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American Morning

Expatriate Iraqis Head to Polls; Condoleezza Rice Confirmed

Aired January 28, 2005 - 09:30 ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. 9:30 here in New York. I'm Bill Hemmer.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Carol Costello.

HEMMER: Soledad is out sick, resting her voice. We'll get her back, hopefully on Monday of next week. In a few moments, the profound sense of duty to Iraq felt by expatriates living here in the U.S. They're voting in five U.S. cities, as well as other places around the world. In a few moments we will check in on the mood in one suburb of Detroit, Dearborn, Michigan.

COSTELLO: Also ahead, two teenagers from New York who are the toast of the Sundance Film Festival with their documentary called "Bullets in the Hood." They have a led dangerous lives so far, but it turns out they have a gift with the camera. We'll take a look at their message.

"Now in the News." Let's get the latest headlines now.

Two suicide bombings in Iraq. The latest attack at a school for boys. The building expected to be a polling place. Just two hours earlier, an SUV blew up outside of a police station in southern Baghdad. At least four people were killed, two others injured.

In the meantime, a deadly helicopter crash just outside of the Iraqi/Jordanian border still under investigation. 30 U.S. marines died in that incident. A Navy corpsman also killed. Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: You, Carol. The investigation continues, but several sources now tell CNN there are growing indications that this crash was not due to hostile fire and was possibly not due to mechanical failure but to the low visibility in the area at the time. The preliminary conclusions by investigators, CNN has been told, are this. There was a very contained debris field, if you will, on the ground. The wreckage basically was not widely dispersed. That would indicate that the impact was on the ground, that there was no mid-air explosion, no shoot-down, no hostile fire.

Again, the debris field now being characterized as relatively contained, relatively small. They also believe that the debris field shows them that the helicopter hit the ground at high speed. Another indication, as we show you the basic area where this happened, the high speed impact would indicate again it simply hit the ground. No mid-air collision. Next, the wingman on the second helicopter that was flying behind it reports the impact, the flash, if you will, that he saw, he believes was on the ground. And they have, we are told, looked at the maintenance records for this helicopter and found no recent indications of any significant mechanical trouble. So at the moment, the strongest indication they have is that the reports of low visibility in the area at the time of this tragic incident was probably the major contributing factor to the crash of this helicopter -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Barbara Starr, live at the Pentagon this morning.

An arraignment hearing is expected two hours from now for the man suspected in the crash of a Los Angeles commuter train. Juan Alvarez facing charges which could make him eligible for a death sentence. Alvarez had been scheduled to appear for arraignment yesterday, but prosecutors delayed the court date for medical reasons.

And we've been telling you about this all morning. A major recall for Ford. The auto company says it will notify owners of the nearly 800,000 of its SUVs and pickup trucks of a potential fire risk. Ford says cruise control switches could cause a fire under the hood.

HEMMER: That is a massive recall, too. 800,000. Thank you, Carol.

Back to the vote here in this country for Iraq. They're voting Sunday in that country, but expats now already taking to the polls around the world now. Here in the U.S. specifically, they can vote five different cities. Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Nashville or Los Angeles.

Chris Lawrence this morning live outside a polling center in suburban Detroit. Good morning there.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Bill. We've already started to see some of the younger Iraqi-Americans showing up here at the polls to cast their vote. Now, a lot of them have lived most of their lives under Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, not Saddam Hussein, but they still consider themselves Iraqis and they're incredibly excited to cast their first vote.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FATIMA Al-HUSSEINI: Good morning.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning.

LAWRENCE (voice-over): Fatima al-Husseini (ph) is 18 years old and excited about Iraq's fire free election in half a century.

AL-HUSSEINI: First of all, it was counting down the weeks, and then it was counting down the days. Now it's just the hours.

LAWRENCE: From talking to college classmates in her political science class... AL-HUSSEINI: We need to prove that we want this.

LAWRENCE: ... to after-school meetings at a mosque in Dearborn, Michigan.

AL-HUSSEINI: Is the voting in the same place and the same time?

LAWRENCE: Fatima is registered and ready to cast her first vote ever.

AL-HUSSEINI: It's an honor. It's a privilege. And it's an obligation.

LAWRENCE: Election officials estimate there are about 100,000 eligible voters in the Dearborn area, including immigrants like Fatima's new husband, Gator (ph).

GATOR: I see too many religious.

LAWRENCE: And young, second generation Iraqis who've never set foot in the country.

AL-HUSSEINI: I'm an American. I have an American passport. I was born right here in Detroit, Michigan.

LAWRENCE: Fatima defends her right to vote because her parents are both Iraqi.

AL-HUSSEINI: And I once said if it wasn't for the regime of Saddam Hussein, we would probably still be in Iraq anyways.

LAWRENCE: Gator was there just four years ago and knows the risk Iraqis are taking on election day. He and Fatima are disappointed so many young Iraqi-Americans didn't bother to register.

AL-HUSSEINI: It's extremely frustrating because they're given the privilege to vote.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: Yes, Fatima says some people told her they didn't come because of some bad weather in places like Detroit and Chicago, or the distance in that there are no voting centers between, say, Tennessee and California. But overall, for every one person that registered to vote, there were nine others who were eligible and did not, and that's pretty disappointing no matter which way you cut it -- Bill.

HEMMER: Chris, the sign behind you says welcome, Iraqi voters. How many have you seen? Has the turnout been strong or not there?

LAWRENCE: It's picking up. I mean, I can look out at the parking lot, the parking lot's starting to fill up. It was a little light this morning, but we're starting to see more people. And some of the officials say they may see more people tomorrow. The voting will continue through the weekend. A lot of people may be at work today, or going to class. So they're hopeful, but again, just the sheer number of people registered, 10,000 people here, that's about one in ten of what it could have been if everyone who's eligible had registered to vote.

HEMMER: All right, Chris, thanks. Chris Lawrence there in Michigan. Insurgents, meanwhile, back in Baghdad, promise to quote, "wash the streets of Baghdad with voters' blood" on Sunday. U.S. forces certainly at their front lines as Iraq reaching this milestone.

How do their own families back here in the U.S. watching these elections? Kelly Wallace has been spending time with some of them. She's here now. Good morning.

KELLI WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. As you know, thousands of families for the first time coping with a loved one in the war in Iraq. So we traveled to Shoreham, Long Island, just about 90 minutes from here in Manhattan, and met one such family, with a mother who is upbeat, staying positive no matter what.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give me a hug. OK. I love you, too.

WALLACE (voice-over): Annmarie Beagen tries to make life seem as normal as possible for her three little ones, but it isn't easy.

ANNMARIE BEAGEN, HUSBAND SERVING IN IRAQ: I get very emotional sometimes. Just can't believe that this is happening to me. Sometimes I just can't believe this is all real. I can't.

WALLACE: With a husband in Kuwait who will soon head to Iraq, Annmarie tries not to dwell on the bad but focus on the good.

BEAGEN: The election is a beginning. It's a step forward, I think. It's a step in a positive direction.

WALLACE: Yes, she hopes the election speeds up the departure of American troops, but no, she doesn't think the violence will end.

BEAGEN: It's not going to stop just because there's an election. I can't worry and dwell on it, though.

WALLACE: It's tough for 8-year-old Danny, 4-year-old Kelly and 2-year-old Kevin to understand how daddy, a junior high school teacher, is now overseas for the first time in his 19 years with the Army National Guard. It's tough for mom, too.

BEAGEN: Am I happy that he's there? I'd rather he be here. But right now he made a promise and he's going to fulfill that promise and he'll come home and we'll have a wonderful life.

WALLACE: And for what her husband and his fellow soldiers are doing, she couldn't be prouder.

BEAGEN: These men and women are so brave. And I don't even say that lightly. They've given up and sacrificed so much, and so have their families.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And we want to thank Annmarie for letting us inside her home. She passed along, also, an important piece of advice. She says one of her ways where she can cope is by meeting weekly with a support group, Bill. So she says any family needing help, wanting support, should just pick up the phone and call a local community group.

HEMMER: What a sacrifice it has been, too, for so many.

WALLACE: Absolutely.

HEMMER: Thank you, Kelly.

WALLACE: Sure.

HEMMER: Another reminder to our viewers. Tune in later tonight. A special report of "NEWS NIGHT." Aaron will be in Dearborn, Michigan, sitting down with a cross-section of the area's large Iraqi population to talk about their role in this vote and the future for Iraq. Tonight at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 on the West Coast. Aaron's then. Here's Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: It is history for one business merger involving some of the biggest brand names in America. How are investors reacting? We'll check that out. "Minding Your Business" in a moment, here.

COSTELLO: And for two New York teenagers, enough was enough. For the camera and the strong voice, they took a stand against violence in their neighborhood. Their powerful message just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: In our "Extra Effort" section this morning, two New York teenagers taking a stand against gun violence. After losing close friends to street shootings, Terrence Fisher and Daniel Howard decided they needed to be heard. They made a film that's called "Bullets in the Hood." It made it to Sundance in Utah. Here now is their story in their own words.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TERRENCE FISHER, "BULLETS IN THE HOOD": I know eight people that have been shot and killed by guns. I just want to introduce you to few of them right now. This is Kevin West (ph) aka Castro. I did the documentary because I felt like I had to make more people feel my pain and feel our pain, what we going through.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Two uniformed officers were on foot patrol inside 385 Lexington Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. That's when they confronted 19-year-old Timothy Standsbury (ph) at a stairway door and ended up shooting him. FISHER: One of my friends, Timothy Standsbury, got shot by a police officer. And that really hurt. When that took place, I was there.

DANIEL HOWARD, "BULLETS IN THE HOOD": We were in the process of getting interviews from like kids about gun violence. And when the shooting happened, that just blew it out of proportion. It's Terrence's best friend who was a victim of gun violence. And you know, it shows, like, wow, this is real, this is raw. And like, the fact that we was able to film Terrence and see his raw emotions on camera.

FISHER: That's crazy, son. Because I just heard a shot, son. And just see blood. I ain't know who got shot. I was checking him out. It was crazy.

HOWARD: We was able to show how much gun violence actually affects youth, how -- what kind of trauma it can do to the family, the community.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My friend got shot just from coming from getting some CDs to go back to a party. No weapons, no nothing, no drugs, no nothing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we want? What do we want it?

FISHER: And that's what I'm here for, so -- to help them speak up. That's why I got the camera and, we just going to make sure we get heard.

HOWARD: The film was selected in the Sundance Film Festival. I had never, ever imagined that it was actually going to blow up like this and be this big. But you know, if not, we get to spread our message across the country.

What I hope they know is that gun violence is real. Timothy Standsbury is not the only victim of gun violence. The fact that there are people his age who are victims of gun violence and get their lives taken away is wrong. And there's nothing they can do about it. But the thing is, there's something we can do about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm 19 years old right now. It could be next. It could be you. You never know. It's just a lot of gun violence going on in my community right now. I just want to know when it's going to stop.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: The grand jury did not indict the officer responsible for the shooting of Timothy Standsbury. Standsbury's family, though, has filed a lawsuit against the city. He died a year ago this week. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Let's check in with Jack for "The Question of the Day."

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Carol. The question is this: should college teachers have to speak understandable English?

Julie in Harrisville, New York: "My son's a junior at Sunni State University of New York. Didn't understand and neither did the other kids a certain new teacher and he was told, 'figure out a way.' That was it. $14,500 bucks for 'figure out a way.'"

Jim in Hurst, Texas: "The schools are only doing their job, preparing students to understand their outsourced co-workers in corporate America."

And Blair in Toronto writes, "For me, university was a blur of kegs, bongs and sorority girls. My professors could have been goldfish and I wouldn't have done any worse."

HEMMER: Wow.

CAFFERTY: There's more than one of us in that group.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack. Good stuff.

CAFFERTY: There is a major merger to talk about today. It's going to make headlines throughout the day today and beyond. How are investors reacting? We're talking about Gillette and Procter & Gamble. Andy started his weekend early, but David Haffenreffer is down at the New York Stock Exchange. How goes it, David?

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Bill, this is a $57 billion deal. So it's getting investors' attention big time today. We're seeing a fairly typical reaction on the part of the investment community today. Procter & Gamble shares, this is the company that's buying Gillette, Procter & Gamble shares are lower by $2.50 now. Gillette shares higher by $4.71. This is a good deal for the Gillette shareholders.

The shares were priced at about 18 percent above the closing price yesterday. However, Procter & Gamble shares are part of the Dow industrials. We've got the Dow lower by one point right now, at 10,466. This is an important deal for both companies, that it gives them more strength, more bargaining power, with Wal-Mart, with Target, and with your local supermarket out there, as far as not only pricing, but also getting better shelf space, which is one of the most critical parts of any product supplier to these particular companies.

Also weighing on the markets today, weaker than expected first look at the first quarter GDP number. Came in at about 3.1 percent. Economists had been looking for a report somewhere in about the 3.5 percent area. So the mood perhaps not as rosy as it might otherwise be on this final trading day of the week -- Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: David, quickly here. One thing Andy was talking about earlier today. Have they come up with a name for this new company? Or a thought on that? HAFFENREFFER: We do not have an official word on that yet. There's a press conference going on in New York City today where they're going to be briefing reporters. Probably going to hear a lot about management changes and what-not, about auto new leadership for the combined company once it all happens. Of course, they still have to get through some regulatory hurdles, as well.

HEMMER: All right. P & G is about five times the size of Gillette. That's going to be an enormous company. Thank you, David.

HAFFENREFFER: You bet.

HEMMER: Let's get a break here. Back in a moment. A heavy burden for the comedian Chris Rock. Some believe it's up to him to save the Oscars this year. We'll check it out after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

If you're just joining us from commercial, we're watching Condoleezza Rice at the U.S. State Department with the president and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The ceremonial swearing-in. Let's drop in now at the State Department.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

RUTH BADER GINSBURG, U.S. SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE: ... is required by Article 6 of our fundamental instrument of government for all office holders, state and federal.

The Constitution tells us, in Article 2, Section 1, what oath the president shall take, but it does not set out the words for other office holders.

Our highly practical first Congress appreciated the urgent need to staff the new government. To that end, Congress adopted a law providing for the oath as its very first act.

Congress' second act, a measure less inspiring, was a protective tariff on a long list of imported goods, ranging from molasses to pickled fish.

(LAUGHTER)

The original oath was sparer than the one now prescribed. It read simply, "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the oath was augmented to include a promise to defend the Constitution against all enemies, domestic and foreign.

In 1868, the war over and the Union preserved, the order was changed to place foreign enemies before domestic.

(LAUGHTER) The oath I will now ask Secretary Rice to repeat dates from that time.

Madam Secretary?

I, Condoleezza Rice, do solemnly swear...

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I, Condoleezza Rice, do solemnly swear...

GINSBERG: ... that I will support and defend...

RICE: ... that I will support and defend...

GINSBERG: ... the Constitution of the United States...

RICE: ... the Constitution of the United States...

GINSBERG: ... against all enemies...

RICE: ... against all enemies...

GINSBERG: ... foreign and domestic...

RICE: ... foreign and domestic...

GINSBURG: ... that I will bear true faith...

RICE: ... that I will bear true faith...

GINSBURG: ... and allegiance to the same...

RICE: ... and allegiance to the same...

GINSBURG: ... that I take this obligation freely...

RICE: ... that I take this obligation freely...

GINSBURG: ... without any mental reservation...

RICE: ... without any mental reservation...

GINSBURG: ... or purpose of evasion...

RICE: ... or purpose of evasion...

GINSBURG: ... and that I will well and faithfully...

RICE: ... and that I will well and faithfully...

GINSBURG: ... discharge the duties of the office...

RICE: ... discharge the duties of the office...

GINSBURG: ... on which I am about to enter...

RICE: ... on which I am about to enter...

GINSBURG: ... so help me God.

RICE: ... so help me God.

(APPLAUSE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all for coming.

Laura and I are honored to be here.

Over the past four years, America has benefited from the wise counsel of Dr. Condoleezza Rice and our family has been enriched by our friendship with this remarkable person. We love her.

I don't know if you're supposed to say that, but...

(LAUGHTER)

Condi's appointment and confirmation as secretary of state marks a remarkable transition in what is already a career of outstanding service and accomplishment.

Today also marks an opportunity to honor another career defined by service and accomplishment.

Throughout a lifetime spent in public service, Colin Powell has asked nothing in return. For over four decades, millions at home and abroad have benefited from his bravery, his dignity and his integrity.

BUSH: He's left our nation a better place than it was when he began his career in public service as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

His magnificent wife, Alma, I am certain is pleased that a grateful nation is giving back her husband.

(LAUGHTER)

And all of us admire and appreciate the service of Colin Powell.

(APPLAUSE)

I appreciate the fact that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg administered the oath. It was neighborly of her to do that.

(LAUGHTER)

I want to thank Congresswoman Jane Harman from California for joining us, as well as Juanita Millender-McDonald from California.

We're honored you both are here. Thanks for taking time to honor your fellow Californian, Condi Rice.

(APPLAUSE) I see sitting between you two is a fine American in Andrew Young.

Welcome, Andy. Thank you for coming.

I shouldn't start going around the room heralding all the accomplished souls who are here.

(LAUGHTER)

I do want to thank members of the diplomatic corps for coming. I appreciate your excellencies taking time to honor Condi.

I want to thank the distinguished guests and folks who work at the State Department for joining us as well. It's a good thing to come and honor your new boss.

(LAUGHTER)

Good diplomacy.

(LAUGHTER)

Colin Powell leaves big shoes to fill at the State Department, but Condi Rice is the right person to fill them.

As national security adviser, she has led during a time when events not of our choosing have forced America to the leading edge of history. Condi has an abiding belief in the power of democracy to secure justice and liberty and the inclusion of men and women of all races and religions in the courses that free nations chart for themselves.

BUSH: A few days from now, these convictions will be confirmed by the Iraqi people when they cast their ballots in Iraq's first free elections in generations.

Sunday's election is the first step in a process that will allow Iraqis to write and pass a constitution that enshrines self-government and the rule of law.

This history is changing the world, because the advent of democracy in Iraq will serve as a powerful example to reformers throughout the entire Middle East.

On Sunday, the Iraqi people will be joining millions in other parts of the world who now decide their future through free votes.

In Afghanistan, the people have voted in the first free presidential elections in that nation's 5,000-year history.

The people of Ukraine have made clear their own desire for democracy.

The Palestinians have just elected a new president who has repudiated violence.

Freedom is on the march, and the world is better for it.

(APPLAUSE)

Widespread hatred and radicalism cannot survive the advent of freedom and self-government.

Our nation will be more secure, the world will be more peaceful as freedom advances. Condi Rice understands that.

And the terrorists understand that, as well. And that is why they are now attacking Iraqi civilians in an effort to sabotage elections.

We applaud the courage of ordinary Iraqis for their refusal to surrender their future to these killers.

No nation can build a safer and better world alone. The men and women of the State Department are doing a fine job of working with other nations to build on the momentum of freedom.

I know our nation will be really well served when the good folks at the State Department join with Condi Rice to face the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

In the coming months and years, we must stop the proliferation of dangerous weapons and materials.

BUSH: We must safeguard and expand the freedom of international marketplace and free trade. We must advance justice and fundamental human rights. We must fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and reduce poverty.

Each task will require good relations with nations around the world, and each will require a secretary who will lead by character and conviction and wisdom.

To meet these times and tasks, America has its best in Dr. Condoleezza Rice, now Secretary Condoleezza Rice, our 66th secretary of state.

(APPLAUSE)

RICE: Well, thank you, Mr. President, for those wonderful remarks.

I want to thank also First Lady Laura Bush.

The president and Mrs. Bush have been really a strong support system for me here and good friends, and I want to thank you for that.

I want to thank the members of my family and my friends who are here. A number are here from Birmingham, Alabama, and they represent generations of Rices and Rays who believed that a day like this might somehow be possible.

I'm honored by your confidence in me, Mr. President, and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity you've given me to serve as this country's 66th secretary of state.

Let me say, too, in echoing the president's comments, that I'm indeed fortunate to succeed a man of the character and quality of Colin Powell, who served with such distinction, who has done so much to strengthen the State Department, so much to carry forward America's message and goals, and so much to help me personally in so many ways.

In the past four years, America has seen great trials and great opportunities.

Under your leadership, Mr. President, our nation has risen to meet the challenges of our time, fighting tyranny and terror, and securing the blessings of freedom and prosperity for a new generation.

RICE: Now it's time to build on those achievements to make the world safer and even more free. We must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power that favors freedom. The time for diplomacy is now.

Standing for the cause of liberty is as old as our country itself. Indeed, it was our very first secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson, who said, "The god who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time."

America's story is the story of men and women ceaselessly striving to ensure that we as a nation live up to the ideals set forth by our forefathers.

Our founders realize that they, like all human beings, were flawed creatures and that any government created by man would not be perfect.

Even the great authors of our liberty sometimes fell short of their ideals: even Thomas Jefferson himself. Yet our forebears established a democratic system of, by and for the people, that contained within it the means for citizens and conviction and of courage to correct its flaws.

The enduring principles enshrined in our constitution made it possible for impatient patriots like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King to move us ever closer to our founding ideals.

And so it is only natural that through the decades America would associate itself with those around the world who also strive to secure freedom for themselves and for their children.

September 11th, 2001, made us see more clearly than ever how our values and our interests are linked and joined across the globe. That day of fire made us see that the best way to secure a world of peace and hope is to build a world of freedom.

We do not simply seek the absence of terrorism. We seek a world where the aspirations for freedom of men and women triumph.

Today it is more fitting than ever that our nation should pursue a foreign policy that is grounded in democratic principles and aligns itself with the efforts of al those around the globe who share our love of liberty.

RICE: In all that lies ahead, the primary instrument of American diplomacy will be the Department of State, and the dedicated men and women of its foreign and civil services and our foreign service nationals.

More than half a century ago, Dean Acheson and his officers stood present at the creation in helping President Truman secure a world half free, while hoping that there would one day be a world fully free.

Mr. President, here with us today are some of the newest members of the State Department. The young officers here today are present at the transformation. And they will carry forward long into the future the work we are undertaking to realize your vision of a world where all people live in freedom.

Under your leadership, Mr. President, we at the Department of State will conduct a foreign policy that sees the world clearly as it is. But, Mr. President, we will not accept that today's reality has to be tomorrow's.

We will work in partnership with allies and reformers across the globe, putting the tools of diplomacy to work to unite, strengthen and widen the community of democracies.

We fully recognize that the hard work of freedom is the task of generations. Yet it is also the urgent work that cannot be deferred.

And, ultimately, the impatient souls all around the world who struggle and stumble and rise again to take up freedom's cause will succeed, for the great mover of history is the power of the human spirit.

Mr. President, you have given us our mission and we are ready to serve our great country and the cause of freedom for which it stands.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

HEMMER: Iraq and the vote on Sunday is the underlying theme about in so ways today from the president and now the new U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The vote in Iraq begins in 37 hours. It is 6:00 local time Friday evening in Baghdad. The polls open at 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning, which is 11:00 local time here on the East Coast on Saturday night. We will all wait to watch that now. Condoleezza Rice, the ceremony is finished there now at the U.S. Department of State as she signs her name.

COSTELLO: I know it's very touching with her family behind her.

HEMMER: That's so true. COSTELLO: With her friends from Birmingham, Alabama, the place where she was born. Very touching words from the president, too, about Condoleezza Rice.

HEMMER: And you can almost feel the momentum building now toward Sunday morning, because everybody is anticipating what will happen, and how will we judge these elections to be a success, and that's what we all wait to hear.

COSTELLO: Well, you heard the president's remarks, too, in talking about the Iraqis with the courage, the great courage, to go to the polls, even though they know that violence may be done to them.

HEMMER: Have a good weekend, everybody. We got to go.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

Aired January 28, 2005 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everybody. 9:30 here in New York. I'm Bill Hemmer.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Carol Costello.

HEMMER: Soledad is out sick, resting her voice. We'll get her back, hopefully on Monday of next week. In a few moments, the profound sense of duty to Iraq felt by expatriates living here in the U.S. They're voting in five U.S. cities, as well as other places around the world. In a few moments we will check in on the mood in one suburb of Detroit, Dearborn, Michigan.

COSTELLO: Also ahead, two teenagers from New York who are the toast of the Sundance Film Festival with their documentary called "Bullets in the Hood." They have a led dangerous lives so far, but it turns out they have a gift with the camera. We'll take a look at their message.

"Now in the News." Let's get the latest headlines now.

Two suicide bombings in Iraq. The latest attack at a school for boys. The building expected to be a polling place. Just two hours earlier, an SUV blew up outside of a police station in southern Baghdad. At least four people were killed, two others injured.

In the meantime, a deadly helicopter crash just outside of the Iraqi/Jordanian border still under investigation. 30 U.S. marines died in that incident. A Navy corpsman also killed. Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: You, Carol. The investigation continues, but several sources now tell CNN there are growing indications that this crash was not due to hostile fire and was possibly not due to mechanical failure but to the low visibility in the area at the time. The preliminary conclusions by investigators, CNN has been told, are this. There was a very contained debris field, if you will, on the ground. The wreckage basically was not widely dispersed. That would indicate that the impact was on the ground, that there was no mid-air explosion, no shoot-down, no hostile fire.

Again, the debris field now being characterized as relatively contained, relatively small. They also believe that the debris field shows them that the helicopter hit the ground at high speed. Another indication, as we show you the basic area where this happened, the high speed impact would indicate again it simply hit the ground. No mid-air collision. Next, the wingman on the second helicopter that was flying behind it reports the impact, the flash, if you will, that he saw, he believes was on the ground. And they have, we are told, looked at the maintenance records for this helicopter and found no recent indications of any significant mechanical trouble. So at the moment, the strongest indication they have is that the reports of low visibility in the area at the time of this tragic incident was probably the major contributing factor to the crash of this helicopter -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Barbara Starr, live at the Pentagon this morning.

An arraignment hearing is expected two hours from now for the man suspected in the crash of a Los Angeles commuter train. Juan Alvarez facing charges which could make him eligible for a death sentence. Alvarez had been scheduled to appear for arraignment yesterday, but prosecutors delayed the court date for medical reasons.

And we've been telling you about this all morning. A major recall for Ford. The auto company says it will notify owners of the nearly 800,000 of its SUVs and pickup trucks of a potential fire risk. Ford says cruise control switches could cause a fire under the hood.

HEMMER: That is a massive recall, too. 800,000. Thank you, Carol.

Back to the vote here in this country for Iraq. They're voting Sunday in that country, but expats now already taking to the polls around the world now. Here in the U.S. specifically, they can vote five different cities. Washington, Detroit, Chicago, Nashville or Los Angeles.

Chris Lawrence this morning live outside a polling center in suburban Detroit. Good morning there.

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey, good morning, Bill. We've already started to see some of the younger Iraqi-Americans showing up here at the polls to cast their vote. Now, a lot of them have lived most of their lives under Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, not Saddam Hussein, but they still consider themselves Iraqis and they're incredibly excited to cast their first vote.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FATIMA Al-HUSSEINI: Good morning.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Good morning.

LAWRENCE (voice-over): Fatima al-Husseini (ph) is 18 years old and excited about Iraq's fire free election in half a century.

AL-HUSSEINI: First of all, it was counting down the weeks, and then it was counting down the days. Now it's just the hours.

LAWRENCE: From talking to college classmates in her political science class... AL-HUSSEINI: We need to prove that we want this.

LAWRENCE: ... to after-school meetings at a mosque in Dearborn, Michigan.

AL-HUSSEINI: Is the voting in the same place and the same time?

LAWRENCE: Fatima is registered and ready to cast her first vote ever.

AL-HUSSEINI: It's an honor. It's a privilege. And it's an obligation.

LAWRENCE: Election officials estimate there are about 100,000 eligible voters in the Dearborn area, including immigrants like Fatima's new husband, Gator (ph).

GATOR: I see too many religious.

LAWRENCE: And young, second generation Iraqis who've never set foot in the country.

AL-HUSSEINI: I'm an American. I have an American passport. I was born right here in Detroit, Michigan.

LAWRENCE: Fatima defends her right to vote because her parents are both Iraqi.

AL-HUSSEINI: And I once said if it wasn't for the regime of Saddam Hussein, we would probably still be in Iraq anyways.

LAWRENCE: Gator was there just four years ago and knows the risk Iraqis are taking on election day. He and Fatima are disappointed so many young Iraqi-Americans didn't bother to register.

AL-HUSSEINI: It's extremely frustrating because they're given the privilege to vote.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LAWRENCE: Yes, Fatima says some people told her they didn't come because of some bad weather in places like Detroit and Chicago, or the distance in that there are no voting centers between, say, Tennessee and California. But overall, for every one person that registered to vote, there were nine others who were eligible and did not, and that's pretty disappointing no matter which way you cut it -- Bill.

HEMMER: Chris, the sign behind you says welcome, Iraqi voters. How many have you seen? Has the turnout been strong or not there?

LAWRENCE: It's picking up. I mean, I can look out at the parking lot, the parking lot's starting to fill up. It was a little light this morning, but we're starting to see more people. And some of the officials say they may see more people tomorrow. The voting will continue through the weekend. A lot of people may be at work today, or going to class. So they're hopeful, but again, just the sheer number of people registered, 10,000 people here, that's about one in ten of what it could have been if everyone who's eligible had registered to vote.

HEMMER: All right, Chris, thanks. Chris Lawrence there in Michigan. Insurgents, meanwhile, back in Baghdad, promise to quote, "wash the streets of Baghdad with voters' blood" on Sunday. U.S. forces certainly at their front lines as Iraq reaching this milestone.

How do their own families back here in the U.S. watching these elections? Kelly Wallace has been spending time with some of them. She's here now. Good morning.

KELLI WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill. As you know, thousands of families for the first time coping with a loved one in the war in Iraq. So we traveled to Shoreham, Long Island, just about 90 minutes from here in Manhattan, and met one such family, with a mother who is upbeat, staying positive no matter what.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Give me a hug. OK. I love you, too.

WALLACE (voice-over): Annmarie Beagen tries to make life seem as normal as possible for her three little ones, but it isn't easy.

ANNMARIE BEAGEN, HUSBAND SERVING IN IRAQ: I get very emotional sometimes. Just can't believe that this is happening to me. Sometimes I just can't believe this is all real. I can't.

WALLACE: With a husband in Kuwait who will soon head to Iraq, Annmarie tries not to dwell on the bad but focus on the good.

BEAGEN: The election is a beginning. It's a step forward, I think. It's a step in a positive direction.

WALLACE: Yes, she hopes the election speeds up the departure of American troops, but no, she doesn't think the violence will end.

BEAGEN: It's not going to stop just because there's an election. I can't worry and dwell on it, though.

WALLACE: It's tough for 8-year-old Danny, 4-year-old Kelly and 2-year-old Kevin to understand how daddy, a junior high school teacher, is now overseas for the first time in his 19 years with the Army National Guard. It's tough for mom, too.

BEAGEN: Am I happy that he's there? I'd rather he be here. But right now he made a promise and he's going to fulfill that promise and he'll come home and we'll have a wonderful life.

WALLACE: And for what her husband and his fellow soldiers are doing, she couldn't be prouder.

BEAGEN: These men and women are so brave. And I don't even say that lightly. They've given up and sacrificed so much, and so have their families.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: And we want to thank Annmarie for letting us inside her home. She passed along, also, an important piece of advice. She says one of her ways where she can cope is by meeting weekly with a support group, Bill. So she says any family needing help, wanting support, should just pick up the phone and call a local community group.

HEMMER: What a sacrifice it has been, too, for so many.

WALLACE: Absolutely.

HEMMER: Thank you, Kelly.

WALLACE: Sure.

HEMMER: Another reminder to our viewers. Tune in later tonight. A special report of "NEWS NIGHT." Aaron will be in Dearborn, Michigan, sitting down with a cross-section of the area's large Iraqi population to talk about their role in this vote and the future for Iraq. Tonight at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 on the West Coast. Aaron's then. Here's Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

HEMMER: It is history for one business merger involving some of the biggest brand names in America. How are investors reacting? We'll check that out. "Minding Your Business" in a moment, here.

COSTELLO: And for two New York teenagers, enough was enough. For the camera and the strong voice, they took a stand against violence in their neighborhood. Their powerful message just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HEMMER: In our "Extra Effort" section this morning, two New York teenagers taking a stand against gun violence. After losing close friends to street shootings, Terrence Fisher and Daniel Howard decided they needed to be heard. They made a film that's called "Bullets in the Hood." It made it to Sundance in Utah. Here now is their story in their own words.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TERRENCE FISHER, "BULLETS IN THE HOOD": I know eight people that have been shot and killed by guns. I just want to introduce you to few of them right now. This is Kevin West (ph) aka Castro. I did the documentary because I felt like I had to make more people feel my pain and feel our pain, what we going through.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Two uniformed officers were on foot patrol inside 385 Lexington Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant. That's when they confronted 19-year-old Timothy Standsbury (ph) at a stairway door and ended up shooting him. FISHER: One of my friends, Timothy Standsbury, got shot by a police officer. And that really hurt. When that took place, I was there.

DANIEL HOWARD, "BULLETS IN THE HOOD": We were in the process of getting interviews from like kids about gun violence. And when the shooting happened, that just blew it out of proportion. It's Terrence's best friend who was a victim of gun violence. And you know, it shows, like, wow, this is real, this is raw. And like, the fact that we was able to film Terrence and see his raw emotions on camera.

FISHER: That's crazy, son. Because I just heard a shot, son. And just see blood. I ain't know who got shot. I was checking him out. It was crazy.

HOWARD: We was able to show how much gun violence actually affects youth, how -- what kind of trauma it can do to the family, the community.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My friend got shot just from coming from getting some CDs to go back to a party. No weapons, no nothing, no drugs, no nothing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we want? What do we want it?

FISHER: And that's what I'm here for, so -- to help them speak up. That's why I got the camera and, we just going to make sure we get heard.

HOWARD: The film was selected in the Sundance Film Festival. I had never, ever imagined that it was actually going to blow up like this and be this big. But you know, if not, we get to spread our message across the country.

What I hope they know is that gun violence is real. Timothy Standsbury is not the only victim of gun violence. The fact that there are people his age who are victims of gun violence and get their lives taken away is wrong. And there's nothing they can do about it. But the thing is, there's something we can do about it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm 19 years old right now. It could be next. It could be you. You never know. It's just a lot of gun violence going on in my community right now. I just want to know when it's going to stop.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HEMMER: The grand jury did not indict the officer responsible for the shooting of Timothy Standsbury. Standsbury's family, though, has filed a lawsuit against the city. He died a year ago this week. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Let's check in with Jack for "The Question of the Day."

JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Thanks, Carol. The question is this: should college teachers have to speak understandable English?

Julie in Harrisville, New York: "My son's a junior at Sunni State University of New York. Didn't understand and neither did the other kids a certain new teacher and he was told, 'figure out a way.' That was it. $14,500 bucks for 'figure out a way.'"

Jim in Hurst, Texas: "The schools are only doing their job, preparing students to understand their outsourced co-workers in corporate America."

And Blair in Toronto writes, "For me, university was a blur of kegs, bongs and sorority girls. My professors could have been goldfish and I wouldn't have done any worse."

HEMMER: Wow.

CAFFERTY: There's more than one of us in that group.

HEMMER: Thank you, Jack. Good stuff.

CAFFERTY: There is a major merger to talk about today. It's going to make headlines throughout the day today and beyond. How are investors reacting? We're talking about Gillette and Procter & Gamble. Andy started his weekend early, but David Haffenreffer is down at the New York Stock Exchange. How goes it, David?

DAVID HAFFENREFFER, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT: Bill, this is a $57 billion deal. So it's getting investors' attention big time today. We're seeing a fairly typical reaction on the part of the investment community today. Procter & Gamble shares, this is the company that's buying Gillette, Procter & Gamble shares are lower by $2.50 now. Gillette shares higher by $4.71. This is a good deal for the Gillette shareholders.

The shares were priced at about 18 percent above the closing price yesterday. However, Procter & Gamble shares are part of the Dow industrials. We've got the Dow lower by one point right now, at 10,466. This is an important deal for both companies, that it gives them more strength, more bargaining power, with Wal-Mart, with Target, and with your local supermarket out there, as far as not only pricing, but also getting better shelf space, which is one of the most critical parts of any product supplier to these particular companies.

Also weighing on the markets today, weaker than expected first look at the first quarter GDP number. Came in at about 3.1 percent. Economists had been looking for a report somewhere in about the 3.5 percent area. So the mood perhaps not as rosy as it might otherwise be on this final trading day of the week -- Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: David, quickly here. One thing Andy was talking about earlier today. Have they come up with a name for this new company? Or a thought on that? HAFFENREFFER: We do not have an official word on that yet. There's a press conference going on in New York City today where they're going to be briefing reporters. Probably going to hear a lot about management changes and what-not, about auto new leadership for the combined company once it all happens. Of course, they still have to get through some regulatory hurdles, as well.

HEMMER: All right. P & G is about five times the size of Gillette. That's going to be an enormous company. Thank you, David.

HAFFENREFFER: You bet.

HEMMER: Let's get a break here. Back in a moment. A heavy burden for the comedian Chris Rock. Some believe it's up to him to save the Oscars this year. We'll check it out after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

If you're just joining us from commercial, we're watching Condoleezza Rice at the U.S. State Department with the president and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The ceremonial swearing-in. Let's drop in now at the State Department.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

RUTH BADER GINSBURG, U.S. SUPREME COURT ASSOCIATE JUSTICE: ... is required by Article 6 of our fundamental instrument of government for all office holders, state and federal.

The Constitution tells us, in Article 2, Section 1, what oath the president shall take, but it does not set out the words for other office holders.

Our highly practical first Congress appreciated the urgent need to staff the new government. To that end, Congress adopted a law providing for the oath as its very first act.

Congress' second act, a measure less inspiring, was a protective tariff on a long list of imported goods, ranging from molasses to pickled fish.

(LAUGHTER)

The original oath was sparer than the one now prescribed. It read simply, "I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, the oath was augmented to include a promise to defend the Constitution against all enemies, domestic and foreign.

In 1868, the war over and the Union preserved, the order was changed to place foreign enemies before domestic.

(LAUGHTER) The oath I will now ask Secretary Rice to repeat dates from that time.

Madam Secretary?

I, Condoleezza Rice, do solemnly swear...

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: I, Condoleezza Rice, do solemnly swear...

GINSBERG: ... that I will support and defend...

RICE: ... that I will support and defend...

GINSBERG: ... the Constitution of the United States...

RICE: ... the Constitution of the United States...

GINSBERG: ... against all enemies...

RICE: ... against all enemies...

GINSBERG: ... foreign and domestic...

RICE: ... foreign and domestic...

GINSBURG: ... that I will bear true faith...

RICE: ... that I will bear true faith...

GINSBURG: ... and allegiance to the same...

RICE: ... and allegiance to the same...

GINSBURG: ... that I take this obligation freely...

RICE: ... that I take this obligation freely...

GINSBURG: ... without any mental reservation...

RICE: ... without any mental reservation...

GINSBURG: ... or purpose of evasion...

RICE: ... or purpose of evasion...

GINSBURG: ... and that I will well and faithfully...

RICE: ... and that I will well and faithfully...

GINSBURG: ... discharge the duties of the office...

RICE: ... discharge the duties of the office...

GINSBURG: ... on which I am about to enter...

RICE: ... on which I am about to enter...

GINSBURG: ... so help me God.

RICE: ... so help me God.

(APPLAUSE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all for coming.

Laura and I are honored to be here.

Over the past four years, America has benefited from the wise counsel of Dr. Condoleezza Rice and our family has been enriched by our friendship with this remarkable person. We love her.

I don't know if you're supposed to say that, but...

(LAUGHTER)

Condi's appointment and confirmation as secretary of state marks a remarkable transition in what is already a career of outstanding service and accomplishment.

Today also marks an opportunity to honor another career defined by service and accomplishment.

Throughout a lifetime spent in public service, Colin Powell has asked nothing in return. For over four decades, millions at home and abroad have benefited from his bravery, his dignity and his integrity.

BUSH: He's left our nation a better place than it was when he began his career in public service as a second lieutenant in the United States Army.

His magnificent wife, Alma, I am certain is pleased that a grateful nation is giving back her husband.

(LAUGHTER)

And all of us admire and appreciate the service of Colin Powell.

(APPLAUSE)

I appreciate the fact that Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg administered the oath. It was neighborly of her to do that.

(LAUGHTER)

I want to thank Congresswoman Jane Harman from California for joining us, as well as Juanita Millender-McDonald from California.

We're honored you both are here. Thanks for taking time to honor your fellow Californian, Condi Rice.

(APPLAUSE) I see sitting between you two is a fine American in Andrew Young.

Welcome, Andy. Thank you for coming.

I shouldn't start going around the room heralding all the accomplished souls who are here.

(LAUGHTER)

I do want to thank members of the diplomatic corps for coming. I appreciate your excellencies taking time to honor Condi.

I want to thank the distinguished guests and folks who work at the State Department for joining us as well. It's a good thing to come and honor your new boss.

(LAUGHTER)

Good diplomacy.

(LAUGHTER)

Colin Powell leaves big shoes to fill at the State Department, but Condi Rice is the right person to fill them.

As national security adviser, she has led during a time when events not of our choosing have forced America to the leading edge of history. Condi has an abiding belief in the power of democracy to secure justice and liberty and the inclusion of men and women of all races and religions in the courses that free nations chart for themselves.

BUSH: A few days from now, these convictions will be confirmed by the Iraqi people when they cast their ballots in Iraq's first free elections in generations.

Sunday's election is the first step in a process that will allow Iraqis to write and pass a constitution that enshrines self-government and the rule of law.

This history is changing the world, because the advent of democracy in Iraq will serve as a powerful example to reformers throughout the entire Middle East.

On Sunday, the Iraqi people will be joining millions in other parts of the world who now decide their future through free votes.

In Afghanistan, the people have voted in the first free presidential elections in that nation's 5,000-year history.

The people of Ukraine have made clear their own desire for democracy.

The Palestinians have just elected a new president who has repudiated violence.

Freedom is on the march, and the world is better for it.

(APPLAUSE)

Widespread hatred and radicalism cannot survive the advent of freedom and self-government.

Our nation will be more secure, the world will be more peaceful as freedom advances. Condi Rice understands that.

And the terrorists understand that, as well. And that is why they are now attacking Iraqi civilians in an effort to sabotage elections.

We applaud the courage of ordinary Iraqis for their refusal to surrender their future to these killers.

No nation can build a safer and better world alone. The men and women of the State Department are doing a fine job of working with other nations to build on the momentum of freedom.

I know our nation will be really well served when the good folks at the State Department join with Condi Rice to face the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

In the coming months and years, we must stop the proliferation of dangerous weapons and materials.

BUSH: We must safeguard and expand the freedom of international marketplace and free trade. We must advance justice and fundamental human rights. We must fight HIV/AIDS and other diseases, and reduce poverty.

Each task will require good relations with nations around the world, and each will require a secretary who will lead by character and conviction and wisdom.

To meet these times and tasks, America has its best in Dr. Condoleezza Rice, now Secretary Condoleezza Rice, our 66th secretary of state.

(APPLAUSE)

RICE: Well, thank you, Mr. President, for those wonderful remarks.

I want to thank also First Lady Laura Bush.

The president and Mrs. Bush have been really a strong support system for me here and good friends, and I want to thank you for that.

I want to thank the members of my family and my friends who are here. A number are here from Birmingham, Alabama, and they represent generations of Rices and Rays who believed that a day like this might somehow be possible.

I'm honored by your confidence in me, Mr. President, and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity you've given me to serve as this country's 66th secretary of state.

Let me say, too, in echoing the president's comments, that I'm indeed fortunate to succeed a man of the character and quality of Colin Powell, who served with such distinction, who has done so much to strengthen the State Department, so much to carry forward America's message and goals, and so much to help me personally in so many ways.

In the past four years, America has seen great trials and great opportunities.

Under your leadership, Mr. President, our nation has risen to meet the challenges of our time, fighting tyranny and terror, and securing the blessings of freedom and prosperity for a new generation.

RICE: Now it's time to build on those achievements to make the world safer and even more free. We must use American diplomacy to help create a balance of power that favors freedom. The time for diplomacy is now.

Standing for the cause of liberty is as old as our country itself. Indeed, it was our very first secretary of state, Thomas Jefferson, who said, "The god who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time."

America's story is the story of men and women ceaselessly striving to ensure that we as a nation live up to the ideals set forth by our forefathers.

Our founders realize that they, like all human beings, were flawed creatures and that any government created by man would not be perfect.

Even the great authors of our liberty sometimes fell short of their ideals: even Thomas Jefferson himself. Yet our forebears established a democratic system of, by and for the people, that contained within it the means for citizens and conviction and of courage to correct its flaws.

The enduring principles enshrined in our constitution made it possible for impatient patriots like Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King to move us ever closer to our founding ideals.

And so it is only natural that through the decades America would associate itself with those around the world who also strive to secure freedom for themselves and for their children.

September 11th, 2001, made us see more clearly than ever how our values and our interests are linked and joined across the globe. That day of fire made us see that the best way to secure a world of peace and hope is to build a world of freedom.

We do not simply seek the absence of terrorism. We seek a world where the aspirations for freedom of men and women triumph.

Today it is more fitting than ever that our nation should pursue a foreign policy that is grounded in democratic principles and aligns itself with the efforts of al those around the globe who share our love of liberty.

RICE: In all that lies ahead, the primary instrument of American diplomacy will be the Department of State, and the dedicated men and women of its foreign and civil services and our foreign service nationals.

More than half a century ago, Dean Acheson and his officers stood present at the creation in helping President Truman secure a world half free, while hoping that there would one day be a world fully free.

Mr. President, here with us today are some of the newest members of the State Department. The young officers here today are present at the transformation. And they will carry forward long into the future the work we are undertaking to realize your vision of a world where all people live in freedom.

Under your leadership, Mr. President, we at the Department of State will conduct a foreign policy that sees the world clearly as it is. But, Mr. President, we will not accept that today's reality has to be tomorrow's.

We will work in partnership with allies and reformers across the globe, putting the tools of diplomacy to work to unite, strengthen and widen the community of democracies.

We fully recognize that the hard work of freedom is the task of generations. Yet it is also the urgent work that cannot be deferred.

And, ultimately, the impatient souls all around the world who struggle and stumble and rise again to take up freedom's cause will succeed, for the great mover of history is the power of the human spirit.

Mr. President, you have given us our mission and we are ready to serve our great country and the cause of freedom for which it stands.

Thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

HEMMER: Iraq and the vote on Sunday is the underlying theme about in so ways today from the president and now the new U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The vote in Iraq begins in 37 hours. It is 6:00 local time Friday evening in Baghdad. The polls open at 7:00 a.m. Sunday morning, which is 11:00 local time here on the East Coast on Saturday night. We will all wait to watch that now. Condoleezza Rice, the ceremony is finished there now at the U.S. Department of State as she signs her name.

COSTELLO: I know it's very touching with her family behind her.

HEMMER: That's so true. COSTELLO: With her friends from Birmingham, Alabama, the place where she was born. Very touching words from the president, too, about Condoleezza Rice.

HEMMER: And you can almost feel the momentum building now toward Sunday morning, because everybody is anticipating what will happen, and how will we judge these elections to be a success, and that's what we all wait to hear.

COSTELLO: Well, you heard the president's remarks, too, in talking about the Iraqis with the courage, the great courage, to go to the polls, even though they know that violence may be done to them.

HEMMER: Have a good weekend, everybody. We got to go.

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