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American Morning
President Bush Tries To Fill Homeland Security Position
Aired December 13, 2004 - 07:00 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It's been a year now since Saddam Hussein was captured in Iraq, and Americans and Iraqis there still fighting for their lives with deadly attacks again today.
Now that Bernard Kerik is out, where does the president turn to fill the critically important homeland security vacancy?
Also, in Japan, the biggest overhaul of the country's military strategy in many decades, and we are leer to see it on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: This is AMERICAN MORNING, with Bill Hemmer from Tokyo, Japan and Soledad O'Brien in New York.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody.
AMERICAN MORNING coming to you from both sides of the world today. I am here in New York City, Bill Hemmer, though, 14 hours ahead of us in Tokyo, where we are on in prime time.
Hey, Bill. Good morning.
HEMMER: Hey, Soledad. Konbanwa from Tokyo. Good evening.
Great to be here in Japan, 9:00 in the evening here. Enjoying quite a crowd, too, in Tokyo. They have been waiting for us here and our arrival from over the weekend. Brought out a decent crowd tonight.
Here for three days, starting now with a number of different looks at this amazing country. We've got a sword fighting lesson. We'll track the path of "Lost in Translation." We felt a bit like that, too, over the past couple of days.
But we've been very busy over the weekend.
We've also come at a rather important time for U.S and Japan as the security arrangements between the countries now are changing. Here is where we find the current state of Japan.
Prime Minister Koizumi, a strong U.S. ally in the war on terror, and recently offering new support in Iraq, pledging to keep Japanese troops there for yet another year, until December of 2005.
Also, over the weekend, Japan announced new defense guidelines that will be very important for the entire region, stating potential threats from North Korea and from China. We'll talk in depth about that and what it may mean for the U.S. military presence here.
Japan's economy is growing, slowly. The yen is relatively strong. Interest rates amazingly low, as well. And of course any time you talk about Japan's place in the world, you have to acknowledge and recognize its leading role as an innovator in technology, especially when it comes to the camera and the phone.
And now, we see the camera phone. And literally, you can see it in the hands of just about every person we pass along the streets. So, a lot to talk about as we go throughout the week here, right now, back to New York and Soledad, again, there.
Ohayou to you back in New York City -- Soledad?
O'BRIEN: Ohayou back. That's the only word I know. All right, Bill, thanks.
Back here, some of the other stories that we're following this morning. Ukraine's parliament re-opening its investigation into whether opposition leader Viktor Yuschenko was poisoned.
We're going to talk, this morning, with his chief of staff, find out who the candidate thinks may be the prime suspect.
Mr. Cafferty, what are you looking at this morning?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Soledad, a couple of things.
Disturbing story out of Iraq where an analysis of the pentagon, figure shows that army national guard troops are dying, being killed at a greater rate in Iraq than full time, regular military personnel.
The other story we'll update you on is those two red tail hawks that were summarily kicked out of that high rise building on Manhattan's upper east side. Front page news even in the "New York Times" on Saturday.
And there's a chance today that these two birds may get their nest back before the snow comes. So, we'll bring you up to date on that as well.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thank you.
CAFFERTY: Sure.
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to the headlines. Kelly Wallace in for us this morning. Hello, good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, good morning, Soledad. Great to see you.
Good morning, Jack. Good morning, everyone.
Now in the news.
The search on today for a nominee to take the reigns as homeland security secretary. The hunt resumed over the weekend after former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik withdrew over questions about the immigration status of a former nanny.
We will talk about possible nominees just ahead.
In Redwood City, California, the jury in the Scott Peterson case returns to consider his fate in the next four hours. Jurors had the weekend off after two days of deliberations over whether Peterson should be sentenced to death or get life in prison.
It took the same jury just over seven hours last month to convict Peterson for killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son.
Despite the shortage of flu vaccines, some states are easing restrictions on who can get the shots. The Centers for Disease Control acknowledging supply exceeds demand in some areas. Among states now allowing more people not at high risk to get flu shots, Michigan, Utah, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
And less than two hours from now, nominations for the Golden Globes will be announced from Hollywood, California. One hundred eighty-five feature films are in the running this year. The tinsel town buzz favoring "The Aviator" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx for his performance in another bio-pic, "Ray.
We will have live coverage of those nominations at about 8:30 Eastern time.
Did not see "Aviator," but did see "Ray." And if Jamie Foxx doesn't get a nomination...
O'BRIEN: You'll be morally outraged?
WALLACE: ... big -- morally outraged, huge injustice.
O'BRIEN: I haven't seen anything, but I like -- I like when they do the announcements because then I know what to run out and see.
WALLACE: Exactly.
O'BRIEN: Kelly, thanks.
WALLACE: Sure.
O'BRIEN: A suicide bomb -- car bomb -- exploded today in Baghdad killing at least six people. And this weekend, seven U.S. marines were killed in two separate attacks. All of this comes at the hands of the insurgency, which still seems to have a strong-hold on parts of Iraq, now a year to the day since the capture of Saddam Hussein.
CNN's Chris Lawrence is in Baghdad for us this morning with more. Chris, good morning.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
You know, this time last year, there was so much hope that things would be better than they are not only from the Iraqi people but American troops and their families back home.
Now almost everyone agrees that if there's been any change, it's been for the worse.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And heard noises...
LAWRENCE (voice-over): When Saddam Hussein was dragged out of a hole in the ground, many expected the insurgency would soon be buried. The skies over Baghdad Monday prove it's anything but.
A suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint near Baghdad's green zone, detonating a car bomb as people were going to work. The blast shook buildings across Baghdad, killing at least half a dozen people and wounding more.
And in two separate incidents Sunday, seven United States marines were killed in action west of the capital, while working to secure that area. It's all a far cry from where U.S. officials expected to be this time last year.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A dark and painful era is over. A hopeful day has arrived.
LAWRENCE: President Bush hailed Saddam's capture as a breakthrough. And military officials said it dealt a huge blow to insurgents, depriving them of a figurehead and financial backer.
BUSH: All Iraqis can now come together and reject violence and build a new Iraq.
LAWRENCE: But one year on, Iraqis are more divided than ever. Insurgents have become stronger and smarter, and a rebuilt Iraq is still years away. It's left many people here discouraged.
UNIDENTIFIED IRAQI CITIZEN (through translator): We expected a lot of changes, especially when they captured Saddam, but nothing has happened.
LAWRENCE: A year has made all the difference, but not in the ways Iraqis and Americans would have liked.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: Now, one year later Saddam remains in a Baghdad prison, isolated from other inmates. He's in a small cell but does get to go outside to for fresh air. And he spends his days eating meals and reading the Koran -- Soledad?
O'BRIEN: Chris, he's only been in court that one time that we've seen since he was first captured. When does this whole thing go toward trial?
LAWRENCE: Well, the interim Iraqi government initially made some promises that it would have happened by now. Obviously, it has not, and we don't expect anything regarding that to happen before an elected government is in place by the end of next month.
Even then, from what we're hearing, with the security situation the way it is now, it may be this time next year before Saddam Hussein actually goes to trial.
O'BRIEN: Chris Lawrence for us in Baghdad, this morning. Chris, thanks.
This morning, the White House, once again, searching for a new director of homeland security -- President Bush's first choice, former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, withdrew his name late on Friday in attempt to avoid scandal.
CNN political analyst, Carlos Watson, is in Mountain View, California this morning. Let's talk a little bit about, Carlos, what kind of nominee is the president going to need? How tough of a job is it, right now, to find the right person, do you think?
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALAST: You know, there still is a real opportunity to find the right person. It's a big, important job. It's a job, frankly, with political upside if someone has a long-term interest in politics, maybe running for office.
And so, although there are real challenges in the department, I think the president will be able to find someone and someone probably before the holidays.
O'BRIEN: All right, then, what kind of skills do you think he's looking for in this new director?
WATSON: Three things -- first and foremost, someone who can work with local and state leaders around the country not only issues on like protecting the ports and the train systems but also on how do you communicate threats to the public.
Number two, he wants someone who can navigate in Washington, D.C., not only managing the bureaucracy there, but someone who can really help consolidate those 22 agencies that were brought together.
And then last but not least, given that other countries, countries like Israel and Japan, who are also having their own, internal domestic threats, you need someone who can communicate with international leaders around the country, who, in effect, can share best practices.
O'BRIEN: Who's on your short list, Carlos?
WATSON: You know, there are some conventional choices, certainly Admiral Jim Loy, who is the number two person in the department right now, Frances Townsend, a 13-year veteran of the justice department, who, right now, is the White House advisor on domestic security issues.
But you also have to consider some who are less conventional, maybe a democratic senator, like Joe Lieberman, who helped, in part, author the bill that created the department of homeland security. You also may hear names like former Virginia governor, Jim Gilmore, who's been involved in intelligence issues.
And then here's a real wild one, maybe a member of the 9/11 commission, former secretary of the Navy, John Lehman.
So, lots of choices for the president to look at.
O'BRIEN: Hindsight, obviously, Carlos, is 20-20. But there has been much adieu about whether or not the White House had a good vetting process or maybe Bernard Kerik, himself, was to blame for all this.
Let's listen quickly to what democratic senator, Byron Dorgan, had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D), NORTH DAKOTA: Obviously, it wasn't good vetting at the White House. There's something wrong when you announce the head of one of, I think, one of the most important agencies in our government to protect this country against terrorism and discover that you've missed a significant piece of the vetting process.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Where do you think the blame goes squarely, Carlos?
WATSON: You know, clearly, the White House vetting process is going to get a lot of the blame. Now, Rudy Giuliani and Bernard Kerik both attempted to fall on the sword and say, we should have done a better job.
But there will be a little bit of egg there. I think, though, for the president, politically there won't be a lot of fallout unless you continue to see him have trouble with multiple nominees. But you will see more of the press give tighter scrutiny to follow-up nominees, not only for this job but for other openings in the cabinet.
O'BRIEN: What about long-term impact on Rudy Giuliani, much made, of course, of having his guy in the cabinet early on, and now that's not to be.
What do you think the impact is for him?
WATSON: You know, again, probably not huge unless more salacious details come out. Remember that Giuliani played a critical role campaigning for the president during the fall not only at the Republican National Convention but also in a couple of blue states that went red, out in New Mexico, out in Iowa.
So, for now, it probably won't be significant, especially if the president is able to name someone else, and someone gets confirmed fairly quickly.
O'BRIEN: Well will see how that happens. All right. Carlos Watson for us this morning. Nice to see you, Carlos, thanks.
WATSON: Good to see you.
O'BRIEN: Bill?
HEMMER: All right, Soledad. Back here in Tokyo, now, CNN has a huge following in this country that tunes in everyday for AMERICAN MORNING, among other programs on our network.
We thought we would give you a quick look around, a quick look around town to show you where we will be hanging out for the next couple of days, here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER (voice-over): Tokyo, population 10 million, the heart, soul and capitol city of this great Asian country.
(on camera) You might recognize a few stops along the road. We're in, Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's economic hubs.
(voice-over) This is where they shot the opening scene in the file "Lost in Translation." A jet-lagged Bill Murray waking up in Japan's neon skyline.
(on camera) We felt the same way after our own 14-hour flight here.
(voice-over) Later in the movie and a bit further down the road, Scarlet Johansson takes a lonely walk in a sea of people and a few electronic elephants.
That's the screen up there, more than 10 stories tall.
(on camera) And this is perhaps Tokyo's most popular intersection.
This is known as Shibori (ph), perhaps Japan's version of Time Square. Twenty minutes east of here is where we have set up home base for the week, Roppongi Hills.
(voice-over) Roppongi Hills is a lively city within a city that just opened up 18 months ago. And like so much of Tokyo, this place can draw a crowd.
In its first year, more than 25 million came here to see the holiday lights and shop in its world class stores. There is so much in Tokyo. And we're just getting started.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: And we are in the Roppongi Hills area. And as we go throughout the week, here, you're going to see a whole lot of people come out to watch our program here.
There are Americans in great numbers that turn out and live in this area and, of course, the Japanese. This place has become such a popular location for the people here in Tokyo. And it's only been open, as I mentioned, about a year and a half -- great store, great shopping and also the holiday lights.
You know, the holiday of Christmas has yet to find an economy on this planet that it did not like. And the Japanese love it, too, by the way. So, we're told to say hello to you, Soledad, and also Jack and everyone else back there. So, I have done my duty delivering that message to you.
O'BRIEN: Yes, you have.
HEMMER: Again, we'll see you in a couple of minutes here.
Well good. I'm glad that's done.
I will tell you, though, that in a few moments here, we'll talk about the future for the U.S. military. So, we'll get to that as well, Soledad.
Back to you now in New York.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Bill.
I wonder if they're going to give you a standing ovation every time they come back. We'll see about that.
Still to come this morning.
Doctors now say it was definitely poison, we're going to ask the chief of staff for Ukrainian candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, who he suspects and what other plots may have been tried.
Also, let the hand ringing begin, the first of the big three Hollywood award nominations out this morning. The inside track on the Golden Globes is coming up.
And news that Japan's military is taking steps not seen since World War II. Bill is back live from Japan, with the commander of U.S. forces there, to talk about the global effect of Japan's decision.
Those stories all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. We're back in a moment.
HEMMER: Welcome back to Tokyo. About 9:15 in the evening here on a Monday night.
Significant U.S. military presence in this country. It's been that way ever since Japan's defeat after the second world war. Today, 58,000 American troops are stationed across the country, and about 50,000 more family members live here as well.
But a planned reduction in U.S. military bases overseas may affect the Pacific forces. Let's talk about that issue with lieutenant general, Thomas Waskow, who commands the U.S. troops here in Japan, with me now to talk about this all-important alliance.
General, nice to see you. LT. GEN. THOMAS WASKOW, CMDR. U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Good evening, Konbanwa, we say here.
WASKOW: Konbanwa, very nice to see you tonight.
HEMMER: I want to talk about the news that broke over the weekend first, about Japan's decision to altar its defensive strategy...
WASKOW: Yes.
HEMMER: ... throughout this country.
How significant do you see that movement moving away from a cold war mentality and designed now, as it says, to take on threats against North Korea and threats from China?
WASKOW: I think it's very significant in that the Japanese have recognized that the future is a very unstable environment. And so what we have to do is we have to create a situation where the Japanese are looking now looking to the future.
And the future is three major threats to them -- number one, North Korea, number two, the emergence of China as a regional actor and number three, the global war on terrorism.
HEMMER: How does that affect, now, the presence of the U.S. military here, 58,000 strong?
WASKOW: In fact, the secretary of defense has directed us to look at the future of our presence here in Japan. And because of the fact that combat power has changed over the years, we're conducting a very in depth study with the government of Japan to look at our future for structure.
HEMMER: Take that step further, now how would that change based on the U.S. layout here in Japan today?
WASKOW: Well, there are a number of proposals that are being discussed between the "sec def" and the governor of Japan. And we can't really talk about specifics, but the good news (ph) is because of the combat capability we have, we're here to provide the defense of Japan, and I think we're going to be able to do it.
HEMMER: How likely then, general, is it for a reduction of American forces?
WASKOW: It's possible. And in fact, we're looking at reducing the burden in Okinawa, in particular. So, as soon as the secretary decides which of the proposals he's going to accept, then we'll present those to the Japanese government, and then take a look what the future might look like.
HEMMER: For the new strategy on the Japanese side that was announced, as I mentioned over the weekend... WASKOW: Right.
HEMMER: ... how much should the U.S. consult with the Japanese government on that?
WASKOW: Well, we've consulted with the Japanese quite a bit and, of course, their decision is purely a decision that's good for the government of Japan, themselves. And we come to the table with our military capabilities, are very well-known because we have a very mature exercise program with the Japanese.
And so, I think that the decisions that they have made for their future are based on the knowledge that the U.S.-Japan security relationship is as solid as ever and will just get better in the future.
HEMMER: Yes, and also with regard to the war on terror, we have seen this the prime minister of this country be a strong U.S. ally when it comes to issue of Iraq...
WASKOW: True.
HEMMER: ... and other matters dating back to September 11.
Have you seen any cracks in that alliance?
WASKOW: Absolutely not. In fact, the support by the Japanese government the day after 9/11 was incredible with ground self-defense force, air self-defense force, maritime self-defense force and the Japanese national police guarding our bases.
So it's just been incredible, the support we got.
HEMMER: What explains, then, why that relationship, if it is indeed as tight as you describe, why is that the case?
WASKOW: Well, it's over 50 years of experience with our Japanese counterpart. Their self defense force was born in 1954. And every year since then, our exercises and our relationship has gotten nothing but better.
HEMMER: Well, general, good luck to you. And thank you for your time, tonight.
WASKOW: Thank you so much.
HEMMER: We appreciate you coming out and spending some time with us this evening.
WASKOW: Very nice to meet you.
(Untranslated)
HEMMER: That's going a little too far for my skills at this point. But I'm working on it.
WASKOW: Good to see you. Thank you.
HEMMER: General, thank you.
Let's get a break here. In a moment, back live in Tokyo yet, again.
Also, we will go to Iraq, the latest on the attacks in that country.
And the view from the other side of the world, important lessons learned from becoming a stranger in a strange land.
Back in a moment here, live in Tokyo on this AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Weeks of rallying stocks fizzled last week, so what could hold this week? Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business."
Good morning.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Soledad.
Stocks have been rallying since the election back in early November. We've go to talk about that and a big merger. Let's talk first, though, about what's going on, on Wall Street.
Last week, stocks ran out of steam a bit, not too bad. That's about 48 points down on the Dow. A busy week ahead, though. And it's sort of surprising given that we're coming up into the holidays.
On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve meets. We will probably get another one of those interest rate hikes. Look for another quarter point rise to 2.2, 5 percent on the fed benchmark rate.
A lot of economic data coming out and, of course, retail sales for the holidays. And these big mergers, you know, it look likes the Nextel-Sprint deal is going to finally happen, and the Johnson & Johnson-Guidant.
And then the biggie just crossing the tape this morning, billionaire Larry Ellison's Oracle Corporation finally buying Peoplesoft. I mean this one, if you've been following it, it's been going on...
O'BRIEN: A long time. It's amazing.
SERWER: ... for 18 months. And that's the Emerald City, there. That's Larry Ellison's home base there in Redwood Shores, California.
O'BRIEN: Not bad looking, huh?
SERWER: It's really coo. And he is a colorful guy. The former executive at Peoplesoft used to work for him. They hated each other. It was just a big mess, and now it's a $10 billion deal, looks like it's finally happened. O'BRIEN: All right, Andy. Thank you very much.
SERWER: You're welcome.
O'BRIEN: What's the "Question of the Day?"
CAFFERTY: Army national guard members, Soledad, about 35 percent more likely to be killed in Iraq than full-time, active duty soldiers, according to an analysis of pentagon figures by "USA Today."
One out of every 264 Army national guard soldiers has been killed compared to one of every 402 full-time, active duty soldiers. Some of the guard members, part-timers, are being assigned to the most dangerous missions, including driving those convoys and guarding the military bases.
Reports from the field suggest national guardsman often have worse equipment and training than the active duty troops. And the soldiers, who generally drill one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer when there is no war are put in squarely in the line of fire.
The question is this, should part-time soldiers be put on the front lines in Iraq?
AM@CNN.COM
Plus, an update on those two red tail hawks, who have been front page news in New York City for about a better part of a week now. There is a high level meeting scheduled for later today.
I'll tell you about it in "The File." There may be a chance those guys are going to get their house back.
O'BRIEN: We'll see. All right, Jack, thanks.
Still to come this morning, putting "90-Second Pop" to the test.
The Golden Globe nominations will be out in about an hour. The stories of an actress, a singer and a writer have the most buzz. But can any of them generate the kind of heat it takes to get an Oscar?
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
In just a few moments, we're going to take a look at one of the most intriguing whodunits in international politics. The case of just who poisoned Ukraine opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko if, indeed, he was in fact poisoned. We talked this morning with his chief of staff about the suspects.
Also, take a look at this guy, who is this hairy guy? Believe it or not, you know him. We're going to get the whole story on the inventor behind that sort of fashion statement, coming up.
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Aired December 13, 2004 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: It's been a year now since Saddam Hussein was captured in Iraq, and Americans and Iraqis there still fighting for their lives with deadly attacks again today.
Now that Bernard Kerik is out, where does the president turn to fill the critically important homeland security vacancy?
Also, in Japan, the biggest overhaul of the country's military strategy in many decades, and we are leer to see it on this AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: This is AMERICAN MORNING, with Bill Hemmer from Tokyo, Japan and Soledad O'Brien in New York.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome, everybody.
AMERICAN MORNING coming to you from both sides of the world today. I am here in New York City, Bill Hemmer, though, 14 hours ahead of us in Tokyo, where we are on in prime time.
Hey, Bill. Good morning.
HEMMER: Hey, Soledad. Konbanwa from Tokyo. Good evening.
Great to be here in Japan, 9:00 in the evening here. Enjoying quite a crowd, too, in Tokyo. They have been waiting for us here and our arrival from over the weekend. Brought out a decent crowd tonight.
Here for three days, starting now with a number of different looks at this amazing country. We've got a sword fighting lesson. We'll track the path of "Lost in Translation." We felt a bit like that, too, over the past couple of days.
But we've been very busy over the weekend.
We've also come at a rather important time for U.S and Japan as the security arrangements between the countries now are changing. Here is where we find the current state of Japan.
Prime Minister Koizumi, a strong U.S. ally in the war on terror, and recently offering new support in Iraq, pledging to keep Japanese troops there for yet another year, until December of 2005.
Also, over the weekend, Japan announced new defense guidelines that will be very important for the entire region, stating potential threats from North Korea and from China. We'll talk in depth about that and what it may mean for the U.S. military presence here.
Japan's economy is growing, slowly. The yen is relatively strong. Interest rates amazingly low, as well. And of course any time you talk about Japan's place in the world, you have to acknowledge and recognize its leading role as an innovator in technology, especially when it comes to the camera and the phone.
And now, we see the camera phone. And literally, you can see it in the hands of just about every person we pass along the streets. So, a lot to talk about as we go throughout the week here, right now, back to New York and Soledad, again, there.
Ohayou to you back in New York City -- Soledad?
O'BRIEN: Ohayou back. That's the only word I know. All right, Bill, thanks.
Back here, some of the other stories that we're following this morning. Ukraine's parliament re-opening its investigation into whether opposition leader Viktor Yuschenko was poisoned.
We're going to talk, this morning, with his chief of staff, find out who the candidate thinks may be the prime suspect.
Mr. Cafferty, what are you looking at this morning?
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Soledad, a couple of things.
Disturbing story out of Iraq where an analysis of the pentagon, figure shows that army national guard troops are dying, being killed at a greater rate in Iraq than full time, regular military personnel.
The other story we'll update you on is those two red tail hawks that were summarily kicked out of that high rise building on Manhattan's upper east side. Front page news even in the "New York Times" on Saturday.
And there's a chance today that these two birds may get their nest back before the snow comes. So, we'll bring you up to date on that as well.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack. Thank you.
CAFFERTY: Sure.
O'BRIEN: Let's get right to the headlines. Kelly Wallace in for us this morning. Hello, good morning.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, good morning, Soledad. Great to see you.
Good morning, Jack. Good morning, everyone.
Now in the news.
The search on today for a nominee to take the reigns as homeland security secretary. The hunt resumed over the weekend after former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik withdrew over questions about the immigration status of a former nanny.
We will talk about possible nominees just ahead.
In Redwood City, California, the jury in the Scott Peterson case returns to consider his fate in the next four hours. Jurors had the weekend off after two days of deliberations over whether Peterson should be sentenced to death or get life in prison.
It took the same jury just over seven hours last month to convict Peterson for killing his pregnant wife, Laci, and their unborn son.
Despite the shortage of flu vaccines, some states are easing restrictions on who can get the shots. The Centers for Disease Control acknowledging supply exceeds demand in some areas. Among states now allowing more people not at high risk to get flu shots, Michigan, Utah, Minnesota and Massachusetts.
And less than two hours from now, nominations for the Golden Globes will be announced from Hollywood, California. One hundred eighty-five feature films are in the running this year. The tinsel town buzz favoring "The Aviator" starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jamie Foxx for his performance in another bio-pic, "Ray.
We will have live coverage of those nominations at about 8:30 Eastern time.
Did not see "Aviator," but did see "Ray." And if Jamie Foxx doesn't get a nomination...
O'BRIEN: You'll be morally outraged?
WALLACE: ... big -- morally outraged, huge injustice.
O'BRIEN: I haven't seen anything, but I like -- I like when they do the announcements because then I know what to run out and see.
WALLACE: Exactly.
O'BRIEN: Kelly, thanks.
WALLACE: Sure.
O'BRIEN: A suicide bomb -- car bomb -- exploded today in Baghdad killing at least six people. And this weekend, seven U.S. marines were killed in two separate attacks. All of this comes at the hands of the insurgency, which still seems to have a strong-hold on parts of Iraq, now a year to the day since the capture of Saddam Hussein.
CNN's Chris Lawrence is in Baghdad for us this morning with more. Chris, good morning.
CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.
You know, this time last year, there was so much hope that things would be better than they are not only from the Iraqi people but American troops and their families back home.
Now almost everyone agrees that if there's been any change, it's been for the worse.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And heard noises...
LAWRENCE (voice-over): When Saddam Hussein was dragged out of a hole in the ground, many expected the insurgency would soon be buried. The skies over Baghdad Monday prove it's anything but.
A suicide bomber attacked a checkpoint near Baghdad's green zone, detonating a car bomb as people were going to work. The blast shook buildings across Baghdad, killing at least half a dozen people and wounding more.
And in two separate incidents Sunday, seven United States marines were killed in action west of the capital, while working to secure that area. It's all a far cry from where U.S. officials expected to be this time last year.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: A dark and painful era is over. A hopeful day has arrived.
LAWRENCE: President Bush hailed Saddam's capture as a breakthrough. And military officials said it dealt a huge blow to insurgents, depriving them of a figurehead and financial backer.
BUSH: All Iraqis can now come together and reject violence and build a new Iraq.
LAWRENCE: But one year on, Iraqis are more divided than ever. Insurgents have become stronger and smarter, and a rebuilt Iraq is still years away. It's left many people here discouraged.
UNIDENTIFIED IRAQI CITIZEN (through translator): We expected a lot of changes, especially when they captured Saddam, but nothing has happened.
LAWRENCE: A year has made all the difference, but not in the ways Iraqis and Americans would have liked.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAWRENCE: Now, one year later Saddam remains in a Baghdad prison, isolated from other inmates. He's in a small cell but does get to go outside to for fresh air. And he spends his days eating meals and reading the Koran -- Soledad?
O'BRIEN: Chris, he's only been in court that one time that we've seen since he was first captured. When does this whole thing go toward trial?
LAWRENCE: Well, the interim Iraqi government initially made some promises that it would have happened by now. Obviously, it has not, and we don't expect anything regarding that to happen before an elected government is in place by the end of next month.
Even then, from what we're hearing, with the security situation the way it is now, it may be this time next year before Saddam Hussein actually goes to trial.
O'BRIEN: Chris Lawrence for us in Baghdad, this morning. Chris, thanks.
This morning, the White House, once again, searching for a new director of homeland security -- President Bush's first choice, former New York City police commissioner, Bernard Kerik, withdrew his name late on Friday in attempt to avoid scandal.
CNN political analyst, Carlos Watson, is in Mountain View, California this morning. Let's talk a little bit about, Carlos, what kind of nominee is the president going to need? How tough of a job is it, right now, to find the right person, do you think?
CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALAST: You know, there still is a real opportunity to find the right person. It's a big, important job. It's a job, frankly, with political upside if someone has a long-term interest in politics, maybe running for office.
And so, although there are real challenges in the department, I think the president will be able to find someone and someone probably before the holidays.
O'BRIEN: All right, then, what kind of skills do you think he's looking for in this new director?
WATSON: Three things -- first and foremost, someone who can work with local and state leaders around the country not only issues on like protecting the ports and the train systems but also on how do you communicate threats to the public.
Number two, he wants someone who can navigate in Washington, D.C., not only managing the bureaucracy there, but someone who can really help consolidate those 22 agencies that were brought together.
And then last but not least, given that other countries, countries like Israel and Japan, who are also having their own, internal domestic threats, you need someone who can communicate with international leaders around the country, who, in effect, can share best practices.
O'BRIEN: Who's on your short list, Carlos?
WATSON: You know, there are some conventional choices, certainly Admiral Jim Loy, who is the number two person in the department right now, Frances Townsend, a 13-year veteran of the justice department, who, right now, is the White House advisor on domestic security issues.
But you also have to consider some who are less conventional, maybe a democratic senator, like Joe Lieberman, who helped, in part, author the bill that created the department of homeland security. You also may hear names like former Virginia governor, Jim Gilmore, who's been involved in intelligence issues.
And then here's a real wild one, maybe a member of the 9/11 commission, former secretary of the Navy, John Lehman.
So, lots of choices for the president to look at.
O'BRIEN: Hindsight, obviously, Carlos, is 20-20. But there has been much adieu about whether or not the White House had a good vetting process or maybe Bernard Kerik, himself, was to blame for all this.
Let's listen quickly to what democratic senator, Byron Dorgan, had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BYRON DORGAN (D), NORTH DAKOTA: Obviously, it wasn't good vetting at the White House. There's something wrong when you announce the head of one of, I think, one of the most important agencies in our government to protect this country against terrorism and discover that you've missed a significant piece of the vetting process.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
O'BRIEN: Where do you think the blame goes squarely, Carlos?
WATSON: You know, clearly, the White House vetting process is going to get a lot of the blame. Now, Rudy Giuliani and Bernard Kerik both attempted to fall on the sword and say, we should have done a better job.
But there will be a little bit of egg there. I think, though, for the president, politically there won't be a lot of fallout unless you continue to see him have trouble with multiple nominees. But you will see more of the press give tighter scrutiny to follow-up nominees, not only for this job but for other openings in the cabinet.
O'BRIEN: What about long-term impact on Rudy Giuliani, much made, of course, of having his guy in the cabinet early on, and now that's not to be.
What do you think the impact is for him?
WATSON: You know, again, probably not huge unless more salacious details come out. Remember that Giuliani played a critical role campaigning for the president during the fall not only at the Republican National Convention but also in a couple of blue states that went red, out in New Mexico, out in Iowa.
So, for now, it probably won't be significant, especially if the president is able to name someone else, and someone gets confirmed fairly quickly.
O'BRIEN: Well will see how that happens. All right. Carlos Watson for us this morning. Nice to see you, Carlos, thanks.
WATSON: Good to see you.
O'BRIEN: Bill?
HEMMER: All right, Soledad. Back here in Tokyo, now, CNN has a huge following in this country that tunes in everyday for AMERICAN MORNING, among other programs on our network.
We thought we would give you a quick look around, a quick look around town to show you where we will be hanging out for the next couple of days, here.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER (voice-over): Tokyo, population 10 million, the heart, soul and capitol city of this great Asian country.
(on camera) You might recognize a few stops along the road. We're in, Shinjuku, one of Tokyo's economic hubs.
(voice-over) This is where they shot the opening scene in the file "Lost in Translation." A jet-lagged Bill Murray waking up in Japan's neon skyline.
(on camera) We felt the same way after our own 14-hour flight here.
(voice-over) Later in the movie and a bit further down the road, Scarlet Johansson takes a lonely walk in a sea of people and a few electronic elephants.
That's the screen up there, more than 10 stories tall.
(on camera) And this is perhaps Tokyo's most popular intersection.
This is known as Shibori (ph), perhaps Japan's version of Time Square. Twenty minutes east of here is where we have set up home base for the week, Roppongi Hills.
(voice-over) Roppongi Hills is a lively city within a city that just opened up 18 months ago. And like so much of Tokyo, this place can draw a crowd.
In its first year, more than 25 million came here to see the holiday lights and shop in its world class stores. There is so much in Tokyo. And we're just getting started.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HEMMER: And we are in the Roppongi Hills area. And as we go throughout the week, here, you're going to see a whole lot of people come out to watch our program here.
There are Americans in great numbers that turn out and live in this area and, of course, the Japanese. This place has become such a popular location for the people here in Tokyo. And it's only been open, as I mentioned, about a year and a half -- great store, great shopping and also the holiday lights.
You know, the holiday of Christmas has yet to find an economy on this planet that it did not like. And the Japanese love it, too, by the way. So, we're told to say hello to you, Soledad, and also Jack and everyone else back there. So, I have done my duty delivering that message to you.
O'BRIEN: Yes, you have.
HEMMER: Again, we'll see you in a couple of minutes here.
Well good. I'm glad that's done.
I will tell you, though, that in a few moments here, we'll talk about the future for the U.S. military. So, we'll get to that as well, Soledad.
Back to you now in New York.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Bill.
I wonder if they're going to give you a standing ovation every time they come back. We'll see about that.
Still to come this morning.
Doctors now say it was definitely poison, we're going to ask the chief of staff for Ukrainian candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, who he suspects and what other plots may have been tried.
Also, let the hand ringing begin, the first of the big three Hollywood award nominations out this morning. The inside track on the Golden Globes is coming up.
And news that Japan's military is taking steps not seen since World War II. Bill is back live from Japan, with the commander of U.S. forces there, to talk about the global effect of Japan's decision.
Those stories all ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. We're back in a moment.
HEMMER: Welcome back to Tokyo. About 9:15 in the evening here on a Monday night.
Significant U.S. military presence in this country. It's been that way ever since Japan's defeat after the second world war. Today, 58,000 American troops are stationed across the country, and about 50,000 more family members live here as well.
But a planned reduction in U.S. military bases overseas may affect the Pacific forces. Let's talk about that issue with lieutenant general, Thomas Waskow, who commands the U.S. troops here in Japan, with me now to talk about this all-important alliance.
General, nice to see you. LT. GEN. THOMAS WASKOW, CMDR. U.S. FORCES IN JAPAN: Thank you.
HEMMER: Good evening, Konbanwa, we say here.
WASKOW: Konbanwa, very nice to see you tonight.
HEMMER: I want to talk about the news that broke over the weekend first, about Japan's decision to altar its defensive strategy...
WASKOW: Yes.
HEMMER: ... throughout this country.
How significant do you see that movement moving away from a cold war mentality and designed now, as it says, to take on threats against North Korea and threats from China?
WASKOW: I think it's very significant in that the Japanese have recognized that the future is a very unstable environment. And so what we have to do is we have to create a situation where the Japanese are looking now looking to the future.
And the future is three major threats to them -- number one, North Korea, number two, the emergence of China as a regional actor and number three, the global war on terrorism.
HEMMER: How does that affect, now, the presence of the U.S. military here, 58,000 strong?
WASKOW: In fact, the secretary of defense has directed us to look at the future of our presence here in Japan. And because of the fact that combat power has changed over the years, we're conducting a very in depth study with the government of Japan to look at our future for structure.
HEMMER: Take that step further, now how would that change based on the U.S. layout here in Japan today?
WASKOW: Well, there are a number of proposals that are being discussed between the "sec def" and the governor of Japan. And we can't really talk about specifics, but the good news (ph) is because of the combat capability we have, we're here to provide the defense of Japan, and I think we're going to be able to do it.
HEMMER: How likely then, general, is it for a reduction of American forces?
WASKOW: It's possible. And in fact, we're looking at reducing the burden in Okinawa, in particular. So, as soon as the secretary decides which of the proposals he's going to accept, then we'll present those to the Japanese government, and then take a look what the future might look like.
HEMMER: For the new strategy on the Japanese side that was announced, as I mentioned over the weekend... WASKOW: Right.
HEMMER: ... how much should the U.S. consult with the Japanese government on that?
WASKOW: Well, we've consulted with the Japanese quite a bit and, of course, their decision is purely a decision that's good for the government of Japan, themselves. And we come to the table with our military capabilities, are very well-known because we have a very mature exercise program with the Japanese.
And so, I think that the decisions that they have made for their future are based on the knowledge that the U.S.-Japan security relationship is as solid as ever and will just get better in the future.
HEMMER: Yes, and also with regard to the war on terror, we have seen this the prime minister of this country be a strong U.S. ally when it comes to issue of Iraq...
WASKOW: True.
HEMMER: ... and other matters dating back to September 11.
Have you seen any cracks in that alliance?
WASKOW: Absolutely not. In fact, the support by the Japanese government the day after 9/11 was incredible with ground self-defense force, air self-defense force, maritime self-defense force and the Japanese national police guarding our bases.
So it's just been incredible, the support we got.
HEMMER: What explains, then, why that relationship, if it is indeed as tight as you describe, why is that the case?
WASKOW: Well, it's over 50 years of experience with our Japanese counterpart. Their self defense force was born in 1954. And every year since then, our exercises and our relationship has gotten nothing but better.
HEMMER: Well, general, good luck to you. And thank you for your time, tonight.
WASKOW: Thank you so much.
HEMMER: We appreciate you coming out and spending some time with us this evening.
WASKOW: Very nice to meet you.
(Untranslated)
HEMMER: That's going a little too far for my skills at this point. But I'm working on it.
WASKOW: Good to see you. Thank you.
HEMMER: General, thank you.
Let's get a break here. In a moment, back live in Tokyo yet, again.
Also, we will go to Iraq, the latest on the attacks in that country.
And the view from the other side of the world, important lessons learned from becoming a stranger in a strange land.
Back in a moment here, live in Tokyo on this AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Weeks of rallying stocks fizzled last week, so what could hold this week? Andy Serwer is here "Minding Your Business."
Good morning.
ANDY SERWER, "FORTUNE" MAGAZINE: Good morning, Soledad.
Stocks have been rallying since the election back in early November. We've go to talk about that and a big merger. Let's talk first, though, about what's going on, on Wall Street.
Last week, stocks ran out of steam a bit, not too bad. That's about 48 points down on the Dow. A busy week ahead, though. And it's sort of surprising given that we're coming up into the holidays.
On Tuesday, the Federal Reserve meets. We will probably get another one of those interest rate hikes. Look for another quarter point rise to 2.2, 5 percent on the fed benchmark rate.
A lot of economic data coming out and, of course, retail sales for the holidays. And these big mergers, you know, it look likes the Nextel-Sprint deal is going to finally happen, and the Johnson & Johnson-Guidant.
And then the biggie just crossing the tape this morning, billionaire Larry Ellison's Oracle Corporation finally buying Peoplesoft. I mean this one, if you've been following it, it's been going on...
O'BRIEN: A long time. It's amazing.
SERWER: ... for 18 months. And that's the Emerald City, there. That's Larry Ellison's home base there in Redwood Shores, California.
O'BRIEN: Not bad looking, huh?
SERWER: It's really coo. And he is a colorful guy. The former executive at Peoplesoft used to work for him. They hated each other. It was just a big mess, and now it's a $10 billion deal, looks like it's finally happened. O'BRIEN: All right, Andy. Thank you very much.
SERWER: You're welcome.
O'BRIEN: What's the "Question of the Day?"
CAFFERTY: Army national guard members, Soledad, about 35 percent more likely to be killed in Iraq than full-time, active duty soldiers, according to an analysis of pentagon figures by "USA Today."
One out of every 264 Army national guard soldiers has been killed compared to one of every 402 full-time, active duty soldiers. Some of the guard members, part-timers, are being assigned to the most dangerous missions, including driving those convoys and guarding the military bases.
Reports from the field suggest national guardsman often have worse equipment and training than the active duty troops. And the soldiers, who generally drill one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer when there is no war are put in squarely in the line of fire.
The question is this, should part-time soldiers be put on the front lines in Iraq?
AM@CNN.COM
Plus, an update on those two red tail hawks, who have been front page news in New York City for about a better part of a week now. There is a high level meeting scheduled for later today.
I'll tell you about it in "The File." There may be a chance those guys are going to get their house back.
O'BRIEN: We'll see. All right, Jack, thanks.
Still to come this morning, putting "90-Second Pop" to the test.
The Golden Globe nominations will be out in about an hour. The stories of an actress, a singer and a writer have the most buzz. But can any of them generate the kind of heat it takes to get an Oscar?
Stay with us on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody. Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
In just a few moments, we're going to take a look at one of the most intriguing whodunits in international politics. The case of just who poisoned Ukraine opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko if, indeed, he was in fact poisoned. We talked this morning with his chief of staff about the suspects.
Also, take a look at this guy, who is this hairy guy? Believe it or not, you know him. We're going to get the whole story on the inventor behind that sort of fashion statement, coming up.
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