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CNN Live At Daybreak

New Terror Concerns; Nuclear Scientist Does Not Want to be Iraqi Prime Minister

Aired May 27, 2004 - 06:30   ET

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

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


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. forces have their doubts.
This is DAYBREAK for Thursday, May 27.

And good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. Let me bring you up to date now.

More British troops will soon be heading to Iraq. That's the word this morning from a British defense ministry spokesman. He says commanders on the ground asked for more soldiers, and he will get them.

A hearing today in London on the extradition of firebrand Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the United States. British media says U.S. authorities plan to bring terrorism-related charges against Abu Hamza.

In money news, sales of new homes dropped nearly 12 percent last month, the biggest decline in a decade. The drop came as mortgage rates reached a five-month high.

In sports, the top finisher is Morphosis, the architectural firm has been named the winner of a design study for housing 16,000 athletes at the proposed 2012 summer Olympics in New York City.

In culture, Sarah Jessica Parker is taking her style beyond "Sex and the City." Parker has been signed to appear in TV ads for The Gap nationwide.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: We have new information for you this morning on an American who allegedly works for al Qaeda. He's one of seven people the FBI is now searching for. We're going to see home video in just a second.

Adam Gadahn is on the right in the white shirt. It's believed these pictures were taken while he was still in high school.

His father says he hasn't seen his son, Adam, in years, but says he did convert to Islam and has spent time in Pakistan.

Take a look at Gadahn and the other six suspects. If you have any information, contact the FBI.

And despite what the FBI and the attorney general are saying about a possible terrorist attack in the United States, some law enforcement officials are not quite convinced there is an attack on the American horizon.

Deborah Feyerick has more on that for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In New York, an emergency drill went on as normal. Police there and in Los Angeles and Chicago say the new terror alert won't change the way they already operate.

RAY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: It lacks specificity. So again raising the level is not going to be particularly effective unless you can, I think, focus to a greater degree on the nature of the threat.

FEYERICK: Here's what top officials know about the suspected attack:

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: An al Qaeda spokesman announced that 90 percent of the arrangements for an attack in the United States were complete.

FEYERICK: Here's what they don't know:

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Unfortunately, we currently do not know what forms the threat may take.

FEYERICK: It's that kind of intelligence, apparently critical but incomplete, that frustrates police and city officials across the country.

MAYOR RICHARD DALEY, CHICAGO: They have a responsibility. We cannot live in a 24-hour alert, seven days a week for the rest of the year. That is impossible.

FEYERICK: Federal and local law enforcement sources shrugged off the new threat warnings, one calling it "all old stuff," another "hyperbole," and a third saying they're just going to reissue the "same old pictures."

The top justice officials are hoping those old pictures help them develop new leads or, better yet, stop an attack.

MUELLER: We will not take any chances.

FEYERICK: One counterterrorism expert described the alerts as good politics, saying it reminds people the government's doing something. Others defended the announcement.

BILL DALY, FORMER FBI INVESTIGATOR: This is not just something that's popped up just because it's politics season, because it's election season, but it's driven by intelligence.

FEYERICK (on camera): The press conference by the attorney general and head of the FBI had been in the works since last week. There are no plans to change the nation's threat level, which remains elevated at yellow.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Our Iraq situation report for you today. Three more U.S. Marines have been killed in the war. Members of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force were killed in action in Al Anbar province, which includes the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. It brings the American death toll in Iraq to 805.

Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr appears to be putting a temporary hold on his offer to withdraw most of his militiamen from Najaf if coalition troops will pull out of the city. That's from our Guy Raz in Baghdad. U.S. commanders say the offer is similar to ones that al- Sadr made earlier, and they will continue operations in Najaf.

Britain is expected to make an announcement today on its troop levels in Iraq, and there is speculation several thousand more British soldiers will be sent to southern Iraq.

A little more than a month from now -- there's a little more than a month, I should say, to the handoff of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government. An Iraqi nuclear scientist, Hussain al-Shahristani, is the choice of some to be the new prime minister, but that's not Shahristani's choice, as Richard Roth reports from the United Nations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): He was Iraq's prime minister for a day, or at least appointed by the media. The name of Hussain al-Shahristani was leaked by several sources in Iraq and Washington as a potential prime minister in the new interim Iraqi government.

ROBIN WRIGHT, "WASHINGTON POST": At the moment, the leading candidate is a very unusual choice, a man named Hussain Shahristani, who's a nuclear scientist, a Shiite Muslim.

ROTH: But as the spotlight brightened, Shahristani got cold feet. The U.N. troubleshooter, Lakhdar Brahimi, who was interviewing candidates and getting advice from Iraqis, issued a statement through a spokesman announcing the withdrawal of the former Iraqi prisoner under Saddam Hussein from the post of prime minister.

Brahimi said nobody has been chosen for the new Iraqi government.

"Mr. Shahristani, however, has himself clarified that he would prefer to serve his country in other ways."

Brahimi warned that debating potential candidates risks undermining the selection process and puts people in compromising positions.

FRED ECKHARD, U.N. SPOKESMAN: He's trying to get names that the Iraqis themselves can agree on. He's not imposing names.

ROTH: The name game is at least something the U.S. and France can agree on.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: The only thing I would say now is our understanding is that there is nothing nailed down, that nobody has been chosen.

JEAN MARC DE LA SABLIERE, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We are not going, you know, to make any comment on (UNINTELLIGIBLE). What is important is for the council to be sure that the government, which will be presented by Mr. Brahimi, will be accepted.

ROTH (on camera): Just because he doesn't want to be prime minister doesn't mean Shahristani won't end in another post in the new Iraqi government. In his lifetime, he was tortured by Saddam's prison guards and escaped the country with his family. This nuclear scientist will survive one day under the global media microscope.

Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Using the new terror warning as a backdrop, Senator John Kerry delivers a speech on national security today. And bowing to pressure, Kerry says he will accept his party's nomination at the Boston convention in July.

Kerry's campaign had said he might delay the acceptance to improve his financial footing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I decided personally in the end, my gut told me that I wanted to do what I thought was right, which is accept the nomination in Boston. Boston is where I've lived, raised my family. I've represented the state of Massachusetts now for 20 years. It's been a privilege. And I felt the journey to the nomination ought to be properly completed in Boston.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: President Bush's handling of the war on terrorism is widely considered his political strength so far this election year. However, when Americans are asked specifically, they are evenly split on whether he's doing a good job in the fight against terror.

You can easily keep a pace with the candidates on the campaign trail. Just punch up our political site, CNN.com.

OK, so, as you think about loading up the car and driving for miles and miles to your family's Memorial Day picnic, how do you save?

Let's head live to D.C. for some help and the AAA's Mantill Williams. Good morning.

MANTILL WILLIAMS, AAA: Good morning, Carol. How are you doing?

COSTELLO: Good. First of all, will gas prices drop at all between now and August?

MANTILL: Well, I wish I had a crystal ball so I could tell you the answer to that question. I have some good news and bad news for you. I guess first the good news. Saudi Arabia signaled that they will cut -- they will boost production. So, maybe that will be a signal for the other OPEC countries when they meet on June 3 so maybe others will also increase their production.

Also, we're at the point to where we've completed that transfer to the more environmentally-friendly fuel.

But the bad news is we're still seeing instances of sabotage to the Iraqi oil production. And you'll probably see a little bit more sabotage before the Bush administration hands over sovereignty before June 30.

COSTELLO: And the gas prices will probably go up some more. You know, I've seen so many polls that people say they're going to drive less because of gas prices. But will they really drive less?

WILLIAMS: We don't think so. Our information shows that, you know, driving is actually going to be up. Overall, 37 million people will be driving for the Memorial Day holiday, and that's about a 3.6 percent increase. Over 30 million will be going by car. About four million will be going by plane. And we'll see about a 5 percent increase in air travel.

So, we think that automobile travel will increase, mainly because the fuel prices are a very small part of your overall vacation costs. And, Carol, when you think about it, even on some of the longest trips, when we surveyed, some people said they might go 800 miles. If you're going 800 miles and you get about 20 miles a gallon, you're increase in costs from the previous year is only $20. So, that's not going to be deal-breaker. That's not going to stop you from going on vacation.

COSTELLO: But still, people are going to want to save money. So, do you have some tips for us?

WILLIAMS: Yes, absolutely. People need to really focus on three things.

No. 1, you need to make sure that you choose the shortest and most efficient route. And we suggest doing that by going to AAAmaps.com, so you can go ahead and print you out a trip tick.

No. 2, drive the more fuel-efficient vehicle. It might be a time to park that SUV.

And then, of course, No. 3, make sure your vehicle is well- maintained. Doing something simple as just making sure the inflation pressure on your tires is at a correction level, you can increase your fuel efficiency by as much as 25 percent.

COSTELLO: These seem like such common-sense tips. Do most people not follow them?

WILLIAMS: I don't know, Carol. Do you check your tires once a week and make sure the inflation pressure is correct? I don't know. You tell me.

COSTELLO: No, I don't, I must admit.

WILLIAMS: OK.

COSTELLO: And I probably take the longest drive, because I'm always afraid of getting lost, too. So, I guess I should just shut my mouth. Mantill Williams, thank you very much, joining us live from D.C.

WILLIAMS: All right, thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: Madonna has done it, so has Missy Elliott and other top names in entertainment. But now, a name synonymous with sex is jumping into The Gap ad campaign fray. Details ahead in our business buzz.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for a little business buzz now. We've seen khakis swing and rock. Madonna and Missy Elliott have worn them, too. But can Gap ads get even sexier?

Carrie Lee has more live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Can they?

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Well, they're certainly going to try starting in August, Carol. The Gap has signed on the star of "Sex and the City," Sarah Jessica Parker, to be the spokeswoman for its new ad campaign. So, starting later this summer, we'll see the actress who played Carrie Bradshaw -- there's a look at reference to that show -- in television spots and magazine ads through the end of the year.

The question is: Is Parker going casual or is The Gap going glam? Well, maybe a little bit of both. Part of the focus to ad campaign is going to be the focus on more wardrobes rather than individual items. Parker reportedly will get to pick her own Gap clothes to model, and she's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with some high-end jewelry, shoes, to kind of create her own look. So, that's sort of the idea The Gap is going for.

And, you know, Carol, it's not only Parker that The Gap has signed on, but also they've hired Gucci's former chief, Dominico de Sol (ph). He's going to be a board member. So, kind of mixing things up a little bit here as The Gap continues to its 18 month turnaround.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: Well, you know, it's interesting, because they had gone back to tradition, and that made the stock price rise. They were becoming quite successful. You have to wonder if they're going to change again and if that's a bad idea.

LEE: Well, they went back to basics. You're absolutely right. That started to turn things around. And I think they're staying with that basic theme, but with a little bit of edge. Looking at the fall lineup, reports say that things have a little bit more edge, and they're trying to get people to go in and maybe rather than just buy one tank top or one cute skirt, maybe put together a whole look. So, that's the concept, and we'll see these ads starting, again, in August.

COSTELLO: All right, Carrie Lee reporting live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:46 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

More British troops will soon be heading to Iraq. That's the word this morning from a British defense ministry spokesman. He says commanders on the ground asked for more soldiers.

Police sources say radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been arrested in London. The British government accuses him of providing support and advice to a number of terrorist groups, including al Qaeda.

In money news, the postmaster general warns that snail mail could cost more. Bills concerning changes in postal operations are now in to House and Senate committees.

In sports, the Orlando Magic gets the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery. The Los Angeles Clippers will get second choice in the draft, followed by Chicago, Charlotte and Washington.

In culture, Richard Simmons is out of legal hot water. A misdemeanor assault lawsuit against the exercise guru has been dropped. Simmons slapped a 250-pound cage wrestler for making an offhand comment about Simmons' exercise videos.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

The suspense is over. But after a super season, super stardom is now on the horizon for the new "American Idol." We'll tell you who can lay claim to the highly-sought prize, but I think you know by now who won.

Fore! And not quite country club accommodations, but for golf fans in Afghanistan, the grass could not be greener. We'll tee off in our "Lightning Round."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN SEACREST, HOST, "AMERICAN IDOL": The winner of "American Idol," 2004, is Fantasia Barrino.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: As you probably know by now, Fantasia grabbed more than 33 million votes to become the third "American Idol." Her first order of business will be the "Idol" tour of talk shows and a concert series with 11 other season three finalists. In fact, she and Diana DeGarmo are going to be on "LARRY KING" on Friday. So, the talk shows circuit has already begun.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Sixty-five million votes, you said?

COSTELLO: Sixty-five million votes.

MYERS: And she had 33 million. So, that was a pretty close race, 32 to 33.

COSTELLO: Well, Diana DeGarmo is quite -- I mean, she's quite lovable, and she's a good singer, too.

MYERS: And she's 16. She can do it next year. She can do it next year again over and over.

COSTELLO: It's in "The Wall Street Journal," "American Idol?"

MYERS: Well, you know, it's part of American culture.

COSTELLO: It's so wacky.

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: So, apparently, you had four hours after the show ended...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... on Tuesday to vote.

MYERS: A lot more voting time this time than last time. Remember there was so much controversy last time. We couldn't get in. My phone lines were down. And then the home town of the person that didn't win, their phone lines were down because the power was out, and so they kind of got all that fixed and...

COSTELLO: I'm sure some kind of controversy will arise, though.

MYERS: Oh, there will be some power dialer. They'll find out that somebody voted 250 million times or something like that. You know, it's all...

COSTELLO: Yes. Well, congratulations to Fantasia.

MYERS: Exactly. She won, and she won fair and square.

COSTELLO: She certainly did.

Hey, it is time to reveal the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz.

MYERS: We got two good questions from yesterday, and one about Lisa Drayer. She named two types of fat that will increase your risk of heart disease. What are they? The answer to that one would be trans-fat and saturate fat. And in the latest "USA Today"/CNN/Gallup Poll, what percentage of people said that the high gas prices will make them drive less this summer? That number was 56 percent.

And the person is John R. Bloise. It's probably French. It's probably not how they say it. From Addison, New York. Congratulations, New York. That might be your first (UNINTELLIGIBLE) up there.

COSTELLO: It's probably Bloise. Who knows?

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: But, John, we're sorry if we butchered your name. But congratulations. You are the winner of the beautiful DAYBREAK mug.

MYERS: I don't think it's Bloise, probably not.

COSTELLO: No, definitely not.

MYERS: But it's Bloise, OK. Well, anyway you can e-mail us a little pronunciation, too, if you want.

Don't answer those questions, because they were already answered yesterday. Here is your chance to win one tomorrow.

The questions: What's the name of the new movie depicting global warming and its disastrous effects on the Earth? And, Mantill Williams -- we just talked to him up there -- from the AAA said three ways to deal with high gas prices this summer travel. Name two of the three ways to deal with those high gas prices.

COSTELLO: Yes, tips to save gas when you travel.

MYERS: So pretty straightforward, yes, but you're going to have to think about it. Just remember that old story.

COSTELLO: Exactly. Daybreak@CNN.com. Daybreak@CNN.com. Of course, Chad will announce the winner tomorrow in his elegant fashion.

MYERS: I will do my best.

COSTELLO: Chad will join me for "The Lightning Round" coming up, but first the latest headlines for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Andre 3000 is 30?

MYERS: He's 30.

COSTELLO: He looks like such a young man, doesn't he?

MYERS: He used to be 16. Now he's 30! Wow!

COSTELLO: He's so awesomely talented.

MYERS: I think I'm getting old quick.

COSTELLO: Well, we know that. Well, me too.

MYERS: Well, you know, thank you, but go ahead.

COSTELLO: It is time for our "Lightning Round." So, let's get to it.

Another edible treat. This is the largest, heaviest ice cream cake ever. It weighs -- go ahead, Chad. It weighs...

MYERS: It weighs 12,096 pounds, but I'm not sure how they got it not to melt.

COSTELLO: Isn't that incredible? Think of all of those calories.

MYERS: Wow!

COSTELLO: Dozens of people created it in honor of the Carvell Ice Cream Company's 70th birthday.

MYERS: Yes, not Atkins-friendly, I'm afraid.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: Up for a round of golf, Chad?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Just watch out for the sand, the rocks, and, of course, the bomb craters.

MYERS: Oh!

COSTELLO: Those are just a few of the hazards at the recently- reopened Kabul Golf Club. That's cool, though, to reopen that.

MYERS: It is, yes.

COSTELLO: And they're actually playing.

MYERS: Yes. COSTELLO: We like that. We applaud that.

MYERS: There are a lot of golf courses out there in the sand, to be really honest. And so, it's good to see this.

COSTELLO: And that is in the sand.

MYERS: Yes, you are always in the trap.

COSTELLO: You know, if you get a chance, you should click on to CNN.com and look at the face transplant story, because this is amazing. Doctors are on the verge of transplanting a face from a cadaver onto the face of a living person. Amazing stuff. CNN.com.

That does it for us this morning. I'm Carol Costello along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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


Aired May 27, 2004 - 06:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: U.S. forces have their doubts.
This is DAYBREAK for Thursday, May 27.

And good morning to you from the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Carol Costello. Let me bring you up to date now.

More British troops will soon be heading to Iraq. That's the word this morning from a British defense ministry spokesman. He says commanders on the ground asked for more soldiers, and he will get them.

A hearing today in London on the extradition of firebrand Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the United States. British media says U.S. authorities plan to bring terrorism-related charges against Abu Hamza.

In money news, sales of new homes dropped nearly 12 percent last month, the biggest decline in a decade. The drop came as mortgage rates reached a five-month high.

In sports, the top finisher is Morphosis, the architectural firm has been named the winner of a design study for housing 16,000 athletes at the proposed 2012 summer Olympics in New York City.

In culture, Sarah Jessica Parker is taking her style beyond "Sex and the City." Parker has been signed to appear in TV ads for The Gap nationwide.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: We have new information for you this morning on an American who allegedly works for al Qaeda. He's one of seven people the FBI is now searching for. We're going to see home video in just a second.

Adam Gadahn is on the right in the white shirt. It's believed these pictures were taken while he was still in high school.

His father says he hasn't seen his son, Adam, in years, but says he did convert to Islam and has spent time in Pakistan.

Take a look at Gadahn and the other six suspects. If you have any information, contact the FBI.

And despite what the FBI and the attorney general are saying about a possible terrorist attack in the United States, some law enforcement officials are not quite convinced there is an attack on the American horizon.

Deborah Feyerick has more on that for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): In New York, an emergency drill went on as normal. Police there and in Los Angeles and Chicago say the new terror alert won't change the way they already operate.

RAY KELLY, NEW YORK POLICE COMMISSIONER: It lacks specificity. So again raising the level is not going to be particularly effective unless you can, I think, focus to a greater degree on the nature of the threat.

FEYERICK: Here's what top officials know about the suspected attack:

JOHN ASHCROFT, ATTORNEY GENERAL: An al Qaeda spokesman announced that 90 percent of the arrangements for an attack in the United States were complete.

FEYERICK: Here's what they don't know:

ROBERT MUELLER, FBI DIRECTOR: Unfortunately, we currently do not know what forms the threat may take.

FEYERICK: It's that kind of intelligence, apparently critical but incomplete, that frustrates police and city officials across the country.

MAYOR RICHARD DALEY, CHICAGO: They have a responsibility. We cannot live in a 24-hour alert, seven days a week for the rest of the year. That is impossible.

FEYERICK: Federal and local law enforcement sources shrugged off the new threat warnings, one calling it "all old stuff," another "hyperbole," and a third saying they're just going to reissue the "same old pictures."

The top justice officials are hoping those old pictures help them develop new leads or, better yet, stop an attack.

MUELLER: We will not take any chances.

FEYERICK: One counterterrorism expert described the alerts as good politics, saying it reminds people the government's doing something. Others defended the announcement.

BILL DALY, FORMER FBI INVESTIGATOR: This is not just something that's popped up just because it's politics season, because it's election season, but it's driven by intelligence.

FEYERICK (on camera): The press conference by the attorney general and head of the FBI had been in the works since last week. There are no plans to change the nation's threat level, which remains elevated at yellow.

Deborah Feyerick, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Our Iraq situation report for you today. Three more U.S. Marines have been killed in the war. Members of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force were killed in action in Al Anbar province, which includes the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi. It brings the American death toll in Iraq to 805.

Radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr appears to be putting a temporary hold on his offer to withdraw most of his militiamen from Najaf if coalition troops will pull out of the city. That's from our Guy Raz in Baghdad. U.S. commanders say the offer is similar to ones that al- Sadr made earlier, and they will continue operations in Najaf.

Britain is expected to make an announcement today on its troop levels in Iraq, and there is speculation several thousand more British soldiers will be sent to southern Iraq.

A little more than a month from now -- there's a little more than a month, I should say, to the handoff of sovereignty to an interim Iraqi government. An Iraqi nuclear scientist, Hussain al-Shahristani, is the choice of some to be the new prime minister, but that's not Shahristani's choice, as Richard Roth reports from the United Nations.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICHARD ROTH, CNN SR. U.N. CORRESPONDENT (voice over): He was Iraq's prime minister for a day, or at least appointed by the media. The name of Hussain al-Shahristani was leaked by several sources in Iraq and Washington as a potential prime minister in the new interim Iraqi government.

ROBIN WRIGHT, "WASHINGTON POST": At the moment, the leading candidate is a very unusual choice, a man named Hussain Shahristani, who's a nuclear scientist, a Shiite Muslim.

ROTH: But as the spotlight brightened, Shahristani got cold feet. The U.N. troubleshooter, Lakhdar Brahimi, who was interviewing candidates and getting advice from Iraqis, issued a statement through a spokesman announcing the withdrawal of the former Iraqi prisoner under Saddam Hussein from the post of prime minister.

Brahimi said nobody has been chosen for the new Iraqi government.

"Mr. Shahristani, however, has himself clarified that he would prefer to serve his country in other ways."

Brahimi warned that debating potential candidates risks undermining the selection process and puts people in compromising positions.

FRED ECKHARD, U.N. SPOKESMAN: He's trying to get names that the Iraqis themselves can agree on. He's not imposing names.

ROTH: The name game is at least something the U.S. and France can agree on.

RICHARD BOUCHER, STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN: The only thing I would say now is our understanding is that there is nothing nailed down, that nobody has been chosen.

JEAN MARC DE LA SABLIERE, FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We are not going, you know, to make any comment on (UNINTELLIGIBLE). What is important is for the council to be sure that the government, which will be presented by Mr. Brahimi, will be accepted.

ROTH (on camera): Just because he doesn't want to be prime minister doesn't mean Shahristani won't end in another post in the new Iraqi government. In his lifetime, he was tortured by Saddam's prison guards and escaped the country with his family. This nuclear scientist will survive one day under the global media microscope.

Richard Roth, CNN, United Nations.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Using the new terror warning as a backdrop, Senator John Kerry delivers a speech on national security today. And bowing to pressure, Kerry says he will accept his party's nomination at the Boston convention in July.

Kerry's campaign had said he might delay the acceptance to improve his financial footing.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I decided personally in the end, my gut told me that I wanted to do what I thought was right, which is accept the nomination in Boston. Boston is where I've lived, raised my family. I've represented the state of Massachusetts now for 20 years. It's been a privilege. And I felt the journey to the nomination ought to be properly completed in Boston.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: President Bush's handling of the war on terrorism is widely considered his political strength so far this election year. However, when Americans are asked specifically, they are evenly split on whether he's doing a good job in the fight against terror.

You can easily keep a pace with the candidates on the campaign trail. Just punch up our political site, CNN.com.

OK, so, as you think about loading up the car and driving for miles and miles to your family's Memorial Day picnic, how do you save?

Let's head live to D.C. for some help and the AAA's Mantill Williams. Good morning.

MANTILL WILLIAMS, AAA: Good morning, Carol. How are you doing?

COSTELLO: Good. First of all, will gas prices drop at all between now and August?

MANTILL: Well, I wish I had a crystal ball so I could tell you the answer to that question. I have some good news and bad news for you. I guess first the good news. Saudi Arabia signaled that they will cut -- they will boost production. So, maybe that will be a signal for the other OPEC countries when they meet on June 3 so maybe others will also increase their production.

Also, we're at the point to where we've completed that transfer to the more environmentally-friendly fuel.

But the bad news is we're still seeing instances of sabotage to the Iraqi oil production. And you'll probably see a little bit more sabotage before the Bush administration hands over sovereignty before June 30.

COSTELLO: And the gas prices will probably go up some more. You know, I've seen so many polls that people say they're going to drive less because of gas prices. But will they really drive less?

WILLIAMS: We don't think so. Our information shows that, you know, driving is actually going to be up. Overall, 37 million people will be driving for the Memorial Day holiday, and that's about a 3.6 percent increase. Over 30 million will be going by car. About four million will be going by plane. And we'll see about a 5 percent increase in air travel.

So, we think that automobile travel will increase, mainly because the fuel prices are a very small part of your overall vacation costs. And, Carol, when you think about it, even on some of the longest trips, when we surveyed, some people said they might go 800 miles. If you're going 800 miles and you get about 20 miles a gallon, you're increase in costs from the previous year is only $20. So, that's not going to be deal-breaker. That's not going to stop you from going on vacation.

COSTELLO: But still, people are going to want to save money. So, do you have some tips for us?

WILLIAMS: Yes, absolutely. People need to really focus on three things.

No. 1, you need to make sure that you choose the shortest and most efficient route. And we suggest doing that by going to AAAmaps.com, so you can go ahead and print you out a trip tick.

No. 2, drive the more fuel-efficient vehicle. It might be a time to park that SUV.

And then, of course, No. 3, make sure your vehicle is well- maintained. Doing something simple as just making sure the inflation pressure on your tires is at a correction level, you can increase your fuel efficiency by as much as 25 percent.

COSTELLO: These seem like such common-sense tips. Do most people not follow them?

WILLIAMS: I don't know, Carol. Do you check your tires once a week and make sure the inflation pressure is correct? I don't know. You tell me.

COSTELLO: No, I don't, I must admit.

WILLIAMS: OK.

COSTELLO: And I probably take the longest drive, because I'm always afraid of getting lost, too. So, I guess I should just shut my mouth. Mantill Williams, thank you very much, joining us live from D.C.

WILLIAMS: All right, thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: Madonna has done it, so has Missy Elliott and other top names in entertainment. But now, a name synonymous with sex is jumping into The Gap ad campaign fray. Details ahead in our business buzz.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for a little business buzz now. We've seen khakis swing and rock. Madonna and Missy Elliott have worn them, too. But can Gap ads get even sexier?

Carrie Lee has more live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Can they?

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS: Well, they're certainly going to try starting in August, Carol. The Gap has signed on the star of "Sex and the City," Sarah Jessica Parker, to be the spokeswoman for its new ad campaign. So, starting later this summer, we'll see the actress who played Carrie Bradshaw -- there's a look at reference to that show -- in television spots and magazine ads through the end of the year.

The question is: Is Parker going casual or is The Gap going glam? Well, maybe a little bit of both. Part of the focus to ad campaign is going to be the focus on more wardrobes rather than individual items. Parker reportedly will get to pick her own Gap clothes to model, and she's (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with some high-end jewelry, shoes, to kind of create her own look. So, that's sort of the idea The Gap is going for.

And, you know, Carol, it's not only Parker that The Gap has signed on, but also they've hired Gucci's former chief, Dominico de Sol (ph). He's going to be a board member. So, kind of mixing things up a little bit here as The Gap continues to its 18 month turnaround.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: Well, you know, it's interesting, because they had gone back to tradition, and that made the stock price rise. They were becoming quite successful. You have to wonder if they're going to change again and if that's a bad idea.

LEE: Well, they went back to basics. You're absolutely right. That started to turn things around. And I think they're staying with that basic theme, but with a little bit of edge. Looking at the fall lineup, reports say that things have a little bit more edge, and they're trying to get people to go in and maybe rather than just buy one tank top or one cute skirt, maybe put together a whole look. So, that's the concept, and we'll see these ads starting, again, in August.

COSTELLO: All right, Carrie Lee reporting live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:46 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

More British troops will soon be heading to Iraq. That's the word this morning from a British defense ministry spokesman. He says commanders on the ground asked for more soldiers.

Police sources say radical Muslim cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri has been arrested in London. The British government accuses him of providing support and advice to a number of terrorist groups, including al Qaeda.

In money news, the postmaster general warns that snail mail could cost more. Bills concerning changes in postal operations are now in to House and Senate committees.

In sports, the Orlando Magic gets the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft lottery. The Los Angeles Clippers will get second choice in the draft, followed by Chicago, Charlotte and Washington.

In culture, Richard Simmons is out of legal hot water. A misdemeanor assault lawsuit against the exercise guru has been dropped. Simmons slapped a 250-pound cage wrestler for making an offhand comment about Simmons' exercise videos.

(WEATHER BREAK)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you.

The suspense is over. But after a super season, super stardom is now on the horizon for the new "American Idol." We'll tell you who can lay claim to the highly-sought prize, but I think you know by now who won.

Fore! And not quite country club accommodations, but for golf fans in Afghanistan, the grass could not be greener. We'll tee off in our "Lightning Round."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RYAN SEACREST, HOST, "AMERICAN IDOL": The winner of "American Idol," 2004, is Fantasia Barrino.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: As you probably know by now, Fantasia grabbed more than 33 million votes to become the third "American Idol." Her first order of business will be the "Idol" tour of talk shows and a concert series with 11 other season three finalists. In fact, she and Diana DeGarmo are going to be on "LARRY KING" on Friday. So, the talk shows circuit has already begun.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Sixty-five million votes, you said?

COSTELLO: Sixty-five million votes.

MYERS: And she had 33 million. So, that was a pretty close race, 32 to 33.

COSTELLO: Well, Diana DeGarmo is quite -- I mean, she's quite lovable, and she's a good singer, too.

MYERS: And she's 16. She can do it next year. She can do it next year again over and over.

COSTELLO: It's in "The Wall Street Journal," "American Idol?"

MYERS: Well, you know, it's part of American culture.

COSTELLO: It's so wacky.

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: So, apparently, you had four hours after the show ended...

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... on Tuesday to vote.

MYERS: A lot more voting time this time than last time. Remember there was so much controversy last time. We couldn't get in. My phone lines were down. And then the home town of the person that didn't win, their phone lines were down because the power was out, and so they kind of got all that fixed and...

COSTELLO: I'm sure some kind of controversy will arise, though.

MYERS: Oh, there will be some power dialer. They'll find out that somebody voted 250 million times or something like that. You know, it's all...

COSTELLO: Yes. Well, congratulations to Fantasia.

MYERS: Exactly. She won, and she won fair and square.

COSTELLO: She certainly did.

Hey, it is time to reveal the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee quiz.

MYERS: We got two good questions from yesterday, and one about Lisa Drayer. She named two types of fat that will increase your risk of heart disease. What are they? The answer to that one would be trans-fat and saturate fat. And in the latest "USA Today"/CNN/Gallup Poll, what percentage of people said that the high gas prices will make them drive less this summer? That number was 56 percent.

And the person is John R. Bloise. It's probably French. It's probably not how they say it. From Addison, New York. Congratulations, New York. That might be your first (UNINTELLIGIBLE) up there.

COSTELLO: It's probably Bloise. Who knows?

MYERS: It is.

COSTELLO: But, John, we're sorry if we butchered your name. But congratulations. You are the winner of the beautiful DAYBREAK mug.

MYERS: I don't think it's Bloise, probably not.

COSTELLO: No, definitely not.

MYERS: But it's Bloise, OK. Well, anyway you can e-mail us a little pronunciation, too, if you want.

Don't answer those questions, because they were already answered yesterday. Here is your chance to win one tomorrow.

The questions: What's the name of the new movie depicting global warming and its disastrous effects on the Earth? And, Mantill Williams -- we just talked to him up there -- from the AAA said three ways to deal with high gas prices this summer travel. Name two of the three ways to deal with those high gas prices.

COSTELLO: Yes, tips to save gas when you travel.

MYERS: So pretty straightforward, yes, but you're going to have to think about it. Just remember that old story.

COSTELLO: Exactly. Daybreak@CNN.com. Daybreak@CNN.com. Of course, Chad will announce the winner tomorrow in his elegant fashion.

MYERS: I will do my best.

COSTELLO: Chad will join me for "The Lightning Round" coming up, but first the latest headlines for you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) COSTELLO: Andre 3000 is 30?

MYERS: He's 30.

COSTELLO: He looks like such a young man, doesn't he?

MYERS: He used to be 16. Now he's 30! Wow!

COSTELLO: He's so awesomely talented.

MYERS: I think I'm getting old quick.

COSTELLO: Well, we know that. Well, me too.

MYERS: Well, you know, thank you, but go ahead.

COSTELLO: It is time for our "Lightning Round." So, let's get to it.

Another edible treat. This is the largest, heaviest ice cream cake ever. It weighs -- go ahead, Chad. It weighs...

MYERS: It weighs 12,096 pounds, but I'm not sure how they got it not to melt.

COSTELLO: Isn't that incredible? Think of all of those calories.

MYERS: Wow!

COSTELLO: Dozens of people created it in honor of the Carvell Ice Cream Company's 70th birthday.

MYERS: Yes, not Atkins-friendly, I'm afraid.

COSTELLO: No.

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: Up for a round of golf, Chad?

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: Just watch out for the sand, the rocks, and, of course, the bomb craters.

MYERS: Oh!

COSTELLO: Those are just a few of the hazards at the recently- reopened Kabul Golf Club. That's cool, though, to reopen that.

MYERS: It is, yes.

COSTELLO: And they're actually playing.

MYERS: Yes. COSTELLO: We like that. We applaud that.

MYERS: There are a lot of golf courses out there in the sand, to be really honest. And so, it's good to see this.

COSTELLO: And that is in the sand.

MYERS: Yes, you are always in the trap.

COSTELLO: You know, if you get a chance, you should click on to CNN.com and look at the face transplant story, because this is amazing. Doctors are on the verge of transplanting a face from a cadaver onto the face of a living person. Amazing stuff. CNN.com.

That does it for us this morning. I'm Carol Costello along with Chad Myers. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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