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CNN Live At Daybreak

Historic Election in Iraq; President Bush Praises Voters in Iraq

Aired January 31, 2005 - 05:00   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: And good morning.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, the votes are in and they're being tallied. The counting now underway this morning in polling centers across Iraq a day after national elections. Millions of Iraqis cast ballots despite insurgent attacks that killed more than two dozen people.

It's a deal that would create the nation's biggest communications company. Just over three hours ago, SBC Communications announced it does plan to buy AT&T for about $16 billion.

Serial killer Michael Ross is scheduled to die tonight in Connecticut. It would be the state's first execution in 45 years. The execution was postponed from Saturday morning after Ross' lawyer cited a possible conflict of interest.

The "State of California vote. Michael Jackson" -- the case is finally ready for trial. Jury selection starts today in the pop star's child molestation case. It could take a month or more to seat a jury.

To the forecast center.

Chad is back this morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: Do you have electricity at home?

MYERS: I do, and it never went off.

COSTELLO: You're lucky.

MYERS: Or at least nothing was flashing when I got home. Actually, I spent the weekend down in St. Pete Beach in Tampa so I missed the entire event.

COSTELLO: Darn.

MYERS: For a change, the bad weather didn't follow me, because it always does. If I go on a cruise ship there's just a cloud that follows the ship all the way around to every port.

Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Our top story this morning, the historic election in Iraq. Just minutes ago, the interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, made an appeal to his people.

Straight to Baghdad now with what he had to say.

CNN's Jeff Koinange has the word -- hello, Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello there, Carol.

And the prime minister appearing just moments ago, like you said. He talked, he said basically that yesterday we, the Iraqi people, defeated terrorism. He went on to urge Iraqis to unite as one nation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQ'S INTERIM PRIME MINISTER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The world was watching us and we showed them our strength. As we marched yesterday together, let us march forward together for a bright future, Sunni and Shiite, Muslims and Christians, Arab and Kurds and (UNINTELLIGIBLE). May god bless you and peace be upon you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: And, indeed, Carol, the world was watching. No one could have predicted what happened in this country yesterday. Scenes of jubilation and celebration across this city and across this country. Iraqis defying up to eight suicide bombers, mortar shells falling across this city and across this country, and they turned out to vote. So in the end, Carol, the people have spoken.

COSTELLO: Jeff, we were having a little trouble hearing the translation of Ayad Allawi's remarks.

Can you tell us more of what he had to say this morning?

KOINANGE: Yes. Carol, it was a very short press conference. He didn't take any questions. Basically he was thanking Iraqis for showing out in numbers. What he said, he said there were several people at polling stations who actually identified suicide bombers and they pointed it out to the security forces. They were arrested and avoided eventual catastrophe.

But, again, he says, the Iraqi people were the winners yesterday. They turned out in numbers. And we had crews all over the city and all over this country and we saw just that. Long lines in some stations, people jubilant, people celebrating, people just happy to cast a vote and help rewrite the next chapter in this country's turbulent history -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jeff Koinange live in Baghdad this morning.

Thank you. Messages of support are arriving in Baghdad from around the world, including from some of Iraq's neighbors. But a low turnout among Sunni Muslims is injecting a note of caution, a wait and see attitude in most Arab capitals.

Brent Sadler live in Damascus, Syria with reaction from there -- hello, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning, Carol.

Well, no reaction from the Syrian authorities other than the fact that they have hosted an incredible election process here over the past couple of weeks or so, first registrations and then voting.

I just came back from the counting center on the outskirts of Baghdad about 30 minutes ago and saw the complicated process of these large sheets of paper, 111 political entities on them, with a mark by certain boxes indicating which groups voters had elected them.

Now, in terms of the turnout here in Syria, plus 90 percent, that's about 15,000 people in Syria, Iraqis, who voted, out of an initial registration list of some 16,000. No accounting yet from election officials on the ground here why more than 1,000 people did not vote, having taken the trouble to register.

That aside, certainly, in terms of reaction on the ground, Iraqis living here who did vote expressed joyous scenes, really, on the streets of Damascus. Outside one polling station, a couple of hundred of mostly Iraqi Kurds singing and dancing in their ceremonial costumes, a very colorful display of joy.

And, you know, Carol, President George W. Bush said soon after the end of the vote in Iraq itself that the world was hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East. And that's what many of the Iraqis I've been speaking to over the past 24 hours are telling me, that this is a very significant day because it could have a ripple effect, say some of the Iraqi election officials involved in the process, a ripple effect throughout the autocratic Middle East. A democratic upheaval, they say, having now taken place and proved to have been a success so far -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent, you talk about that ripple effect. Some people say that the countries around Iraq fear democracy and that could either stabilize the region or cause instability.

What is your sense?

SADLER: Well, as far as the Syrians are concerned -- and don't forget, they have the U.S. military right on their back door right now, just a matter of 100 yards or so between U.S. forces and Syrian forces in some parts of the border area, a sensitive border indeed. Now, what that means for the Syrian leadership here, already under unwavering U.S. pressure to get more with the U.S. game plan in Iraq in terms of cutting off insurgent support that's alleged to be taking place here in Syria for the insurgents in Iraq, to get on board with the plan to make reforms. And the Syrian leadership is certainly listening, but is slow, say U.S. officials and Western diplomats here, to take really serious concrete steps toward important, significant democratic reforms.

But President Bashar al-Assad, the young Syrian leader, is certainly watching very closely, because some of his party officials were certainly taking part in the observation process of what was going on here.

So you can bet, Carol, the Syrians are very closely watching how this election is shaping up, not only Iraq, but what took place here in Syria, and learning lessons for the future from what's going on right now.

COSTELLO: Brent Sadler live in Damascus this morning.

Thank you.

President Bush praised the voters in Iraq, saying they have taken rightful control of their country's destiny. But the president also admitted there's still a ways to go on the road to democracy.

CNN senior White House correspondent John King has more on the administration's reaction to the vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president called the elections a resounding success and in congratulating the Iraqi people, clearly hoped to reshape the political debate here at home.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The people of Iraq have spoken to the world and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East.

KING: Administration officials cast the voting as a major defeat for the insurgency and a powerful rebuttal to Mr. Bush's many critics at home and abroad. But mindful of past setbacks and of the stiff challenges ahead, Mr. Bush was cautious, calling the elections just a first step.

BUSH: Terrorists and insurgents will continue to wage their war against democracy and we will support the Iraqi people in their fight against them.

KING: The president left the difficult details to new secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, who took issue with those who now want a firm timetable for bringing home the troops.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: I really believe that we should not try and put artificial timetables on this. We need to finish the job.

KING: Most Democrats remain harshly critical of the administration's Iraq policy, but as it monitored the elections, the White House welcomed statements from several leading Democrats saying any talk of withdrawing U.S. troops is premature.

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DW), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Pulling the American forces out now would be a, quite frankly, a serious mistake.

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D-IA), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I think our presence there is going to be necessary for some time in order for this to be successfully. And I think we must be successful.

KING: The White House says it needs another $80 billion in war spending this year and more later, as it plans on at least 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq well into 2006. This, at a time a majority of Americans believe the war was not worth it.

PETER HART, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER: The American public is gritting its teeth with each dollar and each death.

KING: But the Bush White House hopes the powerful images of Iraqis voting and celebrations of democracy even in places like Syria serve as a psychological turning point and help reinvigorating support here at home.

(on camera): And as he applauded the Iraqi people for their remarkable courage, the president also thanked the American people for their patience during a difficult mission. He's counting on more of that patience now, as the administration casts the elections as a major threshold in a U.S. exit strategy, but not enough progress yet to begin any talk of setting a firm exit timetable.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour.

The eyes of the world were on Iraqis this weekend. We'll get a firsthand glimpse into their historic election.

Plus, far beyond Iraq's borders, that's where the election went, and we'll follow it.

Plus, a message on videotape from Michael Jackson. Yes, there it is. We'll hear more as his trial gets into gear. We'll tell you what he said.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, January 31.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:14 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Security forces fought with Islamic militants in Kuwait this morning. A security source tells CNN five militants and a civilian were killed. There are also reports that a suspected senior al Qaeda member was arrested.

Strong words this morning from a former U.S. soldier who deserted to North Korea 40 years ago. Charles Jenkins calls North Korea's leader an evil man. Jenkins moved to Japan last year after the U.S. military briefly jailed him.

In money news, SBC Communications is buying AT&T for around $16 billion. The deal will create the nation's biggest telecommunications company. SBC, you'll remember, was born out of the 1984 decision to break up AT&T.

In culture, "Hide and Seek" found success at the box office. The horror flick starring Robert De Niro was tops with moviegoers over the weekend, with $22 million.

In sports, it looks like Sammy Sosa is heading out of Chicago. The Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles agreed on a trade for the slugger, but the deal still needs the commissioner's approval. Sosa is seventh on the all time home run list.

How odd that he won't be in Chicago anymore -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes, he had that no trade clause, too. So he had a, I don't know.

COSTELLO: Well, he hasn't been really popular with the Chicago fans for quite some time. So there was trouble in that city.

MYERS: So now he's going to try New York.

COSTELLO: No, Baltimore.

MYERS: Oh, Baltimore, Baltimore, right, right, right. Orioles, that's what you said. I just figured New York would buy him, because, you know, they have all the money.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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

He asked for his day in court and he's about to get it. Pop star Michael Jackson's child molestation trial begins today. Details coming up.

Also ahead, a luxury cruise vacation ends early and the cause is becoming all too common.

You're watching DAYBREAK for Monday, January 31.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

The child molestation case against pop icon Michael Jackson is finally ready for trial. Jury selection will begin today. But yesterday, Jackson released an online video statement.

For more on that, here's censored.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just one day before jury selection is set to begin in his child molestation trial, Michael Jackson is speaking out on his Web site about leaks in his case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, ENTERTAINER: Apparently this information was leaked through transcripts in a grand jury proceeding, where neither my lawyers nor I ever appeared. The information is disgusting and false.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORSEY: The leaks came out in an ABC News report earlier this month, quoting alleged grand jury testimony. The leaks included lurid allegations from Jackson's accuser of what went on behind closed doors between the boy and Jackson at the singer's Neverland Ranch early in 2003, allegations Jackson denies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JACKSON: Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORSEY: The self-proclaimed king of pop is facing a total of 10 counts, ranging from child molestation to conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. Jackson has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON: I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORSEY (on camera): Because of the gag order on the case, Jackson's statement had to be approved by trial judge Rodney Melville. CNN asked the prosecutors for reaction, but citing that same gag order, the prosecution declined to comment.

Sarah Dorsey, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: In other news across America this morning, two deaths in Georgia and one in South Carolina being blamed on the ice storm that hit the region over the weekend. Thousands still without power in Atlanta, while many North Carolina schools are opening late this morning. Airlines still trying to rebound from the myriad of delays and cancellations.

Acting New Jersey Governor Richard Codey is expected to announce today that he will not run for the job in the next election. Codey replaced Governor James McGreevey, who resigned last November. Codey is expected to support Democratic Senator Jon Corzine for the job.

The anti-depressant drug Zoloft is at the center of a double murder trial set to begin today in South Carolina. Fifteen-year-old Christopher Pittman is facing two counts of murder for killing his grandparents more than three years ago. His lawyers contend Zoloft caused hallucinations and drove him to kill. Pittman is being tried as an adult.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

We'll take you live to the home base of a British Air Force plane that crashed in Iraq, killing at least 10 people.

Plus, live to Baghdad. We'll talk with one of the few international observers who was on the ground there for the big vote.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Good morning to you.

Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, in Connecticut, serial killer Michael Ross may be executed at 9:00 Eastern tonight, or he may not. On Friday night, Ross' execution was postponed until a conflict of interest issue involving his lawyer could be resolved. Ross has confessed to eight murders in eastern Connecticut and New York in the early 1980s.

Michael Jackson's trial on child molestation charges begins with jury selection today in Santa Maria, California. Jackson appeared on his Web site yesterday. That's what you're seeing here. He blasted the leak of grand jury testimony in the case.

Baby Bell is buying Mama Bell in a telecom merger announced this morning. SBC Communications will pay $16 billion for its former parent company, AT&T, the biggest U.S. long distance company.

Taking it to the streets, tens of thousands of Jewish settlers demonstrated in Jerusalem. They say Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has no right to dismantle settlements in Gaza or the West Bank without holding a referendum.

To the forecast center and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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 31, 2005 - 05:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning.
From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, the votes are in and they're being tallied. The counting now underway this morning in polling centers across Iraq a day after national elections. Millions of Iraqis cast ballots despite insurgent attacks that killed more than two dozen people.

It's a deal that would create the nation's biggest communications company. Just over three hours ago, SBC Communications announced it does plan to buy AT&T for about $16 billion.

Serial killer Michael Ross is scheduled to die tonight in Connecticut. It would be the state's first execution in 45 years. The execution was postponed from Saturday morning after Ross' lawyer cited a possible conflict of interest.

The "State of California vote. Michael Jackson" -- the case is finally ready for trial. Jury selection starts today in the pop star's child molestation case. It could take a month or more to seat a jury.

To the forecast center.

Chad is back this morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: Do you have electricity at home?

MYERS: I do, and it never went off.

COSTELLO: You're lucky.

MYERS: Or at least nothing was flashing when I got home. Actually, I spent the weekend down in St. Pete Beach in Tampa so I missed the entire event.

COSTELLO: Darn.

MYERS: For a change, the bad weather didn't follow me, because it always does. If I go on a cruise ship there's just a cloud that follows the ship all the way around to every port.

Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Our top story this morning, the historic election in Iraq. Just minutes ago, the interim prime minister, Ayad Allawi, made an appeal to his people.

Straight to Baghdad now with what he had to say.

CNN's Jeff Koinange has the word -- hello, Jeff.

JEFF KOINANGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello there, Carol.

And the prime minister appearing just moments ago, like you said. He talked, he said basically that yesterday we, the Iraqi people, defeated terrorism. He went on to urge Iraqis to unite as one nation.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQ'S INTERIM PRIME MINISTER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): The world was watching us and we showed them our strength. As we marched yesterday together, let us march forward together for a bright future, Sunni and Shiite, Muslims and Christians, Arab and Kurds and (UNINTELLIGIBLE). May god bless you and peace be upon you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOINANGE: And, indeed, Carol, the world was watching. No one could have predicted what happened in this country yesterday. Scenes of jubilation and celebration across this city and across this country. Iraqis defying up to eight suicide bombers, mortar shells falling across this city and across this country, and they turned out to vote. So in the end, Carol, the people have spoken.

COSTELLO: Jeff, we were having a little trouble hearing the translation of Ayad Allawi's remarks.

Can you tell us more of what he had to say this morning?

KOINANGE: Yes. Carol, it was a very short press conference. He didn't take any questions. Basically he was thanking Iraqis for showing out in numbers. What he said, he said there were several people at polling stations who actually identified suicide bombers and they pointed it out to the security forces. They were arrested and avoided eventual catastrophe.

But, again, he says, the Iraqi people were the winners yesterday. They turned out in numbers. And we had crews all over the city and all over this country and we saw just that. Long lines in some stations, people jubilant, people celebrating, people just happy to cast a vote and help rewrite the next chapter in this country's turbulent history -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Jeff Koinange live in Baghdad this morning.

Thank you. Messages of support are arriving in Baghdad from around the world, including from some of Iraq's neighbors. But a low turnout among Sunni Muslims is injecting a note of caution, a wait and see attitude in most Arab capitals.

Brent Sadler live in Damascus, Syria with reaction from there -- hello, Brent.

BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello. Good morning, Carol.

Well, no reaction from the Syrian authorities other than the fact that they have hosted an incredible election process here over the past couple of weeks or so, first registrations and then voting.

I just came back from the counting center on the outskirts of Baghdad about 30 minutes ago and saw the complicated process of these large sheets of paper, 111 political entities on them, with a mark by certain boxes indicating which groups voters had elected them.

Now, in terms of the turnout here in Syria, plus 90 percent, that's about 15,000 people in Syria, Iraqis, who voted, out of an initial registration list of some 16,000. No accounting yet from election officials on the ground here why more than 1,000 people did not vote, having taken the trouble to register.

That aside, certainly, in terms of reaction on the ground, Iraqis living here who did vote expressed joyous scenes, really, on the streets of Damascus. Outside one polling station, a couple of hundred of mostly Iraqi Kurds singing and dancing in their ceremonial costumes, a very colorful display of joy.

And, you know, Carol, President George W. Bush said soon after the end of the vote in Iraq itself that the world was hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East. And that's what many of the Iraqis I've been speaking to over the past 24 hours are telling me, that this is a very significant day because it could have a ripple effect, say some of the Iraqi election officials involved in the process, a ripple effect throughout the autocratic Middle East. A democratic upheaval, they say, having now taken place and proved to have been a success so far -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Brent, you talk about that ripple effect. Some people say that the countries around Iraq fear democracy and that could either stabilize the region or cause instability.

What is your sense?

SADLER: Well, as far as the Syrians are concerned -- and don't forget, they have the U.S. military right on their back door right now, just a matter of 100 yards or so between U.S. forces and Syrian forces in some parts of the border area, a sensitive border indeed. Now, what that means for the Syrian leadership here, already under unwavering U.S. pressure to get more with the U.S. game plan in Iraq in terms of cutting off insurgent support that's alleged to be taking place here in Syria for the insurgents in Iraq, to get on board with the plan to make reforms. And the Syrian leadership is certainly listening, but is slow, say U.S. officials and Western diplomats here, to take really serious concrete steps toward important, significant democratic reforms.

But President Bashar al-Assad, the young Syrian leader, is certainly watching very closely, because some of his party officials were certainly taking part in the observation process of what was going on here.

So you can bet, Carol, the Syrians are very closely watching how this election is shaping up, not only Iraq, but what took place here in Syria, and learning lessons for the future from what's going on right now.

COSTELLO: Brent Sadler live in Damascus this morning.

Thank you.

President Bush praised the voters in Iraq, saying they have taken rightful control of their country's destiny. But the president also admitted there's still a ways to go on the road to democracy.

CNN senior White House correspondent John King has more on the administration's reaction to the vote.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The president called the elections a resounding success and in congratulating the Iraqi people, clearly hoped to reshape the political debate here at home.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The people of Iraq have spoken to the world and the world is hearing the voice of freedom from the center of the Middle East.

KING: Administration officials cast the voting as a major defeat for the insurgency and a powerful rebuttal to Mr. Bush's many critics at home and abroad. But mindful of past setbacks and of the stiff challenges ahead, Mr. Bush was cautious, calling the elections just a first step.

BUSH: Terrorists and insurgents will continue to wage their war against democracy and we will support the Iraqi people in their fight against them.

KING: The president left the difficult details to new secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, who took issue with those who now want a firm timetable for bringing home the troops.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: I really believe that we should not try and put artificial timetables on this. We need to finish the job.

KING: Most Democrats remain harshly critical of the administration's Iraq policy, but as it monitored the elections, the White House welcomed statements from several leading Democrats saying any talk of withdrawing U.S. troops is premature.

SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DW), FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE: Pulling the American forces out now would be a, quite frankly, a serious mistake.

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D-IA), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: I think our presence there is going to be necessary for some time in order for this to be successfully. And I think we must be successful.

KING: The White House says it needs another $80 billion in war spending this year and more later, as it plans on at least 100,000 U.S. troops in Iraq well into 2006. This, at a time a majority of Americans believe the war was not worth it.

PETER HART, DEMOCRATIC POLLSTER: The American public is gritting its teeth with each dollar and each death.

KING: But the Bush White House hopes the powerful images of Iraqis voting and celebrations of democracy even in places like Syria serve as a psychological turning point and help reinvigorating support here at home.

(on camera): And as he applauded the Iraqi people for their remarkable courage, the president also thanked the American people for their patience during a difficult mission. He's counting on more of that patience now, as the administration casts the elections as a major threshold in a U.S. exit strategy, but not enough progress yet to begin any talk of setting a firm exit timetable.

John King, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: Much more to come on DAYBREAK this hour.

The eyes of the world were on Iraqis this weekend. We'll get a firsthand glimpse into their historic election.

Plus, far beyond Iraq's borders, that's where the election went, and we'll follow it.

Plus, a message on videotape from Michael Jackson. Yes, there it is. We'll hear more as his trial gets into gear. We'll tell you what he said.

But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Monday morning, January 31.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports.

It's 5:14 Eastern.

Here's what's all new this morning.

Security forces fought with Islamic militants in Kuwait this morning. A security source tells CNN five militants and a civilian were killed. There are also reports that a suspected senior al Qaeda member was arrested.

Strong words this morning from a former U.S. soldier who deserted to North Korea 40 years ago. Charles Jenkins calls North Korea's leader an evil man. Jenkins moved to Japan last year after the U.S. military briefly jailed him.

In money news, SBC Communications is buying AT&T for around $16 billion. The deal will create the nation's biggest telecommunications company. SBC, you'll remember, was born out of the 1984 decision to break up AT&T.

In culture, "Hide and Seek" found success at the box office. The horror flick starring Robert De Niro was tops with moviegoers over the weekend, with $22 million.

In sports, it looks like Sammy Sosa is heading out of Chicago. The Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles agreed on a trade for the slugger, but the deal still needs the commissioner's approval. Sosa is seventh on the all time home run list.

How odd that he won't be in Chicago anymore -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes, he had that no trade clause, too. So he had a, I don't know.

COSTELLO: Well, he hasn't been really popular with the Chicago fans for quite some time. So there was trouble in that city.

MYERS: So now he's going to try New York.

COSTELLO: No, Baltimore.

MYERS: Oh, Baltimore, Baltimore, right, right, right. Orioles, that's what you said. I just figured New York would buy him, because, you know, they have all the money.

(WEATHER REPORT)

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

He asked for his day in court and he's about to get it. Pop star Michael Jackson's child molestation trial begins today. Details coming up.

Also ahead, a luxury cruise vacation ends early and the cause is becoming all too common.

You're watching DAYBREAK for Monday, January 31.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back to DAYBREAK.

The child molestation case against pop icon Michael Jackson is finally ready for trial. Jury selection will begin today. But yesterday, Jackson released an online video statement.

For more on that, here's censored.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

SARA DORSEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just one day before jury selection is set to begin in his child molestation trial, Michael Jackson is speaking out on his Web site about leaks in his case.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL JACKSON, ENTERTAINER: Apparently this information was leaked through transcripts in a grand jury proceeding, where neither my lawyers nor I ever appeared. The information is disgusting and false.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORSEY: The leaks came out in an ABC News report earlier this month, quoting alleged grand jury testimony. The leaks included lurid allegations from Jackson's accuser of what went on behind closed doors between the boy and Jackson at the singer's Neverland Ranch early in 2003, allegations Jackson denies.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) JACKSON: Please keep an open mind and let me have my day in court. I deserve a fair trial like every other American citizen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORSEY: The self-proclaimed king of pop is facing a total of 10 counts, ranging from child molestation to conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion. Jackson has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JACKSON: I will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DORSEY (on camera): Because of the gag order on the case, Jackson's statement had to be approved by trial judge Rodney Melville. CNN asked the prosecutors for reaction, but citing that same gag order, the prosecution declined to comment.

Sarah Dorsey, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

COSTELLO: In other news across America this morning, two deaths in Georgia and one in South Carolina being blamed on the ice storm that hit the region over the weekend. Thousands still without power in Atlanta, while many North Carolina schools are opening late this morning. Airlines still trying to rebound from the myriad of delays and cancellations.

Acting New Jersey Governor Richard Codey is expected to announce today that he will not run for the job in the next election. Codey replaced Governor James McGreevey, who resigned last November. Codey is expected to support Democratic Senator Jon Corzine for the job.

The anti-depressant drug Zoloft is at the center of a double murder trial set to begin today in South Carolina. Fifteen-year-old Christopher Pittman is facing two counts of murder for killing his grandparents more than three years ago. His lawyers contend Zoloft caused hallucinations and drove him to kill. Pittman is being tried as an adult.

Here's what's all new in the next half hour of DAYBREAK.

We'll take you live to the home base of a British Air Force plane that crashed in Iraq, killing at least 10 people.

Plus, live to Baghdad. We'll talk with one of the few international observers who was on the ground there for the big vote.

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COSTELLO: Good morning to you.

Welcome to the second half hour of DAYBREAK.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Carol Costello, along with Chad Myers.

Now in the news, in Connecticut, serial killer Michael Ross may be executed at 9:00 Eastern tonight, or he may not. On Friday night, Ross' execution was postponed until a conflict of interest issue involving his lawyer could be resolved. Ross has confessed to eight murders in eastern Connecticut and New York in the early 1980s.

Michael Jackson's trial on child molestation charges begins with jury selection today in Santa Maria, California. Jackson appeared on his Web site yesterday. That's what you're seeing here. He blasted the leak of grand jury testimony in the case.

Baby Bell is buying Mama Bell in a telecom merger announced this morning. SBC Communications will pay $16 billion for its former parent company, AT&T, the biggest U.S. long distance company.

Taking it to the streets, tens of thousands of Jewish settlers demonstrated in Jerusalem. They say Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has no right to dismantle settlements in Gaza or the West Bank without holding a referendum.

To the forecast center and Chad -- good morning.

MYERS: Good morning, Carol.

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