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American Morning
A Tale of Terror and Deception; How U.S.-Led Coalition Forces are Battling Taliban in Deadly Firefights
Aired June 15, 2006 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A tale of terror and deception -- documents captured in the rubble of Zarqawi's hideout may blow the lid off Al Qaeda in Iraq. We'll tell you what Zarqawi was planning.
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Brent Sadler in Kandahar.
I'll be bringing you an exclusive report showing how U.S.-led coalition forces are battling the Taliban in deadly firefights. Only here on CNN.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: A housing standoff in New Orleans to tell you about. The government tearing down massive public housing projects. Former residents want their homes back.
And the search for the perfect smile, not just for your kids anymore. A look at wearing braces in your 30s and your 40s and your 50s.
M. O'BRIEN: And living large with John Daly. The golfer loved by the NASCAR crowd talks about his sport, his messy personal life and the fact that he makes no apologies.
That's ahead on AMERICAN MORNING.
S. O'BRIEN: And good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
I'm Soledad O'Brien.
M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.
The weekly briefing is about to occur in Baghdad.
Major General William Caldwell going to do that.
We'll show you live pictures of that.
It's coming up very shortly.
And we're watching it very closely today because, as we've been reporting to you all morning long, Iraqi authorities, the new national security adviser of the fledgling Iraqi government, is reporting the discovery of a treasure trove of documents in the rubble of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's hideout -- memory sticks, disk drives, laptops, including one thumb drive in the pocket of Zarqawi himself with documents which offer stunning details about what Al Qaeda in Iraq was planning at the time of Zarqawi's death.
As we said, this is a weekly briefing by the major general in charge of public affairs there in Baghdad. We suspect the focus of this briefing, certainly if reporters have anything to say about it, will be on this treasure trove of information that the Iraqi authorities claim to have found.
And we will bring it to you live as soon as it happens -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: It's all part of our developing story this morning. And really Iraqi authorities are claiming it is the beginning of the end for Al Qaeda in Iraq because of those very documents and computer information that we've been telling you about, because it details the inner workings of the terror group.
Let's get right to CNN's John Vause.
He's live in Baghdad for us -- John, give us some highlights of the documents that we're getting more information about this morning.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Soledad, they're very, very detailed and basically outline from Al Qaeda in Iraq that it considers the situation here in Iraq as one which is bleak and outlines ways of getting out of the current entanglement. And the main focus of these documents seem to try and involve the United States in some kind of second front, another war. And the preferred option there is Iran.
And these documents -- which CNN cannot verify independently that they are authentic -- but according to the Iraqi national security adviser, the details are quite specific on how Al Qaeda in Iraq intended to involve the U.S. in another war.
Some of the highlights -- to do this, al Qaeda planned to release threatening messages attributed to Shia Iranians; carry out attacks; stage evidence so it looked like those attacks had been carried out by Iran; leak information that Iran has ties with terrorist groups and is in possession of weapons of mass destruction; and was attempting to carry out terrorist operations inside the United States and other Western targets.
The information also reveals why al Qaeda considers the situation here so bleak at the moment. Among those reasons, a steady increase in the number of Iraqi security forces. It goes on to say those security forces are providing a shield for U.S. troops.
Also, massive arrest operations, tightening of financial outlets, the confiscation of weapons and ammunition. It also points to a media campaign which is being run-by the coalition forces saying that's weakened the influence of the resistance, presenting it as harmful rather than beneficial.
This really is just the tip of the iceberg according to the security adviser. He says there's a lot more information. He'll be releasing it in coming days -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Just fascinating stuff.
John Vause for us in Baghdad this morning.
John, thanks.
Today is the second day of a major security crack down in Baghdad. Iraqi forces are stopping cars at checkpoints and patrolling the streets and enforcing a weapons ban and a curfew has been extended. It now runs from 8:30 p.m. until dawn. It's the first major operation under Iraq's new unity government.
The Iraq War could certainly touch off a fierce political battle on Capitol Hill today. At issue is a firm exit date for U.S. troops.
Congressional correspondent Andrea Koppel is live for us on Capitol Hill this morning -- hey, Andrea, good morning.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning again, Soledad.
The decision by Republicans to devote 10 hours to a rare, all day debate on a single issue came before Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was killed, before the Iraq cabinet was complete and weeks before President Bush went to Baghdad.
Still, Democrats are accusing Republicans of an election year stunt.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
REP. NEIL ABERCROMBIE (D), HAWAII: Our hands are tied, literally, on the floor of the people's house.
KOPPEL (voice-over): A with yellow cord wrapped around his wrists, Democrat Neil Abercrombie played to the cameras and vented at House Republicans.
ABERCROMBIE: Do not put us through the farce and the fraud of a pseudo-debate going nowhere, ending nowhere.
KOPPEL: Abercrombie and other House Democrats are objecting to this -- a Republican resolution tying Iraq to the war on terror and declaring it's not in U.S. interests to set an arbitrary date for withdrawal or redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq.
REP. DUNCAN HUNTER (R), CALIFORNIA: I think it's an appropriate time to send a message of thanks to our troops and not some vague statement about how we support them, as has come from the other side.
KOPPEL: But Democrats are split on Iraq and many fear a vote against the resolution will be used by Republicans to portray them as not supporting U.S. troops and as soft on terrorists.
REP. MARTY MEEHAN (D), MASSACHUSETTS: They got together with their political spinmeisters and drafted a resolution designed more for politics than it is for a substantive discussion about our policy in Iraq. KOPPEL: This memo from Majority Leader John Boehner encourages Republicans to use today's debate to hammer away at the clear choice between Republicans dedicated to victory versus Democrats without a coherent national security policy.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
KOPPEL: Republicans have blocked Democrats from offering any amendments. And despite days of heated discussion, Democrats have been unable to agree on an alternative plan to Iraq.
Nevertheless, a spokesperson for the House Democratic leader says their strategy today will be to focus on accountability, oversight, how the war is hurting military readiness and how the war is adversely affecting the war on terror -- Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Andrea Koppel at the Capitol for us this morning.
Thanks, Andrea -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Now to Afghanistan and a big offensive aimed at the resurgent Taliban. They're calling it Operation Mountain Thrust. More than 10,000 U.S.-led coalition forces chasing Taliban fighters in the southern part of the country.
CNN's Brent Sadler is the only reporter on the front lines, embedded with Canadian troops.
He joins us live now from Kandahar -- Brent.
SADLER: Good morning, Miles.
Southern Afghanistan is now the focus of intense military activity to create security in some of the most lawless parts of Afghanistan.
The U.S.-led coalition forces now engaged in heavy fighting against the Taliban. But the likely armed insurgents are still able to mount deadly attacks.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
SADLER (voice-over): Canadian combat troops prepare for battle in southern Afghanistan, the sharp end of U.S.-led Operation Mountain Thrust in Kandahar Province. Afghan police are not so well-equipped. But they're getting better at killing the Taliban, say the Canadians, learning from each firefight.
This combined battle group claims the Taliban is being forced into a corner.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I know they're tired. I know they're overwhelmed in this particular area. They still can mount attacks.
SADLER: Afghan Police Captain Ahmed Masood says villagers are fed up with the insurgent violence and are helping the offensive to succeed by feeding information.
(on camera): Captain, how close are we to the Taliban here?
CAPT. AHMED MASOOD, AFGHAN POLICE: One kilometer. And two kilometers in some places.
SADLER (voice-over): But the Taliban know the lay of the land.
MASOOD: Even we have powerful guns, even we have strong guns and airplanes, but they know the area better than us.
SADLER: An advantage, but not one that's going to have much tactical effect on these hunters in pursuit of prey.
(on camera): Operation Mountain Thrust has been hitting the Taliban hard from the air and on the ground. It is a multinational effort. These Canadian troops have been out here for the past few days sweeping this area of Taliban insurgents.
(voice-over): The offensive is now shifting into high gear, calling on some 11,000 American, Canadian, British and Afghan forces.
COL IAN HOPE, COMMANDER, TASK FORCE ORION: It is a multinational effort where we'll have pressure on the Taliban forces throughout the entirety of the southern region of Afghanistan, simultaneous activity which is all focused at disrupting them.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
SADLER: Operation Mountain Thrust, Miles, is going to continue for several more weeks, not only to defeat, to destroy the Taliban, but also to help the Afghan government in distant Kabul to establish a security presence on the ground with their own Afghan Army and police forces. Yet, all the while as this is going on, the insurgents were still able to mount a bomb attack against a bus carrying Afghan laborers into Kandahar Air Base here, just a few hours ago, killing 10 laborers, wounding 15, it's reported -- Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Brent Sadler with a live report you'll see only here on CNN.
He is with the front lines of that U.S.-led coalition as they continue that effort against the Taliban.
Let's move to another theater of war -- Iraq, specifically, Baghdad. That's Major General William Caldwell with his weekly briefing, talking about the treasure trove of information that's been found by Iraqi and U.S. authorities post bombing of Zarqawi's hideout.
Let's listen.
MAJ. GEN. BILL CALDWELL, MULTINATIONAL FORCE-IRAQ: ... introduce you to Brigadier General Steve Hoag, who will give you an air operations overview associated with that.
BRIG. GEN. STEVE HOAG: Good afternoon. I'm Brigadier General Steve Hoag and I represent the air component coordination element here at Multinational Forces-Iraq.
What I want to share with you today is an expanded look at the contribution air power made for the elimination of al-Zarqawi and what the coalition air forces do every day to help protect innocent Iraqis and support ground forces.
Next slide, please.
Next slide.
Next slide, please.
This is a photograph of an F-16 similar to the ones that flew the mission on 7 June. The F-16 is a compact, single seat, multi-roll fighter. It is highly maneuverable and in its -- air to surface roll, the F-16 can fly more than 500 miles, or over 860 kilometers, deliver its weapons with precise accuracy and return to base without refueling.
You can see that this F-16 is armed with a GBU-12 and it's located on the wing to your right.
OK, to right here.
Back one.
M. O'BRIEN: We will let the background briefing on the F-16 continue.
We're going to press on with other news.
As soon as they get to the matters at hand, that treasure trove of documents that we've been telling you about in Iraq related to Al Qaeda in Iraq, we'll get right to it.
In the meantime, coming up on the program, a lot of good news lately out of Iraq for President Bush.
Is it really a turning point, though?
We'll ask one of the leading Democratic senators about that?
S. O'BRIEN: And remember these pictures? This was back in April. A big old fight over public housing in New Orleans. People there wanted to get back into their homes. Well, it looks like now there are no homes to go back to. We'll explain.
And it's never too late for braces. Dr. Sanjay Gupta has advice for people who are thinking about getting their teeth fixed in their 30s and their 40s and their 50s.
A short break.
We're back in a moment. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I sense something different happening in Iraq. The progress will be steady toward a goal that has clearly been defined.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: Well, it was by no means a mission accomplished moment. The president very careful with his words. But many Republicans are hoping that there is, in fact, a turning point in the war in Iraq.
But what do Democrats think about that?
Democratic Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois, the minority whip, joining us now from Capitol Hill.
Senator Durbin, good to have you with us this morning.
SEN. RICHARD DURBIN (D-IL), INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE: Good to be with you, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Should we just take an objective view for just a moment.
Some good news for the White House and really for the country at large in Iraq in the past week or so.
Would you agree?
DURBIN: No doubt about it.
Taking Zarqawi out of the picture is a step forward and I have to really hope, along with the president, that this new government in Iraq is going to lead us in a new direction.
But the president's message to this new government in Iraq is a conflicting message. It's the right message to tell our enemies that we aren't going to leave soon, but it's the wrong message to tell the Iraqis. They have to understand it's their responsibility, it's their nation. They have to stand and defend it.
The best military in the world, the United States military, will not stay there indefinitely.
M. O'BRIEN: Well, speaking of conflicted messages, Democrats, some would say, have quite a conflicted message.
Let's just listen to a couple of leading members of the party for just a moment.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), NEW YORK: Nor do I think it is smart strategy to set a date certain. I do not agree that that is in the best interests of our troops or our country.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: I believe we need a hard and fast deadline, not an open-ended commitment of U.S. forces.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: That's just two samples. We could talk about Representative John Murtha.
Democrats are all over the map on this, aren't they?
DURBIN: There are differences of opinion in both parties. But I think we agree on the same thing.
First, there is no question that we salute the men and women in uniform and the sacrifice they have made. But we also know that some time this week it is likely we will have lost our 2,500th soldier in Iraq. We know that 18,000 to 20,000 have come home with serious injuries. And unfortunately this administration has no plan to bring our troops home.
I can understand the frustration many feel. We don't want a precipitous withdrawal, but we have to let the Iraqis know this is their country, this is their war and we are not going to give up American lives indefinitely.
M. O'BRIEN: Do you believe there should be a specific timetable or series of benchmarks that should be laid out?
DURBIN: I think we need to establish benchmarks. We need a plan. We didn't have a solid plan going into this war, and that's very clear. We knew how to take out Saddam Hussein. We didn't know the next step. And here we are, over three years later. We've spent over $300 billion on this war, $2.5 billion a week, and there is no end in sight.
We need some benchmarks so the Iraqis step up and control their own fate and their own future.
M. O'BRIEN: Senator Kerry is out with an amendment today, which he'll be talking about on Capitol Hill, which would essentially force at a date certain a redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq out of Iraq.
What do you think of that idea?
DURBIN: Well, I worked with Senator Kerry and Senator Feingold. They were working together on this amendment last night. And they still had -- were putting the finishing touches on it. I don't know what that date might be. I'm going to look at it when they produce it.
As I said a minute ago, I don't want us to move out precipitously. I don't want to endanger American troops in the process and I certainly want to give the Iraqis a chance to form their government and to defend their country.
But they have to understand we're leaving. I think that's the problem that many of us have on Capitol Hill -- it doesn't appear that the Bush administration has a clear plan to bring our troops home soon.
M. O'BRIEN: You mentioned Senator Feingold. He was at a liberal Democratic conference yesterday. He told Democrats they need to get backbone. And he went on to say this: "There will not be a progressive change in this country hits year or any other year if we think we can win by default or by running out the clock as it relates specifically to the war in Iraq."
What do you say to that?
DURBIN: I think he's right. I think it's very clear that on a whole host of issues we have to be definitive. We are not the Republicans. We represent change and that change is for the better. And when it comes to health care in America, when it comes to an energy policy, the stem cell research, which has been postponed by the Bush administration, helping to pay for college education expenses, making sure that we do have a military that is ready to defend us against any enemy, all of those things are positive changes that the Democrats stand for and will make the basis for our reelection campaign.
M. O'BRIEN: You're a whip, which means you're part of the effort to corral votes and get your party together.
Let's go to the other side of the Capitol here for a moment and talk about Congressman Murtha, who I mentioned briefly a moment ago.
He announced the other day, after, of course, stating some very clear statements about the war in Iraq, essentially saying that the troops should be brought, you know, withdrawn over the horizon in Iraq, outside of the country. He said he would like to run-for majority leader should the tides turn on this mid-term election. And some would suggest that created a further distraction for Democrats.
Do Democrats need to be whipped a little bit here and get their act together?
DURBIN: Well, let me tell you, Jack Murtha is not only a great congressman, he served his country, a decorated war hero in the Vietnam War. And I respect him so much. He could easily fit into leadership in some position in the House.
But I think the decision was made earlier this week by the House Democrats to put this aside, to really focus on the message to the American people that we are one party offering real change in this election. And if people want to see a significant change in Washington and a significant change in direction, they need to turn to the Democrats, not more of the same from the Republicans.
So I think the Murtha candidacy has been set aside for the time being. M. O'BRIEN: Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, thanks for being with us this morning.
DURBIN: Thanks, Miles.
M. O'BRIEN: Soledad.
S. O'BRIEN: Ahead this morning, braces aren't just for kids anymore.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta is going to join us with advice for grownups who are thinking about braces in their 30s and their 40s and their 50s.
Plus, we talk to golf pro John Daly. He's got a new book out all about his life and some of the demons that he's battled in a very public way.
That's ahead.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
S. O'BRIEN: Brace yourself this morning for the latest in our health series for people in their 30s and their 40s and their 50s. A growing number of adults are getting orthodontic braces.
And Dr. Sanjay Gupta tells us the reasons for having your teeth straightened can change with age.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "SEX AND THE CITY," COURTESY HBO)
CYNTHIA NIXON, ACTOR: I'm a 34-year-old woman with braces and I'm on a liquid diet.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From fictional character Miranda Hobbes of "Sex and The City" to Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise to Berkeley, California chef Ann Cooper, braces have become a hot item in adult dental care. What once was a rite of passage for kids is now very grown up.
According to the American Association of Orthodontics, nearly five million people in the United States and Canada wear braces and one in five patients is over 18. According to the Association, most people in their 30s are still looking for cosmetic improvements, but don't really need braces for medical reasons.
But as we get into our 40s and 50s, the dentist may see a more valid need for braces. Even older people who have had orthodontic work in their teens may need them again to straighten the teeth and avoid gum disease or other problems. That's because braces are only a dental face lift. As we age, teeth usually begin to shift. DR. EDUARDO GERLEIN, ORTHODONTIST: It's like wrinkles -- there's no way around it. You are going to -- you're going to have teeth that are drifting.
MARY OSTERMAN, ORTHODONTIC PATIENT: I had always wanted to have the beautiful teeth.
GUPTA: For 57-year-old Mary Osterman, seeing her fourth grade students improve their smiles made her think about her own teeth. So about a year ago, she decided to join her pupils and get braces. Not only would she have a prettier smile, but straighter teeth meant less chance of gum disease and a better chance of keeping her own teeth.
OSTERMAN: And I think that if we all go out of this world with our own teeth, all the better.
GUPTA: Mary's orthodontist, Dr. Eduardo Gerlein, treats anyone, from kindergartners to seniors in their 70s. He says many older people want to improve their looks, while others begin to face dental problems and turn to orthodontics to fix them.
GERLEIN: Your teeth will actually work better and they are going to be easier to clean and they're going to likely last longer.
GUPTA: Orthodontists also say technology has made it easier for adult patients to wear braces discretely, without having that tinsel- teethed look. Clear and porcelain brackets are more discrete, making the braces almost invisible, while still improving a person's smile.
Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, reporting.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
M. O'BRIEN: A good thing we have Sanjay on retainer here.
Coming up, some folks in New Orleans fight to get their homes back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED NEW ORLEANS RESIDENT: We've just three strikes against us. It's that we're poor, we're black and we live in a project.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
M. O'BRIEN: We'll tell you why some Katrina victims may not have a home to go to, though, thanks to the government.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): On today's Vacations Off the Beaten Path, the benefits of visiting ski resorts in the summer.
DONNA ROSATO, WRITER, "MONEY" MAGAZINE: Ski resorts are one of the best deals for a summer vacation. "Money" magazine found that you can save up to 60 percent staying at a condo or a resort at a ski location and there are many more activities you can do in the summer than you can in the winter. You can go hiking, whitewater rafting, golfing.
Many ski resorts do a lot to attract families in the summer. For example, Smuggler's Notch in Vermont is almost like a summer camp. The whole family can go out camping or canoeing.
(END VIDEO TAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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