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CNN Live At Daybreak

Top Terrorist Killed in Iraq; Proud to Serve; Placing Blame

Aired September 28, 2005 - 05:30   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you, welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, more violence erupts in Iraq as insurgents warn Iraqis not to help the Americans. We'll take you live to Baghdad in a few minutes.

But first, "Now in the News."

President Bush is making remarks this morning about terrorism. He may talk about the killing of the number two man for the al Qaeda- connected group in Iraq. CNN will bring you his comments live at 10:20 a.m. Eastern.

Some former baseball stars on Capitol Hill this morning, among them, Hank Aaron. They're joining baseball Commissioner Bud Selig who testifies before a Senate committee looking into Major League Baseball's drug policy. The former stars will not testify. They're there to give Selig support from the dugout.

A new $10 bill will be unveiled today, but you can't handle it until next year. The colorful new bill is designed to be harder to counterfeit. The bill joins the redesigned $20 and $50 bills already in your pocket. Well, maybe not the $50. If you're lucky the $50. And there are no plans to redo the smaller bills.

To the Forecast -- I wanted to see a picture of the new $10 bill, but they're keeping it under wraps.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good. I got the redone $1, you know what I mean.

Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thanks, Chad.

There has been another suicide bomber in Iraq, this time with a twist. The bomber was a woman. It happened in Tal Afar, an Iraqi city near the Syrian border. Several people were outside a building seeking compensation from the U.S. military following an offensive in the area. When the bomber was refused entry, she detonated her explosives. At least 5 people died, 25 are hurt. For more on this morning's attack, we go to our Aneesh Raman. He's live in Baghdad.

Good morning, Aneesh, you're going to tell us a little about that and also about this number two al Qaeda man taken or, actually, killed in Iraq.

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Carol, good morning.

First, on this morning's attack, really two key points to be made. The first is that this is a female suicide bomber detonating at that city council building. It's the first time that many of us can recall a female suicide bomber in quite some time in Iraq, if not since the war. It is not the usual scenario. Often they are males that go into these police recruitment centers, detonating among recruits or, of course, driving suicide car bombs. So that's an important thing that people are looking at this morning.

The second is, of course, the location. Tal Afar is where the U.S. military at the beginning of this month for two weeks really waged an intense campaign to root out the insurgency there. Towns that were essentially under insurgent control were taken back by the U.S. military.

Six thousand families, Carol, were essentially brought out of the towns in that area leading up to this campaign. They are all now coming back in, seeing their homes destroyed by that operation. Accordingly, were in line, trying to get compensation, when this female suicide bomber detonated. So again, an area that the U.S. military essentially just brought back under control now seeing violence yet again this morning.

Also, we wanted to make you aware of some signs that have been popping up, posters that we're now aware of in Al Cim (ph). It's a town just south of that Tal Afar region in northwestern Iraq. It is part of the insurgent propaganda campaign. They put up enormous signs throughout areas that are essentially under their control, telling people not to join in with the U.S. forces, not to help. To either flee the areas and allow it to be an insurgent haven or risk death.

They also have pamphlets, we understand, that are being passed throughout Iraq, essentially saying that people should join the jihad against the U.S. military.

So all of this, of course, Carol, making the job of the U.S. forces incredibly difficult. It's part of this sort of cat-and-mouse scenario that we've seen. They root out the insurgents in one area and they seem to pop up again elsewhere -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Tell us more about the shooting death of this al Qaeda. I guess he was second in command and controlled the money.

RAMAN: Yes, and he, essentially, as far as we can tell from the U.S. military, Carol, was running al Qaeda in Iraq. Abu Musab al- Zarqawi, the group's head, is so well known that he's often moving around, unable to really take on the logistical demands of running the network.

So Abu Azzam, the second in command, who was killed on Sunday here in Baghdad during a joint U.S.-Iraqi operation, he is thought not just to be behind the finances, but is directly linked to a number of car bombs detonating throughout the country. The Iraqi government saying he is responsible for hundreds of deaths of innocent Iraqis.

So they say this will deal a serious blow to the insurgency. But, Carol, this is an organization that is known for being incredibly adaptive, for being able to very quickly fill these leadership voids. And so while today we can say the insurgency has been dealt a blow, it's unclear how long that will last -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Exactly. I was just going to follow up on that. We've heard so many times that the U.S. military has taken into custody these high-level people, but the vacancies are always filled and there doesn't seem to be much of a lessening of the insurgency within Iraq.

RAMAN: Well they're hoping, Carol, that this is an exception to that rule. This is a man that really held in his mind, as far as we've been told, the infrastructural knowledge, the corporate knowledge, if you will, of how this organization was being run.

And the way that it works in any of these terrorist groups with cells in various parts of the country, none of whom have all the information, is that all of that information is centered really in a key few figures. And so they think that by taking him out, it won't be as easy to fill that void. It, of course, can be possible. But in the meantime, U.S. military and Iraqi officials are hoping they can use this as a momentum to try and root out other top leaders -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Aneesh Raman, you'll join us in the 6:00 a.m. Eastern hour once again with more. Aneesh Raman reporting live from Baghdad this morning.

Also, President Bush talks about the war on terror this morning. That will come your way at 10:20 Eastern. And CNN will bring you his remarks live.

In Washington State, friends and family of a Marine killed half a world away recall his million-watt smile, his likes and dislikes, a life cut short at the age of 24. Shane Swanberg died September 15.

Reporter Paul Chambers of CNN affiliate KING tells his story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REV. JIM FOWLER, PASTOR: Shane was a man who loved life.

PAUL CHAMBERS, KING-TV REPORTER (voice-over): Those who knew him said he was proud to be a Marine and proud to serve his country. Lance Corporal Shane Swanberg was killed in Iraq earlier this month. Family and friends came together to say goodbye.

FOWLER: Shane loved his country and was moved by 9/11. And he was loyal to his country to the point he ended up paying the ultimate price, his life, and that's why we're here today.

CHAMBERS: Only in Iraq for 10 days, the 24-year-old Kirkland native died when rocket fire hit his compound. Family members say their last contact with Shane was via the Internet. Shane wrote his family an e-mail, which spoke of the dangers related with his mission. Days after Shane was killed, his mother said although they didn't speak of death, it was always on their mind.

LINDA SWANBERG, MOTHER: When he was here in August, we didn't let it ruin our joy of his time here. And we just enjoyed every single moment knowing that it may be the last time we spend together.

CHAMBERS: And it was. As his father wipes away the tears of pain and of joy, a family and a community unite to say goodbye to a fallen hero.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: That was Paul Chambers of our Seattle affiliate KING, KING TV.

Shane Swanberg's father called his son a diamond in a peacock. He grew up to be one of the finest young man and Marines I have ever met in my life. That Marine is survived by his parents, a sister and a younger brother who is in the military and stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Still to come on DAYBREAK this morning, got heated on the Hill. Boy, did it ever, as the former FEMA head defends what he did to deal with Hurricane Katrina. That story is ahead.

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:43 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

President Bush will be talking about terrorism this morning. His comments could touch on the killing of a top al Qaeda-connected operative in Baghdad on Sunday. We'll bring that to you live.

Lynndie England is going to prison for three years for her part in the Abu Ghraib Prison scandal. England also is being dishonorably discharged. England cried and held her infant son following the military court sentencing.

In money news, up to 5,000 people are getting pink slips at Mercedes. "The Wall Street Journal" reports DaimlerChrysler plans to announce the job cuts today.

In pop culture, a remastered version of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" album will be released for the classic's 30th anniversary. The box set includes two DVDs featuring live performances and a documentary. That is due in stores November 15. I just wanted to keep on hearing "Born to Run."

The Los Angeles Angels are celebrating. They beat Oakland last night to clinch the American League West division title. They become the first American League team to make it to the playoffs -- Chad.

MYERS: October not far away.

Good morning, everybody.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: All right, thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, we're going to read some of your e-mails. Today's question, is the U.S. ready for a female president? I cannot believe we've even asking that question in the year 2005. But we want to know what you think, DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Louisiana is dysfunctional. That's one of the more colorful comments from the former FEMA Chief Michael Brown. He testified before Congress as part of the House investigation on FEMA's response, or lack thereof, to Hurricane Katrina. Brown criticized Louisiana officials over their evacuation plan and said he did all he could in the days before and after Katrina hit. But comments like that led to exchanges like this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS (R), GOVT. REFORM CMTE.: That's why I'm happy you left, because that kind of you know look in the lights like a deer tells me that you weren't capable to do the job. I would have liked you to do a lot of things.

MICHAEL BROWN, FMR. FEMA DIRECTOR: I take great umbrage to that comment -- congressman.

SHAYS: Why?

BROWN: Because FEMA did -- what people are missing in this entire conversation is the fact that FEMA did more in Hurricane Katrina than it did in Charley in Florida and the others.

SHAYS: Why is that relevant?

BROWN: We moved all of those in there. We did all of those things.

SHAYS: Why is that relevant?

BROWN: And things were working in Mississippi and things were working in Alabama.

SHAYS: No, but see why I don't -- what I...

BROWN: And so I guess you want me to be the super hero that is going to step in there and suddenly take everybody out of New Orleans.

SHAYS: No. No, what I wanted you to do was to do your job of coordinating. And I want to know what you did to coordinate. Those are your words, sir, I didn't invent them.

BROWN: And coordinating is talking to the governor and the mayor, encouraging them to do their obligation to their citizens. I am not a dictator, and I am not going and cannot go in there and force them to do that.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: A lot of people said he was passing the buck, and the buck went right towards two Democrats, which would be Mayor Nagin, the Mayor of New Orleans, and of course Kathleen Blanco, the Governor of the state of Louisiana.

CNN's Dick Uliano -- CNN Radio's Dick Uliano was in the hearings. He was in the galley there.

Dick, first of all, what was it like in there?

DICK ULIANO, CNN RADIO: Well, you heard it. It was a bit of fireworks, really.

At hearings, often when a government official is testifying to members of Congress, he usually still has his job, so it's incumbent that he be differential and polite to the members of Congress. But this guy has been ousted from his job. He may have no hope of returning to government. And he really gave no quarter, Carol.

The members of the select committee asked tough questions of him, very probing questions, comprehensive, and he provided a vigorous defense of himself. And he wagged his finger a couple of times at the committee, in particular, to Gene Taylor of Mississippi. Don't you lecture me, he said, because he's got nothing to lose at this point.

COSTELLO: It got quite nasty, though. I mean Representative Christopher Shays, we heard him a little bit ago, he also said I can't help but wonder how different the answers would be if someone like Rudy Giuliani had been in your position instead of you. Mr. Brown responded angrily, saying I never thought I'd sit here and be berated because I'm not Rudy Giuliani. I mean that got down and dirty.

ULIANO: But you know it wasn't just sizzle, though, Carol. I mean it wasn't just sizzle, there was some substance here.

Basically the FEMA, the ousted FEMA chief saying, look, I'm not in charge of evacuations. This is how he blames the Louisiana governor and the New Orleans mayor. He says you want me to be some super hero and go in and get all those people out of there. He said, look, FEMA doesn't have fire trucks. We're not first responders. Basically what he's saying here is FEMA provides ice and water, but we're not -- can't be expected to get people out hours after a catastrophic hurricane.

Well you know some of the members of the committee would have none of that. The Mississippi Democrat, Gene Taylor, said you folks fell on your face in Mississippi. So it was tense. But those who wanted to listen and pay attention could hear some of the issues. You would think that Congress was going to be tackling about the Department of Homeland Security and how to get FEMA more functional than what we saw following Katrina.

COSTELLO: Well you know a lot of Democrats boycotted this hearing because they have no real power anyway. They had a real problem with that. The only Democrats that did show up were connected to Louisiana and Mississippi. Some might say that the Republican members of Congress didn't ask Mr. Brown much about President Bush's role and how he acted in this crisis.

ULIANO: Yes, I think that's true. And I think this was another little tidbit of information that came out of this hearing for those who wanted to listen and hear some of the things that went wrong.

What the ousted FEMA chief told this committee was that in the weekend before the storm hit, he talked to the White House. He told the White House this is a big one coming and basically signaling there was a lot of chaos down there and that he needed help.

Well who did you talk to, Mr. Brown, the Republicans asked, by the way, on the committee. And he said he talked to individuals, including Chief of Staff Andrew Card and the president himself. So this is also something that we may hear more about in the days and weeks ahead as this investigation continues.

COSTELLO: But did they ask it, did they do follow-up questions to that, because I didn't hear much about that?

ULIANO: No, as far as I could tell there were no follow-up questions to that. But you know that in and of itself is a pretty good bit of information to come out of a hearing like that. And what I'm suggesting is it's something that may be pursued.

And there were a lot of other aspects of this thing that I think that the lawmakers can sink their teeth into and look toward. Some of them were saying, for example, was it wrong now to put this independent FEMA agency under the umbrella of this behemoth Homeland Security? That may be another issue.

COSTELLO: Yes, hopefully they'll talk about that some more, too. I know Kathleen Blanco, the Governor, is going to testify and also Mayor Ray Nagin, right?

ULIANO: Yes, a day after that this official said that Blanco was dysfunctional and the Louisiana government, she'll be before the Senate today testifying, having her say.

COSTELLO: Interesting. Dick Uliano from CNN Radio reporting for us this morning.

When we come back, your e-mails.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It's time for our "Web Clicks." We're always interested in what you're clicking on to on CNN.com.

And one of the most popular stories is about Ashley Smith. Remember her?

MYERS: Not one of the little Ashley -- one of the little girls.

COSTELLO: No, not the...

MYERS: No, no, no.

COSTELLO: Not the Olsen twins.

MYERS: Not the Olsen twins. Not Ashley Olsen. Ashley Smith.

COSTELLO: No, this is Ashley Smith.

MYERS: Yes, remember she was the one who -- the guy came into her house, this man here, who allegedly took over the courthouse there in Atlanta, and she talked him out of giving -- basically giving himself up, letting her go. She called 911.

COSTELLO: Yes, she...

MYERS: Her story is out. Her book is out.

COSTELLO: And it's a fascinating book. I mean...

MYERS: Did you read it?

COSTELLO: No, but I have some excerpts.

MYERS: Yes.

COSTELLO: And the information is really interesting. Remember he broke into her home. He tied her up. He put her on the bed. She didn't know what was going to happen. And she basically quoted from the Bible and talked to him for a long period of time. But she also did something else, Chad, she offered him some crystal meth.

MYERS: He asked if she had any marijuana. She said no, I've got some crystal meth. And I don't know, maybe that calmed him down. We don't know.

COSTELLO: Maybe so. She says that she didn't take any crystal meth. She's had a long-time drug problem. She didn't take crystal meth that night because -- quote -- "I was not going to die tonight and stand before God, having done a bunch of ice up my nose." That's the quote from her book.

She also says, talking about Brian Nichols, "he was bare chested underneath his blazer. His pecks were rippling in between the black lapels. And seeing where the jacket seam fit his shoulders, I could tell just how broad those shoulders really were. I know I'm in good shape, but man, if this guy comes at me, I'll never have a chance to fight him off." So she had to use her brain and her powers of persuasion.

One more quote I want to go by you. This was in "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution." They asked her who in the Bible do you most relate to, because she's become very religious after this experience, and she said Paul. "God wanted me to wake up," says Ashley Smith. "Ask me a year ago if I'd be sitting here speaking out against meth. My teeth were rotted out. My mind was gone. I have to try to make a difference now."

So I don't know, I can't wait to read the book.

MYERS: I know, very interesting this is.

And so was our e-mail "Question of the Day," Carol. The e-mail question today was is the U.S. ready for a female president? And we got some really great answers, but you can still go to DAYBREAK@CNN.com.

Kevin in Vermont, "I think the American people are fully ready for a woman to serve as president. Regretfully, though, I don't believe that the corporations that pay most of the, he says bribes, but you know what I mean, the campaign contributions are quite as ready."

And from Donald, "The biggest problem with the world since the beginning of time has been testosterone. A little bit less in the White House might go a long way to settling some of the country's disputes with other nations."

And from Bill, "Not only is the U.S. ready for a female president, following this disastrous Bush administration, I'd be willing to vote for Anna Nicole Smith."

And John in Philadelphia, "Of course we're ready. I'm continually amazed that we even have to ask this question in a country where we're all supposed to be equal."

COSTELLO: Exactly. And there are more women on the planet than men, right, in the United States?

MYERS: Right. Right.

COSTELLO: I just think we have to vote with our feet. Thank you -- Chad.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: Next hour of DAYBREAK starts at one minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is Wednesday, September 28. Checks are coming. The president is promising immediate financial help to everyone displaced by Hurricane Rita. The head of the New Orleans Police Department says it's time to go. I'm retiring.

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