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CNN Live At Daybreak

How Will British Government Respond to Hostage's Emotional Request?

Aired September 23, 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.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Pleading for his life -- how will the British government respond to a hostage's emotional request?
It is Thursday, September 23.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news, the family of a British man being held hostage in Iraq anxiously awaits word on his fate. The same Islamic militants holding Ken Bigley already have beheaded the two Americans kidnapped along with him a week ago.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is in Washington this morning to get support for his nation. Four hours from now, he addresses a joint meeting of Congress. Later, he'll meet with President Bush.

The man once known as Cat Stevens arrived back in Great Britain overnight. Singer Yusuf Islam was denied entry to the United States because he's on a security watch list. Islam, a Muslim, says he was shocked and slightly amused at being on the list. In 22 minutes, we're talking about how he got on that plane with CNN security analyst Mike Brooks.

Chilling numbers this morning out of Haiti. Officials say the death toll from flooding by tropical storm Jeanne is close to 1,100 and could surpass 2,000. Another problem? Feeding thousands of survivors.

To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Ivan is coming back. The storm that won't go away, Carol. Here's Louisiana. Here's our Vipir system. We'll zoom into this spot right here, already affecting parts of the Louisiana coast, really the Bayou here. Here's New Orleans. This storm is expected to continue to travel to the west-northwest and eventually make landfall again today.

It is now, again, a tropical storm, tropical storm Ivan. You ask how can that be? The thing was in Pennsylvania. Yes. But a piece of it, a piece went into the Atlantic Ocean, back down the other side, across Florida two days ago, into the Gulf of Mexico and because it still was an entity in itself, it still was part of Ivan, they've renamed this thing Ivan as it comes onshore this afternoon. Certainly it could be a rain maker, a significant rain maker more than a wind maker. It's only 40 miles per hour. But when it stops over Texas, there could be flooding.

Here you go. This is Jeanne now, a much more important storm for a lot of folks, including the Bahamas and Florida. The storm itself forecast to go right over Cape Canaveral about 2:00 on Sunday. That's the center of the line. Remember, this thing goes left or it goes right. This line is going to change before it gets there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: A tense waiting game is being played out today in Great Britain and in Iraq. The life of a 62-year-old British engineer on the line. Islamic militants holding Ken Bigley say they'll kill him if Iraq and U.S. authorities refuse to release any female prisoners.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was asked about the hostage situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: What we are doing everything we can to do is to find a way through so that Mr. Bigley's life can be saved. But it has to be a way through which is consistent with the very firm policy we and every other government around the world has, which is that you can't bargain with evil people like this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Our Diana Muriel is covering this hostage drama from Liverpool.

She's outside the home of Ken Bigley's mother.

And she joins us live now.

Bring us up to date.

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, it's here behind the brown front door that you can see behind me on this terraced street in the Walton District of Liverpool that family members of the -- the Bigley family members have been gathering over the past few days to offer comfort to 86-year-old Lil Bigley, the mother of Kenneth Bigley, captive in Iraq.

And it was from this house that the senior members of the family, the male members of the family, went with Liverpool police yesterday to prepare a statement in answer to that videotaped message that was broadcast earlier by Kenneth Bigley, released on that Internet site.

And it was Craig Bigley, his son, flanked by his two uncles, who made this -- gave this message to his captors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CRAIG BIGLEY, BRITISH HOSTAGE'S SON: We have heard what you say and want to continue to listen to you. You have proved to the world that you are committed and determined. Be merciful, as we know you can be. Release Ken back to his wife and family. We ask you as a family to be all merciful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: Now, it's not just the family members who have issued appeals, but also the religious leaders of Liverpool have got together early Thursday morning to make their own appeal. The Anglican bishop of Liverpool was joined by the chairman of the Liverpool Mosque.

And this was their message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AKBAR ALI, LIVERPOOL MOSQUE, ISLAMIC INSTITUTE: In the name of god, the merciful one, we ask Muslim and Christian leaders in Liverpool, appeal to you as believers to have mercy on Kenneth Bigley.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: Now, also the people of Liverpool have been holding candlelight vigils on Tuesday evening here in the city, and, indeed, the Catholic priest, the local parish priest paid a visit to the house early this morning. John Toxan (ph) of St. Francis Xavier, who happens to be a cousin of the British prime minister's wife, Cherie Blair, he paid a visit to the house early this morning, offering comfort to Lil Bigley and also telling her that the people of Wolton were praying for the family -- Carol.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JAMES JONES, ANGLICAN BISHOP OF LIVERPOOL: We're appealing to them on the grounds of their own faith and their own faith in the god of mercy to be merciful, to show mercy, to have compassion in this situation and to release Mr. Bigley.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: But despite all of these appeals, it certainly seems from the information that's being forthcoming from the office of the prime minister, Allawi, in Iraq, that it is unlikely that there will be any release of female prisoners, certainly not as a result of this kidnapping and the hostage taking of Kenneth Bigley.

And the British government and the foreign office efforts will be concentrated on simply appealing to the hostage takers to show mercy and to let him go -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We're going to talk about that angle of the story now.

Diana Muriel live from Liverpool, England.

Thank you. This life or death drama is being played out while Iraq's prime minister is in Washington to seek help for his country.

Skip Loescher will be watching as the prime minister makes several high profile appearances today -- good morning, Skip.

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

Still no word, as we know, on the fate of that British hostage kidnapped last week along with two Americans, who have since been killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

KENNETH BIGLEY, HOSTAGE: Will you please help me see my wife and my son. Please help me. Please help me.

LOESCHER (voice-over): The tearful plea to the British government from hostage Kenneth Bigley. "I don't want to die here," he said. And there was a plea from his family to his kidnappers.

C. BIGLEY: Release Ken back to his wife and family. We ask you as a family to be all merciful.

LOESCHER: Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says Bigley's life can only be saved by the kidnappers.

Bigley's plea was shown on the same Islamic Web site that showed video of Americans Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong being beheaded. After attending the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, will address a joint meeting of the Congress today. He's expected to renew the pledge to fight the insurgency and hold elections in January.

President Bush promises the U.S. will not wilt or waver.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We abhor the violence. We can't stand the beheadings. But we're not going to let thugs keep us from doing our duty.

LOESCHER: That means confronting the ever growing level of insurgent violence in Iraq. Yesterday, car bombings and clashes in a number of Iraqi cities. Three more American soldiers were killed, as were two dozen Iraqis.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LOESCHER: After speaking to Congress, Prime Minister Allawi heads to the White House for lunch with President Bush -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Skip Loescher live in Washington.

Thank you.

And just to be more specific, Allawi speaks to Congress at 10:00 Eastern. And then he'll meet with President Bush at the White House. The two leaders will then hold a news conference in the Rose Garden. That will begin at 12:05 Eastern. Of course, CNN will bring you both events live.

An enemy combatant free. Yasir Esam Hamdi will soon be on his way to Saudi Arabia. You may remember him after his capture in Afghanistan almost three years ago. He's been held as an enemy combatant ever since. Hamdi has dual citizenship in the United States and in Saudi Arabia. Under terms of his release, he must renounce his American citizenship.

In Afghanistan, the presidential election is now just over two weeks away. More than 60 percent of Afghanistan's registered voters say security is their main concern. CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen visited the country recently and had this to say in an editorial in the "New York Times." He says, and I quote: "Some three million refugees have returned to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. Kabul, the capital, is now one of the fastest growing cities in the world, with spectacular traffic jams and booming construction sites. And urban centers around the country are experiencing similar growth."

Peter Bergen will join us here on DAYBREAK live tomorrow morning with more on his trip to Afghanistan and their desire for a new beginning.

In other news across America this morning, some in Montana are calling it a miracle. Two people who were thought to have been killed in a plane crash walked out of the wilderness. They were found two days after their small plane went down in the Montana mountains. The three others on board that plane died. One of the survivors is being treated for burns at a hospital in Seattle.

Police at Lebanon, Tennessee say it's the worst case of child abuse they have ever seen. They found a 15-year-old boy who was chained to his bed, sometimes for days at a time. The teenager weighed 49 pounds. He ate only soup and water and was forced to wear a diaper. His parents have both been charged with aggravated child abuse.

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is apologizing for anti-gay comments he made during a televised church service. Swaggart said if any gay man looked at him romantically, I'm quoting here, he said: "I'm going to kill him and tell god he died."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY SWAGGART, EVANGELIST: That's a little cliche. That's a tongue in cheek statement that's meant to be humorous and funny. But if someone is offended by it, well, then it should not be used. And, in fact, it will not be used again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In his apology, Swaggart said he's used the expression thousands of times as a joke about all kinds of people. Coming up on DAYBREAK, a closer look at airline security. The experience of a popular folk singer raises questions for some people, for a lot of people who fly, that is.

And being a mom may be a full-time job, but some mothers want to keep up their careers, too. We have some tips for getting back into the job market.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:13 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Fighting has been raging again in Baghdad's Sadr City. At least 10 are dead, none of them American.

In-flight close calls may be happening more than you think. A new study says the instances of airplanes passing too close to each other is being under reported. In the last five years, more than 1,100 near misses have been reported.

In money news, oil prices going up again, but this time it looks like it's Ivan's fault. Production problems caused by hurricane Ivan led the price per barrel to top the $48 mark.

In culture, James Garner is getting a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild. The 76-year-old actor starred in classic TV shows like "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files." He also appeared in more than 45 feature films.

In sports, for the second straight night, the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles in their last at bat. The 7-6 victory gives the Red Sox a six and a half game lead in the American League wildcard race -- Chad.

MYERS: Carol, we've zoomed in to Louisiana down here, across parts of the South. There's a circulation right through here. That is actually the remnants of Ivan, believe it or not. It's just, this thing will not go away. The storm continues to move, though, toward the northwest. It will eventually be on shore. The winds only 40 miles per hour this morning. That's a look at it on the satellite -- very unimpressive, but it's still now tropical storm Ivan.

I know you thought it went over Pennsylvania, and it did, but it went back into the Atlantic, all the way around, lost its name, lost its identity. Because a piece is still there, we're still calling it Ivan. It comes across to shore and does make landfall this afternoon. This a much more impressive storm. This is a category two hurricane. It is Jeanne. And now forecast to make landfall somewhere near Cape Canaveral on Sunday. Obviously that storm is going to go left or right. That line's going to go left and right, as well.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

When we come back, Yusuf Islam returns to Britain. Hear what the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens said about his very brief trip to America.

Plus, inside the Peterson home -- police release a tape showing what they saw when they went inside.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Yusuf Islam is back home in London today. You know him better as Cat Stevens. And by now you've heard he was sent back to Britain after being taken off a flight bound for Washington. U.S. officials ordered the plane to land in Maine after they discovered Islam's named was on a terror watch list.

So, why is the man who sang "Peace Train" considered so dangerous?

Let's head live to Washington and CNN Radio's Dick Uliano -- good morning, Dick.

DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

You know, Cat Stevens' music dominated radio air play in the '70s, hits like "Wild World," "Forever Young," "Morning Has Broken." Well, the former Cat Stevens arrived in London this morning, saying that he is shocked and slightly amused at what's happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YUSUF ISLAM, BRITISH SINGER: You know, the whole thing is totally ridiculous. Everybody knows who I am, you know? I'm no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace. And there's got to be a whole lot of explanations. Hopefully there will be that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ULIANO: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is offering no apologies. He's saying he, that Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens, was appropriately removed from this flight, Carol. And he's questioning why United even allowed him on the plane.

COSTELLO: We're going to get into that a little bit later, Dick. Let's go back to Cat Stevens, because everybody knows him by that name better. Why do they suspect him of having terrorist ties?

ULIANO: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says there is or may be a relationship with terrorist activity, at least between this name, Yusuf Islam. Also, sources have told us that the former Cat Stevens may have had some connection with fundraising for groups that conducted terrorist operations. That's been a concern.

And the homeland security department spokesman, Brian Doyle, told me that recently homeland security came into intelligence information recently that added and further heightened the concern about Cat Stevens.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

Dick Uliano from CNN Radio joining DAYBREAK this morning.

Thank you.

So now it's time for angle number two on this story.

How did Islam get on a United Airlines plane if his name was on a terror watch list? Now, coupled with that, an article today in "USA Today" that will make nervous fliers more nervous.

CNN security correspondent Mike Brooks is here to enlighten us.

So let's deal with Cat Stevens first.

MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right.

COSTELLO: How was he able to get on board that plane if his name is on a terror watch list?

BROOKS: Well, sources are telling CNN that apparently his name was added to this watch list -- actually, let me tell you -- we'll talk about the list after we talk about this, because it was misspelled. But I'm also hearing from airline security sources that there is technology problems on the other side of the pond, that their computers might not be up to date as the computers here in the United States.

But it's up to the airlines. There are basically two different lists. You have the no fly list, which Cat Stevens was on. Then you have a selectee list that has sound alike names. These are directed, the no fly list has names that will say Carol Costello. Now, if they see Carol Costello on the manifest, you're going to be pulled aside by the FBI and talked to.

Now, the selectee list, if your name is Costello, Carol, that kind of thing, or just a sound alike, you'll get extra scrutiny, like you do if you buy a ticket the same day, pay cash for it or go one way.

COSTELLO: But his name was on a terror -- again. BROOKS: Right.

COSTELLO: How is that possible?

BROOKS: He should not have gotten on that plane, period.

COSTELLO: So how big of a problem is this?

BROOKS: It doesn't happen that often.

COSTELLO: How do you know?

BROOKS: Again, it's up to the airlines.

There is, the terrorist screening center at FBI headquarters, that's a clearinghouse now for all of the information dealing with the names. They get all the intel from other three lettered agencies -- the CIA, DIA, Defense Intelligence, NASA. And they decide which names will be on these lists because of the intelligence they have. And then those lists go out to the airports -- to the airlines.

Those airlines then, as part of their manifest and when you come up and give your I.D. and you check in, then your name should pop up and they stop you either there at the desk or at the gate before you get onto that flight.

Here in Bangor, Maine when they flew in, they were diverted there, they have an FBI office in Bangor just for these kind of things because it's the first airport that you get when you come across the top of the Atlantic. So that's the reason they did that.

COSTELLO: I understand.

OK, let's move on to the "USA Today" article, because it is disturbing.

BROOKS: Right.

COSTELLO: Undercover investigators, working for the government, by the way, went through 15 airports across the country. They got things through like plastic explosives, guns. This is disturbing.

BROOKS: Very disturbing. There was an earlier report out by the General Accounting Office in 2003 that basically focused no knives, guns and box cutters. And they were talking about the number that did get through. There are thousands, they say over a million items, prohibited items, that have been seized by TSA. But explosives like this shouldn't be getting through.

Just last week they started making people take off their coats. There's new technology in five of the airports around the country where documents that possibly may have some kind of explosive trace on it, they can detect that, as well as when you go through -- and everyone has had this happen to them -- they'll take your bag, they'll take it and they'll swab it. They put it into that machine. That's an ETD, an explosive trace detection machine... COSTELLO: Yes, but the technology is great. But let me ask you this. It's been three years.

BROOKS: But not good enough.

COSTELLO: It's been three years since September 11.

BROOKS: Right.

COSTELLO: Shouldn't they have gotten it together by now?

BROOKS: You would think they should. In fact, some airports are talking about getting a -- going away from the government screeners and going to their own private screeners, where they have additional training and have more control over them.

But still, not enough is being done. Explosives should not be getting on board any plane or getting through those screening machines, period.

COSTELLO: Mike Brooks, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

BROOKS: Carol, good to be with you.

Thanks.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, what's behind the rate hike at one airline?

Plus, the police perspective at Scott Peterson's murder trial. What did they see in the home he shared with his expectant wife?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And good morning to you.

From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news, British hostage Kenneth Bigley and his family are appealing to terrorists in Iraq to spare his life. Those terrorists have already beheaded two Americans kidnapped with Bigley. The British government says it will not negotiate with the hostage takers.

A firefight erupted today after two Palestinian gunmen infiltrated a Jewish settlement in southern Gaza. Israeli soldiers killed the Palestinians, but not before they killed three Israelis and wounded another.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this morning in Salt Lake City for Mark Hacking. He's accused of killing his wife Lori and then dumping her body in the trash. Police are still searching the county landfill for Lori's body.

House Republicans want to move computer security to the White House budget office and a bill to do that will be introduced today. Cyber security is now handled by the Homeland Security Department. And some Republicans feel it's not getting the attention it deserves.

To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: It's back, Ivan again, Carol.

COSTELLO: Ivan.

MYERS: I know. And I can't even believe this. This storm, obviously, went up through Mobile Bay and Pensacola and then drove itself all the way up to Pennsylvania, and then back down the East Coast, offshore, barely could find it, but it was out there, little pieces of it. And another piece came across Florida and now it's regenerating in this little blob right there.

Tropical storm Ivan now. There you go, 40 miles per hour winds. Not that sustained, not that gusty. This is going to be a rain maker, maybe a flood maker, for places like Texas and Louisiana. This is Jeanne, though, a much stronger storm. You can see the eye. It is a hurricane. In fact, it's a category two hurricane. Winds to 100. And the Hurricane Center now even saying it could be a category three before it makes landfall.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Countdown to election this Thursday morning. America votes in just 40 days. A busy day for President Bush today. The president meets at the White House this morning with Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and then the two will hold a joint news conference.

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Aired September 23, 2004 - 06:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Pleading for his life -- how will the British government respond to a hostage's emotional request?
It is Thursday, September 23.

This is DAYBREAK.

And good morning to you.

From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news, the family of a British man being held hostage in Iraq anxiously awaits word on his fate. The same Islamic militants holding Ken Bigley already have beheaded the two Americans kidnapped along with him a week ago.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is in Washington this morning to get support for his nation. Four hours from now, he addresses a joint meeting of Congress. Later, he'll meet with President Bush.

The man once known as Cat Stevens arrived back in Great Britain overnight. Singer Yusuf Islam was denied entry to the United States because he's on a security watch list. Islam, a Muslim, says he was shocked and slightly amused at being on the list. In 22 minutes, we're talking about how he got on that plane with CNN security analyst Mike Brooks.

Chilling numbers this morning out of Haiti. Officials say the death toll from flooding by tropical storm Jeanne is close to 1,100 and could surpass 2,000. Another problem? Feeding thousands of survivors.

To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, Ivan is coming back. The storm that won't go away, Carol. Here's Louisiana. Here's our Vipir system. We'll zoom into this spot right here, already affecting parts of the Louisiana coast, really the Bayou here. Here's New Orleans. This storm is expected to continue to travel to the west-northwest and eventually make landfall again today.

It is now, again, a tropical storm, tropical storm Ivan. You ask how can that be? The thing was in Pennsylvania. Yes. But a piece of it, a piece went into the Atlantic Ocean, back down the other side, across Florida two days ago, into the Gulf of Mexico and because it still was an entity in itself, it still was part of Ivan, they've renamed this thing Ivan as it comes onshore this afternoon. Certainly it could be a rain maker, a significant rain maker more than a wind maker. It's only 40 miles per hour. But when it stops over Texas, there could be flooding.

Here you go. This is Jeanne now, a much more important storm for a lot of folks, including the Bahamas and Florida. The storm itself forecast to go right over Cape Canaveral about 2:00 on Sunday. That's the center of the line. Remember, this thing goes left or it goes right. This line is going to change before it gets there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: A tense waiting game is being played out today in Great Britain and in Iraq. The life of a 62-year-old British engineer on the line. Islamic militants holding Ken Bigley say they'll kill him if Iraq and U.S. authorities refuse to release any female prisoners.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw was asked about the hostage situation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACK STRAW, BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY: What we are doing everything we can to do is to find a way through so that Mr. Bigley's life can be saved. But it has to be a way through which is consistent with the very firm policy we and every other government around the world has, which is that you can't bargain with evil people like this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Our Diana Muriel is covering this hostage drama from Liverpool.

She's outside the home of Ken Bigley's mother.

And she joins us live now.

Bring us up to date.

DIANA MURIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Carol, it's here behind the brown front door that you can see behind me on this terraced street in the Walton District of Liverpool that family members of the -- the Bigley family members have been gathering over the past few days to offer comfort to 86-year-old Lil Bigley, the mother of Kenneth Bigley, captive in Iraq.

And it was from this house that the senior members of the family, the male members of the family, went with Liverpool police yesterday to prepare a statement in answer to that videotaped message that was broadcast earlier by Kenneth Bigley, released on that Internet site.

And it was Craig Bigley, his son, flanked by his two uncles, who made this -- gave this message to his captors.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CRAIG BIGLEY, BRITISH HOSTAGE'S SON: We have heard what you say and want to continue to listen to you. You have proved to the world that you are committed and determined. Be merciful, as we know you can be. Release Ken back to his wife and family. We ask you as a family to be all merciful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: Now, it's not just the family members who have issued appeals, but also the religious leaders of Liverpool have got together early Thursday morning to make their own appeal. The Anglican bishop of Liverpool was joined by the chairman of the Liverpool Mosque.

And this was their message.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AKBAR ALI, LIVERPOOL MOSQUE, ISLAMIC INSTITUTE: In the name of god, the merciful one, we ask Muslim and Christian leaders in Liverpool, appeal to you as believers to have mercy on Kenneth Bigley.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: Now, also the people of Liverpool have been holding candlelight vigils on Tuesday evening here in the city, and, indeed, the Catholic priest, the local parish priest paid a visit to the house early this morning. John Toxan (ph) of St. Francis Xavier, who happens to be a cousin of the British prime minister's wife, Cherie Blair, he paid a visit to the house early this morning, offering comfort to Lil Bigley and also telling her that the people of Wolton were praying for the family -- Carol.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JAMES JONES, ANGLICAN BISHOP OF LIVERPOOL: We're appealing to them on the grounds of their own faith and their own faith in the god of mercy to be merciful, to show mercy, to have compassion in this situation and to release Mr. Bigley.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MURIEL: But despite all of these appeals, it certainly seems from the information that's being forthcoming from the office of the prime minister, Allawi, in Iraq, that it is unlikely that there will be any release of female prisoners, certainly not as a result of this kidnapping and the hostage taking of Kenneth Bigley.

And the British government and the foreign office efforts will be concentrated on simply appealing to the hostage takers to show mercy and to let him go -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We're going to talk about that angle of the story now.

Diana Muriel live from Liverpool, England.

Thank you. This life or death drama is being played out while Iraq's prime minister is in Washington to seek help for his country.

Skip Loescher will be watching as the prime minister makes several high profile appearances today -- good morning, Skip.

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

Still no word, as we know, on the fate of that British hostage kidnapped last week along with two Americans, who have since been killed.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

KENNETH BIGLEY, HOSTAGE: Will you please help me see my wife and my son. Please help me. Please help me.

LOESCHER (voice-over): The tearful plea to the British government from hostage Kenneth Bigley. "I don't want to die here," he said. And there was a plea from his family to his kidnappers.

C. BIGLEY: Release Ken back to his wife and family. We ask you as a family to be all merciful.

LOESCHER: Foreign Secretary Jack Straw says Bigley's life can only be saved by the kidnappers.

Bigley's plea was shown on the same Islamic Web site that showed video of Americans Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong being beheaded. After attending the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, Iraq's interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, will address a joint meeting of the Congress today. He's expected to renew the pledge to fight the insurgency and hold elections in January.

President Bush promises the U.S. will not wilt or waver.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We abhor the violence. We can't stand the beheadings. But we're not going to let thugs keep us from doing our duty.

LOESCHER: That means confronting the ever growing level of insurgent violence in Iraq. Yesterday, car bombings and clashes in a number of Iraqi cities. Three more American soldiers were killed, as were two dozen Iraqis.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

LOESCHER: After speaking to Congress, Prime Minister Allawi heads to the White House for lunch with President Bush -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Skip Loescher live in Washington.

Thank you.

And just to be more specific, Allawi speaks to Congress at 10:00 Eastern. And then he'll meet with President Bush at the White House. The two leaders will then hold a news conference in the Rose Garden. That will begin at 12:05 Eastern. Of course, CNN will bring you both events live.

An enemy combatant free. Yasir Esam Hamdi will soon be on his way to Saudi Arabia. You may remember him after his capture in Afghanistan almost three years ago. He's been held as an enemy combatant ever since. Hamdi has dual citizenship in the United States and in Saudi Arabia. Under terms of his release, he must renounce his American citizenship.

In Afghanistan, the presidential election is now just over two weeks away. More than 60 percent of Afghanistan's registered voters say security is their main concern. CNN terrorism analyst Peter Bergen visited the country recently and had this to say in an editorial in the "New York Times." He says, and I quote: "Some three million refugees have returned to Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban. Kabul, the capital, is now one of the fastest growing cities in the world, with spectacular traffic jams and booming construction sites. And urban centers around the country are experiencing similar growth."

Peter Bergen will join us here on DAYBREAK live tomorrow morning with more on his trip to Afghanistan and their desire for a new beginning.

In other news across America this morning, some in Montana are calling it a miracle. Two people who were thought to have been killed in a plane crash walked out of the wilderness. They were found two days after their small plane went down in the Montana mountains. The three others on board that plane died. One of the survivors is being treated for burns at a hospital in Seattle.

Police at Lebanon, Tennessee say it's the worst case of child abuse they have ever seen. They found a 15-year-old boy who was chained to his bed, sometimes for days at a time. The teenager weighed 49 pounds. He ate only soup and water and was forced to wear a diaper. His parents have both been charged with aggravated child abuse.

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart is apologizing for anti-gay comments he made during a televised church service. Swaggart said if any gay man looked at him romantically, I'm quoting here, he said: "I'm going to kill him and tell god he died."

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIMMY SWAGGART, EVANGELIST: That's a little cliche. That's a tongue in cheek statement that's meant to be humorous and funny. But if someone is offended by it, well, then it should not be used. And, in fact, it will not be used again.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In his apology, Swaggart said he's used the expression thousands of times as a joke about all kinds of people. Coming up on DAYBREAK, a closer look at airline security. The experience of a popular folk singer raises questions for some people, for a lot of people who fly, that is.

And being a mom may be a full-time job, but some mothers want to keep up their careers, too. We have some tips for getting back into the job market.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 6:13 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Fighting has been raging again in Baghdad's Sadr City. At least 10 are dead, none of them American.

In-flight close calls may be happening more than you think. A new study says the instances of airplanes passing too close to each other is being under reported. In the last five years, more than 1,100 near misses have been reported.

In money news, oil prices going up again, but this time it looks like it's Ivan's fault. Production problems caused by hurricane Ivan led the price per barrel to top the $48 mark.

In culture, James Garner is getting a lifetime achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild. The 76-year-old actor starred in classic TV shows like "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files." He also appeared in more than 45 feature films.

In sports, for the second straight night, the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles in their last at bat. The 7-6 victory gives the Red Sox a six and a half game lead in the American League wildcard race -- Chad.

MYERS: Carol, we've zoomed in to Louisiana down here, across parts of the South. There's a circulation right through here. That is actually the remnants of Ivan, believe it or not. It's just, this thing will not go away. The storm continues to move, though, toward the northwest. It will eventually be on shore. The winds only 40 miles per hour this morning. That's a look at it on the satellite -- very unimpressive, but it's still now tropical storm Ivan.

I know you thought it went over Pennsylvania, and it did, but it went back into the Atlantic, all the way around, lost its name, lost its identity. Because a piece is still there, we're still calling it Ivan. It comes across to shore and does make landfall this afternoon. This a much more impressive storm. This is a category two hurricane. It is Jeanne. And now forecast to make landfall somewhere near Cape Canaveral on Sunday. Obviously that storm is going to go left or right. That line's going to go left and right, as well.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

When we come back, Yusuf Islam returns to Britain. Hear what the singer formerly known as Cat Stevens said about his very brief trip to America.

Plus, inside the Peterson home -- police release a tape showing what they saw when they went inside.

You are watching DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Yusuf Islam is back home in London today. You know him better as Cat Stevens. And by now you've heard he was sent back to Britain after being taken off a flight bound for Washington. U.S. officials ordered the plane to land in Maine after they discovered Islam's named was on a terror watch list.

So, why is the man who sang "Peace Train" considered so dangerous?

Let's head live to Washington and CNN Radio's Dick Uliano -- good morning, Dick.

DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Carol.

You know, Cat Stevens' music dominated radio air play in the '70s, hits like "Wild World," "Forever Young," "Morning Has Broken." Well, the former Cat Stevens arrived in London this morning, saying that he is shocked and slightly amused at what's happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

YUSUF ISLAM, BRITISH SINGER: You know, the whole thing is totally ridiculous. Everybody knows who I am, you know? I'm no secret figure. Everybody knows my campaigning for charity, for peace. And there's got to be a whole lot of explanations. Hopefully there will be that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ULIANO: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is offering no apologies. He's saying he, that Yusuf Islam, the former Cat Stevens, was appropriately removed from this flight, Carol. And he's questioning why United even allowed him on the plane.

COSTELLO: We're going to get into that a little bit later, Dick. Let's go back to Cat Stevens, because everybody knows him by that name better. Why do they suspect him of having terrorist ties?

ULIANO: Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge says there is or may be a relationship with terrorist activity, at least between this name, Yusuf Islam. Also, sources have told us that the former Cat Stevens may have had some connection with fundraising for groups that conducted terrorist operations. That's been a concern.

And the homeland security department spokesman, Brian Doyle, told me that recently homeland security came into intelligence information recently that added and further heightened the concern about Cat Stevens.

COSTELLO: Interesting.

Dick Uliano from CNN Radio joining DAYBREAK this morning.

Thank you.

So now it's time for angle number two on this story.

How did Islam get on a United Airlines plane if his name was on a terror watch list? Now, coupled with that, an article today in "USA Today" that will make nervous fliers more nervous.

CNN security correspondent Mike Brooks is here to enlighten us.

So let's deal with Cat Stevens first.

MIKE BROOKS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Right.

COSTELLO: How was he able to get on board that plane if his name is on a terror watch list?

BROOKS: Well, sources are telling CNN that apparently his name was added to this watch list -- actually, let me tell you -- we'll talk about the list after we talk about this, because it was misspelled. But I'm also hearing from airline security sources that there is technology problems on the other side of the pond, that their computers might not be up to date as the computers here in the United States.

But it's up to the airlines. There are basically two different lists. You have the no fly list, which Cat Stevens was on. Then you have a selectee list that has sound alike names. These are directed, the no fly list has names that will say Carol Costello. Now, if they see Carol Costello on the manifest, you're going to be pulled aside by the FBI and talked to.

Now, the selectee list, if your name is Costello, Carol, that kind of thing, or just a sound alike, you'll get extra scrutiny, like you do if you buy a ticket the same day, pay cash for it or go one way.

COSTELLO: But his name was on a terror -- again. BROOKS: Right.

COSTELLO: How is that possible?

BROOKS: He should not have gotten on that plane, period.

COSTELLO: So how big of a problem is this?

BROOKS: It doesn't happen that often.

COSTELLO: How do you know?

BROOKS: Again, it's up to the airlines.

There is, the terrorist screening center at FBI headquarters, that's a clearinghouse now for all of the information dealing with the names. They get all the intel from other three lettered agencies -- the CIA, DIA, Defense Intelligence, NASA. And they decide which names will be on these lists because of the intelligence they have. And then those lists go out to the airports -- to the airlines.

Those airlines then, as part of their manifest and when you come up and give your I.D. and you check in, then your name should pop up and they stop you either there at the desk or at the gate before you get onto that flight.

Here in Bangor, Maine when they flew in, they were diverted there, they have an FBI office in Bangor just for these kind of things because it's the first airport that you get when you come across the top of the Atlantic. So that's the reason they did that.

COSTELLO: I understand.

OK, let's move on to the "USA Today" article, because it is disturbing.

BROOKS: Right.

COSTELLO: Undercover investigators, working for the government, by the way, went through 15 airports across the country. They got things through like plastic explosives, guns. This is disturbing.

BROOKS: Very disturbing. There was an earlier report out by the General Accounting Office in 2003 that basically focused no knives, guns and box cutters. And they were talking about the number that did get through. There are thousands, they say over a million items, prohibited items, that have been seized by TSA. But explosives like this shouldn't be getting through.

Just last week they started making people take off their coats. There's new technology in five of the airports around the country where documents that possibly may have some kind of explosive trace on it, they can detect that, as well as when you go through -- and everyone has had this happen to them -- they'll take your bag, they'll take it and they'll swab it. They put it into that machine. That's an ETD, an explosive trace detection machine... COSTELLO: Yes, but the technology is great. But let me ask you this. It's been three years.

BROOKS: But not good enough.

COSTELLO: It's been three years since September 11.

BROOKS: Right.

COSTELLO: Shouldn't they have gotten it together by now?

BROOKS: You would think they should. In fact, some airports are talking about getting a -- going away from the government screeners and going to their own private screeners, where they have additional training and have more control over them.

But still, not enough is being done. Explosives should not be getting on board any plane or getting through those screening machines, period.

COSTELLO: Mike Brooks, thanks for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

BROOKS: Carol, good to be with you.

Thanks.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, what's behind the rate hike at one airline?

Plus, the police perspective at Scott Peterson's murder trial. What did they see in the home he shared with his expectant wife?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And good morning to you.

From the CNN Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Carol Costello.

Now in the news, British hostage Kenneth Bigley and his family are appealing to terrorists in Iraq to spare his life. Those terrorists have already beheaded two Americans kidnapped with Bigley. The British government says it will not negotiate with the hostage takers.

A firefight erupted today after two Palestinian gunmen infiltrated a Jewish settlement in southern Gaza. Israeli soldiers killed the Palestinians, but not before they killed three Israelis and wounded another.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled later this morning in Salt Lake City for Mark Hacking. He's accused of killing his wife Lori and then dumping her body in the trash. Police are still searching the county landfill for Lori's body.

House Republicans want to move computer security to the White House budget office and a bill to do that will be introduced today. Cyber security is now handled by the Homeland Security Department. And some Republicans feel it's not getting the attention it deserves.

To the forecast center now and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: It's back, Ivan again, Carol.

COSTELLO: Ivan.

MYERS: I know. And I can't even believe this. This storm, obviously, went up through Mobile Bay and Pensacola and then drove itself all the way up to Pennsylvania, and then back down the East Coast, offshore, barely could find it, but it was out there, little pieces of it. And another piece came across Florida and now it's regenerating in this little blob right there.

Tropical storm Ivan now. There you go, 40 miles per hour winds. Not that sustained, not that gusty. This is going to be a rain maker, maybe a flood maker, for places like Texas and Louisiana. This is Jeanne, though, a much stronger storm. You can see the eye. It is a hurricane. In fact, it's a category two hurricane. Winds to 100. And the Hurricane Center now even saying it could be a category three before it makes landfall.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Countdown to election this Thursday morning. America votes in just 40 days. A busy day for President Bush today. The president meets at the White House this morning with Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and then the two will hold a joint news conference.

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