Return to Transcripts main page
American Morning
Insurgents Surrender To Iraqi Police At Imam Ali Shrine
Aired August 20, 2004 - 09:30 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Down in Wall Street on a Friday as we close out the week of trading, oil prices pushing $50 a barrel. That's weighing on the markets. Off about 42 points yesterday; 10,040 is where the blue chips start today.
Nasdaq market site, the day after Google went public, 1,819 is the opening mark, off about 11 points in trading yesterday. Google held firm, up about 15 percent. Opened up at $85, closed at $100 a share. So Google is off and running.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: They are.
HEMMER: Good morning and welcome back.
COLLINS: And so are we. Once again, just about half past the hour now on this AMERICAN MORNING.
There may be a new development involving the status of French American journalist Micah Garen. You see him there. He was kidnapped in Iraq one week ago. We're going to go live to the state department in just a moment for an update on that.
HEMMER: Also, we'll talk to a man this morning who says he was fired because he missed work the day Charley was set to hit Florida. He says he was picking up his 81-year-old mother out of an evacuation zone.
He lost a job. We'll get a response from him and also his former boss just in a moment out of Florida on that.
COLLINS: All right, we'll get to this in just a moment.
There may be some progress now, though, in the effort to free a kidnapped journalist in Iraq. A militant group claiming to be loyal to radical leader Muqtada Al-Sadr is believed to be holding French American Micah Garen.
The U.S. state department is working for his relief -- release, that is. And Andrea Koppel is there. She's got the very latest on all of this.
Andrea, this could be some very interesting development.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: It certainly could, Heidi.
State department officials had been telling CNN that they were working with the Iraqi government and with the Italian military, which patrols the part of Southern Iraq where Micah Garen was last seen one week ago today.
But in a new development, CNN has spoken with an aide to the radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, who tells CNN "they have been assured that Micah Garen could be released either today or tomorrow."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL (voice-over): Wednesday on the Arabic language network Al-Jazeera Micah Garen is kneeling on the floor, flanked by armed militants. The group which calls itself the Martyr's Brigade issued an ultimatum threatening to kill Garen, a French American journalist, within 48 hours if U.S. forces do not withdraw from the holy city of Najaf.
They are locked in a violent standoff with militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr.
But top aides to Al-Sadr tell CNN they are working to secure Garen's safe release. In New York, FBI agents have met with Garen's fiancee while the state department said it was also in touch with Garen's family.
J. ADAM ERELI, STATE DEPT. DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: We take all information seriously. We use it. We try to act on it. Our objective is to bring about the safe release of this innocent victim of terror.
KOPPEL: Garen, a 36-year-old independent journalist with Four Corners Media, was kidnapped August 13th in the Southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya along with his Iraqi translator.
The company's Web site appeals to Garen's kidnappers "to please release him." And says Garen, who was also a still photographer, was making a documentary film on Iraq's cultural history and archaeological sites at risk inside the war zone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: Now again, an aide to radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr telling CNN this morning that they have information -- they're not saying how -- but they have information that Garen is said to be in good health and that he could be released as soon as either today or tomorrow.
What's significant about this, Heidi, is that this aide to Al- Sadr also successfully negotiated the release just last week of a British journalist, so there could be some good news for Micah Garen's family and friends.
COLLINS: Yes, that would be great for them, certainly. Andrea Koppel, thanks so much for that.
One other big development we'd like to tell you about, according to the interior ministry, Iraq police are apparently now in control of that shrine that we've been talking about four so many days, the Imam Ali mosque.
Again, Iraqi police in control of the Imam Ali mosque, and attributing that to the interior ministry.
HEMMER: That is a significant development, too.
COLLINS: Right.
HEMMER: We'll watch that for you.
In the meantime back in this country now, a week ago on this day we were talking about Charley bearing down on the Florida coast.
James Gesicki had a choice that day. He says he had to help his mother, who is 81, or keep his job.
Gesicki works for the city of Largo, and his 81-year-old mother lives in the St. Pete area. She had to evacuate her home, but the city told him he'd be fired if he didn't show up for work.
James is with us this morning, choosing his mother over his job loss. And now he's live in Tampa.
Good morning to you, James.
JAMES GESICKI, LOST JOB TO SAVE MOM: Good morning.
HEMMER: Thirty years on that job, regrets today about the decision you made?
GESICKI: No, no regrets at all.
Anybody who would have been in that situation I'm sure would have done the same thing.
HEMMER: Yes.
GESICKI: Certainly if they love their parents.
HEMMER: Your bosses told you you'd be fired anyway, right? Why did you go ahead and make the choice you did then?
GESICKI: Well, I love my mother and, of course, family comes first.
I've been a good employee for the city for 30 years. I'd been in many emergency situations for the city where we've had tornadoes, we've had floods. I've been there for all the close calls for the hurricanes. I've been there all the time.
But this was an unusual situation, and I was kind of put up against the wall. I had no choice.
HEMMER: Yes, what does your mother say about this now, James?
GESICKI: She feels very guilty that I lost my job over this situation because she feels it's because of her. And I'm trying to constantly convince her not to worry, it's not her fault.
It's the policy of the city, and that's the situation.
HEMMER: And you knew that...
GESICKI: I felt like...
HEMMER: ... going and then, if you missed work on Friday -- then I think you called in sick on Saturday, right? You knew the consequences?
GESICKI: No I didn't. No, sir. I did not call in sick at all, no. I told -- I went with the procedure of the city. I talked to my foreman and my supervisor before I left and informed them of my problem. And they said to be here on Friday when the hurricane was going to hit.
And I was at home with my mom, and if I would have gone in, I might not have been able to get back to her to protect her.
HEMMER: All right.
GESICKI: So, I called in telling them I couldn't come in, and if they needed me after the hurricane hit, of course I'd be in. I always was before.
HEMMER: What are you going to do now, James?
GESICKI: I don't know. I don't know.
HEMMER: Well, good luck to you, OK. And I hope your mother's doing all right, too.
James Gesicki there.
GESICKI: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: His side of the story. Now the side of the story from the Largo side.
Human resources director Susan Sinz our guest, also in Tampa.
Susan, good morning to you.
SUSAN SINZ, H.R. DIRECTOR, LARGO, FLORIDA: Good morning.
HEMMER: Some are saying there should have been a mercy ruling here. Why not allow him to take care of his mother and still keep his job?
SINZ: Well, James came in to a supervisor on the morning, Thursday before the storm and did apprise that he had a doctor's appointment and needed to take his mom, because she was in an evacuation zone, to safety.
And we responded by stating she was more than welcome at our employee shelter, and we had accommodations there to make her comfortable. And if she wasn't comfortable there, that he could definitely make the necessary provisions he needed to do that day, taking her up to Hernando County, which is about, which is north of this city, to safety. But he would be expected to report back to work Friday morning because he is a primary responder.
His mom does live on her own in Seminole, which is about 60 miles away from Hernando County on a daily basis. So we definitely wanted Jim to take care of the needs of his family and his home...
HEMMER: Sure, sure.
SINZ: ... as all other primary responder's.
HEMMER: Let me ask you question I asked him. Apparently, Joe Carlini is the director of environmental services down there in that area, says that he didn't hear from James on Friday. He called in sick on Saturday.
He just said he did not call in sick. Was Saturday the death now for him on that job?
SINZ: That was a different supervisor. Jim's supervisor and the director of the department is Chris Cabala (ph). And Chris definitely allowed him to take care of his home and his family, as all other people that were primary responder's were allowed to do, and then to return back at 7 a.m. for the public service that we were to render.
I have three children, two, four and seven that I had to leave, I had to prepare for as well, crying by their crib-side because I didn't know if I'd be back to help them either.
It is not an easy responsibility with regards to public service, at all...
HEMMER: One last thing.
SINZ: ... but it's something that...
HEMMER: One last thing, if I could. I apologize about the interruption.
SINZ: Sure.
HEMMER: As the only major city in area, I think, of Tampa Bay that actually terminated someone as a result of not showing up for work as a result of the storm, does the policy stay in place?
Are there any amendments to that policy after this?
SINZ: Well, if all the employees which had extremely similar situations and circumstances to Jim, if all of them were allowed to go and assist the families, we would not have had anyone there.
So I cannot say that the decision would change.
HEMMER: All right. H.R. director for Largo, Florida, Susan Sinz.
Thank you for your perspective as well...
SINZ: Thank you.
HEMMER: ... this morning in Florida -- Heidi?
COLLINS: It's been a week since Charley struck, and some other developments to tell you about now.
Hundreds of trucks packed with ice and water are parked in the hot Florida sun just outside the reach of those who need them. Until authorities find a government approved warehouse space, FEMA says the trucks cannot be unloaded.
The red tape has tied up many of the trucks for more than three days.
And the storm also separated many pets from their owners. We happen to see this a lot with disasters. So the National Humane Society has set out a center in Englewood, Florida that is trying to get pets and their owners back together. They're finding everything from dogs and cats to even lions and llamas.
Dozens of vets are lending a hand and volunteers are driving through neighborhoods looking for lost pets and their owners.
It is 39 minutes past the hour now. Time for a look at some of today's other news with Betty Nguyen. And Betty, I understand there's been confirmation now here at CNN about Iraqi police getting inside that mosque.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, we're going to tell you all about it.
Iraqi police are now in control of the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf. CNN has confirmed that Iraqi police are now inside the mosque.
Meanwhile though, in Fallujah, U.S. air strikes targeted sites that were firing on American forces. At least five Iraqis were killed. And U.S. military sources say two Marines were killed in the Al-Anbar province. One of the men was killed in action. The other died from wounds suffered in fighting earlier this week.
A new detail about the CIA's final report on its' search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. An agency spokesman now says the report might include a reference to how Iraq's weapons programs could have evolved if the U.S. hadn't invaded last March. The CIA report is due out next month.
Now to Ohio, a mysterious illness still seems to be plaguing visitors at a popular tourist spot. According to health officials, more than 300 visitors to Put-In-Bay have come down with an illness that includes nausea, fever and vomiting.
The tourist spot on Lake Erie's South Bass Island attracts about 15,000 people on weekends. Health officials have not found the source of that outbreak.
Now on to a much lighter note, the San Diego zoo is showing off a very rare resident on a special occasion. They've shone a giant panda cub, seen here, celebrated his first birthday by playing in the snow and wrestling with a frozen birthday cake. He is only the second U.S.-born panda cub to reach a first birthday.
Now that's a way to celebrate -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Gratuitous animal video.
NGUYEN: I know.
COLLINS: We love that. All right, Betty, thanks so much.
NGUYEN: Thank you.
COLLINS: I want to get a look now at the weather for the day ahead. Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the very latest. Panda weather, cold?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: In some spots, yes, exactly.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: Thank you, Chad.
In the state of New Jersey, say hello to one guy who says he's proud to be from Jersey, a life-long Democrat. Is Joe Piscopo really serious about replacing Jim McGreevey?
We talked to him earlier today here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: You're a life-long Democrat, right?
JOE PISCOPO, COMEDIAN: Yes.
HEMMER: And talk about highest property taxes in the country in your home state? Sounds a bit conservative.
PISCOPO: I know. I know. I could tell, as I go through the different items, and my agenda in my head, you know, as people talk to me and what I stand for I am very, very conservative.
But I'm a life-long Democrat. I believe -- I'm a proud Democrat. It's the working man's party, and New Jersey has its roots in working class.
The immigrants came from all over the country and they settled in New Jersey. My grandparents, they couldn't even speak English when they first came here. So, yes, I'm a Democrat, very conservative.
But high property, highest property taxes in the country.
HEMMER: Yes.
PISCOPO: Highest car insurance rates in the country. And I can't understand how great states like the one I'm in now -- Florida, Texas, Nevada they have no state income tax. How do they do it, and why can't Jersey do it?
HEMMER: Well, we'll follow your story.
By the way, Schwarzenegger went on "THE LENO SHOW" to announce his candidacy. Do you want to do that here?
PISCOPO: Oh, man. I'll have to keep that in mind. But, I -- Arnold's like, Arnold's a mega-gazillion dollar superstar. I'm just a Jersey guy. I think I'll go on the New Jersey network.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Joe Piscopo earlier today, he says he wants possibly to take the top job in the garden state earlier today.
COLLINS: All right. Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, "Minding Your Business" and why a popular discount chain is in a little hot water.
HEMMER: We're also getting updates again out of Iraq today, with regard to Najaf. We'll get you an update there live.
In a moment here back to Iraq after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. The markets are open, and Best Buy is in some hot water in the state of Ohio. Gerri's working for Andy, "Minding Your Business."
Good morning to you.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Good morning.
You know, this Best Buy thing in Ohio, it's really big. The attorney general there suing Best Buy, the biggest electronics retailer in the country, saying that they were repackaging used merchandise and selling it as new, that they are failing to pay rebates and refunds, and that they failed to honor extended contracts.
Very big deal, not the first time that Best Buy has, you know, run in to problems with the law. Also in New Jersey, they paid a fine there for some similar kinds of things. But they did not admit wrongdoing in that case.
HEMMER: That's a long list, by the way there, Gerri.
WILLIS: Yes.
HEMMER: On the markets today, oil's going to be a concern again.
WILLIS: Yes.
HEMMER: We've talked about this for weeks now. Is it going to go to $50 a barrel?
WILLIS: It could. You know, right now, $49.29 was the high it hit this morning. Dow industrials, you can see here, down again. And I've got to tell you, it's all about oil.
Oil prices rising, rising -- bad for stocks, bad for the market. And I've got to tell you about Google.
HEMMER: Yes?
WILLIS: It's up $2.40.
HEMMER: A buck, two?
WILLIS: Up $2.40
HEMMER: $102?
WILLIS: To $102.70. So, anybody here holding Google shares?
HEMMER: That's what we call a swing and a miss.
WILLIS: Yes.
HEMMER: Goog. Thank you, Gerri.
All right -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, speaking of googs, we're going to check in with Jack with the "Question of the Day."
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: When Serwer, when this thing first came out, Serwer said he was going to get some shares of Google for us. But he's nowhere to be found now.
The stock's on a rocket ride and he's in Maine chasing a lobster down the beach or something.
Anyway, who should be on the government's secret no-fly list, we asked you this morning in light of the story about Senator Kennedy being stopped at the airport three times and told that he was someone who apparently got on some list about being a potential security -- they got it sorted out. But it was a little funny, we thought.
Russell in South Milwaukee writes, "Holy cow! How could you miss the point so badly on Ted Kennedy and the no-fly list. It is either, one, the homeland security system is inept, hence we're not safer and we're all in big trouble; or two, the homeland security system works, but those in charge of it are abusing it for political purposes."
Bonnie in Ohio writes, "Put Hemmer on the secret no-fly list. Please let him know that I volunteer for the task of driving him to his out-of-state destinations. I'm an excellent driver. He can nap in the back seat of my SUV if he's tired. He can keep current on his news periodicals while I give him fashion tips. He needs a ride to Ohio this weekend, right? Pick me! Pick me!
HEMMER: Hey Bonnie, what kind of SUV do you have out there?
CAFFERTY: See, she can't hear us. I mean, she can hear us, but if she answered, we can't hear her.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: That's right.
Is that all you have?
COLLINS: Thank you, Jack.
CAFFERTY: That's all I have. I apologize.
HEMMER: No, no, no. You're fine. You're fine.
CAFFERTY: It's Friday. That's the best I can do.
HEMMER: We're getting news out of Iraq right now. On the phone with us now, Sabah Kadhim, he is a spokesperson for the interior minister.
Sir, can you hear me OK?
DR. SABAH KADHIM, SPOKESMAN FOR THE IRAQI INTERIOR MINISTRY: Just fine, thank you.
HEMMER: Tell us about the Iraqi police inside that shrine. What is the story there?
KADHIM: Well, the story there is quite simple, that Iraqi police, in fact, entered the holy shrine only to find about 500 poor helpless men with some light weaponry, who surrendered immediately and were in need of food and provisions, which the police was able to help.
In fact, at the moment there the holy shrine are being under the control of the appropriate religious authorities, with the assistance of the Iraqi police. And it is being cleaned up.
And there are no -- we are not sure where the whereabouts of Mr. Sadr himself.
HEMMER: What about the militia? Has everyone left that was there fighting?
KADHIM: Well, these were -- supposedly they are militia because it seems there was a lot of work being carried out by the Al-Sadr people over the last couple of weeks.
HEMMER: You say the militia is not there then, based on your response. Do you know where they went and how they got away?
KADHIM: Well, these were the militia. The people there, they had arms. These people were forced to stay inside helpless, wanting to be -- they were quite happy to be freed from their positions.
HEMMER: What are the Iraqi forces then and what are the U.S. forces now doing in Najaf?
KADHIM: The U.S. forces and the other Iraqi forces are outside the holy shrine. So nobody entered, except the Iraqi police, without a shot being fired. And nobody was killed or injured.
HEMMER: All right, Dr. Sabah Kadhim. He's there with the interior ministry there in Iraq, a spokesperson for that division of the new Iraqi government.
So as it stands now, the militia is gone, and apparently the police have entered, and the religious authorities also taking over that shrine there in Najaf.
More when we get it out of Iraq. Now, Heidi with more.
COLLINS: Also when we come back, the story of one American soldier who is now fighting back after nearly losing her life in Iraq.
Stay with us. We'll tell you about it here AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Now in our "Extra Effort" segment this Friday morning, a story of courage and determination. It's about an Army soldier who shares a distinction with only three other Iraq war veterans. But it's a distinction nobody would want.
Barbara Starr explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Army First Lieutenant Dawn Halfaker more than keeps up as she works out alongside other amputees at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She lost her right arm in Iraq after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
1st LT. DAWN HALFAKER, U.S. ARMY: It came kind of from the back and through. And it took a big chunk out of here. And then it came through this way and took off basically the top part of my arm.
STARR: She woke up days later at Walter Reed.
HALFAKER: I was screaming, you know, don't cut my arm off and things of that nature. So my dad calmed me down. And told me, you know, you've already lost your arm. So it was a lot to take in from just waking up.
STARR: A West Point graduate where she starred on the basketball team, Halfaker, 25 years old, is one of only three female amputees from the war, a woman in combat now facing intensely personal challenges.
HALFAKER: The hair has been a big issue. I feel, as a female, you might relate. I can't do my own hair as of yet, which is very, very difficult. You know, you want to look nice, and it's hard.
But then moving down, you know, obviously the bra. You know, it's hard to put on a bra with one hand. So, you know, guys aren't faced with that.
You know, putting on makeup, I was trying to do this eye, and I'm trying to put on mascara, so that was a little bit tough.
STARR: Still, Halfaker thought the Army would be her life.
HALFAKER: You know, I had all these plans. All of a sudden your life is just turned upside down.
STARR: Now moving on, but not forgetting.
HALFAKER: There's no way you can go through this alone. You need people to be able to talk to, to vent, you know, to ask why.
STARR: Barbara Starr, CNN, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: First Lieutenant Dawn Halfaker, a portrait in courage this AMERICAN MORNING.
We'll be back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: We've got to run. We're way out of time. Have a great weekend.
And watch for Jack on Saturday and Sunday.
CAFFERTY: In the money.
HEMMER: Yes.
Here's Daryn Kagan, also, in New York.
We'll see you here next Wednesday.
COLLINS: Thank you.
HEMMER: We'll see Daryn here on Monday morning and 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 August 20, 2004 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Down in Wall Street on a Friday as we close out the week of trading, oil prices pushing $50 a barrel. That's weighing on the markets. Off about 42 points yesterday; 10,040 is where the blue chips start today.
Nasdaq market site, the day after Google went public, 1,819 is the opening mark, off about 11 points in trading yesterday. Google held firm, up about 15 percent. Opened up at $85, closed at $100 a share. So Google is off and running.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: They are.
HEMMER: Good morning and welcome back.
COLLINS: And so are we. Once again, just about half past the hour now on this AMERICAN MORNING.
There may be a new development involving the status of French American journalist Micah Garen. You see him there. He was kidnapped in Iraq one week ago. We're going to go live to the state department in just a moment for an update on that.
HEMMER: Also, we'll talk to a man this morning who says he was fired because he missed work the day Charley was set to hit Florida. He says he was picking up his 81-year-old mother out of an evacuation zone.
He lost a job. We'll get a response from him and also his former boss just in a moment out of Florida on that.
COLLINS: All right, we'll get to this in just a moment.
There may be some progress now, though, in the effort to free a kidnapped journalist in Iraq. A militant group claiming to be loyal to radical leader Muqtada Al-Sadr is believed to be holding French American Micah Garen.
The U.S. state department is working for his relief -- release, that is. And Andrea Koppel is there. She's got the very latest on all of this.
Andrea, this could be some very interesting development.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: It certainly could, Heidi.
State department officials had been telling CNN that they were working with the Iraqi government and with the Italian military, which patrols the part of Southern Iraq where Micah Garen was last seen one week ago today.
But in a new development, CNN has spoken with an aide to the radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, who tells CNN "they have been assured that Micah Garen could be released either today or tomorrow."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL (voice-over): Wednesday on the Arabic language network Al-Jazeera Micah Garen is kneeling on the floor, flanked by armed militants. The group which calls itself the Martyr's Brigade issued an ultimatum threatening to kill Garen, a French American journalist, within 48 hours if U.S. forces do not withdraw from the holy city of Najaf.
They are locked in a violent standoff with militia loyal to Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr.
But top aides to Al-Sadr tell CNN they are working to secure Garen's safe release. In New York, FBI agents have met with Garen's fiancee while the state department said it was also in touch with Garen's family.
J. ADAM ERELI, STATE DEPT. DEPUTY SPOKESMAN: We take all information seriously. We use it. We try to act on it. Our objective is to bring about the safe release of this innocent victim of terror.
KOPPEL: Garen, a 36-year-old independent journalist with Four Corners Media, was kidnapped August 13th in the Southern Iraqi city of Nasiriya along with his Iraqi translator.
The company's Web site appeals to Garen's kidnappers "to please release him." And says Garen, who was also a still photographer, was making a documentary film on Iraq's cultural history and archaeological sites at risk inside the war zone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: Now again, an aide to radical cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr telling CNN this morning that they have information -- they're not saying how -- but they have information that Garen is said to be in good health and that he could be released as soon as either today or tomorrow.
What's significant about this, Heidi, is that this aide to Al- Sadr also successfully negotiated the release just last week of a British journalist, so there could be some good news for Micah Garen's family and friends.
COLLINS: Yes, that would be great for them, certainly. Andrea Koppel, thanks so much for that.
One other big development we'd like to tell you about, according to the interior ministry, Iraq police are apparently now in control of that shrine that we've been talking about four so many days, the Imam Ali mosque.
Again, Iraqi police in control of the Imam Ali mosque, and attributing that to the interior ministry.
HEMMER: That is a significant development, too.
COLLINS: Right.
HEMMER: We'll watch that for you.
In the meantime back in this country now, a week ago on this day we were talking about Charley bearing down on the Florida coast.
James Gesicki had a choice that day. He says he had to help his mother, who is 81, or keep his job.
Gesicki works for the city of Largo, and his 81-year-old mother lives in the St. Pete area. She had to evacuate her home, but the city told him he'd be fired if he didn't show up for work.
James is with us this morning, choosing his mother over his job loss. And now he's live in Tampa.
Good morning to you, James.
JAMES GESICKI, LOST JOB TO SAVE MOM: Good morning.
HEMMER: Thirty years on that job, regrets today about the decision you made?
GESICKI: No, no regrets at all.
Anybody who would have been in that situation I'm sure would have done the same thing.
HEMMER: Yes.
GESICKI: Certainly if they love their parents.
HEMMER: Your bosses told you you'd be fired anyway, right? Why did you go ahead and make the choice you did then?
GESICKI: Well, I love my mother and, of course, family comes first.
I've been a good employee for the city for 30 years. I'd been in many emergency situations for the city where we've had tornadoes, we've had floods. I've been there for all the close calls for the hurricanes. I've been there all the time.
But this was an unusual situation, and I was kind of put up against the wall. I had no choice.
HEMMER: Yes, what does your mother say about this now, James?
GESICKI: She feels very guilty that I lost my job over this situation because she feels it's because of her. And I'm trying to constantly convince her not to worry, it's not her fault.
It's the policy of the city, and that's the situation.
HEMMER: And you knew that...
GESICKI: I felt like...
HEMMER: ... going and then, if you missed work on Friday -- then I think you called in sick on Saturday, right? You knew the consequences?
GESICKI: No I didn't. No, sir. I did not call in sick at all, no. I told -- I went with the procedure of the city. I talked to my foreman and my supervisor before I left and informed them of my problem. And they said to be here on Friday when the hurricane was going to hit.
And I was at home with my mom, and if I would have gone in, I might not have been able to get back to her to protect her.
HEMMER: All right.
GESICKI: So, I called in telling them I couldn't come in, and if they needed me after the hurricane hit, of course I'd be in. I always was before.
HEMMER: What are you going to do now, James?
GESICKI: I don't know. I don't know.
HEMMER: Well, good luck to you, OK. And I hope your mother's doing all right, too.
James Gesicki there.
GESICKI: Thank you very much.
HEMMER: His side of the story. Now the side of the story from the Largo side.
Human resources director Susan Sinz our guest, also in Tampa.
Susan, good morning to you.
SUSAN SINZ, H.R. DIRECTOR, LARGO, FLORIDA: Good morning.
HEMMER: Some are saying there should have been a mercy ruling here. Why not allow him to take care of his mother and still keep his job?
SINZ: Well, James came in to a supervisor on the morning, Thursday before the storm and did apprise that he had a doctor's appointment and needed to take his mom, because she was in an evacuation zone, to safety.
And we responded by stating she was more than welcome at our employee shelter, and we had accommodations there to make her comfortable. And if she wasn't comfortable there, that he could definitely make the necessary provisions he needed to do that day, taking her up to Hernando County, which is about, which is north of this city, to safety. But he would be expected to report back to work Friday morning because he is a primary responder.
His mom does live on her own in Seminole, which is about 60 miles away from Hernando County on a daily basis. So we definitely wanted Jim to take care of the needs of his family and his home...
HEMMER: Sure, sure.
SINZ: ... as all other primary responder's.
HEMMER: Let me ask you question I asked him. Apparently, Joe Carlini is the director of environmental services down there in that area, says that he didn't hear from James on Friday. He called in sick on Saturday.
He just said he did not call in sick. Was Saturday the death now for him on that job?
SINZ: That was a different supervisor. Jim's supervisor and the director of the department is Chris Cabala (ph). And Chris definitely allowed him to take care of his home and his family, as all other people that were primary responder's were allowed to do, and then to return back at 7 a.m. for the public service that we were to render.
I have three children, two, four and seven that I had to leave, I had to prepare for as well, crying by their crib-side because I didn't know if I'd be back to help them either.
It is not an easy responsibility with regards to public service, at all...
HEMMER: One last thing.
SINZ: ... but it's something that...
HEMMER: One last thing, if I could. I apologize about the interruption.
SINZ: Sure.
HEMMER: As the only major city in area, I think, of Tampa Bay that actually terminated someone as a result of not showing up for work as a result of the storm, does the policy stay in place?
Are there any amendments to that policy after this?
SINZ: Well, if all the employees which had extremely similar situations and circumstances to Jim, if all of them were allowed to go and assist the families, we would not have had anyone there.
So I cannot say that the decision would change.
HEMMER: All right. H.R. director for Largo, Florida, Susan Sinz.
Thank you for your perspective as well...
SINZ: Thank you.
HEMMER: ... this morning in Florida -- Heidi?
COLLINS: It's been a week since Charley struck, and some other developments to tell you about now.
Hundreds of trucks packed with ice and water are parked in the hot Florida sun just outside the reach of those who need them. Until authorities find a government approved warehouse space, FEMA says the trucks cannot be unloaded.
The red tape has tied up many of the trucks for more than three days.
And the storm also separated many pets from their owners. We happen to see this a lot with disasters. So the National Humane Society has set out a center in Englewood, Florida that is trying to get pets and their owners back together. They're finding everything from dogs and cats to even lions and llamas.
Dozens of vets are lending a hand and volunteers are driving through neighborhoods looking for lost pets and their owners.
It is 39 minutes past the hour now. Time for a look at some of today's other news with Betty Nguyen. And Betty, I understand there's been confirmation now here at CNN about Iraqi police getting inside that mosque.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Absolutely, we're going to tell you all about it.
Iraqi police are now in control of the Imam Ali mosque in Najaf. CNN has confirmed that Iraqi police are now inside the mosque.
Meanwhile though, in Fallujah, U.S. air strikes targeted sites that were firing on American forces. At least five Iraqis were killed. And U.S. military sources say two Marines were killed in the Al-Anbar province. One of the men was killed in action. The other died from wounds suffered in fighting earlier this week.
A new detail about the CIA's final report on its' search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. An agency spokesman now says the report might include a reference to how Iraq's weapons programs could have evolved if the U.S. hadn't invaded last March. The CIA report is due out next month.
Now to Ohio, a mysterious illness still seems to be plaguing visitors at a popular tourist spot. According to health officials, more than 300 visitors to Put-In-Bay have come down with an illness that includes nausea, fever and vomiting.
The tourist spot on Lake Erie's South Bass Island attracts about 15,000 people on weekends. Health officials have not found the source of that outbreak.
Now on to a much lighter note, the San Diego zoo is showing off a very rare resident on a special occasion. They've shone a giant panda cub, seen here, celebrated his first birthday by playing in the snow and wrestling with a frozen birthday cake. He is only the second U.S.-born panda cub to reach a first birthday.
Now that's a way to celebrate -- Heidi?
COLLINS: Gratuitous animal video.
NGUYEN: I know.
COLLINS: We love that. All right, Betty, thanks so much.
NGUYEN: Thank you.
COLLINS: I want to get a look now at the weather for the day ahead. Chad Myers at the CNN Center with the very latest. Panda weather, cold?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: In some spots, yes, exactly.
(WEATHER BREAK)
HEMMER: Thank you, Chad.
In the state of New Jersey, say hello to one guy who says he's proud to be from Jersey, a life-long Democrat. Is Joe Piscopo really serious about replacing Jim McGreevey?
We talked to him earlier today here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: You're a life-long Democrat, right?
JOE PISCOPO, COMEDIAN: Yes.
HEMMER: And talk about highest property taxes in the country in your home state? Sounds a bit conservative.
PISCOPO: I know. I know. I could tell, as I go through the different items, and my agenda in my head, you know, as people talk to me and what I stand for I am very, very conservative.
But I'm a life-long Democrat. I believe -- I'm a proud Democrat. It's the working man's party, and New Jersey has its roots in working class.
The immigrants came from all over the country and they settled in New Jersey. My grandparents, they couldn't even speak English when they first came here. So, yes, I'm a Democrat, very conservative.
But high property, highest property taxes in the country.
HEMMER: Yes.
PISCOPO: Highest car insurance rates in the country. And I can't understand how great states like the one I'm in now -- Florida, Texas, Nevada they have no state income tax. How do they do it, and why can't Jersey do it?
HEMMER: Well, we'll follow your story.
By the way, Schwarzenegger went on "THE LENO SHOW" to announce his candidacy. Do you want to do that here?
PISCOPO: Oh, man. I'll have to keep that in mind. But, I -- Arnold's like, Arnold's a mega-gazillion dollar superstar. I'm just a Jersey guy. I think I'll go on the New Jersey network.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: Joe Piscopo earlier today, he says he wants possibly to take the top job in the garden state earlier today.
COLLINS: All right. Still to come on AMERICAN MORNING, "Minding Your Business" and why a popular discount chain is in a little hot water.
HEMMER: We're also getting updates again out of Iraq today, with regard to Najaf. We'll get you an update there live.
In a moment here back to Iraq after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Welcome back, everyone. The markets are open, and Best Buy is in some hot water in the state of Ohio. Gerri's working for Andy, "Minding Your Business."
Good morning to you.
GERRI WILLIS, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Good morning.
You know, this Best Buy thing in Ohio, it's really big. The attorney general there suing Best Buy, the biggest electronics retailer in the country, saying that they were repackaging used merchandise and selling it as new, that they are failing to pay rebates and refunds, and that they failed to honor extended contracts.
Very big deal, not the first time that Best Buy has, you know, run in to problems with the law. Also in New Jersey, they paid a fine there for some similar kinds of things. But they did not admit wrongdoing in that case.
HEMMER: That's a long list, by the way there, Gerri.
WILLIS: Yes.
HEMMER: On the markets today, oil's going to be a concern again.
WILLIS: Yes.
HEMMER: We've talked about this for weeks now. Is it going to go to $50 a barrel?
WILLIS: It could. You know, right now, $49.29 was the high it hit this morning. Dow industrials, you can see here, down again. And I've got to tell you, it's all about oil.
Oil prices rising, rising -- bad for stocks, bad for the market. And I've got to tell you about Google.
HEMMER: Yes?
WILLIS: It's up $2.40.
HEMMER: A buck, two?
WILLIS: Up $2.40
HEMMER: $102?
WILLIS: To $102.70. So, anybody here holding Google shares?
HEMMER: That's what we call a swing and a miss.
WILLIS: Yes.
HEMMER: Goog. Thank you, Gerri.
All right -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, speaking of googs, we're going to check in with Jack with the "Question of the Day."
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: When Serwer, when this thing first came out, Serwer said he was going to get some shares of Google for us. But he's nowhere to be found now.
The stock's on a rocket ride and he's in Maine chasing a lobster down the beach or something.
Anyway, who should be on the government's secret no-fly list, we asked you this morning in light of the story about Senator Kennedy being stopped at the airport three times and told that he was someone who apparently got on some list about being a potential security -- they got it sorted out. But it was a little funny, we thought.
Russell in South Milwaukee writes, "Holy cow! How could you miss the point so badly on Ted Kennedy and the no-fly list. It is either, one, the homeland security system is inept, hence we're not safer and we're all in big trouble; or two, the homeland security system works, but those in charge of it are abusing it for political purposes."
Bonnie in Ohio writes, "Put Hemmer on the secret no-fly list. Please let him know that I volunteer for the task of driving him to his out-of-state destinations. I'm an excellent driver. He can nap in the back seat of my SUV if he's tired. He can keep current on his news periodicals while I give him fashion tips. He needs a ride to Ohio this weekend, right? Pick me! Pick me!
HEMMER: Hey Bonnie, what kind of SUV do you have out there?
CAFFERTY: See, she can't hear us. I mean, she can hear us, but if she answered, we can't hear her.
(LAUGHTER)
HEMMER: That's right.
Is that all you have?
COLLINS: Thank you, Jack.
CAFFERTY: That's all I have. I apologize.
HEMMER: No, no, no. You're fine. You're fine.
CAFFERTY: It's Friday. That's the best I can do.
HEMMER: We're getting news out of Iraq right now. On the phone with us now, Sabah Kadhim, he is a spokesperson for the interior minister.
Sir, can you hear me OK?
DR. SABAH KADHIM, SPOKESMAN FOR THE IRAQI INTERIOR MINISTRY: Just fine, thank you.
HEMMER: Tell us about the Iraqi police inside that shrine. What is the story there?
KADHIM: Well, the story there is quite simple, that Iraqi police, in fact, entered the holy shrine only to find about 500 poor helpless men with some light weaponry, who surrendered immediately and were in need of food and provisions, which the police was able to help.
In fact, at the moment there the holy shrine are being under the control of the appropriate religious authorities, with the assistance of the Iraqi police. And it is being cleaned up.
And there are no -- we are not sure where the whereabouts of Mr. Sadr himself.
HEMMER: What about the militia? Has everyone left that was there fighting?
KADHIM: Well, these were -- supposedly they are militia because it seems there was a lot of work being carried out by the Al-Sadr people over the last couple of weeks.
HEMMER: You say the militia is not there then, based on your response. Do you know where they went and how they got away?
KADHIM: Well, these were the militia. The people there, they had arms. These people were forced to stay inside helpless, wanting to be -- they were quite happy to be freed from their positions.
HEMMER: What are the Iraqi forces then and what are the U.S. forces now doing in Najaf?
KADHIM: The U.S. forces and the other Iraqi forces are outside the holy shrine. So nobody entered, except the Iraqi police, without a shot being fired. And nobody was killed or injured.
HEMMER: All right, Dr. Sabah Kadhim. He's there with the interior ministry there in Iraq, a spokesperson for that division of the new Iraqi government.
So as it stands now, the militia is gone, and apparently the police have entered, and the religious authorities also taking over that shrine there in Najaf.
More when we get it out of Iraq. Now, Heidi with more.
COLLINS: Also when we come back, the story of one American soldier who is now fighting back after nearly losing her life in Iraq.
Stay with us. We'll tell you about it here AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Now in our "Extra Effort" segment this Friday morning, a story of courage and determination. It's about an Army soldier who shares a distinction with only three other Iraq war veterans. But it's a distinction nobody would want.
Barbara Starr explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Army First Lieutenant Dawn Halfaker more than keeps up as she works out alongside other amputees at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She lost her right arm in Iraq after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
1st LT. DAWN HALFAKER, U.S. ARMY: It came kind of from the back and through. And it took a big chunk out of here. And then it came through this way and took off basically the top part of my arm.
STARR: She woke up days later at Walter Reed.
HALFAKER: I was screaming, you know, don't cut my arm off and things of that nature. So my dad calmed me down. And told me, you know, you've already lost your arm. So it was a lot to take in from just waking up.
STARR: A West Point graduate where she starred on the basketball team, Halfaker, 25 years old, is one of only three female amputees from the war, a woman in combat now facing intensely personal challenges.
HALFAKER: The hair has been a big issue. I feel, as a female, you might relate. I can't do my own hair as of yet, which is very, very difficult. You know, you want to look nice, and it's hard.
But then moving down, you know, obviously the bra. You know, it's hard to put on a bra with one hand. So, you know, guys aren't faced with that.
You know, putting on makeup, I was trying to do this eye, and I'm trying to put on mascara, so that was a little bit tough.
STARR: Still, Halfaker thought the Army would be her life.
HALFAKER: You know, I had all these plans. All of a sudden your life is just turned upside down.
STARR: Now moving on, but not forgetting.
HALFAKER: There's no way you can go through this alone. You need people to be able to talk to, to vent, you know, to ask why.
STARR: Barbara Starr, CNN, Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: First Lieutenant Dawn Halfaker, a portrait in courage this AMERICAN MORNING.
We'll be back in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: We've got to run. We're way out of time. Have a great weekend.
And watch for Jack on Saturday and Sunday.
CAFFERTY: In the money.
HEMMER: Yes.
Here's Daryn Kagan, also, in New York.
We'll see you here next Wednesday.
COLLINS: Thank you.
HEMMER: We'll see Daryn here on Monday morning and 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
