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CNN Live At Daybreak

Hotel Attacks; Path of Violence; Going the Distance

Aired November 10, 2005 - 05:29   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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And good morning to you. Thank you for waking up with us. Welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK.

Coming up in the next 30 minutes, terror in Jordan. We'll have the latest on three suicide bombings there.

And we're learning more about a school shooting in Tennessee. We'll bring it to you coming up.

But first, "Now in the News."

Another suicide bomber in Baghdad today, at least 28 people have been killed, at least 24 more hurt in the bombing. The blast occurred in a restaurant almost four hours ago.

Washington and some of its European allies may allow Iran to have limited nuclear activity. That's according to a report in today's "New York Times." The report says Iran would be required to move its uranium enriching process to Russia. That process is considered a key to making nuclear weapons.

Two California men have been indicted on charges they conspired to smuggle handheld missiles into this country. An indictment says the two arranged with an undercover FBI agent to import several Chinese-made missiles and launchers from another country.

To the Forecast Center and, Bonnie Schneider, good morning.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Carol.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: I know. We'll just have to put on an extra sweater.

SCHNEIDER: Right.

COSTELLO: Thank you, Bonnie.

Amman, Jordan is unaccustomed to deadly terrorist attacks, like the ones that hit three hotels there.

Let's get some perspective on these attacks. Joining me from London is Sajjan Gohel, Director of International Security for the Asia-Pacific Foundation. Good morning to you.

SAJJAN GOHEL, TERRORISM EXPERT: Good morning.

COSTELLO: You know the fear is that some of the Iraqi violence is going over the border now into other countries. Is that what this says to you?

GOHEL: Well, as we have seen, Carol, with the attacks that have been taking place in Iraq, that eventually they would spill over into neighboring countries. And as we have seen that the group that's been accused of being behind this attack led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a notorious insurgent operating in Iraq, is that they have been able to operate throughout the Middle East, and of course even in parts in Europe.

So the worry is, is that if this is now spreading, can this be controlled? It's going to be very difficult if it's going beyond the borders of Iraq.

COSTELLO: Yes, you say can it be controlled? I mean Jordan is known for its excellent intelligence services. It usually stops attacks like this. Why wasn't it able to this time? Was it because Zarqawi has, well he's Jordanian, and of course he knows the country?

GOHEL: Jordan has very good security operators. And, as you mentioned, they have actually foiled a number of plots, including last year there was an intention to use a chemical attack in the city, which -- of Amman, which, had it been successful, it would have been catastrophic.

But as you're finding for the security forces, they have to be successful 100 percent of the time. The terrorists just need to be successful once. And al-Zarqawi does command support in some of the tribal villages inside the country, which have become quite backward, which are endearing to a much more fundamentalist strand of the religion and are willing to support terrorists like him.

COSTELLO: Supposedly in a letter from Zawahiri, who is of course connected to Osama bin Laden, apparently he communicated to the -- to al-Zarqawi and said that you must move the violence outside of Iraq. I mean is that why he is doing it? I mean do we know that for sure or is that just a guess?

GOHEL: Well a letter in itself is under question. Some have said it's a forged document, some have said it's genuine. But, nevertheless, we have seen that al-Zarqawi has been closely aligning himself to Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda. And they do cooperate in terms of sharing of ideas, intelligence and resources.

And what you're finding with transnational terrorism is that it's no longer confined or located in one part of the world, it's everywhere and it's spreading. And that is the goal of terrorists that are akin to the al Qaeda school of thinking, they don't just want it to be a regional conflict, they want it to be transnational. And it's a challenge for the region as well, because as we were warning that Iraq needs to be resolved, because it's becoming a battleground. And if it's not, the problems will spill over, as we're witnessing. And tragically, Jordan is a responsible country. It's a major player in the war on terrorism. And if it's rocked with instability, that is very dangerous for the region.

COSTELLO: OK. So, how do you fix it? What do you do?

GOHEL: The war on terrorism has to be led on a number of fronts. Firstly, it has to be intelligence led. The -- it can only be done by finding out where these cells are operating, what they are planning, are they part of a larger network? Capturing and killing terrorists is fine. But for every terrorist killed or captured, there are at least another five coming along the assembly line.

And, Carol, what we haven't really tackled since 9/11 is the recruitment. We have to stop these terror groups from replenishing their ranks, from indoctrinating young, impressionable individuals, for merely replacing those that they have lost. And that is a challenge. It means defeating the ideology of al Qaeda, the fundamentalist strand that exists. And it's a long-term goal. And I think we have to look at dealing with offensive, as well as defensive, dimensions to that.

COSTELLO: Sajjan Gohel, the Director of the International Security for the Asia-Pacific Foundation, thank you for joining us this morning.

GOHEL: My pleasure.

COSTELLO: One of the most wanted terrorists in Southeast Asia is dead. Indonesia's police chief says the man accused of being a mastermind behind the 2002 and 2005 deadly Bali bombings blew himself up during a shootout with police. He's believed to be the bomb expert for the Islamic terror network Jemaah Islamiyah and to have written a bomb-making manual.

Back here at home, we're learning more about a deadly shooting at a high school near Knoxville, Tennessee. The 15-year-old suspect is expected to make his first court appearance in a matter of days.

Our Rick Sanchez goes behind the scenes of the shooting to piece together the path of violence.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These were the first chilling words.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Central to all county units, need you to be in route to Campbell County High School. Campbell County High School, got two principals down, shots have been fired.

SANCHEZ: It was shortly after 2:00 when a rural high school just outside Knoxville, Tennessee, was turned into a shooting gallery. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need an ambulance up here immediately.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What's going on?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We've got two principals down.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two principals?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They've been shot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My god!

SANCHEZ: Using the 9/11 calls and a school floor plan obtained exclusively by CNN, we're now able to better piece together what happened at Campbell County Comprehensive High in Jacksboro.

It began when Principal Gary Seale learned from students that a freshman was telling other students he had a gun. Police say the principal then sent an unarmed school security guard to the boy's classroom to pull him from class and get him away from other students.

The boy, escorted by the female officer, walked calmly down the corridor. Then he was ushered into the school's administrative offices. After a short walk through another hallway, they made a right into Principal Gary Seale's office. There police say the boy was met by the principal and two other assistant principals. The door was shut behind them. Suddenly, shots rang out.

A mom who was signing her son out early heard the noise.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I heard three gunshots right back to back, just boom, boom, boom, that quick. And I turned and got out to get away from it, because I didn't know where my kids were coming from or anything. I was scared to death. They were walking through the halls.

SANCHEZ: Police dispatch immediately began receiving calls from inside the school.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is he the only one?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's the only one, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, he is under control?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's in Mr. Pierce's office.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who's the kid?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't have a clue.

SANCHEZ: The 15-year-old student was, according to police, armed with a 22-caliber pistol. Authorities plan to try him for murder as an adult because the first administrator he shot, Assistant Principal Ken Bruce, died of a wound to the chest.

Another student near the scene recounts the horror.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Like around here somewhere. And then after that it's like blood and dying here. Like he looked like he was dying.

SANCHEZ: But the shooting did not stop there.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Mr. Pierce and Mr. Seale was trying to stop him and they both got shot as well.

SANCHEZ: Also shot, Assistant Principal Jim Pierce, who is now in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. As for Principal Gary Seale, he is in serious condition, shot in the groin.

Bleeding, Principal Seale managed to make his way to the school P.A. and place his school on lockdown. An order immediately put in place, as detailed in this 9/11 call.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm locking the gates, there's nobody getting out.

SANCHEZ: As students gather outside the school, they cannot explain the actions of their classmate, the son of a convenience store shop owner. Other parents say the father is an avid hunter. The police say they don't know where his son got the weapon.

Rick Sanchez, CNN, Jacksboro, Tennessee.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: In other news this morning, Judith Miller has left the building and her reporting job at "The New York Times." Miller spent nearly three months in jail for refusing to reveal a source in the CIA leak investigation. That source turned out to be Lewis "Scooter" Libby who has now been indicted in the case. Once she got an agreement from Libby, she agreed to testify before the grand jury.

Well this morning, in a letter to the editor, Miller writes, "Though some colleagues disagreed with my decision to testify, for me to have stayed in jail after achieving my conditions would have seemed self-aggrandizing martyrdom or worse, a deliberate effort to obstruct the prosecutor's inquiry into serious crimes. Partly because of such objections from some colleagues, I have decided, after 28 years and with mixed feelings, to leave 'The Times.' But mainly I have chosen to resign because over the last few months, I have become the news, something a 'New York Times' reporter never wants to be."

In her letter, Miller also acknowledged she had become what she called a lightning rod for anger over prewar intelligence failures because some of her reporter -- reporting, rather, was later discredited.

And with -- Judith Miller will be a guest on tonight's "LARRY KING LIVE." That will air at 9:00 Eastern right here on CNN.

In other news "Across America." Talk about a real problem, this garbage truck fell partially through the roof in a parking garage in Alton, Illinois. No one was hurt, but authorities are trying to figure out how the heck this happened and how to get the truck out of there.

How is this for karma? Police in Las Vegas can thank a retired Elvis impersonator for helping them arrest a suspect in the theft of more than $300,000 worth of Elvis memorabilia. The items, including a bling -- I mean ring. You know it's all -- anyway, this ring was, worth $77,000 was stolen from the Elvis-O-Rama Museum in March of last year.

And just about an hour from Manhattan, workers in Wayne, New Jersey cut down a 74-foot Norway Spruce that will become the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center. This is no easy moving job, either. The tree's branches extend 42 feet from the trunk. The Spruce weighs nine tons.

And a one-on-one, he beat down the guy from that other morning show. Where in the world is Richard Quest? He's practically around the world in 24 hours. A live report coming up. Don't worry, he's OK, he's just sleeping.

But first, here is a look at what else is making news this Thursday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: The Patriot Act may be losing some of its punch. A congressional panel is looking at some restrictions on the legislation, which went into effect after 9/11. Among the possible changes, new limits on federal law enforcement powers. That means there would be some restrictions placed on the FBI's access to private phone and financial records. If those changes are made, judges would, for the first time, be able to prevent the government to gaining access to your e-mail records and your favorite Web sites.

Your news, money, weather and sports. It's 5:45 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

Jordan is vowing to find those responsible for three suicide bombings in downtown Amman. Authorities are now saying at least 56 people were killed and 93 others wounded in the blast at the Radisson, Grand Hyatt and Days Inn hotels.

Another suicide bombing in Baghdad today. Police say at least 28 people were killed and at least 24 others wounded when the bomber, wearing an explosive vest, walked into a Baghdad restaurant and blew himself up.

In money news, Microsoft and The Associated Press are planning an online video news network. It will feature about 50 different stories a day. It hits the World Wide Web next year.

In culture, want to own one of John F. Kennedy's rocking chairs? Kennedy memorabilia will be auctioned next month here in New York. In addition to the rocker, some of the former president's doodles during talks on the Cuban Missile Crisis will be on the auction block.

In sports, Bobby Cox of the Atlanta Braves is the National League Manager of the Year. He's the first back-to-back winner in either league. Ozzie Guillen of the Chicago White Sox takes the award in the American League. No surprise there -- Bonnie.

SCHNEIDER: No.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Bonnie.

A star is born, literally, and NASA's Spitzer Telescope is there to see it. Take a look at this. This dazzling photo from space shows colossal pillars of cool gas and dust. That's what you're looking at. It's giving scientists an intimate look at the star-forming process some 7,000 light-years away. NASA describes the Spitzer infrared image as cosmic mountains of creation. And they say the largest pillars contain hundreds of newborn stars. Wow!

After the break, we'll check in with Richard Quest. He's been in the air for more than 20 hours now. How many movies has he watched? How many peanuts has he eaten? All the juicy details next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Finally, the story we have all been waiting for. CNN's Richard Quest is in the air somewhere over the north Atlantic. You may be wondering why I'm telling you that. It's because Richard is on board a long-haul airplane that is trying to set a world distance record. We talked to him yesterday as he was getting ready for the long flight. And now we get to find out if he has held on to any shred of sanity during the nearly 24 hours he has been up in the air.

And you have traveled some 11,000-plus miles, Richard, how are you feeling?

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I'm remarkable good, all things considered. It's been an excellent journey. We've had very strong tailwinds. At the moment, let me give you, as they say in aviation, a position report. We are somewhere over the north Atlantic, up 39,000 feet. That's about as technical as I'm going to get.

We have broken the record. It's not been confirmed yet, but Boeing pretty much knows that it has now got the longest flight in the world. We have about another two hours to run before we get to London. So it's all looking rather good at the moment.

COSTELLO: So when you broke the record, because the people from the Guinness Book of World Records are standing by to report this (INAUDIBLE). When you broke the record, was there a cheer on board the plane?

QUEST: Well it hasn't been confirmed yet, because it won't be confirmed until we get on the ground. (INAUDIBLE) and numbers. We know the way we have flown, flew across the Pacific, we went over Los Angeles, right across the United States. We came over John F. Kennedy Airport, did a nice left turn and, whoosh, across the Atlantic with this tailwind. We knew that we had done over 13,000 statute miles. That's about 11,000 nautical miles. So, yes, we have the record.

And let me tell you something else, I have enjoyed it. There's been a lot of people on board who talked a lot about aviation. And, frankly, it's been quite a lot of fun.

COSTELLO: I'm having trouble understanding you because the connection isn't so great. Are you talking on one of those -- you must be talking on one of those plane phones because you're not allowed to use your cell phone in the air. One more question for you, what was the entertainment like on board? I'm just trying to imagine who would want to fly that long, long flight in the future.

QUEST: The entertainment has been very good. There were 16 movies on board on the in-flight entertainment. But most of us most of the time either talking or sleeping. And at the end of the day, you know whether you like it or not, Carol, you are going to be on one of these planes. They are the future for long-haul international travel. And I only hope when you do have to fly on them, you're at the front.

COSTELLO: We'll hope so.

Richard Quest, going the distance, we'll talk to you again when you land.

Richard Quest reporting live from somewhere over the north Atlantic this morning.

Still to come on DAYBREAK, it turns out the Alaskan wilderness will not be open to oil drilling, at least for now. We'll have much more on this surprise decision by the Republicans. That's ahead on DAYBREAK.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Time for our DAYBREAK "Eye Openers."

There were no wedding day jitters for these two pandas at the Thailand Zoo. Zoo officials decided that since the two were old enough to mate they should be legally married. They ate a wedding cake made of fruit and ice while well-wishers watched. By the way, these two aren't the real thing, they're just mascots. No word on if the pandas consummated their marriage.

These may look like regular socks, but they are actually made out of corn. Yes, corn. The biodegradable footwear is being sold in Japan right now. But if it's successful, the three American manufacturers may start selling them in other countries, including the United States. So you could wear corn socks.

Some nontraditional artists are showing off their work at the San Diego Zoo, but these artists are all orangutans. Their abstract paintings will be sold at auction to help fund orangutan rescue and education operations. But if you want one, you have to show up at the zoo in person this Saturday. Similar orangutan artwork from other zoos has fetched as much as, I know, hold your breath now, $25,000 for each picture. There's something wrong with this world.

The next hour of DAYBREAK begins in one minute.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It is Thursday, November 10.

There is more violence in Baghdad this morning. A suicide bomber kills dozens in a packed restaurant. We'll have a live report for you.

Also, the investigation into those hotel bombings in Jordan focuses on a familiar terror suspect.

Plus,...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's been a tornado out here. There's people yelling help.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Every trailer around me is gone.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: After the Indiana tornado, the voices of the victims as they call for help.

ANNOUNCER: From the Time Warner Center in New York, this is DAYBREAK with Carol Costello.

COSTELLO: And good morning to you.

We'll have more from Baghdad in just a minute.

Also ahead, is there discord between the number one man at the White House and his number two? We'll take a closer look.

But first, "Now in the News."

It is now 14 straight nights of riots in France. The number of fiery attacks is down, though, now that a state of emergency is in place. The nation's interior minister is calling for foreigners involved in the attacks to be deported.

Britain's Tony Blair is fighting back from a major blow. The British prime minister holds his first Cabinet meeting this morning hours after lawmakers defeated his legislation which would have allowed terrorism suspects held for 90 days without charge.

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