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CNN Live At Daybreak
Urgent Search; Grim Discovery; Olympic Impact
Aired July 05, 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: It is July 5, 2005. Shasta Groene proves she is a survivor. She looks just like any other little girl, smiling brightly, holding a doll, except this little girl has been through quite an ordeal.
And then there was one. Police in Aruba release more suspects in the Natalee Holloway case.
And reunited feels so good. The military families get a pleasant surprise from overseas.
ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
COSTELLO: And good morning to you. We'll have more on Shasta Groene in just a minute.
Also ahead, it may be the hottest bidding war in Olympic history. Five candidate cities, but only one winner. That story still ahead.
And he is lucky he survived. An amazing story of quick thinking and good luck.
But first, "Now in the News."
The suspect in the kidnapping of an Idaho girl appears in court this afternoon. Convicted sex offender Joseph Duncan was found with Shasta Groene at a Denny's restaurant. In the meantime, the search for Shasta's brother takes a grim turn. More details ahead.
Bahrain's top diplomat in Iraq comes under attack this morning. Gunmen in a pickup truck opened fire on the man's car in western Baghdad. He was slightly wounded.
More rumblings in Indonesia. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has struck off the island of Sumatra. Officials issued a tsunami watch, but they do not think a tsunami is likely.
More weather to deal with, too, this morning.
Good morning, Chad.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad. MYERS: You're welcome.
COSTELLO: In the news this morning, President Bush kicks off a weeklong trip to Europe. The highlight the G8 summit in which the leaders of the world's richest nations are hoping to boost aid to Africa. The summit follows an unprecedented warm-up act over the weekend, a series of concerts across the globe aimed at raising awareness of African poverty.
This morning the president heads to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he will say thanks to a wartime ally. And then he flies to Gleneagles, Scotland. That's where the three-day G8 summit officially starts tomorrow.
The president tells Britain's ITV network he's looking forward to the meeting.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm bringing, you know, a strong record of support for countries in Africa. I think people are going to be surprised to learn about all the efforts we made here in America to clean up our environment and to invest in new technologies. And so I'm confident we'll have a good G8.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Police already have their hands full, as you can see. They have clashed with protesters ahead of the G8 summit, and they made about 30 arrests. Demonstrators there have been ripping up chunks of sidewalks and charging police. The protesters fear the G8 nations will not stick to their pledges for aid to Africa.
Turning now to Afghanistan. It's been more than a week since members of an elite U.S. military team went missing in the eastern mountains. U.S. forces have been scouring the rugged region for an eighth day.
CNN Senior Pentagon Correspondent Jamie McIntyre brings us up to date.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN SR. PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): So far, only one member of the four-man SEAL team has been found alive. A statement confirming the Saturday rescue said the U.S. commando was given medical treatment at Bagram Airfield and was listed in stable condition. Sources told CNN his wounds were superficial and said he had provided some details about what happened to the rest of the team.
BRIG. GEN. DAVID GRANGE, U.S. ARMY (RET.): This is a team that is very close to each other because of the conditions they have to go through to survive. And so picking up the one individual give them some very interesting information.
MCINTYRE: Meanwhile, the U.S. military is confirming a number of Afghan civilians were killed Friday when a U.S. B-52 bomber dropped six satellite-guided bombs on a compound believed to be an operating base for militants who shot down a U.S. helicopter last week as it attempted to extract the Navy SEALs.
LT. CINDY MOORE, SPOKESWOMAN, U.S. FORCES, AFGHANISTAN: I think, certainly, U.S. forces regret that if there is a loss of innocent life. And we follow very stringent rules of engagement, specifically to ensure that noncombatants are safe.
MCINTYRE: A statement put out by the U.S. military blamed the deaths on the militants. When enemy forces moved their families into locations where they conduct terrorist operations, it said, they put these innocent civilians at risk.
(on camera): The U.S. military knows a lot more than it's saying about the fate of the missing seals but insists making the information public now would serve no purpose while the rescue and recovery operation is still under way.
Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Back in this country, the man accused of kidnapping 8- year-old Shasta Groene is due to make a court appearance today. Shasta remains at the hospital where she was taken after her rescue on Saturday.
Her family released these photos showing her with her father. He says she's doing well and has been watching movies. But as CNN's Sean Callebs reports, there's discouraging news about Shasta's brother Dylan.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Grim, sobering news coming out of northern Idaho. For days, investigators here had maintained that they believe 9-year-old Dylan Groene is indeed dead.
On Monday, the Kootenai County sheriff, Rocky Watson, held a news conference and said that investigators found what they believe to be human remains in the western part of Montana. Those remains will be taken to Quantico in Virginia for identification and DNA testing.
We do know that investigators had been looking in northern Idaho, as well as western Montana, for Dylan. We don't know exactly what tips, leads or information led them to search in that area. But without question, this case took on a significant break early on Saturday morning when Dylan's 8-year-old sister was found alive and well.
Shasta Groene is now in a local hospital. She was spotted entering a Denny's restaurant with a 42-year-old man. Quick-thinking employees and patrons called 911. That 42-year-old man, Joseph Duncan, was arrested. He is now in the Kootenai County jail. He is scheduled to be arraigned later on Tuesday. Right now he is charged with kidnapping, as well as being a fugitive from justice. Duncan is a convicted child molester who has spent much of his adult life in prison for sexually assaulting children.
Authorities don't know if indeed he is connected to the crimes that led to the disappearance of the two Groene children. Back on May 16, investigators went to the home of the Groenes. They found the children's mother, their 13-year-old brother and the mother's boyfriend savagely beaten to death. Investigators say more charges could be filed against Duncan.
Sean Callebs, CNN, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: In other news "Across America" now, two men drowned after being caught in a riptide while swimming off the coast of New Hampshire. A 10-year-old boy remains hospitalized after rescuers were able to pull him out of the water. Nine others also rescued. The people were caught in the riptide shortly after lifeguards went off duty.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JIM BELUCA, HAMPTON BEACH LIFEGUARD: Couldn't put a sign down and say this is a dangerous area, because that could change within 10, 15 minutes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: The chief lifeguard says riptides have been severe this season due to strong storms earlier in the year.
A New Jersey man escaped serious injury thanks to his Winnebago. He fell under the RV while -- when a garden retaining wall collapsed on top of him. It took several rescue crews to dig him out from under hundreds of pounds of bricks and dirt.
One truck driver in North Carolina took this sign a little too literally. Actually, the driver hit the store after he swerved to miss a car whose driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. No one seriously hurt here. Luckily, the store was closed at the time.
Still to come on DAYBREAK, surprise. Some military wives did not see this reunion coming. Oh, the touching story.
Also, they're shelling out a lot of green for the games, but the cities that want to host the Olympics are also going green.
And they're older, they're grayer, but these rock 'n' roll pioneers are still rocking around the clock.
But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: A quick snapshot of the International markets this morning. Japan's Nikkei closes down nearly 35 points. Britain's FTSE trading up 8. The German DAX is down about a half point.
Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 5:12 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.
President Bush is heading to Europe today. He's gearing up for tomorrow's G8 summit in Scotland. The focus, boosting aid to poverty- stricken Africa.
This is only a test. Officials in Washington tested their emergency evacuation plan last night as thousands streamed down to the city after the 4th of July fireworks. There were some delays because of the big crowds, but all in all everything went pretty well.
Money news. A U.S. carpet and floor covering maker is trying to get a big foothold in Europe. Georgia-based Mohawk Industries says it's buying a Belgian floor company for $2.5 billion.
In culture, music fans have already made one Live 8 tune a bestseller. U2 and Paul McCartney's version of "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is number one on iTunes in six countries. That song opened the London concert. Nice.
In sports, Yankees owner George Steinbrenner got a thriller for a birthday present. The Yankees blew an early six-run lead, but they came back to win the game 13-8. It was the longest nine-inning game so far this season, four hours and 12 minutes. And of course they beat the Orioles, who were hot but aren't so hot anymore -- Chad.
MYERS: I tell you what, I sat up and watched this game. The seventh inning was the most amazing thing, seven runs there.
COSTELLO: Wow.
MYERS: Three -- Carol, 397 pitches in this game.
COSTELLO: Wow.
MYERS: Eleven pitchers. They don't even have anybody left in the bullpen for tonight and into tomorrow.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.
That's a look of the latest headlines for you this morning.
Tomorrow is the big day for one city hoping to get the Olympics. New York, Paris, London, Madrid and Moscow all vying to be the host city for the 2012 summer games. Representatives from each city are in Singapore in an effort to sway voters their way.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: New York is a city that has always been about the future, and it's always been about bringing people together. You have eight million people from literally every corner of the globe working together, living together, striving together, attending sporting events together, cheering and booing together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG (R), NEW YORK: There is a momentum that you can feel. There is a genuine love for New York City and for America.
I think everybody understands that we have an Olympic village all year long here in the city. I think everybody understands that every athlete would love to compete in the Big Apple. It's the ultimate stage. And if you're really proud of what you do, whether you're an athlete or an actor, whether you're in government or in business, it is the center for an awful lot of people.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are the only leaders who did not make the trip to lobby.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TONY BLAIR, BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: If we are fortunate enough to host the Olympic games, we build something that doesn't just last for the few weeks of the games but lasts for a generation to come. That's our -- that's our passion. That's why we want the games so much. That's why we believe we can deliver something, not just for our own country, but for the Olympic movement.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COSTELLO: Tony Blair and the French president, Jacques Chirac, are having their own battle over bids. Last week, Chirac reportedly said, "You can't trust people who have such lousy cooking." The fighting between the two neighbors underscores the importance of getting the games.
CNN's Jim Boulden takes a look at preparations and plans already put into place well before the decision is made.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JIM BOULDEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): London is already clearing the derelict sites where some of the Olympic venues would be built if it gets the 2012 games.
DAVID STUBBS, LONDON 2012 MANAGER: Deprivation levels in terms of employment, healthcare and education are significant. So it's a forgotten part of London, but... BOULDEN: London is promising to regenerate a polluted part of the city where unemployment is higher than in many parts of Europe. And after the games the area would be turned into a 200-hectare park.
STUBBS: If you just look at the Olympics as two weeks, then you can never make that sustainable in that little bubble. But it's not about two weeks. We're bidding now, seven years before the games actually happen, and the key thing is legacy. It's what this site will be like in 20, 30 years down the road.
BOULDEN: The International Olympic Committee says that the games these days must not only not damage the environment, but must actually improve the environment of a city. Previous winter games have been criticized for the cutting down of trees, and summer games for too many new roads, not enough sustainable public transport, and for venues that damage the local ecosystem.
ROGER LEVETT, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT: The amount of environmental impact it could have could be enormous. On the other hand, it could also have a very positive effect. And one of the things that most interests me is, because it's such a prestigious event, because everybody gets so excited about it, it's a wonderful opportunity to shift the way that we do things in the longer term, and not just for the fortnight that it actually runs.
BOULDEN: With that in mind, Paris will convert to low-emission buses and will also lose solar-powered stadiums. The Madrid games would use only renewable energy. And London says its games will create zero waste by recycling everything. That could include having the new venues built using the rubble of buildings torn down to make way for the games.
LESLIE CARNALL, BYWATERS RECYCLING: All the waste that comes from demolition sites can be returned, sorted, and then go back as hard coal (ph) and used for the bases, the foundation for the new builds.
BOULDEN: To help its bid, London got a number of environmental groups to sign up to its plan.
SIMON LEWIS, WORLD WILDLIFE FUND: We've been, you know, very concerned right from the off to make sure that we or other NGOs won't use it as a kind of a green wash or a green front for this bid. But, you know, there's been none of that. We've been fully involved from the beginning.
BOULDEN: Environmentalists promise to make sure London fulfills its promises, especially if it loses, and to make sure the games don't add to London's pollution.
LEWIS: We've got to have really good incentives for people from all western Europe to come here by train, not by air. And I would be looking for a commitment not to have a net increase in air travel as a result of the games.
BOULDEN: With tens of thousands of people descending on an area for a short period of time, the Olympics will have an impact on one city's environment. But with the help of companies that specialize in sustainability, the 2012 games might become known as the green games.
Jim Boulden, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COSTELLO: Time trials will be the best of the day at the Tour de France. Those have been very successful in the past for six-time champ Lance Armstrong. He finished 87th in yesterday's third stage, but Armstrong was playing it safe. He let others take the champ (ph) while he rode at a smart pace. And so far that strategy has been paying off. Armstrong now in second place overall, just two seconds behind fellow American David Zabriskie.
Still to come this morning on DAYBREAK, talk about taking the plunge. We'll tell you about one couple that needed air tanks to tie the knot.
You're watching DAYBREAK for Tuesday.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COSTELLO: That was beautiful. I think that was Washington and I saw the Lincoln Monument. That was Atlanta. So I did not see the Lincoln Monument, but beautiful fireworks in Atlanta as well.
Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Opener" now.
There's an odd twist on a wedding ceremony. This couple exchanged their vows inside the shark tank at the Florida Aquarium. The couple said the recent shark attacks off the Florida coast did not make them nervous. The guests watched safely from the other side of the glass.
This rare white buffalo was born over the weekend in a farm in Kentucky. Native-Americans believe white buffaloes are one of the most important prophetic signs and can bring peace. The calf, named Medicine Heart, was welcomed into the world with an Indian ceremony of drums and prayers.
Dennis Rodman was a bit of a bust at Finland's wife-carrying championship. He dropped out of the race at the last minute. He had a knee injury. But he still carried a local teenager over part of the course. The wife-carrying contest began as a Finnish tribute an age- old practice of wife stealing. What a beautiful tradition.
The winner wins his wife's weight in beer.
Now for an update on the hotdog-eating contest in Coney Island. For the fifth straight time, Japan's Takeru Kobayashi was the top glutton. He downed 49 hotdogs in 12 minutes. But that is several dogs below his own world record, which he set last year.
Second place went to 99-pound Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas. She set an American record by finishing off 37 hotdogs.
You're laughing back there.
MYERS: I'm laughing back there, because you know what? Kobayashi should have been up in the 46, 47 range. He just couldn't pull it off. He put some extra weight on in muscle weight, Carol, and then he didn't have room for the stomach capacity.
COSTELLO: Did you -- did you see when he pulled his shirt up? He had like stomach muscles of steel.
MYERS: Yes. It was a 24 pack. It wasn't a six pack. There were more muscles down there than I could even imagine.
COSTELLO: Well, it doesn't -- oh, there it is.
MYERS: Yes.
COSTELLO: It doesn't matter. He still won. And you know how he did it? He, like, wets the hotdog with water.
MYERS: Right.
COSTELLO: So it's easier to chew and it goes down faster. And he gives it a little bit of water.
MYERS: Yes. Well, because the bun is so dry. They dunk the bun actually in water to get it to go down a lot easier. So...
COSTELLO: Wonderful strategy.
Here's what's all new in the next half-hour of DAYBREAK.
The story of seven guys from Philadelphia who helped create what's now known as rock 'n' roll, the Comets.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello and Chad Myers.
COSTELLO: And good morning to you. Thank you for waking up with us.
Coming up in the next 30 minutes, husbands and wives and kids unite on the streets of Atlanta. We'll bring you the story of a very special Fourth of July.
And remember Bill Haley and the Comets? Old is new again, and these guys are still pure rock 'n' roll.
But first, "Now in the News."
Facing a judge. Joseph Duncan, the man accused of kidnapping 8- year-old Shasta Groene, makes his first court appearance today. He's expected to be formally charged with kidnapping and being a fugitive from justice. Duncan is a registered sex offender who became a fugitive after violating terms of his bond.
U.N. Security Council members who will post Kofi Annan's plan to turn over confidential notes on Iraq's oil-for-food program must register their objections today. The meeting notes were requested by investigators looking into possible fraud in the $64 billion aid program.
Two men died after they got caught in a riptide at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. An 11-year-old boy was rescued. Police say the swimmers went into restricted water after the lifeguard went off duty.
Not a good idea -- Chad.
MYERS: No, not really. You know, especially with as much as that you could see how rough that water was. It's obviously -- it's nice to get out there and do some surfing, but not when the lifeguard says, wait a minute, it's got a red flag and let's not do this, and then he leaves and then you go in. So I don't know if that's how it happened or not, but you just don't want to do that.
COSTELLO: That is indeed how it happened.
MYERS: You just don't want to do that.
(WEATHER REPORT)
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