Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

New Search Under Way for Natalee Holloway; Shuttle Trouble?

Aired July 27, 2005 - 06:30   ET

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


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: This bit of news just coming into us. And I'm reading this for the first time, so forgive me. I'm going to read it right off my computer. This is from The Associated Press.
It says, "The top American military commander in Iraq said today he believes a fairly substantial U.S. troop pullout could begin next spring and summer. General George Casey, the top American commander in Iraq told reporters he believes a U.S. troop withdrawal could begin by spring 2006 if" -- and you knew there had to be an "if" attached -- "if progress continues on the political front and if the insurgency does not expand."

Those are two big "ifs," because, as you know, Donald Rumsfeld right now is in Iraq, pushing the Iraqi government to come up with this new constitution that will eventually lead to those new elections. And of course the insurgency seems to be stronger as ever, as you just heard Tim Burger talking about the Iraqi security forces and the state it is in.

But again, a top American military commander says that there could be a significant troop pullout by spring of 2006. We'll tell you more as we get it.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, new leads in the Natalee Holloway case. We'll tell you why investigators have been hard at work all night long.

And did GM's latest discount plan work a bit too well? We'll tell you why the carmaker might be putting on the brakes.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: And good morning to you. Thank you for waking up with us. Chad has your forecast in just a minute.

Also ahead this half-hour, a new search under way in Aruba as police look underwater for Natalee Holloway. We'll have a live report.

Also, examining the shuttle. A possible piece of debris has NASA wondering if there is reason for concern.

But first, "Now in the News."

More arrests this morning in the London terror bombing investigation. Police in Birmingham, England, took four men into custody in connection to the July 21 attacks. One of the men was transferred to the central police station in London.

An unexpected visit and a harsh message this morning from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He arrived in Baghdad just a few hours ago. Rumsfeld told Iraqi leaders that they need to be more aggressive with neighboring countries that allow insurgents to cross their borders.

The second day of nuclear talks under way in China. Five nations are pressing North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions. The chief U.S. and North Korean envoys also have met one on one.

To Chad now.

Good morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: A new search under way in Aruba this morning as police try to locate new evidence in the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. Police were acting on a tip when they began draining a small pond late last night. The pond is in the area where two brothers say they last saw Holloway with Joran van der Sloot.

For more on the investigation we're joined by CNN photojournalist Bethany Chamberland. She's in Palm Beach, Aruba. She's watching this pond being drained.

What's the progress?

BETHANY CHAMBERLAND, CNN PHOTOJOURNALIST: I actually went and got a different perspective, one that I hadn't seen since 11:00 p.m. last night, which is about, you know, seven hours ago, and was very surprised to see that the water level appeared to not have gone down very much. They set up some barricades around the area, so it's more difficult to get as close as we were last night. And I went over to try and get a little bit more information, and one of the officials said that it's going much, much slower in that they're now measuring the progress in possibly days, not hours.

COSTELLO: So is water coming into the pond still? I mean, why is it taking them so long?

CHAMBERLAND: It's just because -- I mean, it's a catch basin. And they didn't know exactly, you know, how deep it was going to be, how deep it was going to go. But, yes, I mean, they're just trying to get it all out.

COSTELLO: OK. So they think that maybe Natalee Holloway's body is buried underneath this pond. So once they get all the water out, what do they do next? CHAMBERLAND: We are expecting them -- there to be some drudging after they get all the water out. And they told me last night that there's about 30 inches that they're trying to get at in the area of question.

COSTELLO: And so this new witness comes forward and says he sees these three men across the street sitting in their car, and that brought all of this about. That seems to be a slim clue to go on.

CHAMBERLAND: Yes. I mean, what the -- the witnesses are saying is that they did see some activity and did see the -- that car there that night. So right now they're trying to go on every lead that they can.

COSTELLO: All right. Bethany Chamberland, a CNN photojournalist, keeping us informed from Palm Beach, Aruba, this morning.

Thank you, Bethany.

On to NASA now. A piece of debris about an inch and a half long has the attention of NASA and the shuttle astronauts. New cameras put into place after the Columbia disaster caught that piece of debris falling away from the shuttle during liftoff on Tuesday, and now more new equipment is being used to see if there is any danger to the crew.

CNN Space Correspondent Miles O'Brien joins me this morning. He's in New York.

Miles, could this be dangerous?

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN SPACE CORRESPONDENT: It could be, Carol. But a lot depends on the size and the depth of that ding. I'm going to tell you a little bit more about that in just a moment.

First of all, let's look at a live picture from space right now, and we'll show you what's going on, what the astronauts are saying, more importantly, what mission control is seeing. Big deal, huh?

Well, that actually is the leading edge of Discovery's wing, the so-called reinforced carbon-carbon. That's one of the seals, the joints between the two panels. And if you'll recall back to Columbia, two-and-a-half years ago, it was a serious breach in that leading edge that ultimately caused the vehicle to break up on reentry, killing the crew of seven.

Let's show you some animation to give you an idea of why you're seeing this picture and how this is happening.

Discovery is equipped with a 50-foot long extension to its boom, it's robot arm boom, that doubles the length of it and allows it to do just what you're seeing here. It's got a camera and a series of lasers at the end of that boom which allow it to do a careful, methodical inspection of the leading edge of that wing, in particular the bottom side, because that's what takes the most heat, 2,500 degrees or so on reentry, to make sure that there's no damage. Now, that's just one of the photographic pieces of information that engineers are now sifting through. Let's take you back to launch yesterday and show you what we saw right at about two minutes into the flight, right as the solid rocket boosters separated.

First of all, take a look right up in the upper right-hand portion here, the highlighted portion. You can see a little ding occurring in a piece of the thermal protection system, the tiles. There are 25,000 tiles that cover over the Space Shuttle Discovery.

The question is, how big is it? We hear it's about an inch and a half. More important, how deep is it? And that is one of the things they'll be looking at very closely here.

Whenever a shuttle comes back, there are upwards of a hundred dings like this. And this has happened in every single shuttle flight.

Look at this other piece, though, that we saw right after the solid rocket boosters came off. It looks like some kind of protective cover or something. But if you'll notice on this one, it obviously does not hit anything, appears to fall harmlessly away.

That's just part of the picture. There were more than a hundred cameras trained on the Space Shuttle Discovery as it flew to space, some on the ground, some in a couple of airplanes, including this airplane shot from 60,000 feet by a pair of NASA planes called WB-57s. And they were able to follow it.

It's a little bit shaky, and this image doesn't do it justice because they have a high definition version that the engineers will be using. And followed it much farther along than any previous tracking capability has allowed them to do.

So basically, they've got a tremendous amount of information. And the question this morning, Carol, is -- you know, it's the old saying, ignorance is bliss. They have a tremendous amount of knowledge, much more than they ever knew before. How do you use that knowledge now?

It's going to create all kinds of decisions and -- well, everything's a gray area. Put it that way.

COSTELLO: Yes. And if the shuttle's in any danger, the astronauts will be taken to the International Space Station, and they'll be rescued, I would suppose...

O'BRIEN: Yes.

COSTELLO: ... by Russian cosmonauts?

O'BRIEN: Well, I mean, of course the International Space Station includes U.S. and Russian crew members. But what will happen is a second shuttle -- in this case, Atlantis -- will actually be launched after a period of time, after they get ready to go and rescue the crew to go and bring them back home. Discovery will be flown automatically in deep six into the Pacific.

That is a worst case-worst case scenario. And we haven't seen anything here that would lead us to that conclusion just yet.

The fact is, we're going to be seeing a lot of dings like this, a lot of debris, because we have the capability of seeing it. The question is, how will the mission management team respond -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. We'll see. Miles O'Brien, thank you.

In other stories "Across America" this Wednesday, 24-year-old LaToyia Figueroa has been missing from Philadelphia for more than a week. She's five months pregnant. Friends and family have been searching a nearby park for any sign of her. She was actually last seen when she went to a doctor's appointment with a male friend.

A 5.6 magnitude earthquake causes some files to be knocked over and other minor damage in southwest Montana. No injuries reported. The quake struck at 12:08 a.m. Eastern Time and was centered 13 miles north-northeast of Dillon, Montana.

Three teenagers were rescued after spending two days at sea off the South Carolina coast. One teen says they tried to conserve water -- and I'm quoting here -- "to stay out of each other's way so we wouldn't throw each other overboard." Nerves on edge there. The three were out fishing when they lost power.

Time now for a little "Business Buzz." All good things must come to an end. General Motors seems ready to end its employee discount plan, but Carrie Lee is here to tell us what they'll do next.

(BUSINESS REPORT)

COSTELLO: So, what type are you, a guardian, maybe? Perhaps an artisan? Just ahead, we'll help you decide for your money type, which can help keep your bottom line in line.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Welcome back. It's 6:46 Eastern. Here's what will be making news today.

New comments this morning from the top U.S. commander in Iraq. According to The Associated Press, General George Casey say she thinks a fairly substantial pullout could start as early as next spring. But he says that would only happen if the Iraqis make political progress and if the insurgency does not grow.

Coping with tragedy, that's what President Bush will talk to the Boy Scouts about at their annual gathering in Virginia. On Monday, four adult scout leaders were killed in an electrical accident at the scout jamboree. Do you know someone who's bought a Taser lately? A Florida dealer says the stun guns have been selling really well. The Taser company started an ad campaign to get the average person to buy them, and it's worked.

Police in Egypt have taken DNA samples from four different families as part of their investigation into who bombed the resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh. Police are trying to match DNA from families with remains found at the bombing sites on the assumption that some of the bombers were killed. The bombings on Saturday killed 84 people.

And British police have arrested four more men in connection with the attempted bombings on London's transit system. One man was arrested in central London. The other three were taken into custody in Birmingham 100 miles north of London.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STUART HYDE, WEST MIDLANDS POLICE: The man has been taken to a police station in central London where he'll be spoken to by Metropolitan Police officers engaged in that operation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. And was there any difficulty in arresting the man this morning?

HYDE: Yes, there was. And we used our defensive tactics, including a police Taser.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: At that first location, an apartment in Birmingham, England, a suspicious package was found. Residents had to be evacuated -- other residents, I should say. A police bomb squad is on the scene.

The search for Natalee Holloway has teams looking in a new place. We've been telling you about that this morning.

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

Good morning.

SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol. Good morning to you. And yes, in fact, we're also going to follow those new developments in the Natalee Holloway case out of Aruba.

As you've been reporting all morning, Carol, officials are draining that pond near the hotel and the beach where Natalee was last seen. The process is expected to take a few more hours.

This morning, we're going to talk to the attorney for Natalee's parents about that, talk to -- about how they're holding up. It's been nearly two months -- can you believe it -- since their daughter's disappearance. Also ahead, what would you do if you learned the zip code you live in has more registered sex offenders than any other in your state? We're going to meet one grandmother who recently learned that there are more than 120 offenders in her area alone. So we'll talk about what she's doing to try to keep her five grandchildren safe.

That's ahead on this "AMERICAN MORNING." We're coming up at the top of the hour -- Carol.

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Soledad.

In money news this morning, forget about "What's your sign?" We're asking you this morning, what's your type? Your money type, that is.

How do you spend, save and invest? And exactly what drives those decisions.

And Chad...

MYERS: Money!

COSTELLO: ... this is the stuff you really have to think about.

MYERS: Retirement.

COSTELLO: Well, "Money" magazine has this quiz. We gave you two questions a little earlier. We have two more.

MYERS: And here they are. Here's -- and the third one here.

In your position in a financial firm, what would you want it to be if pay and prestige were exactly equal? Do you want to be the dealmaker? Do you want to have client relationship management? Maybe the CEO? Or director of research?

Now, remember, I know CEO sounds great, but so much pressure, and the prestige and pay are equal? I'm going with research guy.

COSTELLO: I'm going with client relationship manager.

OK. Another question.

MYERS: That's because you want to work with all those clients that are mad because your stocks went down.

And financial advisers deserve our trust. Strongly agree? Somewhat agree? Somewhat disagree? And strongly disagree?

Yes, I mean, obviously some financial advisers are out- scamming...

COSTELLO: Oh, come on. Just pick your choice.

MYERS: I somewhat agree.

COSTELLO: I strongly disagree.

MYERS: You had the wrong financial advisers then.

COSTELLO: Well, you know, there's been so much stuff out there about how people are ripping you off.

MYERS: Carol -- Carol, only...

COSTELLO: I don't know that I would trust anyone.

MYERS: ... only the bad stuff makes it to TV. How many stories about good money managers have you seen on CNN?

COSTELLO: Are you a member of our audience? I'm just kidding.

All right. We're done with the quizzes now.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Let's talk about the results that might come out of this quiz.

Eric Schurenberg is the managing editor of "Money" magazine, and it's the August issue in which this quiz appears.

ERIC SCHURENBERG, MANAGING EDITOR, "MONEY" MAGAZINE: Hi, Carol.

COSTELLO: And you're here to tell us what we might find. Why is it so important to come up with your money personality type?

SCHURENBERG: Well, you know, because people are just not rational without money. You can't just say, well, you're always going to do the smart thing because you'll think it through. Instead, the way you handle money is governed by behavior patterns, by irrational thought, by your emotions. And so knowing the kind of prejudices that you go into money decisions with will help you make the right decision and avoid the same old mistakes.

COSTELLO: OK. So after you take this quiz, you should find out if you're a guardian. And that's -- this discipline is the key to security. Is guardian the best thing to be?

SCHURENBERG: Well, it's the one that most people are, most Americans are. Is it the best thing to be? Well, you know, like all money types, there are good sides and bad sides.

You have a lot of self-discipline if you're a guardian. Financial security matters a lot to you. On the other hand, you're likely to be a little too conservative and make choices that don't get you -- sometimes you have to take risks in the market to get ahead.

COSTELLO: Exactly. And if you get mostly Cs, if you entered mostly Cs to our short pop quiz there, you are a guardian.

On to the next one. The next personality type is an idealist. And I think that's probably what I am, because money just isn't the top priority.

SCHURENBERG: That's right. You're more concerned with helping other people. And that's a good thing, too, for lots of reasons.

COSTELLO: Or fun stuff.

SCHURENBERG: Doing fun stuff. See, that matters a lot, too. But, you know -- and that is a good thing. It's also a good financial thing, because if you're not that concerned about money, you're not chasing every squiggle of the stock market and making decisions based on really short-term things.

On the other hand, if you don't have a financial plan, you may not reach your goals. So it's something you want to pay attention to.

COSTELLO: I understand. OK. So if you answered mostly Bs, you are an idealist. OK.

What's next, Brian? I couldn't hear you.

Artisans. This is interesting. Artisans, which I wouldn't figure to be a money personality type. So if you answered mostly As, you're an artisan.

What is an artisan?

SCHURENBERG: Artisans are people who are -- they're willing to take risks. They go on gut instinct a lot. That's a pretty good thing, too, sometimes because you can -- if you're willing to take risks, you buy a lot of stocks and that sort of thing. That works out of you in the long run.

On the other hand, artisans are not the type to do a serious long-term financial plan. And so they sometimes have to put things into place, like automatic savings plans, so that they get that kind of regular financial planning thing going.

COSTELLO: Oh, that is a good idea.

MYERS: Now, Carol?

COSTELLO: OK. Rational -- what, Chad?

MYERS: Now if you -- if you said "A" to one of those questions, that was the one that said that you strongly agree that financial advisers are -- you know, are great, or whatever that question -- that term was, right?

COSTELLO: I think so. I can't remember, though.

MYERS: All right.

SCHURENBERG: That's right.

COSTELLO: But good point. Good point. Oh, Eric's saying you're right, Chad. Chad's always right, isn't he?

MYERS: Sometimes.

COSTELLO: It kind of makes me nauseated sometimes.

If you answered mostly Ds, you're a rational personality money type. That seems to me the best way to be.

SCHURENBERG: Well, it has its strengths and it has its weaknesses, too. Rationals believe that cool reason prevails. And it means that you take a lot of satisfaction out of putting complex financial plans into place, and that's a good thing for obvious reasons.

The bad side is that you tend to think that you can outsmart the market. And the market is not a rational place. And so sometimes that can get you into trouble.

COSTELLO: Eric Schurenberg from "Money" magazine. Thank you very much.

And if you want to know more, if you want to take this quiz, it's in "Money" magazine in the August issue. And you can learn a lot about yourself and possibly make yourself some money, too.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: What are you laughing at?

MYERS: The wakeup song. I didn't hear what it was for the space shuttle. Now, don't tell anybody, because it's one of our questions.

COSTELLO: Oh.

MYERS: But they told me in my air what it was and I had to laugh. But anyway -- so you'll have to figure out what it was.

The questions from yesterday: What city is number one for singles? And that's Denver and Boulder.

And the White House will not share documents from Judge John Roberts' time in what office? And that was the Solicitor General's Office.

And the winner from Clive, Iowa, today, Steven Brody.

Congratulations, Steven. You're the winner of the DAYBREAK coffee mug.

Now, here's the question. Here's the one I was laughing at.

What song played for the Discovery crew's wakeup call?

And what TV producer has a new series about U.S. forces in Iraq? Kind of a reality series -- semi reality, I guess.

CNN.com/DAYBREAK. There's a link there to send your answers -- Carol.

COSTELLO: A quick travel update before you leave.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right. Thank you, Chad.

A quick look at the news now.

"Now in the News," British police have arrested four men in Birmingham, England, in connection with the July 21 attempted bombings in London. Police say the main suspect resisted. He was subdued with a stun gun.

A pond in Aruba being drained right now as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Natalee Holloway. The pond is near a beach where two brothers told police they dropped off the teen and a male companion, which is, of course, Joran van der Sloot. A CNN photojournalist on the scene says the work is going slower than expected and could take days instead of hours.

Mass murderer Marcus Wesson will be formally sentenced in California today. A jury has recommended he be sentenced to death for killing nine of his children in 2004.

And the Shuttle Discovery is orbiting Earth after a successful launch. NASA experts have been analyzing all the different camera views of the launch after some debris fell off of the shuttle.

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

"AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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