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CNN Live At Daybreak
Powell Visits Tsunami-Devastated Regions; U.N. Responds to Disaster
Aired January 05, 2005 - 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: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a shattered landscape seen from above. A high level U.S. delegation gets a firsthand look at hell on Earth after the deadly tsunamis in South Asia.
Then, the president's push to reform Social Security is shaping up as a key political battle. And true believers on both sides are spoiling for a fight.
And the dos of dieting. We'll tell you what experts say about losing weight and keeping it off.
It is Wednesday, January 5.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Let's bring you up to date right now.
Countries across Europe are honoring tsunami victims with three minutes of silence right now. You're looking at live pictures from Stockholm, Sweden. That's in a train station there. The Scandinavian country lost more of its citizens in the tsunami than any other Western country. The latest figures show 52 Swedes confirmed dead. More than 1,900 others missing or unaccounted for. European Union leaders are trying to coordinate aid efforts of all their member nations and right now the Europeans are showing solidarity and mourning those killed in the disaster. Britain will hold its moments of silence one hour from now.
OK, here now are the latest developments from the tsunami disaster.
Secretary of State Colin Powell boarded a helicopter this morning in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. He says he's seen everything, but nothing like this.
Rumors of child abductions are forcing Indonesian authorities to act. They're not allowing people to leave the country with children under the age of 16. The concern is that gang members posing as aid workers or parents are trafficking in orphans for adoption or as sex slaves. There is some good news from the region, however. The Red Cross says Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, was incredibly fortunate compared to neighboring countries hard hit by the disaster. Eight-six people confirmed dead in Myanmar. And, of course, as you know, those figures could have been much higher.
Talk about generosity, the Doctors Without Borders group has raised more than $54 million for the relief effort. It now says it will take in no more help to those in Asia, because it has enough money for now.
For the latest on relief efforts, reunions, survivor stories and more, head to our Web site's special section, After the Tsunami. That's at cnn.com/tsunami.
Let's head to the forecast center now and Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Turning the tide, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush go to the heart of the tsunami disaster. And Powell describes it as the worst he's ever seen.
Our John King is traveling with the U.S. delegation this morning.
He takes us on the tour.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For military helicopters, a bird's eye view of the devastation. The general turned diplomat stunned by what he had just seen.
POWELL: I've been in war and I've been through a number of hurricanes, tornadoes and other relief operations, but I have never seen anything like this.
KING: On the aerial survey, Secretary Powell and the delegation saw water and mud where 10 days ago stood roads and homes, villages. Crumbled foundations, many of the families washed away with the homes.
On the ground, an update of the humanitarian crisis here and a promise the United States military would do more to help.
POWELL: We will be increasing the number of helicopters that will be available to support T and I and Indonesian authorities. And we will respond to requests we get from the Indonesian authorities.
KING: This visit is a show of U.S. goodwill and a commitment to Indonesia and other countries hardest hit by the tsunami. But as he travels, an increasingly frustrated Powell is urging his own department to move quickly to get a more accurate count of just how many Americans were killed and how many are truly still missing.
POWELL: We expect that there will be some additional American casualties. It's up to 16 now. But I'm not of the view that the numbers will be anything like what some of our fellow nations have suffered over the last week.
KING (on camera): Secretary Powell and his delegation were on the ground here less than two hours, rushing in and out so that their visit would not complicate or delay the urgent relief effort. In fact, while the delegation took its helicopter tour and met with relief workers here on the ground, Secretary Powell's plane circled the island overhead, so as not to clog this critical runway.
John King, CNN, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: Colin Powell and Jeb Bush will attend an emergency meeting in Jakarta tomorrow. That's their next step. They'll meet with world leaders and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to figure out how to best coordinate the tsunami relief effort. No easy task.
Let's head live to our Richard Roth in Jakarta -- Richard, you just talked to Kofi Annan.
What did he say?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kofi Annan just talked to his staff, dozens of staff members, several of whom have returned from the area hit by the tsunami. He and his aides think that aid is beginning to flow better, that more and more people are going in. He's grateful for the support of the United States and other so-called core members, such as Australia and India. They need the logistical support, the planes, the troops, that can get aid in now. And then the U.N. work will really take hold.
Annan going to Aceh on Friday, probably a similar tour to Powell. He arrived today in Jakarta after a long overnight flight. I talked to him briefly in the airport in Frankfurt on the way here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: What, in your opinion, has gone right?
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: I think what has gone right is that there was a clear leadership at the beginning and everyone accepted the U.N.'s leadership. There was no competition about leadership. And even when the core group was set up, in my first meeting and discussions with them, discussing the objective of the group, we agreed that it was to support the U.N.
Secondly, the response from the general public and governments has been enormous. We are now -- we now have pledges and contributions of $2 billion, and as I said, I hope all of the money will be delivered and that it is fresh and additional money, not robbing Peter to pay Paul, pulling it from other crises and other developmental issues into this one.
ROTH: What's on your mind as you head toward the region? You've gone to East Timor and there was destruction and damage. You've gone to other disaster zones. But this is something different, right? ANNAN: This is very, very different and very special and the scale is enormous. In seven hours, 12 countries were hit by this tsunami. And so as I go there and sit with the leaders, we will be looking at how do we reconstruct and give people back their livelihood and let them continue their lives in dignity and earn their way. And how do we get the individuals and the communities involved in the restructuring, in the reconstruction? And I hope we will be able to get those that come up with an approach that will be suitable for the region and each of the countries involved.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ROTH: Secretary General Annan will issue a flash appeal as he meets with all of these leaders of the region at a summit in Jakarta on Thursday. Then he goes to Aceh and then eventually on to Sri Lanka -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Richard, a question for you. There has been tension between the United States and the United Nations.
Might working together on a disaster like this help ease those tensions in the long run?
ROTH: Carol, you'll have to repeat that, because I'm not really hearing you.
COSTELLO: OK.
Can you hear me better now?
ROTH: No. Unfortunately, I think I'm hearing more of the control room than you, but I wish I could hear you.
COSTELLO: OK.
ROTH: There you are.
COSTELLO: Well, let me ask a...
ROTH: Now I hear you.
COSTELLO: OK. Great.
I'm going to ask you the question again now.
There has been tension between the United States and the United Nations. I was just wondering if working together on a disaster like this could ease those tensions in the long run?
ROTH: Well, if they get it right, if the U.N. gets it right, even though there are so many critics of the U.N. who probably don't like it even if the building just turns the lights on in New York, the U.N. is very worried about looking that it's trying to seize a power grab regarding aid. They are desperate to have the help of the U.S. and the other countries. One unofficial did say the U.S. was stingy about overall aid. Rich countries, it still could have been a blessing in disguise, because a lot of countries have just stepped up after that criticism.
This will still play out. A lot depends on those Oil For Food investigations, really, regarding the U.S. and the relationship with Kofi Annan.
COSTELLO: It should be interesting.
Richard Roth reporting live from Jakarta this morning.
Thank you.
We've been getting a bird's eye view of the widespread tsunami discussion in Indonesia's Aceh Province.
Our Atika Shubert is on the ground there.
She brings us the latest -- hello, Atika.
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, Secretary of State Colin Powell was able to visit this province earlier today and he got a firsthand look at what happened here in Aceh. Aceh, of course, being in the province of Sumatra. That was hardest hit because it was closest to the epicenter.
Now, the secretary of state actually boarded a U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopter and got to see some of the devastation there. He described it as some of the worst devastation he's ever seen. And certainly the scale of the damage here is just -- it's overwhelming, frankly, when you see it in person.
The secretary of state then quickly dropped in on Banda Aceh Airport, where aid relief organizations are gathering. That's the sort of center of operations for relief into Aceh. He also dropped into a medical tent there briefly, visiting with victims.
He then spoke to the press briefly and promised that the United States would help in any way it could to relieve Indonesia's suffering, promising to bring in more helicopters that have become so crucial to accessing those inaccessible yet hard hit areas on the west coast of Aceh -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Atika Shubert reporting live for us this morning.
And, of course, as you heard Richard and Atika say, the next stop for Secretary of State Colin Powell will be Jakarta.
Tonight on CNN, a special report, "Turning the Tide." Live prime time coverage of the tsunami disaster from Asia. That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 p.m. on the West Coast.
A wave of goodwill and giving is following the path of last week's tsunami.
Just ahead at 22 minutes past the hour, major corporations around the world digging deep to offer help. And help isn't just coming in cash. We'll show you some creative ways the airlines are doing their part.
And we'll introduce you to an American man who's doing what he can to help the injured.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:14 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
A car bomb has killed eight and wounded 25 outside of a Baghdad area police academy. The explosion occurred during a graduation ceremony.
The "Washington Post" is reporting that attorney general nominee Alberto Gonzales may not have been the author of controversial torture memos. The paper says Vice President Dick Cheney's attorney may be the one responsible. The memos are expected to take center stage when Gonzales's confirmation hearings begin tomorrow.
In money news, the FCC is investigating the "F" bomb again. This time, it's gotten complaints over profanity used by Motley Crue front man Vince Neil. Neil uttered the "F" word during a live edition of "The Tonight Show" on New Year's Eve.
In culture, "Us" weekly magazine will publish pictures of super model Petra Nemcova from her hospital bed in Thailand. Nemcova suffered a broken pelvis when she was swept away in the tsunami. Proceeds from the sale of the pictures will go to charity.
In sports, USC put an exclamation point on its perfect season with a 55-19 drubbing of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. USC is the first team to have back to back national championships since Nebraska did it 10 years ago -- Mr. Corn Husker.
MYERS: Whoa, Nellie, they put a whupping on them!
Good morning, Carol.
In the words of Keith Jackson (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: That's Keith Jackson.
MYERS: Hey, good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: So what's the temperature in Chicago right now?
MYERS: Chicago? You give me a second here. S-A-O-R-D. And that is 28 degrees, with light snow and fog.
COSTELLO: Oh, and that's where our own Rob Marciano is.
MYERS: Oh, right.
COSTELLO: His lips must be frozen.
Let's go out there now -- good morning, Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Carol.
I believe it's 28. All I know is it was 71 when I left Atlanta yesterday. Twenty-eight right now and snowing lightly. And I do miss Atlanta. No, it's a winter wonderland, or at least it will be, here. Right now folks in Chicago are preparing what looks to be the worst storm of the season.
So far it's been a pretty mild winter, at least for the month of December. They had about five inches of snow right around Thanksgiving. And since then, less than an inch in December. December, they average nine, 10 inches of snow for the month. And I guess now we're into January, so December was pretty much a non-event. So they're preparing for what they think is going to be the worst storm of the season. So far, just about half of what they would normally would get for this time of year.
Obviously it's snowing. Temperatures are below freezing. It's not snowing all that hard just yet, but all that winter mess that Chad was talking about from the rest of the Midwest, namely Kansas City, Des Moines, is all heading this way.
Chicago right now right on the rain-snow lines. South Chicago will see a mix of rain and sleet and snow. Where we are right now, which is basically north and just west of Chicago, it will be mostly snow. We're situated right around the 294 toll way. Behind me, when the sun comes up, that's O'Hare. So we'll start to see planes taking off and running down.
It doesn't take much to get delays out of O'Hare. Everybody knows that. Just get the wind blowing, there's so much traffic into that airport, usually you get delays. It takes a lot to shut it down. They don't expect that. But certainly delays and cancellations will be an issue.
How much snow on the ground right now? Well, not a whole lot. Just about an inch right now. And you can see, look, I mean it's been so mild this past several weeks, and especially the last week and a half, that the ground is extremely warm. So not sticking all that much to the roadways. Regardless, 262 plows and sand trucks are out. This city is ready and waiting for this storm and we'll be here all day and maybe even until tomorrow.
Carol -- back over to you. COSTELLO: And they know how to take care of a lot of snow in Chicago.
MARCIANO: Yes, they do.
COSTELLO: All right.
Rob Marciano reporting live from there.
Thank you.
Word just coming in to CNN from the Associated Press. We told you about this a little bit ago. A car bomb has killed 20 people at a police academy south of Baghdad.
So let's head live there now to Baghdad.
Our Jeff Koinange -- Jeff, what you heard?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol, we're hearing the town is called al-Kuthrawiah (ph). That's about 90 kilometers of Baghdad. A suicide bomber targeting this police academy, you mentioned. So far, lots of casualties. At least 25 wounded and several deaths. We don't know how many so far. The situation is still fluid. But we know there are many casualties. Among them, both trainers and police recruits.
Also in Baghdad, earlier this morning, a car bomb not too far away from the funeral procession of the slain Baghdad governor, Ali al-Haidari, killed yesterday in an ambush drive-by shooting. A car bomb there killing two, wounding as many as eight.
All this as Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi gave a press conference with 25 days to go before that January 30th election, trying to reassure Iraqis that the government here is doing all they can to make sure that the security situation is safe. Prime Minister Allawi emphasized that there are foreign forces fighting in this insurgency, including al Qaeda and the Abu al-Zarqawi group. He did say that the government is doing all it can and he wants all Iraqis to take part in that January 30th election in order to make this country a democracy -- Carol.
COSTELLO: You know, Jeff, they seemed to plan it so well, this most recent attack at this police academy. This suicide bomb exploded just as the cadets were graduating.
KOINANGE: That's right. And this is what the insurgency is doing, Carol. They are targeting anything and anyone allied to what is called this U.S.-backed government. In the last few days, suicide bombers have targeted institutions like the police command center, an oil tanker exploded, killing up to 10 people, including eight police commandos. In this case, it's police recruits just graduating and about to be released into the streets. In fact, some of these recruits are supposed to provide protection to Iraqis on election day.
So, again, major setbacks to this administration in the run-up to the election. But the prime minister assuring Iraqis that the election will go on despite, Carol, despite the fact that some in his very cabinet want this election postponed -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Jeff Koinange live from Baghdad this morning.
Thank you.
Much more to come this hour on DAYBREAK.
The tsunami disaster has hit children particularly hard. Now officials are trying to keep them safe from another kind of danger.
Also, is it goodwill or just good P.R.? We'll take a look at corporate charity in the wake of the disaster.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: Donations are pouring in from around the world to help tsunami ravaged nations turn the tide.
Our Charles Hodson reports on how corporations are chipping in.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
CHARLES HODSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Companies ride to the rescue. The ceremonial opening of the annual sales at London's Harrods' Department Store, complete with Hollywood starlet Lucy Lui in an open carriage. Harrods' owner, Mohammed Al Fayed, is giving 2 percent of the first day's takings, $370,000, to help the victims of the tsunami disaster.
Meanwhile, big name companies are vying with each other to make donations. Coca-cola is giving $10 million. So is Pfizer, plus $25 million worth of drugs. Another drug firm, Merck, and Switzerland's UBS, $3 million each. Wal-Mart, $2 million, just ahead of Vodafone.
Some are making open-ended commitments. London-based Barclays Bank is giving $700,000, but that's just a start.
MARTIN MOSLEY, BARCLAYS: We'll do more through matched giving for our staff, payroll giving. And over the weeks and days and weeks following, we shall see that figure build up quite dramatically, I believe.
HODSON (on camera): Matched giving is actually almost a blank check, really, isn't it?
MOSLEY: Yes, it is almost a blank and open check. But frankly, that is the right thing to do. It's not time to be difficult about giving and not giving. It's just important to give and support, and quickly.
HODSON (voice-over): All the same, some companies don't want to be seen to be using the misfortunes of others to get a bit of good publicity for themselves. And communications consultants say to companies give money and help out, by all means, but avoid making a lot of noise about it.
NEIL HEDGES, CHAIRMAN, FISHBURN HEDGES: In terms of promoting it, I think our advice would be, in this situation, you know, yes, of course you tell your employees about the donation and how much has been given. Yes, you probably put something up on the Web site, because shareholders need to be told about it. But that's it. No more.
HODSON: Companies, too, are aware of the potential pitfall. Barclays' head of community affairs told me this kind of generosity is not only what employees want and expect, it also shows that good corporate citizens have hearts, too.
MOSLEY: It's not done for corporate P.R. This is the corporate world playing its part in supporting a wider world and a wider world globally.
HODSON: Not since the September 11 terror attacks have companies dug so deep into their pockets. And this time they're likely to dig even deeper, but do so discretely.
Charles Hodson, CNN, London.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: But I know you want to give, but you don't have the cash on hand to donate to tsunami relief. Well, no problem. You have a lot of other options, including, believe it or not, frequent flier miles.
DAYBREAK contributor Ali Velshi joins us to tell us more about that.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What a great idea. I'm a big collector of frequent flier miles and sometimes it really works for me and other times I end up with not enough miles on some airline I've used once or twice and I kind of don't know how to get rid of them and they expire. Or even if you're just one of these people who collects lots and lots of miles, this is a fantastic idea.
I just want to quickly run through some of the options on some of the airlines and point systems that are out there.
Starting with Delta. Sky Miles, their air miles program has something called Sky Wish and you can donate to the Red Cross, CARE and UNICEF in 5,000 miles increments. United Airlines has Charity Miles. You can donate to the Red Cross in 1,000 mile increments. Over at Northwest Airlines, they have a program called Air Cares. You can give to Red Cross, OXFAM and UNICEF. There's a 5,000 mile minimum and then 1,000 mile increments there. Continental, you can donate to Red Cross.
You notice a theme here. They're all -- Red Cross and UNICEF seem to be the most prevalent charities you can give to from these frequent flier programs.
Let's go to the hotels for a second. Over at Starwood, which is Sheraton, W., Westin, St. Regis, you can donate any amount of miles to UNICEF. Priority Club, which is the Intercontinental Hotels and Holiday Inn, they're taking donations for the Red Cross, for CARE and for UNICEF. Now, if you give your donations to UNICEF specifically for tsunami aid, they are matching those up to $125,000. You can give in 10,000 point increments. And just to get an idea of what that is, 10,000 points with Priority Club will get you a night at a Holiday Inn Express, sort of anywhere in the world, maybe $70 or $80 in value.
COSTELLO: Well, OK, so you're giving these miles.
But what are they being used for?
VELSHI: Well, in some cases, like Delta, they're being used the way someone would use miles. So you're donating miles to Delta. Someone can do what they would otherwise do with the miles -- hotel rooms, cars, airline flights. In most cases, it's flights that'll be useful to the charities.
In others, there's a bit of a dollar value to miles. I'm trying to get my head around it and I'm sort of getting a sense of they're worth $0.06 to $0.10, roughly, per mile, depending on who and where and what time of year you use them.
So in some cases, like in Priority Club's case, Intercontinental, they're -- they've got a dollar value they'll attach to the points and then give that over in charity.
COSTELLO: Interesting. And, you know, you might want to really consider this, because some charities have gotten in so many donations that they've stopped taking cash donations.
VELSHI: Right.
COSTELLO: Doctors Without Borders a prime example.
VELSHI: Interesting story at Doctors Without Borders. And I think it's very responsible of them. They've done what you were expressing some concern about the other day. They've said -- and this is their quote. "MSF" -- which is their name in French -- "estimates that we have received sufficient funds for our currently foreseen emergency response in South Asia. We kindly request you contribute to our general emergency relief fund."
So they're saying don't stop giving, but we're doing work elsewhere. They've maxed out what they can spend for now in Asia. It doesn't mean that there's not more money to be spent or raised for Asia, but this is one charity, one very big charity, that is taking a very responsible view and saying if you continue to donate to us, your money may be used elsewhere.
COSTELLO: Oh, that's so refreshing.
VELSHI: Yes, it's good. COSTELLO: Very refreshing.
VELSHI: I mean people are really keeping on top of this, being honest, letting people know what's going on. And I think Americans and people around the world are really responding very well by giving to charities. So here's just one more way you can do it.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Ali.
VELSHI: OK.
COSTELLO: Very helpful, once again.
In Washington, the new Congress has been sworn in and sides are being taken on several issues. Among them, oh, Social Security.
Your retirement, well, we're going to talk about that with an expert, about what's being planned by the White House and the other side of that very important issue.
Also on DAYBREAK, eating right on. Got a love handle problem? Stick around. Our resident dietitian, Lisa Drayer, tells us how you can choose the right diet for your personality.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired January 5, 2005 - 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: Straight ahead on DAYBREAK, a shattered landscape seen from above. A high level U.S. delegation gets a firsthand look at hell on Earth after the deadly tsunamis in South Asia.
Then, the president's push to reform Social Security is shaping up as a key political battle. And true believers on both sides are spoiling for a fight.
And the dos of dieting. We'll tell you what experts say about losing weight and keeping it off.
It is Wednesday, January 5.
You are watching DAYBREAK.
And good morning to you.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.
Let's bring you up to date right now.
Countries across Europe are honoring tsunami victims with three minutes of silence right now. You're looking at live pictures from Stockholm, Sweden. That's in a train station there. The Scandinavian country lost more of its citizens in the tsunami than any other Western country. The latest figures show 52 Swedes confirmed dead. More than 1,900 others missing or unaccounted for. European Union leaders are trying to coordinate aid efforts of all their member nations and right now the Europeans are showing solidarity and mourning those killed in the disaster. Britain will hold its moments of silence one hour from now.
OK, here now are the latest developments from the tsunami disaster.
Secretary of State Colin Powell boarded a helicopter this morning in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. He says he's seen everything, but nothing like this.
Rumors of child abductions are forcing Indonesian authorities to act. They're not allowing people to leave the country with children under the age of 16. The concern is that gang members posing as aid workers or parents are trafficking in orphans for adoption or as sex slaves. There is some good news from the region, however. The Red Cross says Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, was incredibly fortunate compared to neighboring countries hard hit by the disaster. Eight-six people confirmed dead in Myanmar. And, of course, as you know, those figures could have been much higher.
Talk about generosity, the Doctors Without Borders group has raised more than $54 million for the relief effort. It now says it will take in no more help to those in Asia, because it has enough money for now.
For the latest on relief efforts, reunions, survivor stories and more, head to our Web site's special section, After the Tsunami. That's at cnn.com/tsunami.
Let's head to the forecast center now and Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Turning the tide, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush go to the heart of the tsunami disaster. And Powell describes it as the worst he's ever seen.
Our John King is traveling with the U.S. delegation this morning.
He takes us on the tour.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For military helicopters, a bird's eye view of the devastation. The general turned diplomat stunned by what he had just seen.
POWELL: I've been in war and I've been through a number of hurricanes, tornadoes and other relief operations, but I have never seen anything like this.
KING: On the aerial survey, Secretary Powell and the delegation saw water and mud where 10 days ago stood roads and homes, villages. Crumbled foundations, many of the families washed away with the homes.
On the ground, an update of the humanitarian crisis here and a promise the United States military would do more to help.
POWELL: We will be increasing the number of helicopters that will be available to support T and I and Indonesian authorities. And we will respond to requests we get from the Indonesian authorities.
KING: This visit is a show of U.S. goodwill and a commitment to Indonesia and other countries hardest hit by the tsunami. But as he travels, an increasingly frustrated Powell is urging his own department to move quickly to get a more accurate count of just how many Americans were killed and how many are truly still missing.
POWELL: We expect that there will be some additional American casualties. It's up to 16 now. But I'm not of the view that the numbers will be anything like what some of our fellow nations have suffered over the last week.
KING (on camera): Secretary Powell and his delegation were on the ground here less than two hours, rushing in and out so that their visit would not complicate or delay the urgent relief effort. In fact, while the delegation took its helicopter tour and met with relief workers here on the ground, Secretary Powell's plane circled the island overhead, so as not to clog this critical runway.
John King, CNN, Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: Colin Powell and Jeb Bush will attend an emergency meeting in Jakarta tomorrow. That's their next step. They'll meet with world leaders and U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan to figure out how to best coordinate the tsunami relief effort. No easy task.
Let's head live to our Richard Roth in Jakarta -- Richard, you just talked to Kofi Annan.
What did he say?
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kofi Annan just talked to his staff, dozens of staff members, several of whom have returned from the area hit by the tsunami. He and his aides think that aid is beginning to flow better, that more and more people are going in. He's grateful for the support of the United States and other so-called core members, such as Australia and India. They need the logistical support, the planes, the troops, that can get aid in now. And then the U.N. work will really take hold.
Annan going to Aceh on Friday, probably a similar tour to Powell. He arrived today in Jakarta after a long overnight flight. I talked to him briefly in the airport in Frankfurt on the way here.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: What, in your opinion, has gone right?
KOFI ANNAN, U.N. SECRETARY GENERAL: I think what has gone right is that there was a clear leadership at the beginning and everyone accepted the U.N.'s leadership. There was no competition about leadership. And even when the core group was set up, in my first meeting and discussions with them, discussing the objective of the group, we agreed that it was to support the U.N.
Secondly, the response from the general public and governments has been enormous. We are now -- we now have pledges and contributions of $2 billion, and as I said, I hope all of the money will be delivered and that it is fresh and additional money, not robbing Peter to pay Paul, pulling it from other crises and other developmental issues into this one.
ROTH: What's on your mind as you head toward the region? You've gone to East Timor and there was destruction and damage. You've gone to other disaster zones. But this is something different, right? ANNAN: This is very, very different and very special and the scale is enormous. In seven hours, 12 countries were hit by this tsunami. And so as I go there and sit with the leaders, we will be looking at how do we reconstruct and give people back their livelihood and let them continue their lives in dignity and earn their way. And how do we get the individuals and the communities involved in the restructuring, in the reconstruction? And I hope we will be able to get those that come up with an approach that will be suitable for the region and each of the countries involved.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
ROTH: Secretary General Annan will issue a flash appeal as he meets with all of these leaders of the region at a summit in Jakarta on Thursday. Then he goes to Aceh and then eventually on to Sri Lanka -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Richard, a question for you. There has been tension between the United States and the United Nations.
Might working together on a disaster like this help ease those tensions in the long run?
ROTH: Carol, you'll have to repeat that, because I'm not really hearing you.
COSTELLO: OK.
Can you hear me better now?
ROTH: No. Unfortunately, I think I'm hearing more of the control room than you, but I wish I could hear you.
COSTELLO: OK.
ROTH: There you are.
COSTELLO: Well, let me ask a...
ROTH: Now I hear you.
COSTELLO: OK. Great.
I'm going to ask you the question again now.
There has been tension between the United States and the United Nations. I was just wondering if working together on a disaster like this could ease those tensions in the long run?
ROTH: Well, if they get it right, if the U.N. gets it right, even though there are so many critics of the U.N. who probably don't like it even if the building just turns the lights on in New York, the U.N. is very worried about looking that it's trying to seize a power grab regarding aid. They are desperate to have the help of the U.S. and the other countries. One unofficial did say the U.S. was stingy about overall aid. Rich countries, it still could have been a blessing in disguise, because a lot of countries have just stepped up after that criticism.
This will still play out. A lot depends on those Oil For Food investigations, really, regarding the U.S. and the relationship with Kofi Annan.
COSTELLO: It should be interesting.
Richard Roth reporting live from Jakarta this morning.
Thank you.
We've been getting a bird's eye view of the widespread tsunami discussion in Indonesia's Aceh Province.
Our Atika Shubert is on the ground there.
She brings us the latest -- hello, Atika.
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Well, Secretary of State Colin Powell was able to visit this province earlier today and he got a firsthand look at what happened here in Aceh. Aceh, of course, being in the province of Sumatra. That was hardest hit because it was closest to the epicenter.
Now, the secretary of state actually boarded a U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopter and got to see some of the devastation there. He described it as some of the worst devastation he's ever seen. And certainly the scale of the damage here is just -- it's overwhelming, frankly, when you see it in person.
The secretary of state then quickly dropped in on Banda Aceh Airport, where aid relief organizations are gathering. That's the sort of center of operations for relief into Aceh. He also dropped into a medical tent there briefly, visiting with victims.
He then spoke to the press briefly and promised that the United States would help in any way it could to relieve Indonesia's suffering, promising to bring in more helicopters that have become so crucial to accessing those inaccessible yet hard hit areas on the west coast of Aceh -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Atika Shubert reporting live for us this morning.
And, of course, as you heard Richard and Atika say, the next stop for Secretary of State Colin Powell will be Jakarta.
Tonight on CNN, a special report, "Turning the Tide." Live prime time coverage of the tsunami disaster from Asia. That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, 4:00 p.m. on the West Coast.
A wave of goodwill and giving is following the path of last week's tsunami.
Just ahead at 22 minutes past the hour, major corporations around the world digging deep to offer help. And help isn't just coming in cash. We'll show you some creative ways the airlines are doing their part.
And we'll introduce you to an American man who's doing what he can to help the injured.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news Wednesday morning.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(STOCK MARKET REPORT)
COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.
It's 6:14 Eastern.
Here's what's all new this morning.
A car bomb has killed eight and wounded 25 outside of a Baghdad area police academy. The explosion occurred during a graduation ceremony.
The "Washington Post" is reporting that attorney general nominee Alberto Gonzales may not have been the author of controversial torture memos. The paper says Vice President Dick Cheney's attorney may be the one responsible. The memos are expected to take center stage when Gonzales's confirmation hearings begin tomorrow.
In money news, the FCC is investigating the "F" bomb again. This time, it's gotten complaints over profanity used by Motley Crue front man Vince Neil. Neil uttered the "F" word during a live edition of "The Tonight Show" on New Year's Eve.
In culture, "Us" weekly magazine will publish pictures of super model Petra Nemcova from her hospital bed in Thailand. Nemcova suffered a broken pelvis when she was swept away in the tsunami. Proceeds from the sale of the pictures will go to charity.
In sports, USC put an exclamation point on its perfect season with a 55-19 drubbing of Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. USC is the first team to have back to back national championships since Nebraska did it 10 years ago -- Mr. Corn Husker.
MYERS: Whoa, Nellie, they put a whupping on them!
Good morning, Carol.
In the words of Keith Jackson (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COSTELLO: That's Keith Jackson.
MYERS: Hey, good morning.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: So what's the temperature in Chicago right now?
MYERS: Chicago? You give me a second here. S-A-O-R-D. And that is 28 degrees, with light snow and fog.
COSTELLO: Oh, and that's where our own Rob Marciano is.
MYERS: Oh, right.
COSTELLO: His lips must be frozen.
Let's go out there now -- good morning, Rob.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hi, Carol.
I believe it's 28. All I know is it was 71 when I left Atlanta yesterday. Twenty-eight right now and snowing lightly. And I do miss Atlanta. No, it's a winter wonderland, or at least it will be, here. Right now folks in Chicago are preparing what looks to be the worst storm of the season.
So far it's been a pretty mild winter, at least for the month of December. They had about five inches of snow right around Thanksgiving. And since then, less than an inch in December. December, they average nine, 10 inches of snow for the month. And I guess now we're into January, so December was pretty much a non-event. So they're preparing for what they think is going to be the worst storm of the season. So far, just about half of what they would normally would get for this time of year.
Obviously it's snowing. Temperatures are below freezing. It's not snowing all that hard just yet, but all that winter mess that Chad was talking about from the rest of the Midwest, namely Kansas City, Des Moines, is all heading this way.
Chicago right now right on the rain-snow lines. South Chicago will see a mix of rain and sleet and snow. Where we are right now, which is basically north and just west of Chicago, it will be mostly snow. We're situated right around the 294 toll way. Behind me, when the sun comes up, that's O'Hare. So we'll start to see planes taking off and running down.
It doesn't take much to get delays out of O'Hare. Everybody knows that. Just get the wind blowing, there's so much traffic into that airport, usually you get delays. It takes a lot to shut it down. They don't expect that. But certainly delays and cancellations will be an issue.
How much snow on the ground right now? Well, not a whole lot. Just about an inch right now. And you can see, look, I mean it's been so mild this past several weeks, and especially the last week and a half, that the ground is extremely warm. So not sticking all that much to the roadways. Regardless, 262 plows and sand trucks are out. This city is ready and waiting for this storm and we'll be here all day and maybe even until tomorrow.
Carol -- back over to you. COSTELLO: And they know how to take care of a lot of snow in Chicago.
MARCIANO: Yes, they do.
COSTELLO: All right.
Rob Marciano reporting live from there.
Thank you.
Word just coming in to CNN from the Associated Press. We told you about this a little bit ago. A car bomb has killed 20 people at a police academy south of Baghdad.
So let's head live there now to Baghdad.
Our Jeff Koinange -- Jeff, what you heard?
JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Carol, we're hearing the town is called al-Kuthrawiah (ph). That's about 90 kilometers of Baghdad. A suicide bomber targeting this police academy, you mentioned. So far, lots of casualties. At least 25 wounded and several deaths. We don't know how many so far. The situation is still fluid. But we know there are many casualties. Among them, both trainers and police recruits.
Also in Baghdad, earlier this morning, a car bomb not too far away from the funeral procession of the slain Baghdad governor, Ali al-Haidari, killed yesterday in an ambush drive-by shooting. A car bomb there killing two, wounding as many as eight.
All this as Interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi gave a press conference with 25 days to go before that January 30th election, trying to reassure Iraqis that the government here is doing all they can to make sure that the security situation is safe. Prime Minister Allawi emphasized that there are foreign forces fighting in this insurgency, including al Qaeda and the Abu al-Zarqawi group. He did say that the government is doing all it can and he wants all Iraqis to take part in that January 30th election in order to make this country a democracy -- Carol.
COSTELLO: You know, Jeff, they seemed to plan it so well, this most recent attack at this police academy. This suicide bomb exploded just as the cadets were graduating.
KOINANGE: That's right. And this is what the insurgency is doing, Carol. They are targeting anything and anyone allied to what is called this U.S.-backed government. In the last few days, suicide bombers have targeted institutions like the police command center, an oil tanker exploded, killing up to 10 people, including eight police commandos. In this case, it's police recruits just graduating and about to be released into the streets. In fact, some of these recruits are supposed to provide protection to Iraqis on election day.
So, again, major setbacks to this administration in the run-up to the election. But the prime minister assuring Iraqis that the election will go on despite, Carol, despite the fact that some in his very cabinet want this election postponed -- Carol.
COSTELLO: Jeff Koinange live from Baghdad this morning.
Thank you.
Much more to come this hour on DAYBREAK.
The tsunami disaster has hit children particularly hard. Now officials are trying to keep them safe from another kind of danger.
Also, is it goodwill or just good P.R.? We'll take a look at corporate charity in the wake of the disaster.
You are watching DAYBREAK for a Wednesday morning.
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COSTELLO: Donations are pouring in from around the world to help tsunami ravaged nations turn the tide.
Our Charles Hodson reports on how corporations are chipping in.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
CHARLES HODSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Companies ride to the rescue. The ceremonial opening of the annual sales at London's Harrods' Department Store, complete with Hollywood starlet Lucy Lui in an open carriage. Harrods' owner, Mohammed Al Fayed, is giving 2 percent of the first day's takings, $370,000, to help the victims of the tsunami disaster.
Meanwhile, big name companies are vying with each other to make donations. Coca-cola is giving $10 million. So is Pfizer, plus $25 million worth of drugs. Another drug firm, Merck, and Switzerland's UBS, $3 million each. Wal-Mart, $2 million, just ahead of Vodafone.
Some are making open-ended commitments. London-based Barclays Bank is giving $700,000, but that's just a start.
MARTIN MOSLEY, BARCLAYS: We'll do more through matched giving for our staff, payroll giving. And over the weeks and days and weeks following, we shall see that figure build up quite dramatically, I believe.
HODSON (on camera): Matched giving is actually almost a blank check, really, isn't it?
MOSLEY: Yes, it is almost a blank and open check. But frankly, that is the right thing to do. It's not time to be difficult about giving and not giving. It's just important to give and support, and quickly.
HODSON (voice-over): All the same, some companies don't want to be seen to be using the misfortunes of others to get a bit of good publicity for themselves. And communications consultants say to companies give money and help out, by all means, but avoid making a lot of noise about it.
NEIL HEDGES, CHAIRMAN, FISHBURN HEDGES: In terms of promoting it, I think our advice would be, in this situation, you know, yes, of course you tell your employees about the donation and how much has been given. Yes, you probably put something up on the Web site, because shareholders need to be told about it. But that's it. No more.
HODSON: Companies, too, are aware of the potential pitfall. Barclays' head of community affairs told me this kind of generosity is not only what employees want and expect, it also shows that good corporate citizens have hearts, too.
MOSLEY: It's not done for corporate P.R. This is the corporate world playing its part in supporting a wider world and a wider world globally.
HODSON: Not since the September 11 terror attacks have companies dug so deep into their pockets. And this time they're likely to dig even deeper, but do so discretely.
Charles Hodson, CNN, London.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
COSTELLO: But I know you want to give, but you don't have the cash on hand to donate to tsunami relief. Well, no problem. You have a lot of other options, including, believe it or not, frequent flier miles.
DAYBREAK contributor Ali Velshi joins us to tell us more about that.
ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: What a great idea. I'm a big collector of frequent flier miles and sometimes it really works for me and other times I end up with not enough miles on some airline I've used once or twice and I kind of don't know how to get rid of them and they expire. Or even if you're just one of these people who collects lots and lots of miles, this is a fantastic idea.
I just want to quickly run through some of the options on some of the airlines and point systems that are out there.
Starting with Delta. Sky Miles, their air miles program has something called Sky Wish and you can donate to the Red Cross, CARE and UNICEF in 5,000 miles increments. United Airlines has Charity Miles. You can donate to the Red Cross in 1,000 mile increments. Over at Northwest Airlines, they have a program called Air Cares. You can give to Red Cross, OXFAM and UNICEF. There's a 5,000 mile minimum and then 1,000 mile increments there. Continental, you can donate to Red Cross.
You notice a theme here. They're all -- Red Cross and UNICEF seem to be the most prevalent charities you can give to from these frequent flier programs.
Let's go to the hotels for a second. Over at Starwood, which is Sheraton, W., Westin, St. Regis, you can donate any amount of miles to UNICEF. Priority Club, which is the Intercontinental Hotels and Holiday Inn, they're taking donations for the Red Cross, for CARE and for UNICEF. Now, if you give your donations to UNICEF specifically for tsunami aid, they are matching those up to $125,000. You can give in 10,000 point increments. And just to get an idea of what that is, 10,000 points with Priority Club will get you a night at a Holiday Inn Express, sort of anywhere in the world, maybe $70 or $80 in value.
COSTELLO: Well, OK, so you're giving these miles.
But what are they being used for?
VELSHI: Well, in some cases, like Delta, they're being used the way someone would use miles. So you're donating miles to Delta. Someone can do what they would otherwise do with the miles -- hotel rooms, cars, airline flights. In most cases, it's flights that'll be useful to the charities.
In others, there's a bit of a dollar value to miles. I'm trying to get my head around it and I'm sort of getting a sense of they're worth $0.06 to $0.10, roughly, per mile, depending on who and where and what time of year you use them.
So in some cases, like in Priority Club's case, Intercontinental, they're -- they've got a dollar value they'll attach to the points and then give that over in charity.
COSTELLO: Interesting. And, you know, you might want to really consider this, because some charities have gotten in so many donations that they've stopped taking cash donations.
VELSHI: Right.
COSTELLO: Doctors Without Borders a prime example.
VELSHI: Interesting story at Doctors Without Borders. And I think it's very responsible of them. They've done what you were expressing some concern about the other day. They've said -- and this is their quote. "MSF" -- which is their name in French -- "estimates that we have received sufficient funds for our currently foreseen emergency response in South Asia. We kindly request you contribute to our general emergency relief fund."
So they're saying don't stop giving, but we're doing work elsewhere. They've maxed out what they can spend for now in Asia. It doesn't mean that there's not more money to be spent or raised for Asia, but this is one charity, one very big charity, that is taking a very responsible view and saying if you continue to donate to us, your money may be used elsewhere.
COSTELLO: Oh, that's so refreshing.
VELSHI: Yes, it's good. COSTELLO: Very refreshing.
VELSHI: I mean people are really keeping on top of this, being honest, letting people know what's going on. And I think Americans and people around the world are really responding very well by giving to charities. So here's just one more way you can do it.
COSTELLO: Thank you, Ali.
VELSHI: OK.
COSTELLO: Very helpful, once again.
In Washington, the new Congress has been sworn in and sides are being taken on several issues. Among them, oh, Social Security.
Your retirement, well, we're going to talk about that with an expert, about what's being planned by the White House and the other side of that very important issue.
Also on DAYBREAK, eating right on. Got a love handle problem? Stick around. Our resident dietitian, Lisa Drayer, tells us how you can choose the right diet for your personality.
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