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CNN Live At Daybreak

Constitutional Crisis?; Gaza Resistance; Dove Season?

Aired August 15, 2005 - 05:00   ET

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


KELLY WALLACE, CNN ANCHOR: It is Monday, August 15. And the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza has begun. Israeli soldiers managed to diffuse a tense standoff at the Gaza border, but some settlers aren't going quietly.
The deadline draws even closer for a draft of Iraq's new constitution, but some questions remain.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is too much.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And the confrontation in Crawford, Texas.

Good -- good Monday morning, everyone. I'm Kelly Wallace, in today for Carol Costello.

We will have much more on the withdrawal from Gaza in just a moment.

Also ahead, does smoking in the movies make you want to smoke, too? A look at why so many Hollywood villains light up.

And later, a couple that literally took the plunge.

But first, these stories "Now in the News."

The deadline is looming for Iraq's new draft constitution. Leaders are meeting today to try and iron out the final details of Iraq's future. We'll head live to Baghdad for the latest straight ahead.

Japan offers an apology on the 60th anniversary of its surrender to end World War II. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi expressed his condolences to the victims of Japan's colonization during the war years.

Tropical Storm Irene strengthened into hurricane status overnight. That means winds in the storm are stronger than 74 miles per hour. Irene is the third Atlantic hurricane of this season.

To the forecast center now.

Good morning, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning.

WALLACE: It is going to be another busy day, I guess.

MYERS: A little bit, I guess.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: OK. We'll talk to you in a few minutes. Thanks, Chad.

Will Iraq have a new draft constitution today? That is the question as the government tries to beat today's deadline for the document. But there is still a lot of work to be done before the end of business.

CNN's Aneesh Raman is in Baghdad and joins us now.

Good morning, Aneesh.

What are the major sticking points right now?

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kelly, good morning to you.

With just about five hours to go until the national assembly is set to presumably receive a draft constitution, still no compromise on what has emerged as the stumbling block. The issue, federalism.

Meetings taking place in the building where I stand among the Shia-Kurd coalition, as well as the Sunnis. The Shia and Kurds want wording in the constitution that would allow for autonomous regions in the north, where the Kurds have a majority population, and in the south, where the Shia have the same.

The Sunnis, though, incredibly wary of the impact that would have on destabilizing the central government in Iraq. They want that conversation sidelined until a new government comes into power at the end of the year, a government where they would presumably have more seats.

So what we're waiting to see, Kelly, is, first, is a draft presented to the national assembly? If not, this government is essentially dissolved. And if so, does it include the assurances that the Sunnis want? If not, they could potentially veto this in the referendum that is to come by mid October -- Kelly.

WALLACE: And Aneesh, I know a couple of the obstacles include the role of women and Islam in this new government. What can you tell us about that?

RAMAN: Yes, the debate centers on just a few words: will Islam be "a" source or "the" source of Iraqi law? But it has huge implications.

If it is "a" source, then there are other sources that can be drawn upon when it comes to women's rights. But if it is "the" source, women are afraid it puts Iraq on a path where conservative clerics could be deciding what women can and cannot do, whether laws in the Iraqi constitution are in line with Islam. And where that would lead no one's quite sure. It depends where you live in Iraq and how conservative your local community is.

Now, the government has been giving assurances that that won't be the case, that women's rights are protected. But drafts are emerging on a near hourly basis. So no one quite sure. Everyone waiting for specific wording and for that draft that we expect now to happen in about five hours -- Kelly.

WALLACE: Aneesh, we'll be watching throughout the day.

Aneesh Raman reporting from Baghdad. We appreciate it.

If an agreement is reached on that draft constitution we've been talking about, the next step belongs to the parliament. The parliament can approve the document or send it back to be redone. That vote is expected to come tomorrow. And if it passes the parliament, then the people get a vote. A referendum on the constitution must be held before October 15.

And if the constitution passes, there will be new national elections in December. The U.S. ambassador to Iraq telling CNN that more American troops may be needed in Iraq before the voting begins. Meanwhile, one former top U.S. diplomat says there's still important work to be done before any withdrawal.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HENRY KISSINGER, FMR. SECRETARY OF STATE: We have to understand that what the -- not what the exit strategy should be, but what the objective should be. If a radical government emerges in Baghdad, or if any part of Iraq becomes what Afghanistan used to be, a training ground for terrorists, that this will be a catastrophe for the Islamic world and for -- and for Europe, much as they may -- reluctant they may be to admit it, and eventually for us.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WALLACE: And you were listening to former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who also said that the eroding support for the war in Iraq has begun to remind him of Vietnam. A recent CNN "USA-Today"-Gallup poll found that only 43 percent of Americans thought the war was going well.

A series of attacks in Iraq has killed more American soldiers. The last of four roadside bombs killed one soldier in Baghdad. Three more were wounded in that attack.

All told, seven U.S. soldiers died during the weekend attacks. Those deaths bring the toll since the beginning of the war to 1,850. Fifty-two of those deaths have come this month.

Well, today marks the beginning of the end of Israeli occupation in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Israelis' historic withdrawal has begun, marking the end of a 38-year occupation. Israeli troops are going door to door, delivering eviction notices to Jewish settlers in Gaza. Residents have until midnight Tuesday to pack up and move. Beginning Wednesday, those left behind will be forcibly removed by Israeli troops.

Here's a look now at the scope of Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank.

There are 21 Jewish settlements in Gaza and 120 settlements in the West Bank. Eight thousand five hundred Israeli settlers live in Gaza. And Israel says all of them must leave.

On the other hand, there are 231,500 Israeli settlers living in the West Bank. Israel says residents in four of those communities must evacuate.

For troops serving those eviction notices in Gaza it hasn't been completely calm. There are signs of resistance.

CNN's John Vause joining us now from a settlement in southern Gaza where residents blocked the path of soldiers for a time.

John, what can you tell us about what you've been saying on this day?

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning, Kelly.

What happened this morning, a few hours ago, when the Israeli army arrived they were met by dozens of settlers at the entrance of this settlement called Morag in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. It's not far away from Egypt.

Now, those settlers and other protesters who have infiltrated this area from elsewhere in Israel, and also from the settlements in the West Bank, they just sat there. There were women and children, babies in prams, old men and women.

It was a confrontation which the Israeli army was regretting (ph), but what happened is that the senior officers arrived, they began negotiating with the senior leaders from the settlement here. And quite often, the soldiers would stand there while the settlers would vent their frustration at the army officers.

Now, the area commander for this disengagement briefed his soldiers last night, telling them to remain calm, to be patient, to hear out the settlers. He told them -- he told his soldiers, "We are there to take it, not to dish it out."

That seemed to have worked. They reached some kind of compromise deal, where after a few hours the Israeli army was finally allowed into this settlement called Morag.

Now, they met with a couple of the senior rabbis here. And in the last hour or so, they have been going to a number of the homes, issuing those notifications. What that actually means is that they're now telling the settlers, not just here in Morag, but across the Gaza Strip, that they're now illegally here in the Gaza Strip. They have that 48-hour grace period where, if they leave quietly, they won't lose their compensation, they won't lose their possessions. And, in fact, the army is here today to tell the settlers that they will even help them pack their possessions, help them leave here, help them -- help them relocate to somewhere else inside Israel. Not a lot of people here in Morag taking them up on that offer as far as we can tell.

So, now what happens on midnight Tuesday? Well, after that, if the settlers are still here, and also the protesters who have come here to support them, the Israeli army and police say they will be removed by force. And for the settlers who are here, they could also lose a lot of money, up to a third of their compensation. And the army is saying that if they're still here when the army comes on Wednesday, they could lose most of their possessions as well -- Kelly.

WALLACE: And John, of course we know that there are some infiltrators, they are being called, people who have come to Gaza to protest the withdrawal. What happens to them? They certainly don't have probably until midnight Tuesday to leave, do they?

VAUSE: Well, they'll be arrested, Kelly. And what we've been told by the army this morning is that there's about 300 settlers here in Morag, for example.

Now, this morning, the plan was, according to the Israeli army, to try and remove those infiltrators and leave the residents of Morag to sort things out. It looks like they've reached out some kind of compromise in that the infiltrators will be removed with the remaining settlers come Wednesday, or after that midnight deadline on Tuesday.

Now, the Israeli army believes that there could be as many as 3,000 of those infiltrators across the Gaza Strip. And their main objective is to hamper the disengagement, to make it as difficult as possible for soldiers and police -- Kelly.

WALLACE: All right, John. We'll be watching your reports throughout the day on CNN.

John Vause reporting from the Morag settlement in southern Gaza.

We appreciate it.

And meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Israel's cabinet meeting this morning and approving the next phase of the evacuation process. By a vote of 16-4, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's cabinet approved a plan to evacuate Gush Katif. It is the largest settlement in occupied Gaza.

Israeli soldiers, as John was telling you, are trying to hand out eviction notices in Gaza. But anguish abounds as Jewish settlers are forced to abandon homes that they have occupied for decades.

And that, of course, Chad, brings us to our e-mail "Question of the Day." MYERS: And it's not an easy one, because there are many sides to this. Last week, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, "Wait a minute, this is going to become an Islamic terrorist base, endangering not only Israel, but many others in the world."

President Clinton doesn't agree. He said, "I can't understand that. I happen to disagree. I think this will create an opportunity for democracy to emerge. And democracies are peaceful."

What do you think? Gaza withdrawal: Will the pullout help bring peace to the Middle East? Or will anything? DAYBREAK@CNN.com -- Kelly.

WALLACE: And Chad, you know, I worked in that region for about seven months two years ago.

MYERS: Yes.

WALLACE: One thing I found, passions are high. People have strong opinions on both sides, or all sides. So I'm sure we'll be getting some strong e-mails, Chad.

MYERS: For thousands of years.

WALLACE: Exactly. Exactly. Not new.

Chad, we'll talk to you in a few minutes.

Coming up next here on DAYBREAK, a shot rings out in Crawford, and the Secret Service comes running.

President Bush's neighbor lets his gun do the talking about the growing antiwar demonstration. Dana Bash has that in just five minutes.

And that plane crash in Greece. Grieving families arrive with the grim task of identifying loved ones. Chris Burns is at the crash site in 35 minutes.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: It is the start of a new trading week, and there's mixed news for the international markets. Tokyo's Nikkei closes down five points. Britain's FTSE is trading up 20.5 points. And the German DAX is up nine points.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's just about 16 minutes after the hour, and here is what is all new this morning.

Israelis' withdrawal from Gaza is under way. Israeli troops are sealing off all 21 settlements there and delivering eviction notices to Jewish settlers. Those settlers have 48 hours to pack up and move out, or Israeli soldiers will force them out come Wednesday. British Airways says it hopes to be close to normal today. The airline is still reeling from labor problems that forced the cancellation of up to 700 flights. A strike by food -- strike -- excuse me -- by food caterers, backed later by ground crews, forced a shutdown of operations for the carrier at Heathrow Airport.

In money, we are paying more and more at the pump. The prices have gone up 20 cents over the past three weeks. An average gallon of regular unleaded gas now costs $2.50.

In culture, opening night came for the Broadway musical that's based on the life of John Lennon. Wife Yoko Ono was on hand for the opening. One interesting feature of the show is that there are five separate actors portraying the legendary singer.

In sports, Tony Stewart continued his hot streak by winning the Nextel Cup race at the road course at Watkins Glen. Stewart has now won five of the last seven races and leads the points race by more than 100 points.

Chad, were you watching that race yesterday?

MYERS: Oh, sure.

WALLACE: I'm sure.

MYERS: He was the class of the field, other than Robbie Gordon, who really -- can really drive a racecar on a road course. Certainly smoke was the class of the field.

Congratulations to him.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WALLACE: All right, Chad. We'll talk to you in a few minutes. Thanks so much.

Well, in Crawford, Texas, a neighbor of President Bush says he's getting ready for dove season. And he's not just talking about hunting birds.

Our Dana Bash tells us about the growing disagreements between those who support the president's position on Iraq and those who don't.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Where did he go?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. I think he walked up to the house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He said to his house.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I called the police at 10 after 10:00.

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Secret Service raced to the scene. Two gunshots heard near the vigil outside the president's ranch.

LARRY MATTLAGE, CRAWFORD RESIDENT: I threatened nobody, and I didn't point a gun at nobody. This is Texas.

BASH: On his own land across the road, Larry Mattlage had shut his gun in the air.

MATTLAGE: I'm getting ready for dove season. And you all are going to still be here, I'm practicing.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There wasn't another message involved in the gunshot?

MATTLAGE: Figure that for yourself.

BASH: The doves that are really bothering him, antiwar protesters parking at the edge of his property, growing throngs of supports for Cindy Sheehan, whose son died in Iraq and wants to tell Mr. Bush troops should come home.

MATTLAGE: When they first came out here, I was sympathetic to their cause. All right? These American citizens have a right to march to protest. But it's like (INAUDIBLE). If you had your brother-in-law in your house for five days, wouldn't it start stinking after a while?

BASH: Mattlage may be expressing the frustration of some locals. In the nearly five years Mr. Bush has been coming here, this is the first extended demonstration. An unprecedented number of people and cars descending on tiny Crawford, now both for and against Cindy Sheehan's cause.

(on camera): In fact, this is something we've never seen. Police put up a sign warning about heavy traffic in Crawford, a town with 705 people and one blinking light.

MATTLAGE: They had one Porto-Potty. Now we've got two Porto- Potties. And now we've got three. And if this keeps up, they'll be all the way at the end of the road.

BASH: Mattlage has benefited from living near the president. One TV network pays to use his property to get footage of the Bush ranch. The local sheriff says no laws were broken, both sides are within their rights.

Cindy Sheehan has a solution.

CINDY SHEEHAN, WAR PROTESTER: He should talk to his other neighbor, George Bush, and ask George Bush to come out and meet with me. And then we'll leave.

BASH: Mattlage doesn't know his presidential neighbor, but says he's skeptical that would make the protesters leave.

MATTLAGE: That's all I've got to say about that.

BASH: Dana Bash, CNN, Crawford, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WALLACE: These are anything but quiet times in Crawford, Texas.

Well, there is a new cook in the kitchen. Actually, make that executive chef. And it's not just any kitchen either. It is the White House kitchen.

Chris Comerford, formerly assistant chef since 1995, is making history, too. She is the first female to hold that position. First lady Laura Bush announced her appointment, and the first lady also firing the former top chef earlier this year and then announcing the new chef this weekend.

Well, still to come this morning, say hello to this big baby. We'll tell you where the bundle of joy is living when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Girls just want to have fun, Chad. Right?

MYERS: One of them wanted to get married this weekend.

WALLACE: That's right, which brings us -- nice segue -- to our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers" for this Monday.

Michael Salter (ph) and Jean Kirby (ph) wanted a special wedding. And you can say they got it, because they took the big plunge, literally.

They got married on this log ride at an Alabama amusement park. The bride's father officiated. And then, Chad, after their vows, the rest of the wedding party had to take the plunge as all.

MYERS: Oh, good.

WALLACE: You know...

MYERS: Right.

WALLACE: ... everyone's always looking for something different. All right.

Well, moving on here...

MYERS: Yes. It's only $95 to dry clean that dress.

WALLACE: Exactly.

We'll take a look at the moves on these dancers. They're taking part in the world's tango championship competition in Buenos Aires. MYERS: Wow.

WALLACE: More than 400 couples are strutting their stuff. The competition goes through Saturday. The top prize is $1,700 in two categories: ballroom tango and stage tango.

Chad, do you tango?

MYERS: Nope. I don't even fox trot.

WALLACE: Well, we'll work on that.

MYERS: All right.

WALLACE: And take a look at this baby.

MYERS: Oh.

WALLACE: It's the new baby hippo -- very cute -- at the zoo in Berlin. He was born two weeks ago and presented to the public over the weekend. And you bet -- you can bet he's going to grow.

His mom weighs, Chad, two-and-a-half tons.

MYERS: Hey, this is about the size of her head.

(CROSSTALK)

WALLACE: Yes. It's going to get larger and larger. Very cute, though.

MYERS: Oh, yes.

WALLACE: Look at him moving in that water there. All right.

Welcome to the world, to you.

Chad, we'll talk to you in a few minutes.

MYERS: OK.

WALLACE: And here's what's all new in the next half-hour.

Late tax filers are running out of time to settle up with Uncle Sam. Why the tax man cometh in August and what to do if you need even more time for your 2004 return.

We'll be right back. Don't go away.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WALLACE: Good morning, everyone. I'm Kelly Wallace, in today for Carol Costello.

Coming up here on DAYBREAK, Israel's withdrawal plan is under way with eviction notices being handed out to Jewish settlers in Gaza. The latest on the pullout live, moments away.

And searching for answers in Greece. Family members head to the crash site today.

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

In Iraq, it is a last-minute rush to finish drafting a constitution by today's deadline. Sticking points still to be hammered out include what role Islam should play in the new Iraq and the Sunni Arabs' objections to federalism.

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