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CNN Live At Daybreak

Path, Destruction Caused by Hurricane Frances in Florida; Progress of Former President Clinton After Open Heart Surgery Yesterday

Aired September 07, 2004 - 06:00   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.


CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Fighting in one of Iraq's most notorious holdouts and the coalition's losses are now adding up.
It is Tuesday, September 7, and this is DAYBREAK.

Good morning, everyone.

From the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Catherine Callaway.

Thanks for being with us this morning.

In the news now, it is already proving to be a violent week in Iraq for both Americans and Iraqis. Iraqi officials say that at least 18 Iraqis are dead and dozens have been injured in fighting between U.S. troops and Shiite militiamen in Baghdad. And we have just received word that a U.S. soldier was killed today in Sadr City.

In the meantime, the U.S. military says that 11 American troops were killed in five separate combat incidents yesterday. CNN's Diana Muriel will have a live report from Baghdad coming up at 13 after the hour.

And there is mourning and anger over that deadly terrorist siege at a Russian school. Thousands of people plan to march in Moscow today in what organizers are calling a protest against terror. And our Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty will join us live at the half hour.

In Redwood City, California, Scott Peterson's murder trial moves into its 15th week. Some of today's testimony expected to focus on DNA evidence that prosecutors say back up their case.

And in New York, Bill Clinton still in the hospital this morning, but he could be out soon. Clinton underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery and doctors say he should be home by the week's end. A live report on the former president's recovery just minutes away.

And the latest now on Frances. The former hurricane has left Florida, leaving behind death and damage as it moves north now. Frances is a tropical depression. It's been blamed for nine deaths in Florida and now one in Georgia.

Here's Rob with the very latest on that -- Rob, good morning.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Catherine. It's moved inland now and weakened to a tropical depression, but still gusty winds and heavy rainfall across much of Georgia and the Carolinas. This is our Viper Doppler radar, which shows the circulation right here. And just a lot of heavy rain around it. Still getting it just north of Tampa.

All right, we'll switch gears now and show you the tornado watches that are out. This watch box is out until 2:00 p.m. It may even be extended northward as we go on through the afternoon. Typically we can get small tornadoes that pop up out of these systems. We had one yesterday in Savannah.

Rainfall a huge threat today as this blob of tropical moisture will make its way northward throughout the day. Anywhere from two to six or better inches expected from this system and its flood watches are out.

The Northeast looking good today. Your rainfall will come to you tomorrow.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: This is hurricane Ivan, Catherine, and it's heading into the Caribbean. It is expected to get back to major hurricane status and continue its march westward, possibly getting close to the Florida Peninsula by the end of the week.

That's the latest from the weather department.

I'm going to pass it back to you.

CALLAWAY: No, Rob, we don't want to hear that.

MARCIANO: I know.

CALLAWAY: We want to hear it's spinning out into the Atlantic.

MARCIANO: I hope I can say that in a couple of days.

CALLAWAY: I hope so, too.

Thanks, Rob.

Frances left a lot of people in the dark and needing the most basic supplies. Three million homes and businesses have no power in Florida. Frances has also left thousands in southern Georgia without electricity. And that's not the only thing that people don't have there. They have been lining up across the state for things like ice, water and gas.

But more relief is on the way. Nearly 1,000 Red Cross workers are gearing up to head into Florida. Insurance workers are also setting up claim centers now. People in Georgia will also need some of that relief. Frances spawned a tornado that knocked down trees near Savannah. The storm has also brought flooding to the southern part of that state. Now let's get a closer look at the trail of destruction left by Frances with CNN's Eric Philips reporting from Carrabelle, Florida.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All is quiet here in Carrabelle. The Florida Panhandle escaped the worst from Frances, but many parts of the state are still reeling from her hit, the cleanup just beginning.

(voice-over): Frances may be gone from Florida, but her calling card can still be seen across the Sunshine State. Damaged homes and buildings are a common site. Boat owners at a marina in Fort Pierce come to grips with a harsh reality.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am devastated. It is a total loss. It's a shame. It was a beautiful marina, a great place to stay and have fun. As a matter of fact, we lived on our boat while our condominium was being completed for five weeks and just totally enjoyed ourself.

PHILIPS: Several million remain without power. Tens of thousands remain in shelters. Officials are cautioning those in some of the hardest hit areas to stay away from their homes because it's too dangerous to return.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looks pretty quiet. The street lights are still out and we've asked people to try to stay off the roads. Some are listening. Some are not.

PHILIPS: Meanwhile, relief is on the way. Scores are lining up for supplies that teams are hauling in. Ice is a major commodity, especially in the sweltering heat, where no power means no refrigeration or air conditioning.

QUESTION: So, how long have you been waiting in line?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four hours.

QUESTION: Yes? Is it worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, for ice? You beat your life it is.

PHILIPS (on camera): President Bush will make a trip to the Sunshine State tomorrow to survey the damage. And then there is some positive news for Floridians. According to the latest forecast, it doesn't look like hurricane Ivan will be coming this way.

In Carrabelle, Florida, Eric Philips, CNN.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

CALLAWAY: If you would like to help out with Florida's relief efforts and financial woes there, here's who you contact to make donations. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW and the Red Cross Response Center, call 1-866-GET-INFO.

President Clinton could be headed home in a matter of days after undergoing successful bypass. Doctors say the operation went well, but warn that full recovery could take months.

And CNN's Skip Loescher is joining us from Washington with the latest on Clinton and the procedure he underwent -- good morning to you.

SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Catherine.

Doctors saying former President Clinton doing well following his open heart surgery and they're saying he could be transferred out of the intensive care unit some time later today or tomorrow, if he hasn't been already.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

LOESCHER (voice-over): Doctors say the four hour surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital came off without a hitch and former President Clinton is doing just fine.

DR. ALLAN SCHWARTZ, CHIEF OF CARDIOLOGY: He had a relatively routine quadruple bypass operation.

LOESCHER: Routine yes, but major surgery nonetheless. His chest was opened. His heart was stopped. He was put on a heart-lung machine while doctors put in blood vessels to bypass his clogged arteries. Then his heart was started again.

Doctors say the operation was absolutely necessary.

SCHWARTZ: There was a substantial likelihood that he would have had a substantial heart attack in the near future. And that was the reason for the time urgency of what was done.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Clinton!

LOESCHER: Mr. Clinton is likely to go home in four to five days.

SCHWARTZ: At home, he will have a schedule of exercises that will gradually increase.

LOESCHER: Doctors say exercise combined with a healthy diet should allow him to recover completely in two to three months.

SCHWARTZ: We have to make sure that he doesn't develop new blockages in his own blood vessels or that he doesn't clog up the bypass grafts that were done.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LOESCHER: For the former president, that means giving up fast food and doing what his doctors tell him to do -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: Which sometimes can be difficult for everyone to mind their doctors.

LOESCHER: Amen.

CALLAWAY: Police say that a single suspect is responsible for a string of six killings in Kansas City, Missouri. The FBI has been brought in now by police to help in that investigation. Five of the bodies were found over the past few days.

And we get more now from Tim Vetscher of CNN affiliate KCTV in Kansas City.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

TIM VETSCHER, KCTV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Darci Williams her mom Irene made it a point to get together every Wednesday. Two weeks ago, after having lunch, Irene dropped her daughter off here at the corner of 24th and Prospect.

IRENE WILLIAMS, MOTHER OF VICTIM: People told me later that that was also where they -- the dealing was done, drugs. And Darci was into drugs. She was.

VETSCHER: Irene knew something was wrong when Darci missed their weekly get together last Wednesday. Sunday, Irene got a call from detectives who told her they found Darci murdered at the very location Irene had dropped her off at, 24th and Prospect.

WILLIAMS: She told me that she had seen a murder and the police were trying to get her to tell. And she said I ain't screwing on nobody, because my life won't be worth a dime. And it wasn't.

VETSCHER: Willa McKinzie received a similar call from detectives, wanting to know the last time she saw her granddaughter Sheilah. Willa told them a week ago Thursday.

WILLA MCKINZIE, GRANDMOTHER OF VICTIM: I thought she was in the hospital. I thought she had a little seizure and she hadn't taken none of her medicine with her.

VETSCHER: Instead, Willa would learn, Sheilah had been killed and her body dumped at a vacant house in the 2600 block of Montgall alongside the body of another woman, Patricia Wilson Butler. Sheilah, Patricia, Darci and three others were all murdered by the same person.

MCKINZIE: I feel it's a serial killer out there. Got to be.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

CALLAWAY: That report was from Tim Vetscher from CNN affiliate KCTV. And police are asking anyone with any information to please call this number, 816-784-9070. A community group is offering a $2,000 reward for information in that case.

Stay with us, everyone.

Still to come, we have a live report from Baghdad as new violence drives the coalition death toll now closer to 1,000. That's coming up at 13 after the hour.

Also, the design at ground zero as the anniversary approaches -- a new documentary sheds some light on efforts to rebuild the sacred ground. We will talk to the film's producer at 6:22 Eastern time.

Then, as more children are buried this morning, what is the Israel connection to Russia's war on terror? That story at the bottom of the hour.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news on this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: Another U.S. troop death was just confirmed in Iraq. And that raises the number of Americans killed in the war now to 998. The past 24 hours have been particularly deadly for U.S. forces, Iraqi militants and civilians there.

Let's take you live now to Baghdad with Diana Muriel -- Diana, what's the latest?

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If you could connect me...

CALLAWAY: Diana, can you hear me?

What's the latest from there?

MURIEL: Fighting in Iraq, it's been a very bloody series of hours in the past 24. We've had seven Marines killed in Falluja, on the outskirts of that city, on Tuesday, and a further five soldiers killed in separate incidents around Iraq in the past few hours. Two dying north of Baghdad, two in Baghdad and one in Sadr City.

That brings the total of U.S. soldiers who have died since the conflict began in March, 2003, to 998.

Sadr City, as I say, the focus of extreme conflict during the course of the night, Monday through Tuesday. The ministry of health says that 30 Iraqis were killed and there were nearly 200 wounded. U.S. military sources say that one soldier died and five were wounded, that one Bradley armored personnel carrier was damaged and so was one tank. And there were three separate rocket propelled grenade attacks and five homemade bombs which exploded in Sadr City as U.S. forces were fighting to control the situation there.

There was a separate incident this morning here in Baghdad when the governor of Baghdad -- and there was an attempt to assassinate him as he was traveling to work. His convoy came under attack from small arms fire and also from another one of these homemade bombs which exploded.

From the pictures that we've seen, we've seen one body being put into a bag. But official sources have only been able to confirm that two people were wounded in that incident and the governor himself escaped unscathed -- back to you. CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Diana Muriel in Baghdad with the latest from there.

It is now 15 after the hour.

Time now for the latest news, money weather and sports.

At least 15 people were killed after Israeli helicopters fired on a camp in Gaza City. Israeli Defense Forces say that the camp was used for training Palestinian militants. As many as 50 people may have been injured in that attack.

And a massive anti-terrorism rally in Moscow should get under way just a few hours from now. The demonstration is being led by the country's trade unions to protest the growing number of terrorist attacks in Russia. That, of course, includes the siege in Beslan.

And in money news this morning, unions at Al Italia Airlines meet today in Rome to decide whether to accept a restructuring plan. The Italian government supported air carrier plans to lay off 5,000 workers, or nearly a fourth of its workforce.

And in culture, a very special birthday this week for Michelangelo's "David." The city of Florence planning a nine month celebration to mark Wednesday's 500th birthday of that masterpiece.

And turning to sports this morning, Lindsay Davenport advances to the U.S. Open quarter finals after a straight set victory over Venus Williams. Also on the women's side, defending champion and number one seed Justine Henin-Hardenne lost her match.

Of course, we've got to get a check of the weather this morning.

Frances still making a mess in the South.

MARCIANO: It certainly is -- Frances, Catherine. This is Frances, what's left of it. It will be heading up to New York tomorrow, so the U.S. Open matches may be affected tomorrow. But today everything is in Georgia, the Carolinas and in through eastern Tennessee and Kentucky.

There you go, a tornado watch out, too, for the possibility of some more small tornadoes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

CALLAWAY: You can call me Frances if I can call you Charley.

MARCIANO: It sounds good.

CALLAWAY: All right.

Time now for a little business buzz.

Several citrus crops damaged by hurricane Frances over the weekend. Stephanie Elam has the story now live at the Nasdaq market site in Times Square.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Catherine.

When you take a look at what's going on in Florida, it's a big deal. Eighty to 90 percent of the oranges and grapefruits are on the ground thanks to hurricane Frances. Charley could cost the citrus growing industry about $180 million and some are estimating that this could actually be more costly than that.

Also, the other issue, water is still hanging on around the roots and that could rot the roots there and also affect the fruit that is still hanging onto the trees. However, you may not see this affecting your orange juice prices just yet because of two bumper crops from seasons past.

Back to you -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: That's, well, a sad shot, but it was a great shot of all the grapefruits on the ground.

What about futures this morning?

ELAM: Futures are up thanks to a decision by Saudi Arabia yesterday to go ahead and cut the prices of crude oil going to the U.S. and also to Europe. So that obviously giving futures a bump today.

CALLAWAY: All right, Stephanie, thank you very much.

See you a little bit later.

Coming up, ground zero is still sacred ground for many. But rebuilding has not been easy. Coming up, the struggle to remember 9/11 through architecture.

And remembering the victims of another terrorist attack. Today, Russians plan to speak out against the rebels who took the lives of their children.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: A rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into ground zero and the people who are trying to bring that site back to life. The PBS series "FRONTLINE" is airing "Sacred Ground," a documentary that looks at the artistic and political battles behind the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site.

Joining me from London this morning is the documentary's producer, Kevin Sims.

Thanks for being with us today.

KEVIN SIMS, PRODUCER: Good morning.

Good morning.

CALLAWAY: When you started planning -- good morning to you.

When you started planning this, were you aware of the bitter turf war that was developing over this?

SIMS: I don't think anybody was aware that it would turn out the way it did. Obviously, you are dealing in a situation where there are two incredibly big forces. On the one hand, you've got 16 acres of real estate just a block away from Wall Street. On the other hand, you've got a site which carries very much a burden of the dreadful thing that had happened there to so many people and also the incredible legacy of feeling that spread in New York, America and throughout the world after 9/11.

And somehow you've got to reconcile these two things. On the one hand, the real estate; on the other hand, land that had now become sacred ground and for which people expected something really special to happen.

CALLAWAY: How much access did you have to what was going on there?

SIMS: Well, I don't think, as documentary makers, you never get invited to the high table. But I think we were behind the curtain, as it were, and there were chinks in the curtain and we could look from time to time to see what was actually happening. So it was a bit -- we were there. We saw quite a lot of what was going on. I'm sure that a great deal more went on.

But I think what we succeeded in doing was giving something of the flavor of just what passions were involved in this redevelopment.

CALLAWAY: Wow.

And do you think people are going to be surprised at how bitter this became?

SIMS: Well, I think in a sense you are always surprised when you see what's happening behind the surface.

CALLAWAY: Right.

SIMS: I mean it's in the nature of...

CALLAWAY: Because I know up front it did not seem that bitter, right? I mean, you know, it was all smiles on camera.

SIMS: On camera it was all smiles. I mean in New York, in any big -- in any project which involves an enormous amount of money, an enormous amount of organizations, government organizations, financial organizations, they create a comfort wall around the situation which mirrors and reflects, you know, bon amie and good will.

But, actually, things, I don't suppose, rarely -- things are rarely like that, in fact. And in this case, it was -- we just had a chance of looking at what really happens, what really happens behind the press conferences. And that's what we've managed to do, I think, in the film.

CALLAWAY: How do you think this is going to turn out? What is going to be the final product and how will people react, with your perspective on this now?

SIMS: Well, what you're going to get is you're -- in the end you're going to get a colossal building, a landmark building, an icon at ground zero. And I think that in the end, curiously enough, the process, which, after all, these people who are bitterly fighting in the film, they're all, in a sense, well-intentioned. They all have their -- they all believe that they have the answer to the riddle of what to do at ground zero.

And I feel that, yes, there always have to be the offices replaced. I mean that -- both architects who were in this fight knew that they had to build 10 million square feet of office space. But at the same time, I think that just at the end there is a compromise that was reached where Daniel Libeskind's reaching out to the Statue of Liberty, where his tower at 776 feet high, these gestures to American humanity and what America stands for, I think these actually got grafted onto the building that was there and represent a gesture to the humanity that now must always be attached to the site.

CALLAWAY: All right, Kevin, we'll be watching.

Kevin Sims, producer of the PBS series "FRONTLINE" documentary called "Sacred Ground," which airs on your PBS stations tonight, I believe, right, Kevin?

SIMS: That's right.

CALLAWAY: Thank you very much.

DAYBREAK continues in just a moment, everyone.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: Burying the dead -- live pictures this morning from Beslan, Russia, as an emotional day lies ahead for families of that school siege.

It is Tuesday, September 7, and this is DAYBREAK.

Good morning, everyone.

From the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Catherine Callaway.

And in the news this morning, the number of American troops killed in Iraq rises now to 998. A U.S. soldier was killed today and fighting going on now in Baghdad's Sadr City. You're looking at new live pictures -- or new pictures, rather, just in to CNN this morning. Iraq's ministry of health saying that 18 Iraqis have been killed and 136 wounded in Sadr City in just the past two days.

Congress is back in session this morning. And among items on the agenda, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence holding a hearing on ways to implement 9/11 Commission recommendations.

Army Private Lynndie England is closer to finding out if she will be court-martialed in the Abu Ghraib Prison scandal. The hearing officer in the case will make her recommendation today or tomorrow.

Florida is picking up the pieces from hurricane Frances and now assessing the damage there. The National Hurricane Center says it appears that hurricane Ivan could be veering away from hitting that state.

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 September 7, 2004 - 06:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Fighting in one of Iraq's most notorious holdouts and the coalition's losses are now adding up.
It is Tuesday, September 7, and this is DAYBREAK.

Good morning, everyone.

From the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Catherine Callaway.

Thanks for being with us this morning.

In the news now, it is already proving to be a violent week in Iraq for both Americans and Iraqis. Iraqi officials say that at least 18 Iraqis are dead and dozens have been injured in fighting between U.S. troops and Shiite militiamen in Baghdad. And we have just received word that a U.S. soldier was killed today in Sadr City.

In the meantime, the U.S. military says that 11 American troops were killed in five separate combat incidents yesterday. CNN's Diana Muriel will have a live report from Baghdad coming up at 13 after the hour.

And there is mourning and anger over that deadly terrorist siege at a Russian school. Thousands of people plan to march in Moscow today in what organizers are calling a protest against terror. And our Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty will join us live at the half hour.

In Redwood City, California, Scott Peterson's murder trial moves into its 15th week. Some of today's testimony expected to focus on DNA evidence that prosecutors say back up their case.

And in New York, Bill Clinton still in the hospital this morning, but he could be out soon. Clinton underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery and doctors say he should be home by the week's end. A live report on the former president's recovery just minutes away.

And the latest now on Frances. The former hurricane has left Florida, leaving behind death and damage as it moves north now. Frances is a tropical depression. It's been blamed for nine deaths in Florida and now one in Georgia.

Here's Rob with the very latest on that -- Rob, good morning.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Catherine. It's moved inland now and weakened to a tropical depression, but still gusty winds and heavy rainfall across much of Georgia and the Carolinas. This is our Viper Doppler radar, which shows the circulation right here. And just a lot of heavy rain around it. Still getting it just north of Tampa.

All right, we'll switch gears now and show you the tornado watches that are out. This watch box is out until 2:00 p.m. It may even be extended northward as we go on through the afternoon. Typically we can get small tornadoes that pop up out of these systems. We had one yesterday in Savannah.

Rainfall a huge threat today as this blob of tropical moisture will make its way northward throughout the day. Anywhere from two to six or better inches expected from this system and its flood watches are out.

The Northeast looking good today. Your rainfall will come to you tomorrow.

(WEATHER REPORT)

MARCIANO: This is hurricane Ivan, Catherine, and it's heading into the Caribbean. It is expected to get back to major hurricane status and continue its march westward, possibly getting close to the Florida Peninsula by the end of the week.

That's the latest from the weather department.

I'm going to pass it back to you.

CALLAWAY: No, Rob, we don't want to hear that.

MARCIANO: I know.

CALLAWAY: We want to hear it's spinning out into the Atlantic.

MARCIANO: I hope I can say that in a couple of days.

CALLAWAY: I hope so, too.

Thanks, Rob.

Frances left a lot of people in the dark and needing the most basic supplies. Three million homes and businesses have no power in Florida. Frances has also left thousands in southern Georgia without electricity. And that's not the only thing that people don't have there. They have been lining up across the state for things like ice, water and gas.

But more relief is on the way. Nearly 1,000 Red Cross workers are gearing up to head into Florida. Insurance workers are also setting up claim centers now. People in Georgia will also need some of that relief. Frances spawned a tornado that knocked down trees near Savannah. The storm has also brought flooding to the southern part of that state. Now let's get a closer look at the trail of destruction left by Frances with CNN's Eric Philips reporting from Carrabelle, Florida.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ERIC PHILIPS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: All is quiet here in Carrabelle. The Florida Panhandle escaped the worst from Frances, but many parts of the state are still reeling from her hit, the cleanup just beginning.

(voice-over): Frances may be gone from Florida, but her calling card can still be seen across the Sunshine State. Damaged homes and buildings are a common site. Boat owners at a marina in Fort Pierce come to grips with a harsh reality.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am devastated. It is a total loss. It's a shame. It was a beautiful marina, a great place to stay and have fun. As a matter of fact, we lived on our boat while our condominium was being completed for five weeks and just totally enjoyed ourself.

PHILIPS: Several million remain without power. Tens of thousands remain in shelters. Officials are cautioning those in some of the hardest hit areas to stay away from their homes because it's too dangerous to return.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It looks pretty quiet. The street lights are still out and we've asked people to try to stay off the roads. Some are listening. Some are not.

PHILIPS: Meanwhile, relief is on the way. Scores are lining up for supplies that teams are hauling in. Ice is a major commodity, especially in the sweltering heat, where no power means no refrigeration or air conditioning.

QUESTION: So, how long have you been waiting in line?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Four hours.

QUESTION: Yes? Is it worth it?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, for ice? You beat your life it is.

PHILIPS (on camera): President Bush will make a trip to the Sunshine State tomorrow to survey the damage. And then there is some positive news for Floridians. According to the latest forecast, it doesn't look like hurricane Ivan will be coming this way.

In Carrabelle, Florida, Eric Philips, CNN.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

CALLAWAY: If you would like to help out with Florida's relief efforts and financial woes there, here's who you contact to make donations. Call 1-800-HELP-NOW and the Red Cross Response Center, call 1-866-GET-INFO.

President Clinton could be headed home in a matter of days after undergoing successful bypass. Doctors say the operation went well, but warn that full recovery could take months.

And CNN's Skip Loescher is joining us from Washington with the latest on Clinton and the procedure he underwent -- good morning to you.

SKIP LOESCHER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Catherine.

Doctors saying former President Clinton doing well following his open heart surgery and they're saying he could be transferred out of the intensive care unit some time later today or tomorrow, if he hasn't been already.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

LOESCHER (voice-over): Doctors say the four hour surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital came off without a hitch and former President Clinton is doing just fine.

DR. ALLAN SCHWARTZ, CHIEF OF CARDIOLOGY: He had a relatively routine quadruple bypass operation.

LOESCHER: Routine yes, but major surgery nonetheless. His chest was opened. His heart was stopped. He was put on a heart-lung machine while doctors put in blood vessels to bypass his clogged arteries. Then his heart was started again.

Doctors say the operation was absolutely necessary.

SCHWARTZ: There was a substantial likelihood that he would have had a substantial heart attack in the near future. And that was the reason for the time urgency of what was done.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Clinton!

LOESCHER: Mr. Clinton is likely to go home in four to five days.

SCHWARTZ: At home, he will have a schedule of exercises that will gradually increase.

LOESCHER: Doctors say exercise combined with a healthy diet should allow him to recover completely in two to three months.

SCHWARTZ: We have to make sure that he doesn't develop new blockages in his own blood vessels or that he doesn't clog up the bypass grafts that were done.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LOESCHER: For the former president, that means giving up fast food and doing what his doctors tell him to do -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: Which sometimes can be difficult for everyone to mind their doctors.

LOESCHER: Amen.

CALLAWAY: Police say that a single suspect is responsible for a string of six killings in Kansas City, Missouri. The FBI has been brought in now by police to help in that investigation. Five of the bodies were found over the past few days.

And we get more now from Tim Vetscher of CNN affiliate KCTV in Kansas City.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

TIM VETSCHER, KCTV CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Darci Williams her mom Irene made it a point to get together every Wednesday. Two weeks ago, after having lunch, Irene dropped her daughter off here at the corner of 24th and Prospect.

IRENE WILLIAMS, MOTHER OF VICTIM: People told me later that that was also where they -- the dealing was done, drugs. And Darci was into drugs. She was.

VETSCHER: Irene knew something was wrong when Darci missed their weekly get together last Wednesday. Sunday, Irene got a call from detectives who told her they found Darci murdered at the very location Irene had dropped her off at, 24th and Prospect.

WILLIAMS: She told me that she had seen a murder and the police were trying to get her to tell. And she said I ain't screwing on nobody, because my life won't be worth a dime. And it wasn't.

VETSCHER: Willa McKinzie received a similar call from detectives, wanting to know the last time she saw her granddaughter Sheilah. Willa told them a week ago Thursday.

WILLA MCKINZIE, GRANDMOTHER OF VICTIM: I thought she was in the hospital. I thought she had a little seizure and she hadn't taken none of her medicine with her.

VETSCHER: Instead, Willa would learn, Sheilah had been killed and her body dumped at a vacant house in the 2600 block of Montgall alongside the body of another woman, Patricia Wilson Butler. Sheilah, Patricia, Darci and three others were all murdered by the same person.

MCKINZIE: I feel it's a serial killer out there. Got to be.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

CALLAWAY: That report was from Tim Vetscher from CNN affiliate KCTV. And police are asking anyone with any information to please call this number, 816-784-9070. A community group is offering a $2,000 reward for information in that case.

Stay with us, everyone.

Still to come, we have a live report from Baghdad as new violence drives the coalition death toll now closer to 1,000. That's coming up at 13 after the hour.

Also, the design at ground zero as the anniversary approaches -- a new documentary sheds some light on efforts to rebuild the sacred ground. We will talk to the film's producer at 6:22 Eastern time.

Then, as more children are buried this morning, what is the Israel connection to Russia's war on terror? That story at the bottom of the hour.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news on this Tuesday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: Another U.S. troop death was just confirmed in Iraq. And that raises the number of Americans killed in the war now to 998. The past 24 hours have been particularly deadly for U.S. forces, Iraqi militants and civilians there.

Let's take you live now to Baghdad with Diana Muriel -- Diana, what's the latest?

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: If you could connect me...

CALLAWAY: Diana, can you hear me?

What's the latest from there?

MURIEL: Fighting in Iraq, it's been a very bloody series of hours in the past 24. We've had seven Marines killed in Falluja, on the outskirts of that city, on Tuesday, and a further five soldiers killed in separate incidents around Iraq in the past few hours. Two dying north of Baghdad, two in Baghdad and one in Sadr City.

That brings the total of U.S. soldiers who have died since the conflict began in March, 2003, to 998.

Sadr City, as I say, the focus of extreme conflict during the course of the night, Monday through Tuesday. The ministry of health says that 30 Iraqis were killed and there were nearly 200 wounded. U.S. military sources say that one soldier died and five were wounded, that one Bradley armored personnel carrier was damaged and so was one tank. And there were three separate rocket propelled grenade attacks and five homemade bombs which exploded in Sadr City as U.S. forces were fighting to control the situation there.

There was a separate incident this morning here in Baghdad when the governor of Baghdad -- and there was an attempt to assassinate him as he was traveling to work. His convoy came under attack from small arms fire and also from another one of these homemade bombs which exploded.

From the pictures that we've seen, we've seen one body being put into a bag. But official sources have only been able to confirm that two people were wounded in that incident and the governor himself escaped unscathed -- back to you. CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Diana Muriel in Baghdad with the latest from there.

It is now 15 after the hour.

Time now for the latest news, money weather and sports.

At least 15 people were killed after Israeli helicopters fired on a camp in Gaza City. Israeli Defense Forces say that the camp was used for training Palestinian militants. As many as 50 people may have been injured in that attack.

And a massive anti-terrorism rally in Moscow should get under way just a few hours from now. The demonstration is being led by the country's trade unions to protest the growing number of terrorist attacks in Russia. That, of course, includes the siege in Beslan.

And in money news this morning, unions at Al Italia Airlines meet today in Rome to decide whether to accept a restructuring plan. The Italian government supported air carrier plans to lay off 5,000 workers, or nearly a fourth of its workforce.

And in culture, a very special birthday this week for Michelangelo's "David." The city of Florence planning a nine month celebration to mark Wednesday's 500th birthday of that masterpiece.

And turning to sports this morning, Lindsay Davenport advances to the U.S. Open quarter finals after a straight set victory over Venus Williams. Also on the women's side, defending champion and number one seed Justine Henin-Hardenne lost her match.

Of course, we've got to get a check of the weather this morning.

Frances still making a mess in the South.

MARCIANO: It certainly is -- Frances, Catherine. This is Frances, what's left of it. It will be heading up to New York tomorrow, so the U.S. Open matches may be affected tomorrow. But today everything is in Georgia, the Carolinas and in through eastern Tennessee and Kentucky.

There you go, a tornado watch out, too, for the possibility of some more small tornadoes.

(WEATHER REPORT)

CALLAWAY: You can call me Frances if I can call you Charley.

MARCIANO: It sounds good.

CALLAWAY: All right.

Time now for a little business buzz.

Several citrus crops damaged by hurricane Frances over the weekend. Stephanie Elam has the story now live at the Nasdaq market site in Times Square.

STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Catherine.

When you take a look at what's going on in Florida, it's a big deal. Eighty to 90 percent of the oranges and grapefruits are on the ground thanks to hurricane Frances. Charley could cost the citrus growing industry about $180 million and some are estimating that this could actually be more costly than that.

Also, the other issue, water is still hanging on around the roots and that could rot the roots there and also affect the fruit that is still hanging onto the trees. However, you may not see this affecting your orange juice prices just yet because of two bumper crops from seasons past.

Back to you -- Catherine.

CALLAWAY: That's, well, a sad shot, but it was a great shot of all the grapefruits on the ground.

What about futures this morning?

ELAM: Futures are up thanks to a decision by Saudi Arabia yesterday to go ahead and cut the prices of crude oil going to the U.S. and also to Europe. So that obviously giving futures a bump today.

CALLAWAY: All right, Stephanie, thank you very much.

See you a little bit later.

Coming up, ground zero is still sacred ground for many. But rebuilding has not been easy. Coming up, the struggle to remember 9/11 through architecture.

And remembering the victims of another terrorist attack. Today, Russians plan to speak out against the rebels who took the lives of their children.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: A rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into ground zero and the people who are trying to bring that site back to life. The PBS series "FRONTLINE" is airing "Sacred Ground," a documentary that looks at the artistic and political battles behind the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site.

Joining me from London this morning is the documentary's producer, Kevin Sims.

Thanks for being with us today.

KEVIN SIMS, PRODUCER: Good morning.

Good morning.

CALLAWAY: When you started planning -- good morning to you.

When you started planning this, were you aware of the bitter turf war that was developing over this?

SIMS: I don't think anybody was aware that it would turn out the way it did. Obviously, you are dealing in a situation where there are two incredibly big forces. On the one hand, you've got 16 acres of real estate just a block away from Wall Street. On the other hand, you've got a site which carries very much a burden of the dreadful thing that had happened there to so many people and also the incredible legacy of feeling that spread in New York, America and throughout the world after 9/11.

And somehow you've got to reconcile these two things. On the one hand, the real estate; on the other hand, land that had now become sacred ground and for which people expected something really special to happen.

CALLAWAY: How much access did you have to what was going on there?

SIMS: Well, I don't think, as documentary makers, you never get invited to the high table. But I think we were behind the curtain, as it were, and there were chinks in the curtain and we could look from time to time to see what was actually happening. So it was a bit -- we were there. We saw quite a lot of what was going on. I'm sure that a great deal more went on.

But I think what we succeeded in doing was giving something of the flavor of just what passions were involved in this redevelopment.

CALLAWAY: Wow.

And do you think people are going to be surprised at how bitter this became?

SIMS: Well, I think in a sense you are always surprised when you see what's happening behind the surface.

CALLAWAY: Right.

SIMS: I mean it's in the nature of...

CALLAWAY: Because I know up front it did not seem that bitter, right? I mean, you know, it was all smiles on camera.

SIMS: On camera it was all smiles. I mean in New York, in any big -- in any project which involves an enormous amount of money, an enormous amount of organizations, government organizations, financial organizations, they create a comfort wall around the situation which mirrors and reflects, you know, bon amie and good will.

But, actually, things, I don't suppose, rarely -- things are rarely like that, in fact. And in this case, it was -- we just had a chance of looking at what really happens, what really happens behind the press conferences. And that's what we've managed to do, I think, in the film.

CALLAWAY: How do you think this is going to turn out? What is going to be the final product and how will people react, with your perspective on this now?

SIMS: Well, what you're going to get is you're -- in the end you're going to get a colossal building, a landmark building, an icon at ground zero. And I think that in the end, curiously enough, the process, which, after all, these people who are bitterly fighting in the film, they're all, in a sense, well-intentioned. They all have their -- they all believe that they have the answer to the riddle of what to do at ground zero.

And I feel that, yes, there always have to be the offices replaced. I mean that -- both architects who were in this fight knew that they had to build 10 million square feet of office space. But at the same time, I think that just at the end there is a compromise that was reached where Daniel Libeskind's reaching out to the Statue of Liberty, where his tower at 776 feet high, these gestures to American humanity and what America stands for, I think these actually got grafted onto the building that was there and represent a gesture to the humanity that now must always be attached to the site.

CALLAWAY: All right, Kevin, we'll be watching.

Kevin Sims, producer of the PBS series "FRONTLINE" documentary called "Sacred Ground," which airs on your PBS stations tonight, I believe, right, Kevin?

SIMS: That's right.

CALLAWAY: Thank you very much.

DAYBREAK continues in just a moment, everyone.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CALLAWAY: Burying the dead -- live pictures this morning from Beslan, Russia, as an emotional day lies ahead for families of that school siege.

It is Tuesday, September 7, and this is DAYBREAK.

Good morning, everyone.

From the CNN Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Catherine Callaway.

And in the news this morning, the number of American troops killed in Iraq rises now to 998. A U.S. soldier was killed today and fighting going on now in Baghdad's Sadr City. You're looking at new live pictures -- or new pictures, rather, just in to CNN this morning. Iraq's ministry of health saying that 18 Iraqis have been killed and 136 wounded in Sadr City in just the past two days.

Congress is back in session this morning. And among items on the agenda, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence holding a hearing on ways to implement 9/11 Commission recommendations.

Army Private Lynndie England is closer to finding out if she will be court-martialed in the Abu Ghraib Prison scandal. The hearing officer in the case will make her recommendation today or tomorrow.

Florida is picking up the pieces from hurricane Frances and now assessing the damage there. The National Hurricane Center says it appears that hurricane Ivan could be veering away from hitting that state.

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