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American Morning

Tsunami Strikes; Abizaid on the Hill; Mass Kidnapping in Baghdad

Aired November 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: Breaking news. Japan bracing for a tsunami. Earlier reports indicate only 16 inches high, but we're watching it. Hawaii and Alaska also on alert this morning.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: And the war report. The military's top general gives his view on Iraq and faces some tough questions, too, from Congress today.

M. O'BRIEN: Power and the presidency. President Bush on the international stage for the first time since Republicans lost Congress.

S. O'BRIEN: And breaking business news. A proposed merger between two of the country's biggest airlines.

Those stories and much more ahead on this AMERICAN MORNING.

And welcome, everybody, Wednesday, November 15th.

I'm Soledad O'Brien.

M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien.

Thanks for being with us.

S. O'BRIEN: All right. Let's get right to that breaking story, the tsunami, which is heading for Japan and Russia and Hawaii and Alaska. The wave already hitting, in fact, Japan and Russia.

Chad Myers at the CNN weather center, been watching it for us all morning.

Hey, Chad. Good morning again.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Soledad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

M. O'BRIEN: So, while the early indications are this was, in fact, a very small tsunami, the jury is still out and the experts are still watching this thing very closely.

Joining us on the line right now with more on this is John Bellini with the U.S. Geological Survey. He's in Colorado.

John, bring us the latest right now on what we know about warnings and watches in the wake of this earthquake.

JOHN BELLINI, U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: Well, I'm not with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. I'm with the National Earthquake Information Center. And I can give you the latest information on the earthquake.

We have a magnitude of 6.8 -- or 7.8 for the earthquake. This is considered a major earthquake capable of considerable damage.

We do we do know that the Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami warning for parts of Alaska. And that's the last information I personally had.

But people in all areas that are affected, they just need to listen to their public emergency officials and do what they tell them. If they tell them to get away from the beach, then they really need to do that. It's serious.

M. O'BRIEN: OK. And you say 7.8. We've seen some other reports of 8.1. How do you explain that discrepancy, first of all?

BELLINI: Well, everybody has different amounts of data, and the difference of a couple of tenths of magnitude isn't significant. They're working with their data set, we're working with our set. We have -- we have stations from all over the world, 100 stations for this earthquake in particular, that we're getting our information from, and it's giving our preliminary magnitude of 7.8.

M. O'BRIEN: If you could give us a sense then why there is so much uncertainty about what sort of tsunami might be triggered by an earthquake of that magnitude. Is it for lack of sensors?

BELLINI: No. Generally for an earthquake of this size, it's on the lower end of being capable of causing a tsunami, but they can cause tsunamis. And apparently from the reports I've heard it has caused a small one that had been detected in Japan.

Different areas can amplify the effect and cause it to be larger. That's unknown on how large it is because there's too many variables to take into consideration.

M. O'BRIEN: But given the size of this earthquake, how much concern should we have about something larger than a 16-inch wave like we've seen so far?

BELLINI: I'm not really -- you know, I don't really have the professional information to give that assessment. It's really a very variable thing, and it can vary from place to place depending if people are on a bay or on the ocean, or on an island, or whatever.

M. O'BRIEN: John Bellini is with the U.S. Geological Survey, joining us from Golden, Colorado.

Thank you very much -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Let's turn to Iraq now. Here's what's new this morning.

Tough questions ahead for America's top general in Iraq. Democrats in Congress are expected to press General John Abizaid about troop withdrawals when he testifies before Congress today.

And four American troops were killed in battle today. Their units are fighting in the Anbar Province, which, of course, is an area that's been dominated by insurgents.

Iraq is saying most of the hostages who were kidnapped in that mass daylight raid are now free. An update on all of this, this morning, starting with General John Abizaid and his appearance before Congress.

Let's get right to the Pentagon and Barbara Starr, who's there for us.

Good morning, Barbara.

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Soledad.

Well, General Abizaid will start out on the Senate side this morning and then cross over this afternoon to the House side of Capitol Hill.

Here at the Pentagon, all eyes will be focused on Congress.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT (voice over): General John Abizaid, the top commander for the war in Iraq, goes to Capitol Hill today as the first commander to testify since the midterm elections. When he last testified in August, the words were blunt.

GEN. JOHN ABIZAID, COMMANDER, U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND: I believe that the sectarian violence is probably as bad as I've seen it in Baghdad in particular, and that if not stopped, it is possible that Iraq could -- could move toward civil war.

STARR: But with Republicans still in charge, Abizaid is walking into a hornet's nest. Each side has already staked out its position. Everyone will be watching to see how candid Abizaid will be. Will he say mistakes were made by the generals?

Democrats who will take charge of Congress in January want to start pulling troops out within four months.

SEN. EVAN BAYH (D), INDIANA: We need to tell them they're not staying forever and that if they don't get their act together we're going to withdraw sooner rather than later.

STARR: Republican Senator John McCain wants to see an increase above the current level of 144,000 troops. Abizaid hasn't yet tipped his hand about what recommendations he might make, but two days ago in Baghdad, he warned Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki his government must quickly take more responsibility for security.

As they await recommendations from the Iraq Study Group, commanders say they still support troop withdrawals, but only if conditions on the ground permit.

The biggest problem of all may be whether sectarian violence has gone too far to save the country and drastic measures are required.

COL. DOUGLAS MACGREGOR, U.S. ARMY (RET.): Get out of Iraq. Admit you've made a mistake and leave, and understand that what emerges is going to be what the people who live in that country want.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

STARR: So the real question now, is General Abizaid going to be the commander on the hot seat today, telling Congress what they don't want to hear, which is that there are no easy solutions about what to do in Iraq -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon for us this morning.

Thank you, Barbara -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Also in Iraq, developments in that mass kidnapping at a university in Baghdad. Here's what we know this morning.

The Iraqi Higher Education Ministry is telling one news service most of the hostages have now been freed. More hostages still being held, however, but unclear how many. Iraq's Interior Ministry ordering the arrest of five senior police officers in this case.

CNN's Arwa Damon with more details now for us live from Baghdad -- Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles.

We were actually at Baghdad University earlier this morning, trying to go speak with the students, at least those that had showed up there, about how they felt about this mass kidnapping that took place at the Ministry of Higher Education and about how they felt for the future of education in their country, and it was really quite heartbreaking. The university campus usually has 50,000 students at it. Today, only a few hundred.

Many of those who we spoke to said that yesterday's kidnapping and following that, the notion that universities in Baghdad might be closed, for them, that signified the collapse of the entire country. Now, what we do know from an aide to the minister of higher education, what they are saying is that at least 40 of those taken captive were freed.

They are still receiving phone calls from about 30 family members whose loved ones are still in captivity. Those that were freed said that their captors were asking them for their identification cards, for their tribal names. Some had been beaten and kicked. The Iraqi prime minister, Nouri al-Maliki, was also at Baghdad University earlier today, holding a press conference with university professors and with students there, trying to reassure them that the Iraqi government would not rest until all those in captivity were freed. Also vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice.

But really, Miles, amongst the students there, those words brought very little comfort. They again highlighted that there was very little security at the university itself -- in fact, at universities across the capital -- saying that if armed gunmen were able to storm a ministry and kidnap individuals there, how would the Iraqi security forces ever be able to provide them security at the university -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Arwa Damon, live from Baghdad.

Thank you.

As for talk of getting Iran and Syria to help stop the violence in Iraq, the U.S. secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, this morning saying she doesn't see any real help coming from those two countries, but she's not ruling out talks with Iran. She was, however, partially critical of Syria.

In a little more than an hour, Senate Republicans choose their new leaders. Mississippi senator Trent Lott is vying for the number two slot up against Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. The Democrats are sticking with Senator Harry Reid of Nevada as the majority leader and Dick Durbin of Illinois as his number two.

In the House, a bitter battle under way for the Democratic leadership there. Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi backing Representative John Murtha for majority leader over her current lieutenant, Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland.

Happening this morning, disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff starts serving some hard time. Abramoff will spend five years in prison for scamming banks out of millions of dollars when he bought a casino boat company. Abramoff still awaits sentencing for giving gifts to members of Congress in return for political favors.

Today envoys are starting to overcome their differences about North Korea. They say they're making progress, forming a unified front ahead of six-nation talks. Those talks are geared toward convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions.

And Palestinian militants launched a deadly rocket attack in southern Israel. Four rockets landing, killing one woman, injuring a man. Militants with Islamic Jihad and Hamas claimed responsibility. They said it was retaliation for the deaths of 18 Palestinian civilians last week at the hands of the Israeli military -- Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: And we are staying, of course, on top of our breaking story this morning, that tsunami hitting the coast of Japan. Watches out for Alaska and Hawaii as well. We'll have the very latest for you from Chad in just a moment. And say cheese. We'll tell you what your yearbook -- yes, your yearbook -- smile might say about your happiness today.

And the sexiest man alive, Miles O'Brien. We're going to tell you who "People" magazine has picked this year. We'll unveil it for you straight ahead.

M. O'BRIEN: I was robbed again.

S. O'BRIEN: I haven't announced it yet.

M. O'BRIEN: Oh.

S. O'BRIEN: When AMERICAN MORNING returns.

M. O'BRIEN: Well, it's safe to say I was robbed.

S. O'BRIEN: No, you never know.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: Some of the day's top stories we're following for you this morning.

America's top general in the Middle East, General John Abizaid, is delivering his war briefing to Congress today.

And the big breaking news story this morning, that tsunami warning in effect for Japan. A 16-inch tsunami hit part of the country just minutes ago. We're getting word right now about a second small tsunami, much smaller, eight inches.. Alaska and Hawaii are still on alert.

Plus, we've got the tornadoes as well. That's a big concern in the southeastern part of the U.S.

Let's get to Chad for all these stories.

(WEATHER REPORT)

S. O'BRIEN: Happening "In America" this morning, tempers flaring at a -- have you seen this videotape? Corpus Christi, Texas -- look at this.

OK. First, there's an argument between the coach, who's arguing with the ref. Then he just goes after him. And the ref is actually knocked unconscious.

Then you see the parents come running in. No, this is not the 5 and 6-year-olds who are actually on the field playing. This is the parents.

And then look at this. Watch this parent here. He comes in and kicks.

What's that about? That's an embarrassment. Charges are now pending against the coach.

Investigators are trying to piece together the cause of that deadly plane crash in South Bend, Indiana. Five bodies recovered, along with the wreckage of a small Cessna plane. The victims all from Iowa.

You'll remember the story we reported to you back in April in Houston. A teenager who was brutally beaten, nearly to death, well, now, a deputy -- the case is on trial. The deputy testifying that a teenager who was accused of the attack had swastikas on his boots and his wallet.

The suspect is David Henry Tuck (ph). He faces charges of aggravated assault in that attack. Prosecutors say Tuck (ph) is a skinhead and his racist belief is what -- beliefs are what targeted and prompted the attack against the Hispanic victim.

Let's turn to Fort Lauderdale, in Florida, where election officials thought that this stamp right here, they thought it was a rare gem. It was on an absentee ballot.

No, it wasn't. It was just a big old fake. Broward County election officials believed it was the Inverted Jenny stamp which would be from World War I, worth about $300,000 if the thing were real. But it's not. And also, there was no name on the envelope.

So, not only was the stamp a fake, so was the ballot, too, in a way.

M. O'BRIEN: Just to get on TV, I guess.

S. O'BRIEN: A big old nothing.

M. O'BRIEN: They succeeded.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, they did.

In California, O.J. Simpson is going to talk about just how he would have killed his ex-wife and a friend. This is a bizarre story.

It's a two-part interview. It's going to air just days before his book, which is called, "If I Did It." It goes on sale.

Now, O.J. tells FOX how he would have murdered his wife, Nicole Simpson, and Ron Goldman. Simpson was acquitted, you'll remember, of the killings back in 1995. He lather, though, lost a wrongful death suit which was filed by his wife -- by the friend of his wife's family.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell -- how many times have we said this -- supermodel Naomi Campbell is due in court today.

M. O'BRIEN: (INAUDIBLE)

S. O'BRIEN: It kind of does, doesn't it? We say it all the time. This time, looking at assault charges, allegedly throwing her cell phone at her housekeeper. Apparently, the housekeeper needed four stitches.

Campbell says it is not true. She is denying it all. She didn't show up, though, at her last hearing. And the judge says he's going to issue an arrest warrant if she's not in court today. Her lawyer -- her lawyer is saying, oh, she's going to be here.

M. O'BRIEN: And she'll look good.

S. O'BRIEN: And no matter what, the girl will look good.

M. O'BRIEN: Look good.

Coming up, we are continuing to follow that tsunami that is hitting the coast of Japan, apparently a small one.

And Americans have voted and made it clear they want out of Iraq. But how and when? In a moment we'll check in with a general who has some ideas.

And saying no to Jesus, or at least the talking Jesus doll. We'll tell you who's doing it and why.

Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: Breaking news. We're still following the effects of this large earthquake in the northeastern portion just off the coast of Japan which triggered a tsunami and tsunami warnings.

The earthquake was somewhere between a 7.8 and 8.1 magnitude, depending on who you ask. That number will shift slightly over time.

The concern was that it would kick up a tsunami, perhaps as big as six feet in height. But so far, the early reports are -- there you see some pictures coming to us from our NHK television in Japan. And you see the area of Japan, mid right portion of your screen, where the most concern was.

So far, the largest waves they've seen have been on the order of about 16 inches. We're still watching that, of course. There still could be additional waves. It depends on how they hit and where they strike, the depth of the bay, all the -- there are many, many factors involved in all of this.

But it appears the early concerns about six-foot-sized waves may not be in play as this thing plays out. But nevertheless, a tsunami warning, a small tsunami registered in parts of Japan.

And we'll keep you posted as those warnings, watches and advisories are downgraded in Hawaii, Alaska, and other parts of the Pacific. But there's time for all that to shake out as the wave spreads across the Pacific -- Soledad. S. O'BRIEN: Also, we're talking about a big business story this morning, a merger, possibly, between two major airlines.

Let's talk to Ali Velshi about that. He's "Minding Your Business".

Good morning.

ALI VELSHI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Soledad, we're about an hour from stock markets opening this morning. And what they've got to chew on this morning is a proposal by US Airways to take over Delta.

Delta, of course, is still in bankruptcy protection. US Airways has proposed that once it comes out of bankruptcy protection, it will become part of the same company.

The new company would be called Delta. And about 10 minutes ago I had a conversation with the CEO of US Airways by phone, Doug Parker. I asked him how this proposed merger would make things better for travelers.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

DOUG PARKER, CHAIRMAN & CEO, US AIRWAYS: We're going to be able to serve all the cities that are served today by the two -- by both the networks, but as one airline. So consumers will have more choice to -- with more -- with more reach, and a carrier that has the cost structure of a low-fare carrier.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VELSHI: What he's talking about is the fact that when US. Airways and America West merged in 2005, America West is a low-cost carrier, US Airways is portraying itself as such. Obviously, these kinds of proposals, even if Delta agreed to it, would have to go through a lot of regulatory scrutiny. And the government has not really looked fondly upon major -- what they call legacy airlines getting together.

So, if US Airways positions itself as a discount carrier taking over a legacy carrier, it might sound like a better deal to regulators. We have yet to see what it means for travelers.

M. O'BRIEN: But Delta this morning saying not so fast, in essence.

VELSHI: Yes. I think Delta might have gotten that response out to us a little faster than they wanted to. They rebuffed US Airways in the past.

They're saying right now they plan to emerge from bankruptcy as an independent carrier. I think they might want to look at the proposal a little bit and think about it before they decide.

M. O'BRIEN: They rebuffed United. There was some talk about that potentially. VELSHI: That's right. Yes.

M. O'BRIEN: They say they want to emerge from bankruptcy, stand alone, on their own.

VELSHI: On their on. But it doesn't always work that way.

M. O'BRIEN: Yes. Well, the shareholders might have something to say about this.

VELSHI: Yes.

M. O'BRIEN: All right, Ali.

S. O'BRIEN: Those shareholders always weighing in.

M. O'BRIEN: Always getting in the way.

All right. Thanks.

S. O'BRIEN: Thank you, Ali.

Let's talk about something very, very important this morning, "People" magazine.

M. O'BRIEN: Oh, yes.

S. O'BRIEN: Sexy. Sexiest man just came out, and look who's on the cover.

M. O'BRIEN: Oh, George Clooney again?

S. O'BRIEN: That's right.

VELSHI: Surprise. Surprise.

M. O'BRIEN: What a bore.

S. O'BRIEN: This year's top spot going to George Clooney, actor and a filmmaker, Hollywood hottie, is what I like to call him. He beat out Ashton Kutcher, Jake Gyllenhaal, another Hollywood hottie -- Brad Pitt.

M. O'BRIEN: And Miles O'Brien.

S. O'BRIEN: And Miles O'Brien. Yes.

M. O'BRIEN: Well...

(CROSSTALK)

S. O'BRIEN: This is what I -- I actually thought this would be the cover today.

Guys, do you have that shot for me?

(LAUGHTER)

S. O'BRIEN: Miles, you look awesome.

VELSHI: Goodness me.

M. O'BRIEN: Yes, I've been at the gym a lot. A lot. A lot.

S. O'BRIEN: Nothing like a little Photoshop.

Whose body is that, guys? Anybody know?

Come on, Mike. Do you know who it is?

M. O'BRIEN: It's mine. What are you talking about?

S. O'BRIEN: I voted for you, but they didn't open it up for, you know, polling for just readers.

M. O'BRIEN: There's no write-in candidacies.

S. O'BRIEN: I'm sorry. There's always next year, guys.

M. O'BRIEN: That's what I say every year.

VELSHI: I'm next year's winner.

S. O'BRIEN: I like that.

Coming up this morning, we're going to have much more on the tsunami warning that's been issued all morning. It's now been lifted. We'll bring you the very latest, though, on any of the damage there. We'll be watching that very closely with Chad.

Plus, a question about phased troop withdrawal. Is it really feasible? That's up next. We'll take a look about what phased withdrawal really means.

Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: Breaking news this morning, a tsunami strikes Japan. Small waves hitting the country so far. Alaska, Hawaii and Washington State also on alert.

S. O'BRIEN: War report this morning. The military's top general gives his view on Iraq and faces some tough questions from Congress today.

M. O'BRIEN: Do you like your smile? You better. It might say a lot about how long you'll live.

S. O'BRIEN: Plus football and family. One couple says they are willing to part with some big tickets, the hottest game in town, to help them get a baby. We'll explain that and much more straight ahead on AMERICAN MORNING. Welcome back, everybody. It's Wednesday, November 15th. I'm Soledad O'Brien.

M. O'BRIEN: And I'm Miles O'Brien. Thanks for being with us.

The latest now on that tsunami. We have CNN's Richard Quest on the line from Tokyo. 7.8 or 8.1 magnitude earthquake triggering these tsunami warnings. He's in Tokyo this morning, where, I believe Richard, they're sort of breathing a sigh of relief at this point.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, indeed. The actual earthquake was a good seven or eight hundred kilometers off the coast of the northern islands in Japan. What we've seen over the last half an hour to 45 minutes is that bigger waves have started to arrive off the northern shores. We're seeing numbers around about 40 centimeters -- that's just short of one and a half feet in increased wave activity off the northeast coast, off Hokkaido Island.

It's important to mention Miles, that I'm looking at a map in a moment showing the areas affected. You're talking about the very top right hand part of Japan, if you like. That's the bit that's flashing red where they're expecting increased wave activity. If you come down towards Tokyo, there's a sort of a flashing yellow light here, which means maybe marginally higher waves -- five, 10, 15 centimeters, but nothing of that magnitude. I think it is important to emphasize at the moment, Miles, we are not talking about serious huge waves or serious damage that we're aware of.

M. O'BRIEN: Nevertheless, people were told to seek higher ground in Tokyo where you were. Did they take any precautions there or was it premature to do that?

QUEST: Oh, I think it was well premature. Thankfully, there was certainly no sign of any activity in and around that I was able to see on the streets of Tokyo, just coming from my hotel this evening. Certainly people are interested in this but they are not in the slightest concern in that respect. You have to remember, Japan has an extremely sophisticated, very well-oiled, very well-practiced tsunami warning system. So, the moment this earthquake hit and the moment it became apparent that there was going to be a tsunami of any sort, plans went into action.

National television suddenly broke into its programs. It went wall-to-wall coverage, but frankly, the pictures we are seeing at the moment from the affected area -- and I'm looking at one picture at the moment. I suppose in any other language, we would say it would be a high tide, the waves got up a bit. We're certainly not seeing, and you're looking at those pictures now yourselves. You can't see much disturbance. You can't necessarily see huge wave activity. This has been a well-practiced, well-rehearsed, well-executed plan tonight.

M. O'BRIEN: Richard Quest on the line for us from Tokyo, thank you very much. Let's get right to Chad in the Weather Center who's been watching it for us as well. Hello Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hello, Miles. We are seeing a couple of different things now. We had a 40 centimeter wave right on the top of Hokkaido -- this is the island that Richard was talking about. Here's the epicenter of the earthquake, pretty deep, 20 miles or so deep. Even though it was an 8.1 or 7.8., they will sort that out as they probably will come together somewhere around, who knows, 7, 9.5. Who knows but that's irrelevant. It's still a large and severe quake. Would have caused major damage under any city in any country. But, the wave, if it was produced, was only very small as it moved towards Japan.

There may have been a larger wave that moves on up towards Russia. There may still be a wave here moving towards the Aleutians. We'll still have to see. There is now a tsunami warning for the Aleutians all the way from about Sand Point all the way over to the very edge and also now tsunami watches for Hawaii. Still seeing if the buoys are moving up and down. Because it really only takes about a six or eight-inch bubble of water to become a very large wave as it hits a coastal region. And that water bubble turns into a huge wave because the water gets shallower and shallower as it comes across.

We still don't know yet. The quickest time this could actually hit Hawaii would be about 1:20 to 1:40 eastern time or 7:30 or so Hawaii standard time. Right now, no evacuations. They're just watching it. That's why it's a watch -- Soledad.

M. O'BRIEN: All right.

S. O'BRIEN: I'll take it. Thank you, Chad. Anybody. Thank you Chad. Thanks for watching it all morning.

Happening in Iraq this morning, developments in that mass kidnapping at the University of Baghdad. The Iraqi higher education ministry telling one news service that 70 hostages have now been freed. More hostages apparently being held -- unclear how many. Iraq's interior ministry reporting that five senior police officers are now under arrest.

The controversial Arab television network Al Jazeera makes its debut in the United States today in English. It's only available online. None of the country's major satellite or cable providers are going to carry it. Al Jazeera covers international news from a Arab perspective. The network is banned in several countries in fact and the Bush Administration has blasted Al Jazeera in the past as playing to terrorists by airing messages from Osama bin Laden.

Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff is now in prison. He reported just a short time ago. He's serving five years for a bank scam. He's still yet to be sentenced for paying lawmakers for political favors.

And former Hewlett-Packard chairwoman Patricia Dunn is going to be in a California courtroom today. She's being arraigned today in connection with the Hewlett-Packard corporate spying scandal. Dunn and four others face fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy charges for their role in HP's botched probe into boardroom leaks to journalists -- Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: The general in charge of the U.S. military campaign in Iraq will face a couple of hot seats today, one before a Senate committee, one before a House committee. As he is called before some newly emboldened Democrats to explain what the U.S. exit strategy might be in Iraq. Joining us now from Washington with his thoughts on what that strategy might be, retired Army Lieutenant-General Dan Christman. General Christman, good to have you back with us on the program.

Thank you Miles. Great to be back.

M. O'BRIEN: All right. It seems like the options are add or subtract troops, essentially. The status quo, nobody seems to like. Which camp would you fall into?

DAN CHRISTMAN, LT. GEN., U.S. ARMY (RET.): Well, I think it's inevitable Miles, that we are going to see troop reductions. The only issue that General Abizaid faces this morning will be the pace of those reductions and where they go.

I really think that additional troops here probably is off the table as an option. I would not want to be General Abizaid this morning. I have tremendous confidence in him and I'm glad Abizaid is testifying, but he has enormous legitimacy within the military. His testimony will be very, very candid, I would predict. He will counsel two things: He'll say if we are to withdraw, do not make it precipitant, and if we are to withdraw, don't bring all the troops back to Fort Riley or Fort Stewart or Fort Hood. Do not view this area, General Abizaid I'm sure will say, don't view this area through a soda straw. I have responsibility, General Abizaid does, for this region from the horn of Africa to Pakistan. It's a very dangerous region. Maybe take some out of Iraq and maybe bring some home, but don't withdraw them totally back to the states. Those are very important themes.

M. O'BRIEN: If you were offering a candid assessment of what is going on in Iraq right now to those committees, what would you say? Is it civil war?

CHIRSTMAN: Well, I think it's a low-grade civil war by almost any definition of this. We've been somewhat successful, Miles, in handling the jihadists, the foreign jihadist insurgency. We've been much less successful now, especially since the bombing of that Sumara mosque in February in dealing with sectarian violence. And so this is why I think General Abizaid, Miles, has said let's be careful here. Let's not be too precipitant. What we had last wek was our own political tsunami that cut in half the time in which we can probably affect change in Iraq. General Casey if you recall was talking about 18 months to two years. That's probably been cut in half right now. But, still, that's time to see the results of the changes General Abizaid has begun to implement in the training and our counter- insurgency tactics. So there is a way still out of this to see a more stable Iraq than we have presently. But, again, the two points, don't be precipitant and don't bring everybody home.

M. O'BRIEN: There's another player on the scene here and that's the Iraq study group. A lot of seasoned, mostly diplomats and politicians, not a lot of military people I noted, who are looking at some alternatives, which the Administration may or may not embrace. One of the things that keeps coming up is -- there you see the former Secretary of State James Baker who is along with Lee Hamilton leading it. There's Lee Hamilton. One of the things that keeps coming up is engaging Syria and Iran. Do you think that's a good idea? Do you think the Bush Administration should go along with that idea?

CHRISTMAN: In my own personal view, Miles, it's certainly worth a try. And what this does it seems to me is to focus on the region for a solution going forward, not to focus on Iraq alone. I think if there's one lesson that we take from our Vietnam experiences is that we can be very successful militarily, but lose the war if we lose the political context, if we lose the policy context.

And as I hear both the Baker/Hamilton preview and also Prime Minister Tony Blair talking about this region, what they want to put this solution in Iraq in the context of, is what's going to happen to the neighborhood and if we can approach those two countries. It's high risk. There's no guarantee of success. But if we can approach those two countries in a way to engage them for a long-term political solution, it's certainly worth a try.

M. O'BRIEN: Lieutenant General Dan Christman. Thanks for being with us as always.

CHRISTMAN: Thanks, Miles.

M. O'BRIEN: Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: We continue to follow the tsunami that's hitting the coast of Japan this morning. Also ahead, we'll take a look at what your smile from years ago says about your happiness today. Stay with us. You're watching AMERICAN MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

S. O'BRIEN: Big story we're following for you this morning, tsunami concerns in Alaska and Hawaii, warnings and watches up for those areas or rather areas of those two states. A powerful earthquake is what triggered that tsunami near Japan this morning and was hit by two small waves. Nothing serious so far We're going to continue to check in with Chad throughout the morning about details on that tsunami.

Here's a question for you -- could your yearbook photo show more than just lost youth?

M. O'BRIEN: It could.

S. O'BRIEN: That's a loaded question, isn't it?

M. O'BRIEN: It could show signs of drug addiction, too, for that matter. But some say there are secrets behind that smile you know. Dr. Sanjay Gupta reveals them now with part three on his special series of happiness. Sanjay, you did I hope, bring your picture as well. DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I'm going to get to that in a second, Miles. But you know, the question for a lot of people when you show up for class photo day, you probably don't take that too seriously. But that little grin that you put on back in your high school years, could that be reflective of your true happiness later in life? We found out.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (voice-over): That smile means more than you think. Psychologist Dacher Keltner studies human emotion. To see if a smile reflects real happiness, Keltner looks for telltale muscle movements.

DACHER KELTNER, PSYCHOLOGIST: (INAUDIBLE).

GUPTA: In a genuine happy smile, the corners of the lips go up just as other muscles contract around our eyes.

KELTNER: Those are hard to fake and they -- several studies have shown correlate with feelings of happiness, with activation of the left hemisphere of the brain. If you see evidence of that muscle movement, you know the person is happy.

GUPTA: In one ground-breaking study, Keltner analyzed the smiles of women. in their college yearbook photos. These two women look very much alike, but hold on -- look closer. The woman on the left, see how her skin pouches under her lower eyelids, but the woman on the right, that tiny protrusion isn't there. And see this little crinkle in her cheek, it's less intense in the other woman's smile. The woman on the left looks happier.

Researchers followed the sample of women as they got older. Keltner's findings, those with genuine smiles in their college yearbook photos were significantly more likely to be happy a full 30 years later.

KELTNER: She feels more warmly towards others, she feels ore confident and successful in achieving her goals, she feels less anxiety on a daily basis and warmer and more connected to her spouse.

GUPTA: We don't know exactly why. Maybe a smile reflects other factors. Biological wiring, good health, good relationships that endure long after the photographer says cheese. But, somehow a simple picture is a glimpse of the future.

KELTNER: The idea that I can take a snapshot of you in an artificial setting and then tell you what your life is like for 30 years, that's almost preposterous, and, yet, it turned out.

GUPTA: One thing we learned, be happy now if you want to be happy later.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

GUPTA (on-camera): Okay, so maybe you're still not convinced. So, as part of our AMERICAN MORNING happiness series, we decide to do look at the O'Briens as well, to get a sense from your high school years whether or not that reflects in your true happiness later on. I hope you guys are okay with this.

M. O'BRIEN: We've got to say something in advance. I was told to submit a high school yearbook picture, which I did. Soledad says she doesn't have one. Do you believe that?

S. O'BRIEN: I can't find my high school yearbook.

(CROSSTALK)

M. O'BRIEN: I could have found a happy shot of me going to the prom. I just wanted to put that out there before you see.

(CROSSTALK)

M. O'BRIEN: We went to the same hairstylist.

S. O'BRIEN: That is the O'Briens with big hair. Oh, my gosh.

GUPTA: Can I just say, Soledad, will you go to the prom with me?

S. O'BRIEN: Oh, please. Look at that. Oh.

GUPTA: We sent your pictures to our smile expert actually to analyze your smiles. You probably get some sense of the differences already.

M. O'BRIEN: Smile? I didn't have a smile.

GUPTA: Soledad, you have a broad smile. Soledad scored a four out of five as far as that goes.

S. O'BRIEN: Who-hoo!.

GUPTA: Miles, let's take a look there. Miles, you got a one. Not much of a smile there whatsoever. Now, Soledad, you said something really interesting yesterday when we were talking about this. You said a smile is in the eyes and you're half right on that. Take a look at the eyes here. You have some pouching below the eyes, which is a good thing here.

S. O'BRIEN: It probably means plastic surgery and not too far in my surgery.

GUPTA: Less happy. Our experts scored you three out of five there. Miles, absolutely no pouching underneath your eyes, so you got a zero out of there.

M. O'BRIEN: Uh, oh.

S O'BRIEN: What was going on that day?

M. O'BRIEN: What did I get -- zero on that one.

GUPTA: Zero on that one. Miles, here's what's interesting. When they analyze your entire face a little bit more closely and what they said, in spite of your low scores there are signs of encouragement in your picture.

M. O'BRIEN: They had to say that. They felt bad.

GUPTA: We've got to say something about this guy.

M. O'BRIEN: I think he might be suicidal or something.

GUPTA: You got a slight lip press and subtle tilt of the chin, and that means you have goal directedness, focus and pride.

S. O'BRIEN: The O'Brien pride.

GUPTA: The O'Brien pride. You also have a very slight raising of the upper eyelid, which was associated with an interest in the world, which I thought was very interesting.

M. O'BRIEN: They were grasping at straws there, weren't they?

GUPTA: They also pointed out -- they acknowledged what you said, Miles, these were pictures taken slightly different points in your lives, and Soledad actually outranks you by a happiness factor of seven, which could even mean your lack of happiness at that time in your life, or Soledad's interest in her prom date. We're not exactly sure which.

M. O'BRIEN: She got a seven. What was my total number? What was it, one?

GUPTA: I gave you only the highlights there. But overall, she outranked you by seven points.

M. O'BRIEN: By seven points?

GUPTA: Yes.

M. O'BRIEN: Totally unfair. I could have done the happy prom picture.

S. O'BRIEN: What was going on that day? You looked miserable in that picture.

M. O'BRIEN: Who likes getting their picture...

S. O'BRIEN: And I just have a giant afro on my head.

GUPTA: But you have a great smile. But you're both pretty happy.

And you know, it's interesting, the guy, Decker Calvin (ph), at the end, said it may seem preposterous to say a high school smile, a high school grin could be reflective at all of your future happiness, but it turns out to be true many times more often than not. So I thought was kind of interesting.

M. O'BRIEN: All right, Sanjay, thanks very much.

GUPTA: Are you happy, Miles?

S. O'BRIEN: Thank you, Sanjay. Another terrific report, Sanjay. Best to you.

M. O'BRIEN: Whatever. We'll tell you more about it later.

(WEATHER REPORT)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

M. O'BRIEN: If your a jeopardy fan, you already know the answer to this one. Brilliant news anchor and mother of four, who is Soledad O'Brien? Well, she is a whiz kid, our little whiz kid, rocking the board last night on celebrity jeopardy. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

S. O'BRIEN: CNN for $800 please.

ALEX TREBECK, "JEOPARDY" HOST" Rabbit ears is a slang term for an indoor one of these for your TV - - Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: What is antenna?

TREBECK: Correct.

Soledad?

S. O'BRIEN: What is a scale?

TREBECK: Scale, yes, indeed.

S. O'BRIEN: Who is Isaac Newton.

TREBECK: Right.

Soledad?

S. O'BRIEN: What is Spumante.

TREBECK: That's it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

M. O'BRIEN: Spumante?

S. O'BRIEN: When they edit it together like that, I seem really smart.

M. O'BRIEN: Wow. You did that bang,, bang.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes, that buzzer is hard.

M. O'BRIEN: What is a Spumante anyway? S. O'BRIEN: It's like a sparkling wine.

M. O'BRIEN: Oh, good for you.

Well, in the end, Soledad. We made her look smart...

(CROSSTALK)

M. O'BRIEN: We had control of the editing machine, so we made her look as smart as she could be, but really the fact is she lost.

S. O'BRIEN: I did. Second -- I came in second.

M. O'BRIEN: And Harry Shear, who's the voice of all your favorite characters in "The Simpsons" pretty much, And The author of the new book "Not Enough Indians" on the phone right now to gloat a little bit.

Harry?

HARRY SHEARER, TUESDAY'S "CELEBRITY JEOPARDY" WINNER: Hi, Soledad.

S. O'BRIEN: Hey, good morning. Congratulations.

SHEARER: Thank you. I'm having the early morning first place champagne. I was just wondering how the runner-up decaf tastes.

S. O'BRIEN: Yes. Well, I've been working since 3:00 this morning, that's how the runner up's feeling today.

I've got to tell you this, Harry was awesome on the buzzer. The buzzer is so hard, because you've got to watch the lights.

M. O'BRIEN: That's the trick, right?

SHEARER: That's the key to everything.

S. O'BRIEN: How did you get so good on the buzzer? I thought you'd played before.

SHEARER: No, I've never played before. It was that rehearsal round, which they never tell people about, until the last minute, but...

But that middle part of the show where I totally lost control of the buzzer and let you almost get...

M. O'BRIEN: So is the key to push it early and often?

S. O'BRIEN: No, because that looks you out, right, Harry?

SHEARER: Yes, yes, you have to wait for a light, which you don't see on TV, which lights up at the end of Alex's question. But if you go in early, you're dead.

M. O'BRIEN: You lose it, OK.

S. O'BRIEN: If you lose your pace, forget it. You're done, and that's kind of why you're out of it. So we also look like we're sitting there saying nothing, but...

SHEARER: It's all about the timing, like comedy itself.

M. O'BRIEN: There you go. Harry Shearer, enjoy your champagne.

S. O'BRIEN: That's why he won.

M. O'BRIEN: You, enjoy your decaf.

SHEARER: You won the smile contest, and that's what really counts.

S. O'BRIEN: Exactly, Harry. Thank you.

SHEARER: Thanks.

S. O'BRIEN: Thanks, Harry.

SHEARER: Have a good day.

M. O'BRIEN: Things that pay the rent here. What are commercials? next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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