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CNN Live At Daybreak

Al Qaeda Threat; Defiant Stance; What a Deal

Aired August 05, 2005 - 05:30   ET

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

(WEATHER REPORT)
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Sounds good to me.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Sure does.

COSTELLO: Maybe I'll try it.

MYERS: All right.

COSTELLO: Osama bin Laden's number two man in al Qaeda isn't hesitating when it comes to threats against the United States and Britain.

Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYMAN AL-ZAWAHIRI, AL QAEDA LEADER (through translator): To the British, I'm telling you that Blair brought you destruction in the middle of London and more will come, God willing.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: British Prime Minister Tony Blair holds a news conference in just about 30 minutes on this. We think it's on this topic.

Robin Oakley is outside the prime minister's residence in London.

What will he talk about -- Robin?

ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN SENIOR EUROPEAN EDITOR: Well, good morning, Carol.

I think what he will be talking about, essentially, is new legislation to help to cope with the threat of terrorism in Britain. It would be unusual for him to call a press conference as a direct result of something emanating from al Qaeda. They don't like to give al Qaeda that kind of oxygen of publicity, as Margaret Thatcher used to call it.

So what we're probably going to hear from Mr. Blair is a little more detail on the plans that they have to bar from entry into Britain, or to deport from Britain, people who incite terrorism, particularly radical preachers. Already the Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, outlined a few days ago his thinking on this, that they were going to draw up a worldwide database of people who would potentially qualify for deportation. That is anybody who incites terrorism by their preaching, on a Web site or by writing articles fermenting terrorism. And already there are powers to bar, from the country, somebody who is deemed as a threat to national security or not conducive to the public good, as they put it.

What we hope to hear from Tony Blair today is a little bit more detail on that and the other antiterrorist measures that they've been drawing up -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Robin Oakley reporting live from London.

And of course when Tony Blair begins speaking in the 6:00 hour of DAYBREAK, we'll dip in so you can hear some of it.

In our CNN "Security Watch" this morning, defiance is met by defiance. As we've been telling you, al Qaeda's number two man is threatening U.S. forces with tens of thousands of casualties if they don't pull out of Iraq. And President Bush is vowing that terrorists will not force the U.S. to withdrawal.

CNN's Elaine Quijano has more for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At his Texas ranch, President Bush remained defiant in the face of recently- released videotaped threats by bin Laden deputy Ayman al- Zawahiri.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The comments by the number two man of al Qaeda make it clear that Iraq is a part of this war on terror. And we're at war. We will stay the course. We will complete the job in Iraq.

QUIJANO: During a joint appearance with the leader of Colombia, President Bush described Zawahiri, and those like him, as having a dark, dim, backwards ideology. And the president reminded the world where Zawahiri's allegiance lies.

BUSH: Zawahiri was a part of that team that attacked us on September the 11th, 2001. He was part of an al Qaeda group that said, well, we'll try to achieve our objective in attacking America.

QUIJANO: The battles in Iraq are being felt particularly hard in America's heartland. Flowers and mementos were left in Brook Park, Ohio, home base to many of the more than two dozen Marines killed in Iraq since Sunday.

BUSH: The people of Brook Park and the family members of those who lost their life, I hope they can take comfort in the fact that millions of their fellow citizens pray for them.

QUIJANO (on camera): President Bush still refuses to outline a timeframe for U.S. troop withdrawal, insisting that American forces will only return home when Iraqis can take care of their own security.

Elaine Quijano, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In other news about your security, federal authorities have arrested this man, you're going to see him right now, Mahmud Faruq Brent, on charges of supporting a terrorist group. He works as a paramedic near Baltimore. Authorities say he's been linked to a Pakistani-based Islamic militant group, and they say he attended a terrorist training camp in Pakistan.

The prisoner population at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, is about to start shrinking. The United States plans to send about 110 Afghan prisoners home from Gitmo, and their government will decide whether to detain or release them. It's part of a deal reached with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a visit to Washington.

The U.S. ambassador-at-large for war crimes says Washington is also pursuing similar transfer agreements with Saudi Arabia and Yemen. People from both countries make up a significant percentage of the Gitmo population. Only four of the hundreds of prisoners held at the Guantanamo Bay prison have been charged with crimes.

And the State Department has issued a new travel warning about security concerns for Americans in the Middle East and North Africa. A State Department official says the warning was reissued in light of last month's attacks at the Red Sea resort town of Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt. It was not prompted by any new intelligence on specific threats. An earlier warning was about to expire.

Stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

Now it's time to get to our rather heated e-mail segment. How have the responses been flying in -- Chad?

MYERS: I think everybody has a little bit of humor in them today.

COSTELLO: Good.

MYERS: Sure.

I think possibly more of the world's crises would go away if the leaders would actually go on vacation more often. Unfortunately, many of our crises are created by our world leaders than solved by these leaders, says Ron (ph) from Wassail (ph).

In the time of corporate America downsizing, though, Dave (ph) from Chicago, and increased pressure on employees, it often happens that these people must alter their vacation plans in order to handle critical business matters. As far as the president's job, nothing could be more critical than the increased terrorist activities. Handling business from Crawford ranch is synonymous with me taking a conference call from the shores of Miami Beach. Corporate America would not tolerate that, nor should we tolerate that from him.

Mike (ph) at Daytona said I thought your weatherman had some intelligence, but he proved me wrong. While our young men are being sacrificed by the president, he's taking a vacation. And by the way, get a life and grab one of those great jobs he's sending to South America. At least you'll have a job for the rest of your life.

And I have to agree with Chad, says Caitlin (ph). For all I care, the president doesn't need to set foot in the Oval Office even once. He's always surrounded by his staff and telephones. Even if he wants to, he can't really escape the job for one day.

And from Chris (ph) in Ohio, I think it's very inappropriate that our leaders are on vacation while our men and women are dying in Iraq. I know they are still doing some work there, but why couldn't they do that in Washington. If I were a soldier getting shot at every day, it would make me very angry to know that the commander in chief is relaxing again in his Texas ranch.

COSTELLO: And you know I think that's the very thing with those who think that he should be in Washington, you know the nation is at war.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: It's different from other presidencies. You know you say President Reagan took all those days of vacation, too, but we weren't at war.

MYERS: Right.

COSTELLO: So, thank you for your comments this morning.

MYERS: More to come.

COSTELLO: And by the way, Chad, this is from Andrea (ph). I love Chad Myers. He's extremely knowledgeable about many things and looks things up that are very interesting.

So there you go.

MYERS: Thank you. Google.com anything you ever wanted to know.

COSTELLO: Yes.

In news "Across America" now, two firefighters are overcome by the heat while fighting a late-night warehouse fire in Dallas. The fire broke out near Love Field, but the smoke didn't affect airport operations. More than 100 firefighters battled this fire.

Also in Dallas, yikes! Look at this. Traffic was backed up for a while after this truck swerved over the guardrail on a highway overpass. Luckily there was no trailer attached, because imagine that. No one was seriously hurt either.

Millions of dollars of marijuana has been found growing in California's Sequoia National Forest. Officers pulled out about $136 million worth of pot plants this week alone. This week's raids come days after Republican lawmakers called on the Forest Service to crack down on marijuana farms in national parks.

No telling if they will be thrillers, but they may be page- turners. At least two books are in the pipeline from former Michael Jackson jurors, and are they telling different stories now.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The Senate will not hold hearings on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts until next month. Some of Judge Roberts' previous writings might be of interest to senators. As a Reagan White House attorney, Roberts opposed the idea of lifetime judicial appointments.

In a 1983 memo, Roberts argued that limiting terms of federal judges would ensure a fresh supply of talent. And according to "The New York Times," thanks to advice from Judge Roberts, gay men and lesbians won a 1996 landmark ruling against state sanctioned discrimination. Judge Roberts did not disclose this to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:42 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A possible key test for the new president of Iran. "The New York Times" reports European negotiators will offer Tehran the possibility of obtaining nuclear reactors, that is if Iran allows security checks, improves its human rights record and agrees to fight terrorism.

No more space walks for the shuttle astronauts. NASA says a repair mission to fix a torn thermal blanket beneath one cockpit window will not be necessary. There had been concern it would tear and damage the craft upon reentry.

In money news, Toyota says it's going more environmental. The carmaker plans to add 10 new hybrid cars in the next decade. Hybrids use a combination of electrical power and gas, in case you didn't know.

In culture, Jerry Seinfeld and Paul Simon will team up to headline a benefit for autism research. The Autism Speaks Concert is slated for September 24 at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

In sports, Las Vegas is getting another star-studded show, and it doesn't involve Barry Manilow. "USA Today" is reporting the NBA will announce today that the 2007 All-Star Game will be played in Vegas. It would be the first time the game is played outside of an NBA city -- Chad.

MYERS: They're going to have that game at the Thomas and Mack Arena at UNLV. They expect that game to bring in $27 million in additional revenue to that city. Good luck. Hope they have a good time. I always have a good time in Vegas.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad.

And, Chad, coming up next, I know you'll be interested in this, how doing the mountain pose can keep you slim.

DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Checking "Health Headlines" for you this morning.

Taking amphetamines may slow the advance of Parkinson's Disease. A new study shows the drugs, including the party drug Ecstasy, can reverse the effects of Parkinson's Disease in mice. Researchers at Duke University found the drugs reduced the tremors and rigidity common with Parkinson's, but they warn the illegal drug may cause damage to the human nerve tissue. Even so, they say their findings may offer a new way to help Parkinson's patients.

Older women being treated for breast cancer might benefit from a change in drugs. The traditional treatment for women with hormone- sensitive tumors is the drug Tamoxifen. But researchers in Austria have found success by switching to a medication called Arimidex after two years in women past menopause.

If you're trying to fight the battle of the bulge, you might want to try yoga. A new study suggests people who practice yoga in middle age are less likely to put on extra weight. Researchers say it's likely that yoga keeps you more in tune with your body and less apt to fill up on junk food. Which means you don't have to look in the mirror when you do yoga, so maybe you just see your rolls of fat and that does it. I don't know. I don't know about that.

For more news about staying healthy, go online and check out CNN.com/health. There you'll find more on these stories and the very latest news to keep you fit and feeling fabulous.

The mountain pose -- Chad.

MYERS: Was that...

COSTELLO: The tree.

MYERS: ... the head behind the back or what? What was the mountain pose?

COSTELLO: That thing like this where you grab your feet.

MYERS: Yes, I can't even find my feet.

COSTELLO: And then the tree is when you put your hands over your head and you put one leg up. Haven't you ever done yoga?

MYERS: No.

COSTELLO: Why did I even ask that question?

MYERS: I don't eat yogurt either, but anything with a Y, anyway.

Getting back to our e-mail of the day, should world leaders go on vacation during times of crisis? Just talking about President Bush and also, Tony Blair, obviously, heading to some little time away from their residences, if you will.

Regarding Congress and the president taking vacation, says W.J. (ph) from Vegas, I feel the less time these guys are in D.C. the better off we are. We should vote them all a permanent vacation the next election. In other words, we need politicians who look at the big picture rather than those who look through the keyhole of party politics.

And from Judy (ph) in Virginia Beach, we all need to get away from time to time or else we'll go crazy. We don't want a crazy president making decisions in the White House.

Come on, vacation, we all know the president isn't going on vacation. Call it what you like, but nobody should be foolish enough to think that he's really on a holiday. The guy is lucky to get a couple hours of sleep. The president is in control no matter where he is. That was John (ph) in PA.

And Martin (ph) in Alexandria, Chad showed his naivete when he thinks that the president can take these trips to Crawford to meet the people of the Midwest. Give me a break, weather boy, what people? The president lives in a bubble, travels in a bubble and he meets no more people than the man on the moon. That was...

COSTELLO Yes, weather boy.

MYERS: ... from Kathleen (ph) and Martin.

That'll be it.

COSTELLO: Thank you for your comments this morning, we always find them interesting.

In the next hour of DAYBREAK, we'll learn more about the brutal bus attack in Israel that's left five people dead. Tensions there are rising as a result. We'll be live in Jerusalem.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: I'm still reading your e-mails, very interesting this morning.

But it's time to talk about entertainment now. You knew it was coming. At least two former jurors from the Michael Jackson trial have signed book deals to write about their experience. And get this, both of them are now saying they think the pop star is probably guilty. Headline Prime's Brooke Anderson has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BROOKE ANDERSON, CNN HEADLINE PRIME CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No one can forget the media frenzy surrounding the Michael Jackson trial or the first time America was able to see the 12 jurors behind the controversial verdict.

Seventy-nine-year-old Ellie Cook is one of the jurors who found Jackson innocent. But now Cook, along with another juror, Ray Hultman, are reportedly working on separate books in which they're expected to say they really wanted to convict Jackson.

Right after the trial, Cook passionately defended her decision.

ELLIE COOK, FORMER JACKSON JUROR: I disliked it intensely when she snapped her fingers at us.

ANDERSON: After candidly saying she didn't like the way the mother of the accuser acted during the trial.

COOK: That's when I thought don't snap your fingers at me, lady.

ANDERSON: Cook is sure to write about that and a lot more in her book, which is expected to be called "Guilty As Sin, Free As A Bird."

And for that second juror, Larry Hultman, who reportedly now also believes Jackson is guilty. He made no bones from the very beginning how difficult it was to come to the verdict.

RAY HULTMAN, FORMER JACKSON JUROR: I feel that Michael Jackson probably has molested boys. I cannot believe that, after some of the testimony was offered, I can't believe that this man could sleep in the same bedroom for 365 straight days and not do something more than just watch television and eat popcorn.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: You can get more entertainment news every night on "ShowBiz Tonight." That's at 7:00 p.m. Eastern on Headline News.

In other "Entertainment Headlines" for you this morning, in Hollywood, the money is nice, but it's really about power, even among the young stars. And at the top of the power list right now, 27-year- old Ashton Kutcher. It isn't Lindsay Lohan. That's according to the readers of "Teen People" magazine. Actually, next on the list is Lindsay Lohan. Let's go back.

Looks like Dr. Phil will be doling out TV advice for a long time to come. The psychologist has signed a five-year extension of a syndication deal taking his show at least through the year 2014. Phil McGraw started his talk show career as a segment on the "Oprah" Winfrey show and is now seen in 99 percent of the country.

"The Dukes of Hazzard" movie comes out today, Chad. As you know, the film is a retread of the '70s TV show about country boys Bo and Luke Duke. But the real star is their car, the General Lee. And I know you were a "Dukes of Hazzard" fan back in the day -- Chad.

MYERS: I really was. I remember leaving the football games from high school early so that I wouldn't miss following Daisy Duke.

COSTELLO: I didn't know you appeared in the show though.

MYERS: I did. I was the big head guy in the car.

COSTELLO: I can't believe the car could actually jump over anything with you inside it with that head.

MYERS: They wrecked so many of those cars in that show. And now these cars are becoming very popular. They're going up in value to like $50,000 for an original car, so.

COSTELLO: You're kidding?

MYERS: No. There is...

COSTELLO: We thought we'd show you some scenes from the old "Dukes of Hazzard"...

MYERS: Daisy.

COSTELLO: ... just so we could relive the memories.

MYERS: Sure.

COSTELLO: Daisy was a brunette back in those days -- Chad.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And she had longer shorts, believe it or not.

MYERS: Longer shorts than the ones she has on in the movie now?

COSTELLO: I think so.

MYERS: Oh my!

COSTELLO: Burt Reynolds now as Boss Hog.

MYERS: Yes, OK.

COSTELLO: See, are you...

MYERS: He's too tall to be Boss Hog.

COSTELLO: ... going to go see the movie?

MYERS: Boss was a little guy. You need like -- you need the guy from "Taxi." What was his name?

COSTELLO: I don't remember. MYERS: Short guy.

COSTELLO: Talking about the car, though,...

MYERS: Danny DeVito, you need him.

COSTELLO: ... you're talking about the Chrysler that was popular then, that year model, which I can't remember right at this moment.

MYERS: '69, I think that's what they had.

COSTELLO: '69.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: So what, like, if I had one, how much could I get for it?

MYERS: Well, if it's a Hemi, you're probably looking at between $75,000 and $100,000. That's the high output. Just a 383, you're still probably looking somewhere between $25,000 and $50,000.

They said that, the makers of the movie, they went through 27 cars making this and only have 3 that still can run because they bent them up so badly. That if they're going to make a remake, they're going to really have to spend a lot of money to find these Chargers, because the price has gone up now that they're remaking this movie. So they should have bought them before the movie came out so they could make the remake with the cars that they've already purchased. Amazing!

COSTELLO: Isn't that something. OK, well the movie opens this Friday. And at least in "The New York Post" got a good review.

MYERS: Did it really?

COSTELLO: I haven't read the other reviews yet. There you are again.

MYERS: Yes, doing the Bo Duke slide.

COSTELLO: You are some popular guy.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: I think you need longer hair and a scruffy beard, though.

The next hour of DAYBREAK starts in just a minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is Friday, August 5.

This hour, questions about al Qaeda, the London bombings and the Iraq war come together. British Prime Minister Tony Blair faces the British press. We'll bring that to you live.

Also, the president's poll numbers plummet over his handling of the war in Iraq.

And faces of the fallen, we'll tell you about three of the Marines lost in Iraq this week.

And good morning to you, we'll have more from London in just a minute.

Also ahead, new questions about troop armor and insurgent tactics in Iraq.

And should high school basketball stars be allowed to play with the big boys in the NBA?

But first, "Now in the News."

Vice President Dick Cheney is meeting with the new ruler of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. The delegation to the Saudi Royal Court includes former President George Bush and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

The shuttle Discovery has been cleared for reentry. NASA says a thermal blanket problem will not require a fourth space walk, so the shuttle is good to go. The astronauts are packing up ahead of tomorrow's planned separation from the International Space Station.

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