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CNN Live At Daybreak

Aruba Suspects Escorted to Beach; CIA Leak Probe; Idaho Girl Found Alive; Eating It Up

Aired July 04, 2005 - 06:31   ET

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

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner center in New York, this is DAYBREAK, with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, everyone. Thanks for waking up with us. I'm Kelly Wallace in today for Carol Costello.

Coming up this half-hour, just who may have revealed the identity of a CIA operative? A "Newsweek" article has some Washington insiders talking.

And it's not just about indigestion, a formal organization for competitive eaters.

But first, here are the stories "Now in the News."

Eight-year-old Shasta Groene has been reunited with her dad nearly seven weeks after she went missing. But police fear her 9- year-old brother, Dylan, is dead. Shasta was found in Idaho with a convicted sex offender at a Denny's restaurant.

It's another adventure for millionaire Steve Fossett. Fossett and co-pilot, Mark Rebholz, landed their biplane at a golf course in Ireland. They were recreating the first Atlantic crossing in 1919. Don't be confused, though. Charles Lindbergh's flight was the first solo crossing.

And in Atlanta, gunners are lined up for the Peachtree Road Race, always a big event this holiday. The wheelchair division rolls out at 7:00 a.m. Eastern. Half-an-hour later, the other runners start pounding the pavement for the six-plus mile race.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: Turning now to the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The three suspects held in her disappearance in Aruba got to go for a walk on the beach this weekend. They're not free, and it certainly wasn't a pleasure walk.

We get more from CNN's Chris Lawrence, live in Palm Beach, Aruba.

Good morning, Chris. Tell us a little bit about this walk of the suspects yesterday. What was that all about?

CHRIS LAWRENCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, basically, Kelly, police had all three suspects reconstruct what happened on the night Natalee Holloway disappeared to see if the details in their stories would match up.

Remember, all three of them say their involvement with Natalee ended right on the beach about 500 yards up the shoreline. So, police took them, we understand, to different points along the island, points that match up where they said they drove that night, what landmarks they passed, and where they ended up.

Now, we are also told -- you can see from some of these photos of them taking certain suspects around to different locations. We are told basically, you know, to get a little background on what's going on here with this last-minute reconstruction. All three of these suspects initially told police that they dropped Natalee off back at her hotel. They changed that story. And from the latest version, we believe that Deepak and Satish Kalpoe say they dropped off Natalee and Joran at that beach right down the shore.

Now, Joran Van Der Sloot says he spent some time with Natalee there. At some point, she wanted to stay, he wanted to go. And he says he left her there alone and then went home.

We're told the police may have been asking for specific details about what happened, such as when the Kalpoe brothers dropped them off, did they just stay in the car and let them get our? Or did they get out as well and maybe spend a couple of minutes there with the other two?

They've had these different tactics of the past few days. We've also seen the suspects interrogated together. You can see in this video here Deepak Kalpoe and Joran Van Der Sloot handcuffed together, coming out of a police station from Thursday. All of these are different techniques to try to make sense of the suspects' stories.

Prosecutors are well aware that time may have run out for them this morning. At about 10:00 this morning, they'll have to go to court and prove why they should be able to keep these three young men in custody without actually bringing charges against them. The judge could rule that there's enough evidence to do so. He could also say there's not, and let them walk free.

WALLACE: All right, Chris, thanks so much. We have to leave it there. Chris Lawrence reporting from Aruba on this day. We appreciate it.

Turning now to a little girl missing in Idaho. She has been found, thanks to the keen eye of a Denny's waitress.

CNN's Miles O'Brien is joining us now for a look at what is coming up on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Good morning, Miles. It was an unbelievable story on Saturday, wasn't it?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: What a level-headed person. I mean, she went out there, and she listed every brand of shake that they had there to try to stall for time to get the police there. We're live in Idaho with the story of that young girl, Shasta Groene, found after being missing for weeks now.

She was taken by a wanted sex offender. And we wonder this morning why this person was on the street, given his record. She did turn up at this Denny's over the weekend. We'll talk to that quick- thinking waitress and her boss, who spotted the young girl, and made that very timely call to police.

And I assume, Kelly, you were up all night watching Deep Impact, right?

WALLACE: I actually was.

O'BRIEN: Really?

WALLACE: But that's a job requirement for filling in for Carol Costello today.

O'BRIEN: Oh, you wouldn't have been up anyway? You would have been up all night watching this.

WALLACE: Of course, I would have.

O'BRIEN: Well...

WALLACE: Of course, at 2:00 a.m. watching it.

O'BRIEN: ... it was a six-month journey, on its way to the comet Tempel 1, and the Deep Impact impacter did what it was supposed to do. About 83 million miles from Earth, bang! Talk about fireworks on the Fourth of July. The idea was to -- well, to break it apart to learn about it. It's kind of like, you know, we've got to destroy the village to save it or something. I don't know.

What are scientists hoping to learn from it? We'll get into that and much more on "AMERICAN MORNING."

Kelly, we'll see you.

WALLACE: All right, Miles, I'm looking forward to that. Yes, about 23 minutes from now. Thanks, Miles. Appreciate it.

Interesting developments to tell you about in the investigation into who outed a CIA operative. "Newsweek" is reporting that e-mails between "TIME" magazine reporter Matt Cooper and his editors show that Cooper spoke to Karl Rove, President Bush's top political adviser in the days before a CIA undercover operative's identity was revealed in the media.

But Rove's attorney says Rove did not disclose the agent's identity. Additionally, attorney Robert Lufkin confirms that Cooper called Rove in July of 2003, but says -- quote -- "He's not characterizing the subject matter of that conversation."

A special prosecutor, as many of you know, is investigation whether senior Bush administration officials leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame to the media in retaliation after her husband wrote an opinion piece critical of the Bush administration.

Well, to get some White House perspective on all of this, we are joined on the phone by national correspondent Bob Franken. He is in Washington.

Good morning, Bob. Tell us, what are they saying at the White House about all of this?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, at the White House, this seems to happen to presidents so very often. Here, they were planning to put the spotlight on President Bush on the international stage. He is going tomorrow on a trip to Europe and the G8 conference.

But now, he has to juggle an awful lot of balls, and there's going to be a lot of competition for the spotlight, not only in the matter of Karl Rove. On Wednesday, two reporters, Matthew Cooper of "TIME" and Judith Miller of "The New York Times," face possible jail sentencing for refusing to disclose sources in connection with this case, which is what all of the reporting, as you just said, was about.

There's also, of course, the huge impact of the resignation of Sandra Day O'Connor. And President Bush has said he's going to wait until his European trip before he makes any decisions on a replacement. But as we've seen this weekend, all of the interest groups on both sides have really started their heavy drumbeats, and that's going to take a lot of the attention away from Europe.

And, of course, the significance of the Europe trip is not to be minimized. The president is going to be trying to force his image and the image of that trip on to the news stage.

So, there is a lot going on. The president has a very busy week. Ironic this is supposed to be a holiday week when things slow down a little bit, but it's certainly, Kelly, is not acting that way.

WALLACE: And you know that well enough, right. And, Bob, tell us a little bit of the timetable. The president, of course, is going over to the summit with the other world leaders. In terms of a timetable about when the earliest date we could get his nomination for a Supreme Court justice.

FRANKEN: Well, let us not forget that the very fact that this particular opening occurred is a bit of a surprise. The president has said that he's not going to do anything until he comes back. We're being told July 11, which would be a week from today. These things have a way of slipping one way or the other.

What the president has said is that he is determined that there will be a confirmed chief justice in place when the October term begins for the next Supreme Court. That means he has to get cracking here, because then the Senate has to go into business. The possibility is that at least some members of the Senate will have to give up their August vacation, which is really serious -- Kelly.

WALLACE: That is serious business, Bob, putting off those vacations. OK. National correspondent Bob Franken getting up early with us. We appreciate it on DAYBREAK today.

Well, still to come here, a community comes together after a missing girl in Idaho is found. A live report just after the break.

And later, it is more about stuffing yourself. We will talk to the man about the art. Yes, there is an art to competitive eating.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: And welcome back to DAYBREAK.

There is joy tempered by sadness for Shasta Groene's family. After being missing for six weeks, the 8-year-old Idaho girl was found alive and reunited with her father. But Shasta's 9-year-old brother wasn't so fortunate.

CNN's Rusty Dornin joins us with an update from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho.

Rusty, good morning. Thanks for getting up so early for us. What's the latest from out there?

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kelly, we just talked to Captain Ben Wolfinger of the Kootenai County Sheriff's Department, and he says they've been talking to the little girl, to Shasta, over the last couple of days in the hospital, but that's very slow. She's 8- years old. She's been through a very traumatic experience.

But based on what she has told them and some physical evidence from the Jeep that Joseph Duncan, the suspect, was driving, that's led them to some specific areas that they are searching for her older brother, Dylan, 9-year-old Dylan, who they believe at this point is dead.

So, they're hoping that in the next couple of days they're going to be able to zero in and find out one way or another. They said that's their main priority right now is to find Dylan -- Kelly.

WALLACE: Rusty, are they getting anymore indication? I know over the weekend they indicated they believed initial information that Dylan is deceased. Did they give any details about why they believe that right now?

DORNIN: They are very tight-lipped about that. They are not giving any indication whatsoever as to why they do believe that he is dead. You know, at this point, we do know that the suspect invoked, you know, his rights. He's not talking to detectives anymore. He has asked for an attorney.

So, we don't know whether those initial tips actually came from something he said. But they do say that other information obviously is coming from the little girl. So, the indication is that it's something that she has said, whether she is unable to remember or whatever. But they're trying to find out the areas where they stayed. Now, we don't know if they were camping or staying in a cabin, but those are the areas that they are searching for, are the areas that the three of them may have stayed over those six weeks.

Also, Kelly, just to let you know, they're keeping the search warrant open on the house, where the triple homicides occurred. Remember, Shasta and Dylan's mother, brother and the mother's boyfriend were killed -- that's what started this whole thing -- on May 16. They're keeping that search warrant for that house open, because basically right now Joseph Duncan is their primary suspect. But they haven't really been able to absolutely link him to those homicides.

WALLACE: Yes, a lot of details are still unfolding there. Rusty, thanks again for joining us on DAYBREAK. And, of course, you can catch more of Rusty's reporting from Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, on "AMERICAN MORNING" coming up.

Much more of DAYBREAK right after this. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Welcome back. It is about 49 minutes after the hour, and here is what will be making news today.

President Bush spends his Independence Day in West Virginia. The president will address a tickets-only audience at West Virginia University in Morgantown.

If you're feeling independent today, you might want to take in an event at the National Archives in Washington. Two soldiers wounded in Iraq will participate in a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence.

And following fireworks on the National Mall, Washington will test its emergency evacuation plan. It will begin right after people get to their cars. Then, D.C. police will direct them to seven evacuation routes.

Well, here is a big question for you this summer: Is it safe to go back in the water? Who better to ask than CNN's Carol Costello?

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Because I would know that.

WALLACE: She is filling in for Soledad O'Brien. Ms. Costello, is it safe for us to get back in the water?

COSTELLO: Well, you know what? Coming up, the truth about sharks, Kelly. Despite recent attacks off the Florida coast, just how vulnerable are you to an attack when in the water? We'll take a look at that. Plus, some tips on what to do to keep those sharks away.

And it's an annual tradition on the Boardwalk at Coney Island, 90 years and counting, Nathan's famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest. Don't you love this? Can Japan's four-time defending champ do it again? He only weighs 144 pounds. Last year, he ate 53-and-a- half hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. His main competition, a 100- pound woman from Virginia. We're live in Coney Island. That's just ahead on this July 4 on "AMERICAN MORNING."

WALLACE: That's right. And, Carol, all of us here are wondering how a 100-pound woman can eat so many hot dogs. And she's so fit.

COSTELLO: She's amazing.

WALLACE: Yes.

COSTELLO: She's amazing. High metabolism.

WALLACE: I guess that's it. All right, Carol, we'll see you and Miles about nine minutes from now.

COSTELLO: Sure.

WALLACE: Thanks so much.

And as Carol was talking about hot dogs, we're also talking about hamburgers. Grills all over America will be filled with both of them. I'm sure many of us may even eat too many as well. But we'll pale in comparison to what Carol was talking about, those taking part in the annual Coney Island hot dog eating contest. The record there again, 53-and-a-half hot dogs. It is the premiere event on the eating circuit. Yes, there is something called the eating circuit.

Joining us now to explain what we're talking about is Richard Shea. He is president of the International Federation of Competitive Eating.

Good morning. Thanks for being here.

RICHARD SHEA, IFOCE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Thank you very much, Kelly.

WALLACE: So many of us, as we were preparing for your story, didn't know that competitive eating was actually a real sport.

SHEA: Yes.

WALLACE: Tell us about that.

SHEA: We would argue the fastest-growing sport in the nation. That's obviously a claim I make based on no fact. But actually...

WALLACE: But you're going with it.

SHEA: Yes, exactly. And we're live on ESPN today, so that's a little bit of credence.

WALLACE: But, seriously, this is people from all over the country, all over the world, take part in competitive eating.

SHEA: Yes, it's a patriotic day for Americans out there in Coney Island, but also for the Japanese and the Germans and the Ukrainians who compete. And a lot of the American fans are upset that the Japanese have held the Mustard Yellow Belt for so long.

WALLACE: Is it -- I'm sort of joking. But, I mean, is this serious business for the people who participate and for the International Federation of Competitive Eating?

SHEA: Yes, it certainly is serious business for us and definitely for the eaters. They take -- they're completely serious about it. They are very focused. They're emotional. And, you know, while they are friends, kind of, away from the table, the gloves come off at high noon in Coney Island.

WALLACE: And we have checked out your Web site, and you have profiles of the top competitive eaters around the country.

SHEA: Right.

WALLACE: We just can't understand number two, Sonya Thomas, weighing in at 105 pounds. She is the number two-ranked competitive eater around the world. How?

SHEA: Number one in America. I don't know. She is a little bit of a scientist, not a map to human genome scientist. But when she gets above those hot dogs, it's just amazing. There's an alchemy there. And she can put away just an incredible amount of food. She has a wonderful capacity, wonderful hand speed, and obviously jaw strength, which is necessary in this sport.

WALLACE: Chad Myers joining in -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know what? She has done 65 hard boiled eggs and 46 dozen oysters in other eating contests. She's like the Danica Patrick, you know, of the Indy car. They got the female race car driver now? I mean, can she take -- can she get 50 hot dogs in today? She only was in the 40s last year, right?

SHEA: Actually last year she did 32.

MYERS: Thirty-two, OK.

SHEA: She did 32 out at Nathan's dogs and buns to quality this year. I spoke with her last evening. Her goal is to get to 40. She doesn't think she can catch Kobayashi, but she's hoping he has a bad day.

MYERS: What happens? How does Kobayashi actually do it? He did 69 Crystal burgers, which is like these White Castles? Where does he put this? Now, he's a little guy.

SHEA: He is unbelievable. He's got the capacity of the Grand Cooley Dam. And, you know, he actually -- it's more a mental game for him. So, when he gets beyond, you know, the 30 mark, he just gets in a rhythm.

He told me last night that he sort of raises the bar for himself. So, instead of, you know, like a marathon runner might be focused on mile 16, and once they are past that everything is OK. He is focused on dog 55. So, he's always pushing ahead.

MYERS: And he's got a technique, too. He breaks the hot dogs in half, dunks them in the water and then stuffs them in his mouth.

SHEA: That is called the solly (ph) method.

MYERS: Whatever.

WALLACE: Quickly, any prediction for today?

SHEA: I see Kobayashi hitting 55.

MYERS: Wow!

SHEA: I see Sonya Thomas hitting 35. And Richard LeFevre, who is another American champ, right on her heels.

WALLACE: Amazing. Richard Shea...

MYERS: Not Eric Booker?

SHEA: You know, Badlands (ph) is not having a career year. He'll approach 30, but I don't see him being in front.

MYERS: All right.

WALLACE: Amazing stuff. Richard Shea from the International Federation of Competitive Eating. Thanks for being here today. And we'll watch what happens at Coney Island.

SHEA: All right, thank you very much.

WALLACE: Thanks so much.

And, Chad, that moment we're all waiting for. Drum roll, please.

MYERS: Oh, it's time to give away the coffee mug from yesterday.

WALLACE: Yes.

MYERS: Or on Friday, whatever it was. We'll give you the answers today, though. On what date will the design be chosen for the Flight 93 memorial? That's the one that's going to be in Pennsylvania. September 7, 2005, that's when that's coming up. And Live 8 organizer Bob Geldof wants to double the aid to Africa by 2010 to what dollar amount? That is $25 billion. I watched quite a bit of Live 8. I thought Will Smith did a phenomenal job out there as well.

Mike Bailey of Columbia, South Carolina, you are the winner of today's DAYBREAK coffee mug. Congratulations. I hope you enjoy your coffee in that mug.

Now the questions for today. These are actually pretty -- these are too easy ones, considering how much coverage we got. What comet did the Deep Impact spacecraft hit in the overnight hours? What's the name of it and the number? And what is the top political buzz word, according to the Global Language Monitor? We had that on about 15 minutes ago.

CNN.com/daybreak, and there's a link there to submit your answers. Go right ahead. Give me some good answers this morning. We had about 150 correct ones on Friday.

WALLACE: Oh, very good. All right, Chad.

When we come back, more headlines, a look at your travel forecast. This is DAYBREAK for Monday, July 4. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Welcome back. Chad has an update for all of you holiday travelers out there.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: Here now are some of the stories in the news.

A deadly clash this morning in Syria, where security forces fought with suspected terrorists outside Damascus. Syria's official news agency says two security guards of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein were arrested. The news agency says one Syrian security guard was killed.

And the three suspects in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway will appear in court today or tomorrow. The three were taken separately to a beach near where Holloway was staying before she disappeared on May 30. Police had them go over their accounts of the night she was last seen.

From the Time Warner Center in New York, I'm Kelly Wallace in today for Carol Costello. Have a great day. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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