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American Morning
Unannounced Arrival in Iraq for Two Bush Administration Heavyweights; The Face of Terror in Iraq
Aired April 26, 2006 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: An unannounced arrival in Iraq for two Bush administration heavyweights. Secretaries Rumsfeld and Rice are there right now to show support for Iraq's new government.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The face of terror in Iraq -- Abu Musab al-Zarqawi issues a brazen, heavily armed video diatribe and he has a message for President Bush. We'll tell you about that.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm Bob Franken in suburban Washington, D.C. at a mass transit stop. People taking advantage of a service that's not as widely available as many would like. That's coming up.
S. O'BRIEN: And a couple with children are told they're not a family and they have to move. We'll tell you why just ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Good morning.
Welcome everybody.
I'm Soledad O'Brien.
M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.
We'll also tell you about the latest explosion on the Sinai Peninsula. That's coming up, as well.
But we begin in Iraq, where two key players on the Bush team are trying to shore up a fragile government beset with division and violence.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld meeting the new Iraqi prime minister, as well as U.S. military commanders, as you see there.
Chief national correspondent Ryan Chilcote live now from Baghdad with more on this -- Ryan.
RYAN CHILCOTE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Miles, U.S. Secretaries Rice and Rumsfeld expected to tell Iraq's new prime minister that they would like to see a government of national unity, a government that includes not only members of the prime minister's Shiite sect, but also the other sects and religious groups in this country.
They're also going to be encouraging him to do that as quickly as possible.
This really a show of support for Iraq's new government and an opportunity for the Bush administration really to showcase Iraq's most recent political developments.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: It's not a governing council, it's a government, a government of Iraq. And that's an important thing. This is a sovereign country and they're making impressive progress.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CHILCOTE: And the administration's thinking, of course, is that the sooner that that cabinet can be formed, the sooner that there is stability on the ground here in the political sense, the sooner the United States can begin to draw down the number of troops it has here -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Well, how realistic is it to be talking about a draw down right now, Ryan?
CHILCOTE: Well, it's a very good question, of course. In particular, since February, there has been a very difficult situation on the ground. In addition to the insurgency, there has been a lot of sectarian violence. That after an attack on a Shiite mosque.
The real key is that this be a unity government so that the politicians could work together, so that there is less of this inter- ethnic, inter-sect violence on the streets -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Ryan Chilcote in Baghdad.
Thank you very much -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: More explosions in Egypt today to tell you about.
A multinational peacekeeping force the apparent target in the Sinai Peninsula. Two suicide bombers set off the explosions. They killed themselves. Apparently nobody else, though.
An Egyptian government official says he believes the attacks may be linked to three back to back explosions that we told you about in Dahab, Egypt. Those happened on Monday. At least 18 people were killed there.
U.S. intelligence officials are poring over a videotape appearing on an Islamic Web site. It's from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He is the leader, of course, of the al Qaeda terrorist network in Iraq. And on it, threats to the U.S. and also a message for Sunni Muslims.
Let's get right to CNN's senior international correspondent, Nic Robertson, for a breakdown -- hey, Nic, good morning.
What's the significance, first, of the timing of this message? NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning, Soledad.
I think the significance here is all local politics, it's all local issues in Iraq. He says, Moussaoui says he recorded this on Friday. That was just before the -- Iraq's new -- new parliament agreed on a prime minister, this new prime minister, to break the political logjam in the country.
Abu Musab al-Zarqawi saying very clearly he is opposed to that new government.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ABU MUSAB AL-ZARQAWI, AL QAEDA IN IRAQ LEADER (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): We believe that any government which is formed in Iraq now, whether by Shiites or the liberal Zionist Kurds or those who are (UNINTELLIGIBLE) Sunnis, would only be a stooge.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERTSON: And he goes on to have a warning for any Sunnis that would get involved in that new government. He says if they do, they're traitors -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Let me ask you another question to a reference in that tape about a truce between Americans and Osama bin Laden.
What's the -- what did he say and what's it supposed to mean?
ROBERTSON: Bin Laden had a message back in January. That message offered a truce to the people of the United States.
Zarqawi, in his videotape, says that -- that he praises bin Laden for offering that message. He says that the people of the United States have ignored that message, essentially saying you're fair game, we can kill you, we'll come after you in Iraq.
S. O'BRIEN: Analysts, as we mentioned, Nic, are poring over this tape.
What kind of information are they gleaning from the tape?
ROBERTSON: Well, they'll be looking at how well Zarqawi looks, has he been injured, is he showing any signs of any weaknesses?
He looks as if he's reasonably well fed. He looks as if he's in good shape. He's trying to show himself as if he -- as if he's in a very strong and capable condition, leading troops.
They'll also be looking at this to see if there's anything that they can glean about where he's hiding. It's pretty general, the background, I must say, though.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes.
Yes, it is, certainly. Nic Robertson for us this morning -- Nic, thanks.
And in just a couple of minutes, we're going to talk to a senior defense analyst at Rand Corporation about this latest threat coming from al Qaeda in Iraq. That's just ahead -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Fox news analyst and radio talk meister Tony Snow moving from the right-wing to the West Wing. Sources telling CNN he has accepted the White House press secretary job. The official announcement coming some time this morning. We'll have it for you, of course.
Elaine Quijano at the White House in the meantime -- Elaine, tell us about what was going on behind-the-scenes on this deal.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, good morning to you, Miles.
Three Republican sources tell CNN that Tony Snow wanted assurances from Josh Bolten, the new White House chief of staff, and also other senior aides, that he was not going to be sitting on the sidelines when it comes to major policy debates within the White House, that Tony Snow wanted to be an active participant.
Well, these sources say that he got those assurances and also he is ensuring that he will get a significant say when it comes to hiring within the White House press and communications operations.
Now, two sources say that Snow actually also had lunch with President Bush to discuss his role. We are expecting an announcement this morning and a senior official I spoke with this morning says that Tony Snow will be a "forceful advocate for President Bush" -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Well, Elaine, the back story on this is that many people had the perception that Scott McClellan, his predecessor there, outgoing press secretary, did not have the kind of access previous press secretaries had.
QUIJANO: Well, that's interesting to note. And, in fact, there has been that criticism out there and perhaps that played into these negotiations behind-the-scenes.
And as far as Scott McClellan's future, we should tell you that an administration official is saying that Scott McClellan will likely be here for a short period of overlap to help with the transition, that Tony Snow will not be starting immediately. This official says it'll probably be about two weeks down the road, to give Snow time to transition from his job at Fox News, give him some time to get briefed on his new job here -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Elaine Quijano at the White House.
Thank you very much -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Gauging gas prices this morning across the country. The average price per gallon is $2.92, about the same as yesterday. This time last year, though, it was $2.21 a gallon.
Hawaii, as we've mentioned, currently has the highest prices, on average, $3.24 a gallon. Ouch. With prices like that, of course, people are -- more people, at least, are turning to alternative transportation.
Public transit officials around the nation say they're seeing more riders these days.
Let's get right to Bob Franken.
He's in Silver Springs, Maryland, which is, of course, right outside of Washington, D.C.
He's at a Metro station for us -- hey, Bob, good morning.
FRANKEN: The Metro, of course, the local Washington, D.C. name for the subway system. And they noted last week that the ridership in a normal week increased more than double what it has normally been. And we're not just talking about the light rail transit like this, but we're talking about the feeder buses.
This Silver Springs station is one of the feeder stations where people can get the full mass transit experience. As a matter of fact, as we talked to the passengers and the drivers, they all said that they noticed an increase.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I notice more fluctuation of people in and out of all the Metro stations and riding our buses, whether it's Metro buses. And I would assume it's due to the rising gas costs.
But we're appreciative just to have them come aboard.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In the last week, probably a little bit more. I think with the spring and a lot of people visiting Washington, that helps, too. But I think with the gas prices, it's -- it's definitely going up.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FRANKEN: You can bet that that's certainly one of the motivations for people to suddenly have discovered that. Part of the problem in the United States is mass transit is not always that readily available. In some cities, it is. But now there is an increased demand for it and not always an availability -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Bob Franken for us this morning.
Bob, thanks -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Chad Myers takes a stretch limo to work every day, right -- Chad?
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yes, a stretch Mitsubishi made in Illinois. Yes.
Anyway, all right, remember we were talking earlier in Virginia where people actually get in line to get into other cars, to make car pools?
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
MYERS: It's called slugging. Somebody e-mailed me.
M. O'BRIEN: Slugging?
MYERS: They're called slug lines.
M. O'BRIEN: Hopefully you don't get slugged by getting in with the wrong person.
MYERS: You get a slug.
M. O'BRIEN: But that's...
MYERS: I know...
M. O'BRIEN: I wonder where that comes from?
MYERS: I can imagine picking up the same guy or the same person every time, but if you've got random people...
S. O'BRIEN: Well, you get to know people.
MYERS: ... it's (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
M. O'BRIEN: You shouldn't be picking up guys on the road, Chad, if you know what I mean.
MYERS: Thanks, Miles.
S. O'BRIEN: People who get picked...
M. O'BRIEN: I sound like your wife.
S. O'BRIEN: ... as someone who's been picked up, actually, you appreciate it and you save money because you can all go in the HOV lane.
M. O'BRIEN: I'm sorry.
S. O'BRIEN: Jerk.
Anyway, Chad, do you have the forecast? You want to tell us?
M. O'BRIEN: Well...
MYERS: Thank you for getting me out of that.
I'm sorry.
(WEATHER REPORT)
S. O'BRIEN: So we could plant our tomatoes here?
MYERS: Sure.
S. O'BRIEN: But not...
MYERS: Hey, you know what? I've got something I'm going to bring in next week. I'm going to show you how to make better tomatoes in a pot in your, you know, just the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) plant...
S. O'BRIEN: Really?
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
MYERS: It's actually...
S. O'BRIEN: I'm planting tomatoes for the first time this year.
MYERS: You know what...
S. O'BRIEN: I'll take advice on carrots and lettuce, too.
MYERS: ... I might even have it. I don't think I have it here. I have some at home. It's a product that you actually put in the soil that absorbs water and slowly releases it so that your pot doesn't dry out as fast.
M. O'BRIEN: Wow!
MYERS: You don't have to water it every six hours in the sunshine.
M. O'BRIEN: Time released water.
MYERS: Yes.
M. O'BRIEN: Very interesting.
MYERS: It's almost like the same stuff that's in a diaper and it expands, you know? It holds water.
S. O'BRIEN: OK, all right, you had me until then.
Thank you, Chad.
We're moving on.
M. O'BRIEN: She has too many diapers to deal with.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes. Yes.
M. O'BRIEN: She didn't want to hear that.
S. O'BRIEN: Not even a little.
M. O'BRIEN: Yes.
S. O'BRIEN: Chad, thank you.
MYERS: It's the same product.
M. O'BRIEN: Oh, OK.
S. O'BRIEN: Moving on.
M. O'BRIEN: OK.
S. O'BRIEN: Moving on.
M. O'BRIEN: OK.
S. O'BRIEN: Up -- thank you, Chad.
MYERS: All right.
S. O'BRIEN: Up next, much more on that new tape from Iraq's most wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. We're going to take a look at the timing of the tape's release and why that's significant, this morning.
M. O'BRIEN: All right, then there's this -- a videogame you might not want your 13-year-old playing. You might want to check what's on the computer, folks. The game's objective? To shoot and kill Mexicans crossing into the U.S.
Great.
S. O'BRIEN: And then later, a city issues a very tough ultimatum to one couple and their kids -- get married or get out of your house. We'll explain what happened coming up next on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: A new threat from Al Qaeda In Iraq comes two days after Osama bin Laden's audiotaped message. This new one is a videotape from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi posted on an Islamic Web site.
Listen to a little bit.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
AL-ZARQAWI (THROUGH TRANSLATOR): I bring you the good news of establishing the Mujahedeen Shura Council in Iraq that will be the nucleus of establishing an Islamic state, where the word of god is the highest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
S. O'BRIEN: Ed O'Connell is a former Air Force intelligence officer. He's worked both in Afghanistan and Iraq. He's now a senior defense analyst with the Rand Corporation.
He's in Washington this morning.
Nice to see you, Ed.
Thanks for talking with us.
ED O'CONNELL, RAND CORPORATION: Good morning, Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Let me ask you, you know, the last time that we think that we saw Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was in May of 2004, and that was in that horrible videotape of the beheading of Nicholas Berg. So different this time around on a lot of levels.
First, let's talk about the timing.
Why now, do you think?
O'CONNELL: Well, I think he's trying to take the moment away from Prime Minister Maliki and Ambassador Khalilzad, putting together this new government.
Also, this comes about two days, as you know, after the Egyptian bombing and, more importantly, perhaps, about two days after the latest bin Laden video.
So the timing is very important, in my regard.
S. O'BRIEN: We're showing pictures of this videotape right now. And visually, it's so different, different than what we've seen from al-Zarqawi in the first place, very similar to what we've seen in the past from Osama bin Laden.
Talk about the message, I mean this visual message, and also the little message.
Who is he talking to?
O'CONNELL: Right. This is very important to do the forensics on these videos and not just sort of take them at face value. One thing that's very interesting, I found out from my time in Iraq, is these videos have many different audiences.
For example, he's trying to assert that he's a recognizable face of Islam by, for the first time, taking his veil off. An example, unveiling his face. So he's saying, like Zawahiri and bin Laden, I, too, want to be one of the more recognizable faces.
He's also trying to assert to the Iraqi people that I have the will and the consistency and power to stay in this game.
He's also trying to intimidate us a little bit and at the same time he's trying to recruit new recruits from across the Islamic world.
S. O'BRIEN: Do you have a theory about communication? I mean is there a communication through these videotapes, on these Web sites, from Osama bin Laden, back and forth, maybe? O'CONNELL: Yes, it could be. I think what's happening is you're seeing sort of a propaganda war playing out. And it has various attributes. It's very similar to the posing that we saw with the Red Brigades in the late '60s and 1970s.
The fact is, he's trying to show, like bin Laden, when there was rumors that -- of his demise, that he, too, is vigorous. He's able to carry a weapon. There were rumors that he was shot at one time and wounded. He shows himself walking. But more importantly, I think you're absolutely correct, is he's trying to sort of stave off any indications that he's sort of a lesser to who he calls the emir in this video, by the way, bin Laden.
S. O'BRIEN: Yes, I mean their videotapes, when you run-them side-by-side, they literally look identical.
Let me talk about -- about the rocket that he references and also shows videotape of.
What's the message from this new rocket and the pictures we see of it?
O'CONNELL: Yes, I think the message there is, look, I'm the guy who's brought you the vehicle-borne IEDs, or the suicide bombers. Here's what I have next up my sleeve. And, also, more importantly, this thing could be geared toward the Sunni insurgency. Remember, what he's done is a very interesting sleight of hand recently. He's nested himself within the Sunni insurgency. In other words, he said I'm going to follow you, I'm going to be part of your group, I'm an important part of your group. Here's the assets I can bring to bear for you.
So there's a little bit of targeted message there, also, to the Sunni insurgency.
S. O'BRIEN: Ed O'Connell of the Rand Corporation.
Ed, thanks.
As always, appreciate your time.
O'CONNELL: Thank you, Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Coming up on the program, high gas prices are putting the president's approval ratings in the tank. But can Democrats pump up their own numbers as a result?
Plus this...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OLIVIA SHELLTRACK, FIGHTING CITY ORDINANCE: Just because we don't meet your definition of a family, doesn't make us any less of a family. I mean we've been together for 13 years. We're raising three kids together.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: We'll meet a family -- at least they call themselves a family -- that could get kicked out of their house, all because the mom and dad aren't married. We'll explain ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: This news just in to CNN.
We're getting official word from the White House this morning that they are making it official. Just after 9:00 this morning, the White House is going to announce the new press secretary for the president. The announcement is going to be made in the briefing room. We're expecting it at about 10 minutes after 9:00 this morning.
We're going to bring it to you live when it happens.
So far, though, no confirmation from the White House that Tony Snow will be announced, although it's been widely speculated. Tony Snow, of course, is a Fox commentator, columnist and has also worked, at least back in the '90s, for the president's father, George Bush, George H. Bush. He served for him as the deputy assistant to the president for communications and also the director of speechwriting.
So we're going to bring that to you live when it happens just after 9:00 a.m. Eastern time right here on CNN -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: So, how do you define a family? Does it have to be a mom and a dad linked by a marriage license? A lot of people would offer a much broader definition. But not the city of Black Jack, Missouri, a city that does not agree that five people who live under one roof there are, in fact, a family. And it means they might have to move out.
Here's CNN's Jonathan Freed.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SHELLTRACK: That's a good one.
JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do these people look like a family to you? That's Olivia Shelltrack, Fondrey Loving and their three children.
FONDREY LOVING, FIGHTING CITY ORDINANCE: That's my oldest daughter Alexia's (ph) room.
ALEXIA: My big old stereo system. I love music.
LOVING: That's my son's room, Cortez (ph).
CORTEZ: I get one of those teddy bears and I could just shoot in the basket.
FREED: And daughter, Katerina (ph).
KATERINA: This is my room.
FREED: The Shelltrack-Lovings moved to Black Jack, Missouri, a St. Louis Suburb, a couple of months ago.
LOVING: You know, we came to St. Louis to have a good life and to start over.
FREED: Olivia and Fondrey aren't married and had the children out of wedlock. When the family applied to the City of Black Jack for an occupancy permit, something every home here needs, they were told because there are more than three people in their house and not all related by blood or marriage, they don't fit Black Jack's definition of a family. Permit denied.
MAYOR NORMAN MCCOURT, BLACK JACK, MISSOURI: It's overcrowding because it's not a single family. It's a single family residence and they're not single family.
FREED: The city says the Shelltrack-Lovings are caught up in an ordinance designed to keep out things like rooming houses.
But when Olivia and Fondrey appealed to a city board for an exemption, what they heard sent chills down their spines.
NORMA MITCHELL, BLACK JACK BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT: I do not see her advantage of living with a man without a marriage license.
FREED: Olivia and Fondrey say they were given a clear message -- get married or move.
SHELLTRACK: Just because we don't meet your definition of a family doesn't make us any less of a family. I mean, we've been together for 13 years. We're raising three kids together.
FREED (on camera): Has this situation forced you to feel like having to say you're planning to get married or?
LOVING: No. Because the way I look at it is, when we're ready, we'll be ready.
FREED: There's no doubt in your mind this is about morality, that it's not about overcrowding?
ANTHONY ROTHERT, ACLU: I have no doubt.
FREED (voice-over): The ACLU showed CNN a letter it says it received from the same mayor in 1999 explaining why another family was being denied an occupancy permit at the time.
ROTHERT: "While it would be naive to say we don't recognize that children are born out of wedlock frequently these days, we certainly don't believe that it's the type of environment in which children should be brought into this world."
FREED: The ACLU says that family chose to move.
SHELLTRACK: We love this house and we think it's worth fighting for, definitely.
FREED: The city's attorney told CNN its ordinance is within the law. Still, Black Jack is now admitting its 20-year-old ordinance may not be in step with the times. It may soften the wording in the coming weeks. If the ordinance isn't changed, the ACLU says it will sue, arguing the city is violating federal fair housing rules and the constitutional right to privacy.
Jonathan Freed, CNN, Black Jack, Missouri.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
M. O'BRIEN: And Jonathan's report first aired on "ANDERSON COOPER 360," which you can see weeknights 10:00 p.m. Eastern right here on CNN -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: I'd be curious to know if they think race played a role in all this debate. And, also, if they, you know, how the neighbors have accepted them, if it's sort of an issue with the local government or if it's, you know, the neighborhood.
M. O'BRIEN: Right. Was somebody complaining that prompted that?
S. O'BRIEN: Who knows?
It's interesting, huh?
M. O'BRIEN: Interesting.
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, the president is taking a hit on rising gas prices.
Will high prices translate into more votes for the Democrats come November? we're going to take a look that issue just ahead.
And, also, oh, this video game -- it's on the Internet, available to anybody, including children. Players are encouraged to shoot and kill Mexicans as they cross the border. We'll talk about this controversy just ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, we're going to tell you about a playwright fed up with Jay Leno after he made his nine millionth gay joke. Whipped off a letter to Leno, e-mailed. He CC'd couple of people and it made it onto the Internet. He finally gets the information to Jay Leno. We'll tell you what Jay Leno said to this relatively well known playwright just ahead this morning.
We've got that story coming right ahead.
M. O'BRIEN: Is he going to cease and desist? Do we know?
S. O'BRIEN: You have to wait and see.
M. O'BRIEN: All right.
Stay tuned.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Falling approval ratings, rising gas prices -- it's kind of a toxic cocktail for any president. The president is hoping, though, his new energy plan can change the direction of both of those numbers. We'll talk about that this morning.
Also, have you seen this Internet game? Oh, a new low, even for the Internet, where the goal is to shoot and kill Mexicans as they cross the border. We're going to tell you about this story.
And a successful playwright fed up with Jay Leno's gay jokes sends an open e-mail. The host gets a prevent response. We're going to tell you what Jay Leno said to him just ahead.
Welcome back, everybody.
I'm Soledad O'Brien.
M. O'BRIEN: I'm Miles O'Brien.
We're glad you're with us this morning.
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