council, because the president wants a new resolution to give this new interim government United Nations blessing. And of course, we've been through this before. France, Germany, and others raising questions about the U.S.' plans. President Chirac of France saying he wants to make sure this new government has, quote, "real power."
So the president trying to say U.S. troops will stay for security. U.S. troops will stay to help with reconstruction effort. But that the new limited -- the new government, even with its limited powers, will have sovereignty over Iraq. The debate at the United Nations is just beginning, Daryn. Everyone here at the White House believes it will be less acrimony as last time. But they do know they have some tough questions from France, Germany, and others to answer before they can get that new resolution passed. The president trying to address that.
And also saying the commander on the ground in Iraq, General Ricardo Sanchez, he will be rotating out. The president says he's rotating out because it's time to rotate him out, not in any way any punishment, or sanction, or displeasure here at the White House, according to the president.
KAGAN: Also, in talking about the expectation as we did at the top of the hour, you and I, John talked about. You heard the president talk a lot about the next step for Iraq, about a free Iraq, about elections. But you really didn't hear him use the word "democracy" as much as he has in the past. KING: Interesting question here. You've had some Republican lawmakers in Congress say hand it over to the interim government and then let's see what happens. As long as they have a new constitution and a modicum of freedom, as one put it the other day, that would be OK with him. The president and White House still insist Iraq should go on a path to democracy. But the president being very careful in saying let the Iraqi government -- the new interim government and then the new transitional assembly choose that path. It might look nothing at all like the United States, might look nothing at all like we see in Great Britain, or their parliamentary system. The president saying, yes, a democracy. But he's trying to insist here that he's not trying to say just what that democracy should look like.
KAGAN: John King at the White House, more from you at the top of the hour.
Let's go ahead and bring back in our political analyst Carlos Watson, who was also listening to the videotape.
Very moving there, Carlos, to see these men having their right hands restored. And we will, as I've said, have more on their stories just ahead. But this is the emotional side of President Bush, who has been resolute in that it was correct. And he's been unwavering in what has meant to go into Iraq, no matter what the cost has been.
WATSON: Well, you hear the president say in this nation of 25 million people that he's put the nation on a different path. That America has put -- Iraq on a different path with what they've done in humanitarian ways, as well as a military way.
But I think he's going to continue to face two very difficult sets of critics. And they're not who you expect. I don't think the voters and not necessarily international critics. But significantly, Republican members of Congress, like John McCain, like Chuck Hagel, like Lindsey Graham, who have been asking very difficult questions about what the administration plans to do in Iraq.
And I think the second very difficult set of questions will come from Republican members of the media, people like our own Tucker Carlson, people like Bob Novak, as well as columnists like George Will. I think that's where the president facing the most difficult set of fire between now and June 30. I think at a minimum, he's got to win over those two sets of observers. And if he's not able to do that, I think you'll see his numbers fall even further.
KAGAN: All right. Carlos Watson, we'll also see more from you in the next hour, about where you've been going and the different voters that you've been talking to.
We're at 26 minutes past the hour. Bracing for the worst in the Midwest. Days of severe storms leave a community wrecked. And the new area now braces for a river to crest. A live report from Illinois is straight ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: The battle for complete control in Najaf, a mosque is damaged overnight and residents are not happy.
Actually, let's look at live pictures. Pictures/videotape we're getting in from New Mexico. Very far from Najaf. Raging flames reach for the sky, as crews fight two ferocious fires that have burned almost 13,000 acres in New Mexico so far. And fire restrictions are being imposed in central New Mexico. Some two-dozen homes have been evacuated. And 50 miles away, over 500 people are fighting a fire in the Cibola National Forest.
Farther west in California, Scott Peterson's lawyers say that prosecutors held back information that could clear their client, and just turned it over last week. Now defense attorney Mark Geragos wants sanctions against the prosecution in Peterson's double murder trial. At issue, Geragos says that police ignored other leads and focused solely on Peterson. The prosecution has not responded to that allegation.
And Union workers have reached a tentative agreement with SBC Communications, ending a four-day strike. The new five-year contract includes a wage hike, a job security plan, and a compromise on health care costs. The deal must still be ratified by union membership.
And retired U.S. General Tommy Franks is receiving an honorary knighthood from the British today. The award recognizes his leadership of coalition troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. An anti-war member of Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labor Party called the award, the ultimate in bad taste. It is an honorary degree, so you want have to call him "Sir Tommy."
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