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CNN Live Saturday
Young British Phenom Leads Master Tournament; 1st Armored Division Called Back After Orders To Rotate Back Home Were Rescinded
Aired April 10, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 in the East Coast, 10:00 p.m. in Baghdad. I'm Holly Firfer in for Fredericka Whitfield. Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY.
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jim Clancy live from Baghdad with the latest on developments from Fallujah and the hostage crisis. We'll have details.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jane Arraf in Kut, Iraq, where just days ahead of heading home, instead, troops from the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad have been sent to fight members of a banned militia.
FIRFER: Plus we have new details about what the Bush administration knew about al Qaeda before September 11.
But first, a check of the top stories at this hour. Here are the latest developments. Five men arrested during last week's terror round-up across southeastern England appeared in court for the first time today. Four of them were charged with conspircy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life. A thousand pounds of ammonium nitrate, sometimes used to make explosives, was found during one of the raids.
A factory explosion in a Mexican town near the Texas border has killed at least 1 and at least 70 more people are trapped or missing in the rubble. The explosion occurred near a tortilla factory in the town of Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. The town is just across the border, about 20 miles from Harlington, Texas.
And coalition forces are fighting insurgents on several fronts in Iraq today. The battle for Kut continues this evening as the army's 1st Armored Division is believed to control between 60 and 70 percent of the city. There is also fighting in Fallujah and other cities. One U.S. airman was killed when his base was attacked with mortar fire.
Chaos and kidnappings in Iraq; militants are carrying out violent attacks on coalition forces. In Fallujah, marines have increased their forces as insurgents continue waging war despite a ceasefire. And the kidnappings of internationals has become a war tactic an American is also feared captured.
CNN's Jim Clancy is in Baghdad with the late e developments -- Jim. CLANCY: Holly, the hours are counting down for three Japanese citizens who are being held by insurgents that are threatening them with death. The deadline for that is going to expire on Sunday. Japan has sent a high level diplomat to Jordan. He says he's willing to come to Iraq if it will help to to rescue them.
Meantime, dramatic footage of an American moments after he was pulled from a burning tanker and put into the back seat of a car taken hostage. The videotape from an Australia television crew on the scene near Fallujah showed the burning tankers and the American who was held there. He gave his name. It is obscured here his face so that we do not reveal his identity before the next of kin can be notified.
The hostage crisis weighing very heavily this day on coalition officials. They say they will not negotiate with terrorists. They also say they are keeping secret the options they may use to defuse that crisis.
Meantime, in Fallujah, some new developments coming from the insurgents there. They are hitting the ball back into the other court after the U.S. made a dramatic offer to them to pick up a ceasefire.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY (voice-over): The call for a cease-fire reflects deep concern that the fallujah conflict is drooiing a wedge between the coalition and its Iraqi supporters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're hoping the use the venue of this press conference and following discussions with some of the Arabic press to get that message to the enemy so they can join in the ceasefire.
CLANCY: Though portrayed as a direct message to the insurgents who carried on fighting through Friday, it was also a clear statement to Iraqis that an end to the fighting in Fallujah is in the hands of the militants battling U.S. marines.
Most but not all Iraqis closed their shops across baghdad Saturday in answer to a call by Sunni clerics for a general strike to protest the siege of Fallujah. There are many reasons the shops are closed, said one resident, the insecurity and the calls for a three- day strike.
A U.S. tank burned after an apparent ambush west of the capital Saturday, while in a Sunni neighborhood clashes between insurgents and coalition troop flared into street fighting. Local residents blamed gunfire from U.S. troops for the death of a civilian driver. Civilians were staying off the street for the most part as tanks took up positions and helicopters roared overhead.
In the northern city of Mosul Friday insurgents attempted to take over the governor's office, the main symbol of stability and Iraqi cooperation with the coalition. Although turned back, it underscores the high profile strategy of trying to undermine coalition control in the eyes of Iraq's public.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: The insurgents will say they accept the U.S. cease-fire there but there is a big condition on that, that U.S. marines pull out of the city of Fallujah. That could well hij on some of the other details that we don't know quite yet.
Members of the Iraqi governing council went in there to talk with the insurgents and the local leaders inside Fallujah today. Details of that are expected to come out within the next 24 hours.
Also within the next 24 hours, we're just hearing a report on al- Jazeera, the Arabic news channel saying, that those three Japanese tourist -- those three Japanese civilians will be released within the next 24 hours. For all of it we have to wait and see.
FIRFER: Jim, you are in Baghdad right now, seems pretty quiet at the moment. Earlier there was some controlled explosions. Is Baghdad still as quiet has it has been? What is happening there?
CLANCY: Well it hasn't been as quiet as it has been the last few weeks. Certainly it's a little bit quieter than when the supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr were trying to take over police stations in the Sadr City neighborhood, prodominately Shia neighborhoods here in the capital. That has calmed down somewhat.
But there continue to be hit and run attacks right around the anniversary of the toppling of Saddam Hussein -- Holly.
FIRFER: Jim Clancy in Baghdad, thank you.
Well there's a fierce fight between U.S. forces and Shiite militia in the southern city of Kut. The army's 1st Armored Division has been battling forces of radical Shiite cleric for days. The coalition now has control over much of the city. CNN's Jane Arraf is there.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via videophone): U.S. Army says it is gearing up for another night of fighting in the town of Kut. This after two nights of intensive fighting that army says has left it in control again of 60 to 70 percent of the city.
Now the troops sent here from the 1st Armored Division based in Baghdad. They have been due to go home. In fact, some of their equipment, some of the aircraft had been shrink wrapped and at the port. Some of them were heading home already. Instead, they are back here and back in combat. And the army says they will stay here until the militia is eradicated.
In two overnights of intensive fighting they say they have regained control of main bridges into the city and regained control of key facilities in the city, as well. They say their aim now is to continue fighting to get rid of the militia loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr.
Streets the towns people said the militia had been going around intimidating people into join them. Some said there had been some support because of the poverty of this region. All of those facts are combine to make sure the army will be staying here for some time to come. Jane Arraf, CNN, reporting from Kut in Southcentral Iraq.
FIRFER: The radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is making demands to the coalition even as his forces battle U.S. troops. al- Sadr made the demands through a deputy. They include the release of his followers and a specific date for the departure of occupying forces.
He's also demanding quote, "to get back the voice of Iraq." Al- Sadr's deputy says the coalition began the latest violence by shutting down a pro-Sadr newspaper.
World leaders are voicing their opinions of the uprising in Iraq. Thailand's prime minister says he's quote, "very worried about the increasing violence in that country." During his weekly radio address the prime minister says, "Thailand may withdraw troops if the situation continues to grow worse."
Italy is keeping up its support of the U.S. led war in Iraq. The Italian prime minister made a surprise visit to Italian troops in southern Iraq. He also met with leaders in Nasiriya.
Well still to come, how many troops are enough in Iraq with the violence on the rise? We're going to hear from CNN contributor Kelli McCann, our expert on counter terrorism.
In the 9/11 probe, the commission looking into the attack is examining a key presidential document. The presidential daily briefing from August 6, 2001, details a possible al Qaeda threat inside U.S. borders. That memo could soon be declassified. CNN's Suzanne Malveax is live from Texas with details -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX: Well CNN has confirmed highlights of that top secret brief that was given to the president one month before the September 11 attacks.
Now, in that brief there are various scenarios of al Qaeda's intention to strike the United States. The brief is entitled "Bin Laden Determines To Attack Inside the U.S." And includes the following highlights:
First, an intelligence report received May of 2001 indicating al Qaeda was attempting to send operatives to the United States through Canada to carry out an attack using explosives. This information passed on to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Second, that al Qaeda had been considering ways to hijack American planes to win release of operatives in 1998 and 1999.
Third, Osama bin Laden was set on striking the U.S. as early as 1997 through early 2001.
Fourth, some intelligence suggested that suspected al Qaeda operatives were traveling to and from the United States, some perhaps U.S. citizens, who may have had a support network in the United States. And, finally, at least 70 FBI investigations were underway in 2001 regarding possible al Qaeda cells and operations inside of the United States.
Now, sources aware of the brief say that some of the intelligence is not corroborated. They say that none of this information in the brief directly relates to the September 11 plot. You may recall, Holly, that National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testified that much of the information was historic, that she also said it did not contain those type of details to warn them after September 11 attack.
Now, we expect that this brief will be declassified, probably the next couple of days -- Holly.
FIRFER: Suzanne, a lot of people are speculating there might be the spoke smoking gun, perhaps in that report. And from what you can tell and heard, does that exist?
MALVEAUX: Well, if you consider a smoking gun something that would saying we are going to take the planes and use them as missile, we're going to attack you on September 11, then, there's no smoking gun. There would be some who would argue there are enough details, or at least it's part after picture, evidence that the administration could have used if it had used it collectively and connected the dots that may have given some sort of clue that a September 11 attack was underway.
It all depends on how you look at the data. The commission, as well as the White House eager to declassify all of this. And allow Americans to decide for themselves.
FIRFER: Suzanne Malveax in Crawford, Texas, thank you.
Well the 9/11 panel continues its work on the coming week holding two days of hearings of possible intelligence failures before the attacks. On Tuesday, testimony from former FBI director Louis Freeh, Cofer Black, the former director of the CIA's counterterrorism center, and current Attorney General Ashcroft. On Wednesday, the directors of the FBI and the CIA, Robert Mueller and George Tenet.
Well President Bush and Vice President Cheney are expected to meet with the 9/11 panel. It's not known just when that will take place. Because it's a meeting and not testimony they will not be under oath.
Well what will Condoleezza Rice's public testimony mean for the elections in November? We'll talk with strategist from both sides.
And still to come, youth rules at Augusta. The youngest player at the Master's make as run for the green jacket. We'll have a live update.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FIRFER: It's been called the toughest ticket in sports, the Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. CNN's sports Josie Burke has managed to get in the gates, however. And she joins us live from there. Looks like it's still a nice day out there Josie.
JOSIE BURKE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It's a beautiful day, Holly. And we'll see how that affects our leader here at the Masters. 23-year-old Justin Rose from England has been the leader from start to finish.
If you don't know too much about him you're not alone. He really came out of nowhere, at least over here he did. He doesn't have any wins on the PGA tour in this country. He has a couple on the European tour. And he's playing in just his second Masters. But, he said the attitude he's trying to take right now and he'll tee off with going in today he had a two-shot lead. He's not the leader. Just try to play as consistently as possible.
And it's really showed. He only has two bogeys for the two rounds that he played. Now consistency has been a problem for Tiger Woods. He's a young phenom who knows something about success at the Masters. Yesterday he went out and shot 69. But the big question is how is Woods, who did get back into contention with that score yesterday, going to fair today, because he hasn't really been able to string together a number of good rounds back to back to back.
But Saturday is a day that he really likes to make a move here at Augusta. Last year he got himself right into the thick of things when shot a 66 in the third round. A lot of people probably pulling for him to win a fourth green jacket.
But if there's a sentimental favorite it has to be the lefty Phil Mickelson. He bears a really burdenensome label as the best player never to win a major. And Phil Mickelson will start any minute now. His third round. He will go into the third round three shots off the lead. And a lot of people pulling for Mickelson, especially after the way he's acted this week. He's really seemed laid back and very comfortable with the fact that he can now admit how badly he wants to win a major. How would he like to get the monkey off of his back. Phil Mickelson has finished third in the Masters three years running -- Holly.
FIRFER: Josie, you mentioned a sentimental favorite. What about Tom Watson, it has been a tough week for him losing his caddy. How's he doing?
BURKE: Tom Watson didn't make the cut and you can understand why, Holly. He was just hours before he teed off in the first round he found out that Bruce Edwards his long-time caddy and his friend had passed away from Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was clearly an emotional two rounds for him. We'll see him again but not this weekend.
FIRFER: OK. Josie Burke, enjoy the sunshine. I hear there's rain in the forecast, so enjoy it while you can.
BURKE: I'll try. FIRFER: Well the leader going into today's third round, Justin Rose, tees off in just about 15 minutes or sooner. You can check in on the leader board any time at CNN.com.
Well in Las Vegas it's all or nothing tomorrow for a British man. Ashley Rovelle (ph) will bet everything he owns on a single spin of the roulette wheel. If he wins he doubles his money, but if he loses he will walk away with nothing.
The 32-year-old from London sold all of his possessions in March to come up with tomorrow's big spin. He is risking $138,000.
Well if you are not willing to gamble everything on your income taxes, we have some last minute advice, "Dollar Signs" takes your calls and e-mails. Today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Don't let our tax experts go to waste.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
FIRFER: In our political roundtable, we focus on Condoleezza Rice's testimony before the 9/11 commission on Thursday. President Bush's national security adviser delivered an unyielding defense of the administration's anti-terrorism policies. She did so in the face of sometimes sharp and skeptical questions. But did the country learn anything new?
With us to talk more about the testimony a Democratic strategist Doug Schoen. He's in New York. And in Miami, Republican strategist, Tara Satmeyer. Welcome both to you.
So Doug, let me put it to you first, did we learn anything new? And is this a signal that Bush needed her to testify for political reasons?
DOUG SCHOEN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well he certainly needed her to testify for political reasons because of the growing credibility gap. Did we learn anything new? I don't really think so. And with the revelations of the August 6, 2001, presidential intelligence brief, I think there are still a lot more questions to be answered about what we knew about what al Qaeda was planning.
FIFER: Tara, did the fact that she resisted testifying for a while, did it undermine her credibility?
TARA SETMAYER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I don't think so. I think what happened is the Bush administration was trying to base their reasoning behind that on historical precedent. They didn't want a separation of power issue to come up.
But unfortunately it's an election year, so they ended up doing the right thing by allowing her to testify. She doesn't have anything to hide. Condoleezza Rice during her testimony was convincing, she was composed and very credible.
FIRFER: How crucial do you think it is then for the memo to be released, the August 6 memo, and be released to the public? SETMAYER: Well, I -- was that to me, or...
FIRFER: Go ahead, Tara.
SETMAYER: OK. Well, I think at this point declassification of that memo is necessary, again, because this entire commission process has been highly politicized. We will see there is nothing to hide. Condoleezza Rice made it very clear that this document was a historical document. There was no actionable intelligence in there or else they would have moved heaven and earth to respond.
So I think once the declassification of this memo comes through we will see the administration did everything it could, it dealt with the issue as well as possible, with the intelligence that was available to it at the time.
FIRFER: Doug, do you agree do you think we learned what went wrong?
SCHOEN: I don't think we learned what went wrong. I think with what has come out from the memo from people who have seen it the information in that was not historical in nature and suggested that al Qaeda was planning to fly planes into buildings in the U.S. That's to me, not historical data. That is active intelligence that we should have acted upon' I think Condoleezza Rice's testimony has raised more questions than answered.
SETMAYER: That's absolutely not true. Also what we need to consider is this administration was 233 days into its administration. You had a lot of Clinton hold-overs. Senator Carl Levin was one of many Democratic Senators who stonewalled and pushed back confirmations for intelligence, important intelligence positions in the Bush administration. They did not have their full security team in place until two months before September 11.
The Clinton administration had eight years to come up with a plan. Eight years to fix up with a loophole. They didn't come up with a PATRIOT Act and a Homeland Security Department. So we're safer today as a result. And the Bush administration did the best they could with the intelligence they had.
FIRFER: Doug, let me -- you want to respond to that?
SCHOEN: I was going to say the polls that have come out immediately since Condoleezza Rice's testimony suggest that close to half the American people think we're less safe and playing politics about this issue trying to attack President Clinton's administration is exactly what the Bush administration has done issue after issue. I think the American people are poorly served by those kind of tactics.
SETMAYER: There's also polls that come out and say 43 percent of the American people believe Condoleezza Rice or 49 percent now believe her up from 43. And that 27 percent of the American people believe that Dick Clarke is more credible.
It depends on what opinion poll you want to look on what day. What we do know is the Bush administration has cooperated fully, Condoleezza Rice stated her case, and she was composed and poised throughout the whole entire thing. She was catering to a lot of different audiences.
FIRFER: Let me interrupt you here, if I might. The big question I think everybody wants to know is, are we safer now? From what we've learned, is America safer than we were before and even right after 9/11?
SCHOEN: I think if you look at our position internationally we're isolated around the world. Iraq is in a tragic state of chaos, Afghanistan still shows terrible signs of instability. And we're facing more terrorist plots around the world like Spain. So I think it's very hard to say we're safer. I think we're sadly more at risk and we hope and pray our security is protected. But as we look at the evidence now, it's not very good.
FIRFER: Tara, I want to give you a chance. We just have a couple of seconds to respond to that. Are we safer?
SETMAYER: What Doug -- the places Doug just enumberated are 5, 6, 7,000 miles away from American soil. We have not had an attack since September 11. And Iraq there's only a fraction of the country, a very small percentage of the country, that is involved with insurgents. 90 percent of Iraq is contained. There are no more rape rooms, there are no more mass graves. Iraq is on its way to freedom and liberation thanks to the coalition of the willing, with over 34 countries. Again, there's been no attack on our soil since September 11. So I say we're safer.
FIRFER: Tara Setmayer, Doug Schoen. With some more testimony this week, I'm sure we'll hear from you again soon. Thanks so much for your time.
SCHOEN: Thank you.
SETMAYER: Thank you.
FIRFER: You can get your political fix tomorrow on INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY. The National Security Adviser for Senator John Kerry will be our guest with anchor Kelli Wallace. That's Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Well the movie industry is taking notice of Richard Clarke's book. That story is still ahead.
Plus, Rush Limbaugh looks to the courts in help in keeping his private medical records just that, private.
If the shoe doesn't fit, call your doctor. The surgical option that might help you fit into your favorite pair of high heels.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired April 10, 2004 - 14:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN ANCHOR: It's 2:00 in the East Coast, 10:00 p.m. in Baghdad. I'm Holly Firfer in for Fredericka Whitfield. Welcome to CNN LIVE SATURDAY.
JIM CLANCY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jim Clancy live from Baghdad with the latest on developments from Fallujah and the hostage crisis. We'll have details.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jane Arraf in Kut, Iraq, where just days ahead of heading home, instead, troops from the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad have been sent to fight members of a banned militia.
FIRFER: Plus we have new details about what the Bush administration knew about al Qaeda before September 11.
But first, a check of the top stories at this hour. Here are the latest developments. Five men arrested during last week's terror round-up across southeastern England appeared in court for the first time today. Four of them were charged with conspircy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life. A thousand pounds of ammonium nitrate, sometimes used to make explosives, was found during one of the raids.
A factory explosion in a Mexican town near the Texas border has killed at least 1 and at least 70 more people are trapped or missing in the rubble. The explosion occurred near a tortilla factory in the town of Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. The town is just across the border, about 20 miles from Harlington, Texas.
And coalition forces are fighting insurgents on several fronts in Iraq today. The battle for Kut continues this evening as the army's 1st Armored Division is believed to control between 60 and 70 percent of the city. There is also fighting in Fallujah and other cities. One U.S. airman was killed when his base was attacked with mortar fire.
Chaos and kidnappings in Iraq; militants are carrying out violent attacks on coalition forces. In Fallujah, marines have increased their forces as insurgents continue waging war despite a ceasefire. And the kidnappings of internationals has become a war tactic an American is also feared captured.
CNN's Jim Clancy is in Baghdad with the late e developments -- Jim. CLANCY: Holly, the hours are counting down for three Japanese citizens who are being held by insurgents that are threatening them with death. The deadline for that is going to expire on Sunday. Japan has sent a high level diplomat to Jordan. He says he's willing to come to Iraq if it will help to to rescue them.
Meantime, dramatic footage of an American moments after he was pulled from a burning tanker and put into the back seat of a car taken hostage. The videotape from an Australia television crew on the scene near Fallujah showed the burning tankers and the American who was held there. He gave his name. It is obscured here his face so that we do not reveal his identity before the next of kin can be notified.
The hostage crisis weighing very heavily this day on coalition officials. They say they will not negotiate with terrorists. They also say they are keeping secret the options they may use to defuse that crisis.
Meantime, in Fallujah, some new developments coming from the insurgents there. They are hitting the ball back into the other court after the U.S. made a dramatic offer to them to pick up a ceasefire.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY (voice-over): The call for a cease-fire reflects deep concern that the fallujah conflict is drooiing a wedge between the coalition and its Iraqi supporters.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're hoping the use the venue of this press conference and following discussions with some of the Arabic press to get that message to the enemy so they can join in the ceasefire.
CLANCY: Though portrayed as a direct message to the insurgents who carried on fighting through Friday, it was also a clear statement to Iraqis that an end to the fighting in Fallujah is in the hands of the militants battling U.S. marines.
Most but not all Iraqis closed their shops across baghdad Saturday in answer to a call by Sunni clerics for a general strike to protest the siege of Fallujah. There are many reasons the shops are closed, said one resident, the insecurity and the calls for a three- day strike.
A U.S. tank burned after an apparent ambush west of the capital Saturday, while in a Sunni neighborhood clashes between insurgents and coalition troop flared into street fighting. Local residents blamed gunfire from U.S. troops for the death of a civilian driver. Civilians were staying off the street for the most part as tanks took up positions and helicopters roared overhead.
In the northern city of Mosul Friday insurgents attempted to take over the governor's office, the main symbol of stability and Iraqi cooperation with the coalition. Although turned back, it underscores the high profile strategy of trying to undermine coalition control in the eyes of Iraq's public.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CLANCY: The insurgents will say they accept the U.S. cease-fire there but there is a big condition on that, that U.S. marines pull out of the city of Fallujah. That could well hij on some of the other details that we don't know quite yet.
Members of the Iraqi governing council went in there to talk with the insurgents and the local leaders inside Fallujah today. Details of that are expected to come out within the next 24 hours.
Also within the next 24 hours, we're just hearing a report on al- Jazeera, the Arabic news channel saying, that those three Japanese tourist -- those three Japanese civilians will be released within the next 24 hours. For all of it we have to wait and see.
FIRFER: Jim, you are in Baghdad right now, seems pretty quiet at the moment. Earlier there was some controlled explosions. Is Baghdad still as quiet has it has been? What is happening there?
CLANCY: Well it hasn't been as quiet as it has been the last few weeks. Certainly it's a little bit quieter than when the supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr were trying to take over police stations in the Sadr City neighborhood, prodominately Shia neighborhoods here in the capital. That has calmed down somewhat.
But there continue to be hit and run attacks right around the anniversary of the toppling of Saddam Hussein -- Holly.
FIRFER: Jim Clancy in Baghdad, thank you.
Well there's a fierce fight between U.S. forces and Shiite militia in the southern city of Kut. The army's 1st Armored Division has been battling forces of radical Shiite cleric for days. The coalition now has control over much of the city. CNN's Jane Arraf is there.
JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (via videophone): U.S. Army says it is gearing up for another night of fighting in the town of Kut. This after two nights of intensive fighting that army says has left it in control again of 60 to 70 percent of the city.
Now the troops sent here from the 1st Armored Division based in Baghdad. They have been due to go home. In fact, some of their equipment, some of the aircraft had been shrink wrapped and at the port. Some of them were heading home already. Instead, they are back here and back in combat. And the army says they will stay here until the militia is eradicated.
In two overnights of intensive fighting they say they have regained control of main bridges into the city and regained control of key facilities in the city, as well. They say their aim now is to continue fighting to get rid of the militia loyal to Muqtada al-Sadr.
Streets the towns people said the militia had been going around intimidating people into join them. Some said there had been some support because of the poverty of this region. All of those facts are combine to make sure the army will be staying here for some time to come. Jane Arraf, CNN, reporting from Kut in Southcentral Iraq.
FIRFER: The radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr is making demands to the coalition even as his forces battle U.S. troops. al- Sadr made the demands through a deputy. They include the release of his followers and a specific date for the departure of occupying forces.
He's also demanding quote, "to get back the voice of Iraq." Al- Sadr's deputy says the coalition began the latest violence by shutting down a pro-Sadr newspaper.
World leaders are voicing their opinions of the uprising in Iraq. Thailand's prime minister says he's quote, "very worried about the increasing violence in that country." During his weekly radio address the prime minister says, "Thailand may withdraw troops if the situation continues to grow worse."
Italy is keeping up its support of the U.S. led war in Iraq. The Italian prime minister made a surprise visit to Italian troops in southern Iraq. He also met with leaders in Nasiriya.
Well still to come, how many troops are enough in Iraq with the violence on the rise? We're going to hear from CNN contributor Kelli McCann, our expert on counter terrorism.
In the 9/11 probe, the commission looking into the attack is examining a key presidential document. The presidential daily briefing from August 6, 2001, details a possible al Qaeda threat inside U.S. borders. That memo could soon be declassified. CNN's Suzanne Malveax is live from Texas with details -- Suzanne.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX: Well CNN has confirmed highlights of that top secret brief that was given to the president one month before the September 11 attacks.
Now, in that brief there are various scenarios of al Qaeda's intention to strike the United States. The brief is entitled "Bin Laden Determines To Attack Inside the U.S." And includes the following highlights:
First, an intelligence report received May of 2001 indicating al Qaeda was attempting to send operatives to the United States through Canada to carry out an attack using explosives. This information passed on to law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Second, that al Qaeda had been considering ways to hijack American planes to win release of operatives in 1998 and 1999.
Third, Osama bin Laden was set on striking the U.S. as early as 1997 through early 2001.
Fourth, some intelligence suggested that suspected al Qaeda operatives were traveling to and from the United States, some perhaps U.S. citizens, who may have had a support network in the United States. And, finally, at least 70 FBI investigations were underway in 2001 regarding possible al Qaeda cells and operations inside of the United States.
Now, sources aware of the brief say that some of the intelligence is not corroborated. They say that none of this information in the brief directly relates to the September 11 plot. You may recall, Holly, that National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice testified that much of the information was historic, that she also said it did not contain those type of details to warn them after September 11 attack.
Now, we expect that this brief will be declassified, probably the next couple of days -- Holly.
FIRFER: Suzanne, a lot of people are speculating there might be the spoke smoking gun, perhaps in that report. And from what you can tell and heard, does that exist?
MALVEAUX: Well, if you consider a smoking gun something that would saying we are going to take the planes and use them as missile, we're going to attack you on September 11, then, there's no smoking gun. There would be some who would argue there are enough details, or at least it's part after picture, evidence that the administration could have used if it had used it collectively and connected the dots that may have given some sort of clue that a September 11 attack was underway.
It all depends on how you look at the data. The commission, as well as the White House eager to declassify all of this. And allow Americans to decide for themselves.
FIRFER: Suzanne Malveax in Crawford, Texas, thank you.
Well the 9/11 panel continues its work on the coming week holding two days of hearings of possible intelligence failures before the attacks. On Tuesday, testimony from former FBI director Louis Freeh, Cofer Black, the former director of the CIA's counterterrorism center, and current Attorney General Ashcroft. On Wednesday, the directors of the FBI and the CIA, Robert Mueller and George Tenet.
Well President Bush and Vice President Cheney are expected to meet with the 9/11 panel. It's not known just when that will take place. Because it's a meeting and not testimony they will not be under oath.
Well what will Condoleezza Rice's public testimony mean for the elections in November? We'll talk with strategist from both sides.
And still to come, youth rules at Augusta. The youngest player at the Master's make as run for the green jacket. We'll have a live update.
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FIRFER: It's been called the toughest ticket in sports, the Masters Golf Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. CNN's sports Josie Burke has managed to get in the gates, however. And she joins us live from there. Looks like it's still a nice day out there Josie.
JOSIE BURKE, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: It's a beautiful day, Holly. And we'll see how that affects our leader here at the Masters. 23-year-old Justin Rose from England has been the leader from start to finish.
If you don't know too much about him you're not alone. He really came out of nowhere, at least over here he did. He doesn't have any wins on the PGA tour in this country. He has a couple on the European tour. And he's playing in just his second Masters. But, he said the attitude he's trying to take right now and he'll tee off with going in today he had a two-shot lead. He's not the leader. Just try to play as consistently as possible.
And it's really showed. He only has two bogeys for the two rounds that he played. Now consistency has been a problem for Tiger Woods. He's a young phenom who knows something about success at the Masters. Yesterday he went out and shot 69. But the big question is how is Woods, who did get back into contention with that score yesterday, going to fair today, because he hasn't really been able to string together a number of good rounds back to back to back.
But Saturday is a day that he really likes to make a move here at Augusta. Last year he got himself right into the thick of things when shot a 66 in the third round. A lot of people probably pulling for him to win a fourth green jacket.
But if there's a sentimental favorite it has to be the lefty Phil Mickelson. He bears a really burdenensome label as the best player never to win a major. And Phil Mickelson will start any minute now. His third round. He will go into the third round three shots off the lead. And a lot of people pulling for Mickelson, especially after the way he's acted this week. He's really seemed laid back and very comfortable with the fact that he can now admit how badly he wants to win a major. How would he like to get the monkey off of his back. Phil Mickelson has finished third in the Masters three years running -- Holly.
FIRFER: Josie, you mentioned a sentimental favorite. What about Tom Watson, it has been a tough week for him losing his caddy. How's he doing?
BURKE: Tom Watson didn't make the cut and you can understand why, Holly. He was just hours before he teed off in the first round he found out that Bruce Edwards his long-time caddy and his friend had passed away from Lou Gehrig's Disease. It was clearly an emotional two rounds for him. We'll see him again but not this weekend.
FIRFER: OK. Josie Burke, enjoy the sunshine. I hear there's rain in the forecast, so enjoy it while you can.
BURKE: I'll try. FIRFER: Well the leader going into today's third round, Justin Rose, tees off in just about 15 minutes or sooner. You can check in on the leader board any time at CNN.com.
Well in Las Vegas it's all or nothing tomorrow for a British man. Ashley Rovelle (ph) will bet everything he owns on a single spin of the roulette wheel. If he wins he doubles his money, but if he loses he will walk away with nothing.
The 32-year-old from London sold all of his possessions in March to come up with tomorrow's big spin. He is risking $138,000.
Well if you are not willing to gamble everything on your income taxes, we have some last minute advice, "Dollar Signs" takes your calls and e-mails. Today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. Don't let our tax experts go to waste.
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FIRFER: In our political roundtable, we focus on Condoleezza Rice's testimony before the 9/11 commission on Thursday. President Bush's national security adviser delivered an unyielding defense of the administration's anti-terrorism policies. She did so in the face of sometimes sharp and skeptical questions. But did the country learn anything new?
With us to talk more about the testimony a Democratic strategist Doug Schoen. He's in New York. And in Miami, Republican strategist, Tara Satmeyer. Welcome both to you.
So Doug, let me put it to you first, did we learn anything new? And is this a signal that Bush needed her to testify for political reasons?
DOUG SCHOEN, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well he certainly needed her to testify for political reasons because of the growing credibility gap. Did we learn anything new? I don't really think so. And with the revelations of the August 6, 2001, presidential intelligence brief, I think there are still a lot more questions to be answered about what we knew about what al Qaeda was planning.
FIFER: Tara, did the fact that she resisted testifying for a while, did it undermine her credibility?
TARA SETMAYER, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I don't think so. I think what happened is the Bush administration was trying to base their reasoning behind that on historical precedent. They didn't want a separation of power issue to come up.
But unfortunately it's an election year, so they ended up doing the right thing by allowing her to testify. She doesn't have anything to hide. Condoleezza Rice during her testimony was convincing, she was composed and very credible.
FIRFER: How crucial do you think it is then for the memo to be released, the August 6 memo, and be released to the public? SETMAYER: Well, I -- was that to me, or...
FIRFER: Go ahead, Tara.
SETMAYER: OK. Well, I think at this point declassification of that memo is necessary, again, because this entire commission process has been highly politicized. We will see there is nothing to hide. Condoleezza Rice made it very clear that this document was a historical document. There was no actionable intelligence in there or else they would have moved heaven and earth to respond.
So I think once the declassification of this memo comes through we will see the administration did everything it could, it dealt with the issue as well as possible, with the intelligence that was available to it at the time.
FIRFER: Doug, do you agree do you think we learned what went wrong?
SCHOEN: I don't think we learned what went wrong. I think with what has come out from the memo from people who have seen it the information in that was not historical in nature and suggested that al Qaeda was planning to fly planes into buildings in the U.S. That's to me, not historical data. That is active intelligence that we should have acted upon' I think Condoleezza Rice's testimony has raised more questions than answered.
SETMAYER: That's absolutely not true. Also what we need to consider is this administration was 233 days into its administration. You had a lot of Clinton hold-overs. Senator Carl Levin was one of many Democratic Senators who stonewalled and pushed back confirmations for intelligence, important intelligence positions in the Bush administration. They did not have their full security team in place until two months before September 11.
The Clinton administration had eight years to come up with a plan. Eight years to fix up with a loophole. They didn't come up with a PATRIOT Act and a Homeland Security Department. So we're safer today as a result. And the Bush administration did the best they could with the intelligence they had.
FIRFER: Doug, let me -- you want to respond to that?
SCHOEN: I was going to say the polls that have come out immediately since Condoleezza Rice's testimony suggest that close to half the American people think we're less safe and playing politics about this issue trying to attack President Clinton's administration is exactly what the Bush administration has done issue after issue. I think the American people are poorly served by those kind of tactics.
SETMAYER: There's also polls that come out and say 43 percent of the American people believe Condoleezza Rice or 49 percent now believe her up from 43. And that 27 percent of the American people believe that Dick Clarke is more credible.
It depends on what opinion poll you want to look on what day. What we do know is the Bush administration has cooperated fully, Condoleezza Rice stated her case, and she was composed and poised throughout the whole entire thing. She was catering to a lot of different audiences.
FIRFER: Let me interrupt you here, if I might. The big question I think everybody wants to know is, are we safer now? From what we've learned, is America safer than we were before and even right after 9/11?
SCHOEN: I think if you look at our position internationally we're isolated around the world. Iraq is in a tragic state of chaos, Afghanistan still shows terrible signs of instability. And we're facing more terrorist plots around the world like Spain. So I think it's very hard to say we're safer. I think we're sadly more at risk and we hope and pray our security is protected. But as we look at the evidence now, it's not very good.
FIRFER: Tara, I want to give you a chance. We just have a couple of seconds to respond to that. Are we safer?
SETMAYER: What Doug -- the places Doug just enumberated are 5, 6, 7,000 miles away from American soil. We have not had an attack since September 11. And Iraq there's only a fraction of the country, a very small percentage of the country, that is involved with insurgents. 90 percent of Iraq is contained. There are no more rape rooms, there are no more mass graves. Iraq is on its way to freedom and liberation thanks to the coalition of the willing, with over 34 countries. Again, there's been no attack on our soil since September 11. So I say we're safer.
FIRFER: Tara Setmayer, Doug Schoen. With some more testimony this week, I'm sure we'll hear from you again soon. Thanks so much for your time.
SCHOEN: Thank you.
SETMAYER: Thank you.
FIRFER: You can get your political fix tomorrow on INSIDE POLITICS SUNDAY. The National Security Adviser for Senator John Kerry will be our guest with anchor Kelli Wallace. That's Sunday at 10:00 a.m.
Well the movie industry is taking notice of Richard Clarke's book. That story is still ahead.
Plus, Rush Limbaugh looks to the courts in help in keeping his private medical records just that, private.
If the shoe doesn't fit, call your doctor. The surgical option that might help you fit into your favorite pair of high heels.
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