Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Suicide Bomber Kills 10; Bin Laden's Cleric; U.S. Fight Against AIDS; Nap Nook

Aired July 14, 2004 - 05:30   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A deadly blow apparently aimed at Baghdad's interim government. New video this morning.
It's Wednesday, July 14, and this is DAYBREAK.

Good morning, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From CNN's Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Carol Costello this morning.

Now in the news, just four hours ago, a suicide car bomber strikes in central Baghdad killing 10 Iraqis. At least 40 people were wounded. Three of the dead are Iraqi National Guard members. The blast occurred near the heavily fortified area housing Iraq interim government.

Just about two hours from now the British public gets a look at the latest investigation into the British intelligence gathering failures that led up to the Iraq war.

A proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage could die later today when a procedural vote is taken in the U.S. Senate. Most Democrats and a number of moderate Republicans oppose the amendment.

The Senate is scheduled to hold hearings today on efforts to keep Mad Cow disease from getting into the food supply. Part of the hearing is expected to focus on a government audit that found major flaws in the updated screening process.

Keeping you informed is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Let's get another look at weather this morning -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Fredricka.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Wow, we'll be looking out for that, Chad, thank you.

MYERS: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: A suicide car bomber strikes this morning in central Baghdad. Ten Iraqis are dead, including at least three Iraqi National Guard members.

Live now is our Michael Holmes who comes to us from Baghdad -- Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

That's right, this blast at just after 9:00, 9:20 a.m. in the morning here in Baghdad shook the hotel where we are about one-and-a- half kilometers away, rattled the windows. You could see the smoke rising immediately from the scene and it was a scene of carnage.

This is an entrance to the Green Zone and there are several. It's one of the major ones. It's right near the Al-Rasheed Hotel, a Baghdad landmark, also the convention center near the U.S. Embassy, the newly opened U.S. Embassy, and of course the headquarters of the interim Iraqi government.

What happened was a large vehicle, we're told it was an SUV, drove up to the first cordon of security at this gateway into the Green Zone, this heavily fortified area, and simply detonated before any security could examine the vehicle and, as you can see, the result there.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi toured the area under his own heavy security and later had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: This is yet again another crime which had been committed against the Iraqi people. So far we have 41 dead, at least after the many reports. Forty some of them badly injured with 41 dead. Three National Guard officers have been killed and seven civilians.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And also we can add to that Colonel Mike Murray of the 1st Cav. told us that one U.S. soldier had been injured, only slightly injured. He will return to duty probably this day.

This is the July 14 holiday here in Iraq. It's a day that commemorates the overthrow of the Iraqi monarchy, a bloody affair that led to a lot of social and political instability here back in 1958. And after a period of relative calm, when it comes to large-scale attacks, there is always smaller-scale attacks. This was some -- it was a date that many people feared would be an opportunity for a symbolic attack, just such as the one we saw -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Michael Holmes in Baghdad. Thanks very much for that report.

Well Saudi intelligence is questioning a man they call Osama bin Laden's standby cleric. Khaled al-Harbi is his name. It's unclear what his role might have been in various terrorist attacks.

But for more on his surrender and the significance, we turn to senior CNN investigative producer Henry Schuster joining us live now from London.

Henry, what's the significance of his turning himself in?

HENRY SCHUSTER, CNN INVESTIGATIVE PRODUCER: Well the significance is twofold. No. 1, the U.S. and the Saudis hope to get some information about the location of Osama bin Laden, though it's not clear just whether al-Harbi had been traveling with him. The Saudis say that they believe that al-Harbi had spent some time with bin Laden. We do know we have that striking visual evidence from late 2001 when al-Harbi appears on a videotape with Osama bin Laden, when Osama bin Laden brags and takes credit for the September 11 attacks.

But although their relationship dates back to the 1980s, Saudi intelligence and U.S. officials say they do not believe that al-Harbi was an active member of al Qaeda in the sense that he was playing a role in plotting attacks. And in fact, he is taking advantage of this offer of amnesty by Crown Prince Abdullah in Saudi Arabia. And the interesting thing is that when we asked the Saudis, they say that there are no charges against him. So he is coming back, he is going to be in custody, he is going to be questioned but he is not facing any charges.

WHITFIELD: In exchange for amnesty, no charges. Is he compelled to offer evidence, offer some sort of information about where the Saudis might be able to look for other al Qaeda operatives?

SCHUSTER: Well certainly they are going to be questioning him and trying to persuade him to give up that information. It's unclear how much of that information he actually has.

Now according to the amnesty plan, and this is where it gets a little tricky, the Saudis say that he will stay in custody until members of Saudi families who have either had -- who have had family members who went and fought in Afghanistan and they feel a grieve by that or victims of terror attacks in Saudi Arabia, until they settle any civil suits against him. But again, there do not appear to be any criminal charges that he actually faces in Saudi Arabia.

Now one thing is, in your introduction, you mentioned that they referred to him as Osama bin Laden's standby cleric. What we were told, to explain that a little bit more, is that if Osama bin Laden felt like he needed a religious opinion, and usually he issued those himself. I mean with most of his pronouncements he claims what are called fatwas, which are holy -- they are religious rulings, that he would go to al-Harbi and al-Harbi would provide a -- would provide a ruling of fatwas for him. But this wasn't all the time.

And as I said, the men's relationship dates back to the 1980s when they fought together in Afghanistan. But even the Saudis do not say that the contact between them was taking place all of the time.

WHITFIELD: Henry Schuster, joining us from London, thanks very much.

Our senior international editor David Clinch joins us now with a little bit more on how we're covering international news, particularly in Iraq.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Right.

WHITFIELD: And you have to wonder what is happening to the coalition?

CLINCH: Well right, the coalition in Iraq now known as the multinational force since the handover of power in Iraq and also since the U.N. resolution authorizing that multinational force. While it's not quite so multinational anymore, a couple of the countries have already dropped out. And now we see of course the Philippines under direct pressure from hostage takers, at least reducing the numbers of their troops and eventually, perhaps, removing them completely.

Now in some ways that would give the impression of a crumbling coalition. But it does not appear, at this point, that other countries, even those whose citizens are also being held hostage, for instance, Bulgaria, at the moment, has some truck drivers who are being held hostage. One of whom, it appears, according to a report on Al Jazeera, has already been killed, another one being threatened with death as well.

Now those hostage takers are not even asking for the Bulgarian troops to be pulled out. But at this point, Bulgaria making it clear that despite the fact that these hostages are being held by the insurgents in Iraq that they are determined to keep their troops in Iraq.

In fact, I think we have a statement, if we can bring it up there, that the Bulgarians just released. I'll read it to you.

It says "we feel that Bulgaria must continue to contribute to reconstruction, stabilization and democratic development in Iraq, in conformity with its international obligations resulting from U.N. resolutions."

Well now that's a very straightforward statement on one level. But it does bring up the interesting point that for Bulgaria and for many of the other countries still in this multinational force, the whole role that they are playing in Iraq is beginning to become very awkward, very difficult for them politically and their relationship with the United States is suffering.

And of course you have Britain where Tony Blair has got a weapons of mass destruction report coming out today. You have got Japan where Koizumi has suffered quite significant losses in recent elections related in part to the Japanese troops in Iraq. A lot of awkwardness and ill feeling, but no crumbling quite yet.

WHITFIELD: Now with Bulgaria, they have contributed about 470 troops.

CLINCH: Right.

WHITFIELD: And even though the demands are not being made by the militants holding the hostage that they want them to pull out, instead the demands are they want the U.S. to release Iraqi prisoners or detainees from all the prisons. CLINCH: Right. These hostage takers and the terrorist tactics of course always looking for the softest point. And the softest point, in many cases, is not the demand to take troops out, but it's the idea that they can undermine the relationship between these small countries, like Bulgaria and the United States, and sort of point out the difficulties and just make it awkward. And they are making it awkward. But so far no crumbling of the coalition.

WHITFIELD: All right. David Clinch, thanks very much.

CLINCH: All right.

WHITFIELD: Well here are some stories making news 'Across America' this Wednesday.

Testimony in the Scott Peterson trial centered on the collection of evidence in the case. A Modesto police detective gave the details of suspected blood evidence found in Scott Peterson's truck. The officer also testified that he found no evidence of a struggle after examining Scott Peterson's body.

Police in New Haven, Connecticut now believe they are looking for two suspects who worked together in five related shootings. Three people remain in the hospital following shootings on Sunday and Monday. Witnesses say the victims were shot out of the passenger side of a moving car. Police presence has been increased in the areas where the shootings have taken place.

Comedian Bill Cosby has recently been getting more recognition for his pointed commentaries than for his comedy. But he stuck to less controversial topics while speaking at the annual NAACP Convention in Philadelphia. Cosby did get serious at one point when he asked the audience to remember the serious sacrifice being made by American soldiers in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL COSBY, COMEDIAN: When you hear about people who are wounded, we often don't put it -- the picture properly. You kind of -- I mean we all know it isn't a paper cut. But wounded can mean you'll never see again, you'll never get the job back that you left, you cannot move, you are paralyzed for life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: John Kerry is expected to address the convention tomorrow. President Bush turned down an invitation to speak.

The correlation between food and health. In the next hour of DAYBREAK, how certain foods can help protect your eyes.

And billions of dollars are being poured into the AIDS crisis, but is it enough and what exactly are those funds being used for? A closer look coming up next.

This is DAYBREAK, Wednesday, for July 14. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's now about 14 minutes before the hour, and here is what's all new this morning.

A suicide car bomber strikes again in Baghdad, 10 Iraqis are dead, 40 others wounded. You're looking at pictures just in a short time ago from the scene.

In money, credit card companies are socking it to you with rising fees. "USA Today" reports the industry took in $43 billion last year in fees alone. Charges for late payments, balance transfers, cash advances and over limit fees are all significantly higher.

In culture, the son of bluegrass music pioneer Bill Monroe is trying to sell his father's famous mandolin to a museum, but a legal battle is preventing that sale.

In sports, Lance Armstrong begins today's mountain stage of the Tour de France in sixth place. He is 9:35 behind France's Thomas Voeckler. But we know that he shines when he gets to that mountainous region -- Chad.

MYERS: Certainly does. The Alps, that's where he goes, man. I don't know how -- I don't know how he does it, but obviously it's the stamina that that's where he's going.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks a lot -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Well U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is urging Washington to show the same leadership in the fight against AIDS as it has in the fight against terrorism. He points out that AIDS is killing millions of people while terrorism has the potential to kill thousands.

Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the role the U.S. is playing in the fight against AIDS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the largest sum of money the United States has ever committed to fighting HIV/AIDS. $15 billion over five years.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're fully engaged in this global fight against AIDS. I mean fully engaged.

GUPTA: But not everyone is convinced all that money will be delivered. Protesters outside the 15th International Aids Conference in Bangkok.

To be clear, funding totaled $2.3 million for 2004 and targets 12 African and two Caribbean countries as well as Vietnam, arguably the hardest-hit countries in the world.

BUSH: Let's bring America to where people suffer the most. We want to tackle the toughest problems in this country not the easiest ones.

GUPTA: It's still too early to tell what kind of impact the dollars will have but what has many concerned is the link made by the U.S. administration between money and morality.

BUSH: I think our country needs a practical effective moral message. In addition to other kinds of prevention, we need to tell our children that abstinence is the only certain way to avoid contracting HIV.

GUPTA: But experts warn against reliance on abstinence alone in the fight against AIDS.

DR. THOMAS COATES, UCSP: There's not one study that anybody can point to that shows that it has any benefit. Monogamy can be a good thing, but if people are going to engage in sexual relations, they also need to know how to take care of themselves.

GUPTA: To be clear, Wolf, about a third of all U.S. money going towards prevention is going towards abstinence only programs. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a lot of money to be sure, $15 billion is what's committed over five years, but there is going to be a continued debate over this clash between science and ideology.

For the next week, Wolf, we hear to expect more stories about AIDS orphans. What is AIDS doing to an entire generation of people and how many orphans will be left in its wake?

We also expect to hear about the feminization of AIDS. More women than ever are getting AIDS and finally more and more about the protests and the activism. They're concerned about the generic drugs, they're concerned about abstinence versus condoms and most of all, Wolf, they're concerned about money. Back to you.

GUPTA (on camera): Still, for now, abstinence only programs will still continue to receive more than a third of all U.S. funds dedicated towards AIDS prevention. Overall, it's lots of money to be sure, but it's also sure to continue the debate linking ideology and science.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Bangkok.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well 'Heath Headlines' for you this morning.

A British study highlights more health problems for veterans of the first Gulf War. The study shows infertility and stillbirths are more common for veterans of that war than they are for other service members. Previous studies had shown no difference.

Like alcohol and cigarettes, getting a tan may be addictive. New research shows ultraviolet rays cause the body to release endorphins that can make you feel more relaxed and that's why people keep heading back to the beach and the tanning salon despite doctor's warnings.

For more on this or other health stories, head to our Web site. The address is CNN.com/health.

The thought of an on-the-job nap seems kind of good. Ahead on DAYBREAK, how one company is making all that possible, but it's going to cost you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well sleep experts say a 20-minute nap is the perfect amount of time. They say a longer nap tends to leave you a bit groggy. Well when that sleepy feeling hits, folks working near the Empire State Building now have a place to catch some ZZZs.

Our Jeanne Moos takes us -- takes us napping.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When your head starts to droop, when your mouth starts to gape, maybe it's time to slip into something a little more comfortable.

(on camera) I wonder if people snore.

(voice-over): High above New York City in the Empire State Building, people are napping like peas in eight pods.

That's white noise. The pleasantly restful atmosphere feels like a cross between a gym and a funeral home.

Welcome to Metronaps.

ARSHAD CHOWDHURY, CO-FOUNDER, METRONAPS: Well, Metronaps is a place to power nap. It's a place where people can recharge.

MOOS: Cofounder Arshad Chowdhury offers 20-minute naps for $14. Some who have napped don't lose sleep over the price.

ALLEN JENNE, NAPPER: Nice doze. Twenty minutes is a nice doze.

MOOS (on camera): That's OK with you? Fourteen bucks?

JENNE: It's less than $1 a minute. What are you going to get for $1 a minute these days?

MOOS (voice-over): Parking, perhaps?

At Metronaps, they hand you a blanket...

(on camera) No napster has used this previously?

CHOWDHURY: Everything is cleaned after every user.

MOOS (voice-over): And tuck you in.

CHOWDHURY: The pod itself is designed to wake you up in about 20 minutes.

MOOS: It gently vibrates and the lights come on.

Some are so out of practice they need napping instructions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just lay? I feel like I'm in a spaceship.

MOOS: The sleeping modules in "2001: A Space Odyssey" were more advanced, but at least at Metronaps they don't murder you in your sleep as Hal, the computer, did in the movie.

The first Metronaps pod was designed by a team that specialized in racecars. It's like being under a hair dryer in a doublewide dentist chair that's capable of dizzying positions.

Metronaps' founders dreams of one day seeing their pods sprout all over.

CHOWDHURY: Airports, highway rest stops, in corporate offices, bus stations and train stations. Anywhere.

MOOS: Post-nap, nappers proceed to the wake station for towelettes and mints.

Our favorite Metronapping rule: pods are for single occupancy only.

But getting 40 winks in 20 minutes can be a challenge.

(on camera) How am I supposed to sleep if you're looking at me?

(voice-over): Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: I think I need to sleep on that one, not so sure.

Well ahead in the next hour of DAYBREAK, performance enhancing drugs, they are trickling down to grade school kids now. Ahead, how lawmakers are trying to stop that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A deadly blast in Baghdad in one of the city's most heavily guarded areas.

It's Wednesday, July 14, and this is DAYBREAK.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired July 14, 2004 - 05:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: A deadly blow apparently aimed at Baghdad's interim government. New video this morning.
It's Wednesday, July 14, and this is DAYBREAK.

Good morning, and welcome to the second half-hour of DAYBREAK. From CNN's Global Headquarters in Atlanta, I'm Fredricka Whitfield in for Carol Costello this morning.

Now in the news, just four hours ago, a suicide car bomber strikes in central Baghdad killing 10 Iraqis. At least 40 people were wounded. Three of the dead are Iraqi National Guard members. The blast occurred near the heavily fortified area housing Iraq interim government.

Just about two hours from now the British public gets a look at the latest investigation into the British intelligence gathering failures that led up to the Iraq war.

A proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage could die later today when a procedural vote is taken in the U.S. Senate. Most Democrats and a number of moderate Republicans oppose the amendment.

The Senate is scheduled to hold hearings today on efforts to keep Mad Cow disease from getting into the food supply. Part of the hearing is expected to focus on a government audit that found major flaws in the updated screening process.

Keeping you informed is CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Let's get another look at weather this morning -- Chad.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Fredricka.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: Wow, we'll be looking out for that, Chad, thank you.

MYERS: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: A suicide car bomber strikes this morning in central Baghdad. Ten Iraqis are dead, including at least three Iraqi National Guard members.

Live now is our Michael Holmes who comes to us from Baghdad -- Michael.

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka.

That's right, this blast at just after 9:00, 9:20 a.m. in the morning here in Baghdad shook the hotel where we are about one-and-a- half kilometers away, rattled the windows. You could see the smoke rising immediately from the scene and it was a scene of carnage.

This is an entrance to the Green Zone and there are several. It's one of the major ones. It's right near the Al-Rasheed Hotel, a Baghdad landmark, also the convention center near the U.S. Embassy, the newly opened U.S. Embassy, and of course the headquarters of the interim Iraqi government.

What happened was a large vehicle, we're told it was an SUV, drove up to the first cordon of security at this gateway into the Green Zone, this heavily fortified area, and simply detonated before any security could examine the vehicle and, as you can see, the result there.

The Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi toured the area under his own heavy security and later had this to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

IYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: This is yet again another crime which had been committed against the Iraqi people. So far we have 41 dead, at least after the many reports. Forty some of them badly injured with 41 dead. Three National Guard officers have been killed and seven civilians.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And also we can add to that Colonel Mike Murray of the 1st Cav. told us that one U.S. soldier had been injured, only slightly injured. He will return to duty probably this day.

This is the July 14 holiday here in Iraq. It's a day that commemorates the overthrow of the Iraqi monarchy, a bloody affair that led to a lot of social and political instability here back in 1958. And after a period of relative calm, when it comes to large-scale attacks, there is always smaller-scale attacks. This was some -- it was a date that many people feared would be an opportunity for a symbolic attack, just such as the one we saw -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Michael Holmes in Baghdad. Thanks very much for that report.

Well Saudi intelligence is questioning a man they call Osama bin Laden's standby cleric. Khaled al-Harbi is his name. It's unclear what his role might have been in various terrorist attacks.

But for more on his surrender and the significance, we turn to senior CNN investigative producer Henry Schuster joining us live now from London.

Henry, what's the significance of his turning himself in?

HENRY SCHUSTER, CNN INVESTIGATIVE PRODUCER: Well the significance is twofold. No. 1, the U.S. and the Saudis hope to get some information about the location of Osama bin Laden, though it's not clear just whether al-Harbi had been traveling with him. The Saudis say that they believe that al-Harbi had spent some time with bin Laden. We do know we have that striking visual evidence from late 2001 when al-Harbi appears on a videotape with Osama bin Laden, when Osama bin Laden brags and takes credit for the September 11 attacks.

But although their relationship dates back to the 1980s, Saudi intelligence and U.S. officials say they do not believe that al-Harbi was an active member of al Qaeda in the sense that he was playing a role in plotting attacks. And in fact, he is taking advantage of this offer of amnesty by Crown Prince Abdullah in Saudi Arabia. And the interesting thing is that when we asked the Saudis, they say that there are no charges against him. So he is coming back, he is going to be in custody, he is going to be questioned but he is not facing any charges.

WHITFIELD: In exchange for amnesty, no charges. Is he compelled to offer evidence, offer some sort of information about where the Saudis might be able to look for other al Qaeda operatives?

SCHUSTER: Well certainly they are going to be questioning him and trying to persuade him to give up that information. It's unclear how much of that information he actually has.

Now according to the amnesty plan, and this is where it gets a little tricky, the Saudis say that he will stay in custody until members of Saudi families who have either had -- who have had family members who went and fought in Afghanistan and they feel a grieve by that or victims of terror attacks in Saudi Arabia, until they settle any civil suits against him. But again, there do not appear to be any criminal charges that he actually faces in Saudi Arabia.

Now one thing is, in your introduction, you mentioned that they referred to him as Osama bin Laden's standby cleric. What we were told, to explain that a little bit more, is that if Osama bin Laden felt like he needed a religious opinion, and usually he issued those himself. I mean with most of his pronouncements he claims what are called fatwas, which are holy -- they are religious rulings, that he would go to al-Harbi and al-Harbi would provide a -- would provide a ruling of fatwas for him. But this wasn't all the time.

And as I said, the men's relationship dates back to the 1980s when they fought together in Afghanistan. But even the Saudis do not say that the contact between them was taking place all of the time.

WHITFIELD: Henry Schuster, joining us from London, thanks very much.

Our senior international editor David Clinch joins us now with a little bit more on how we're covering international news, particularly in Iraq.

DAVID CLINCH, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL EDITOR: Right.

WHITFIELD: And you have to wonder what is happening to the coalition?

CLINCH: Well right, the coalition in Iraq now known as the multinational force since the handover of power in Iraq and also since the U.N. resolution authorizing that multinational force. While it's not quite so multinational anymore, a couple of the countries have already dropped out. And now we see of course the Philippines under direct pressure from hostage takers, at least reducing the numbers of their troops and eventually, perhaps, removing them completely.

Now in some ways that would give the impression of a crumbling coalition. But it does not appear, at this point, that other countries, even those whose citizens are also being held hostage, for instance, Bulgaria, at the moment, has some truck drivers who are being held hostage. One of whom, it appears, according to a report on Al Jazeera, has already been killed, another one being threatened with death as well.

Now those hostage takers are not even asking for the Bulgarian troops to be pulled out. But at this point, Bulgaria making it clear that despite the fact that these hostages are being held by the insurgents in Iraq that they are determined to keep their troops in Iraq.

In fact, I think we have a statement, if we can bring it up there, that the Bulgarians just released. I'll read it to you.

It says "we feel that Bulgaria must continue to contribute to reconstruction, stabilization and democratic development in Iraq, in conformity with its international obligations resulting from U.N. resolutions."

Well now that's a very straightforward statement on one level. But it does bring up the interesting point that for Bulgaria and for many of the other countries still in this multinational force, the whole role that they are playing in Iraq is beginning to become very awkward, very difficult for them politically and their relationship with the United States is suffering.

And of course you have Britain where Tony Blair has got a weapons of mass destruction report coming out today. You have got Japan where Koizumi has suffered quite significant losses in recent elections related in part to the Japanese troops in Iraq. A lot of awkwardness and ill feeling, but no crumbling quite yet.

WHITFIELD: Now with Bulgaria, they have contributed about 470 troops.

CLINCH: Right.

WHITFIELD: And even though the demands are not being made by the militants holding the hostage that they want them to pull out, instead the demands are they want the U.S. to release Iraqi prisoners or detainees from all the prisons. CLINCH: Right. These hostage takers and the terrorist tactics of course always looking for the softest point. And the softest point, in many cases, is not the demand to take troops out, but it's the idea that they can undermine the relationship between these small countries, like Bulgaria and the United States, and sort of point out the difficulties and just make it awkward. And they are making it awkward. But so far no crumbling of the coalition.

WHITFIELD: All right. David Clinch, thanks very much.

CLINCH: All right.

WHITFIELD: Well here are some stories making news 'Across America' this Wednesday.

Testimony in the Scott Peterson trial centered on the collection of evidence in the case. A Modesto police detective gave the details of suspected blood evidence found in Scott Peterson's truck. The officer also testified that he found no evidence of a struggle after examining Scott Peterson's body.

Police in New Haven, Connecticut now believe they are looking for two suspects who worked together in five related shootings. Three people remain in the hospital following shootings on Sunday and Monday. Witnesses say the victims were shot out of the passenger side of a moving car. Police presence has been increased in the areas where the shootings have taken place.

Comedian Bill Cosby has recently been getting more recognition for his pointed commentaries than for his comedy. But he stuck to less controversial topics while speaking at the annual NAACP Convention in Philadelphia. Cosby did get serious at one point when he asked the audience to remember the serious sacrifice being made by American soldiers in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BILL COSBY, COMEDIAN: When you hear about people who are wounded, we often don't put it -- the picture properly. You kind of -- I mean we all know it isn't a paper cut. But wounded can mean you'll never see again, you'll never get the job back that you left, you cannot move, you are paralyzed for life.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: John Kerry is expected to address the convention tomorrow. President Bush turned down an invitation to speak.

The correlation between food and health. In the next hour of DAYBREAK, how certain foods can help protect your eyes.

And billions of dollars are being poured into the AIDS crisis, but is it enough and what exactly are those funds being used for? A closer look coming up next.

This is DAYBREAK, Wednesday, for July 14. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Your news, money, weather and sports. It's now about 14 minutes before the hour, and here is what's all new this morning.

A suicide car bomber strikes again in Baghdad, 10 Iraqis are dead, 40 others wounded. You're looking at pictures just in a short time ago from the scene.

In money, credit card companies are socking it to you with rising fees. "USA Today" reports the industry took in $43 billion last year in fees alone. Charges for late payments, balance transfers, cash advances and over limit fees are all significantly higher.

In culture, the son of bluegrass music pioneer Bill Monroe is trying to sell his father's famous mandolin to a museum, but a legal battle is preventing that sale.

In sports, Lance Armstrong begins today's mountain stage of the Tour de France in sixth place. He is 9:35 behind France's Thomas Voeckler. But we know that he shines when he gets to that mountainous region -- Chad.

MYERS: Certainly does. The Alps, that's where he goes, man. I don't know how -- I don't know how he does it, but obviously it's the stamina that that's where he's going.

(WEATHER REPORT)

WHITFIELD: All right, thanks a lot -- Chad.

MYERS: You're welcome.

WHITFIELD: Well U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan is urging Washington to show the same leadership in the fight against AIDS as it has in the fight against terrorism. He points out that AIDS is killing millions of people while terrorism has the potential to kill thousands.

Our Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at the role the U.S. is playing in the fight against AIDS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's the largest sum of money the United States has ever committed to fighting HIV/AIDS. $15 billion over five years.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We're fully engaged in this global fight against AIDS. I mean fully engaged.

GUPTA: But not everyone is convinced all that money will be delivered. Protesters outside the 15th International Aids Conference in Bangkok.

To be clear, funding totaled $2.3 million for 2004 and targets 12 African and two Caribbean countries as well as Vietnam, arguably the hardest-hit countries in the world.

BUSH: Let's bring America to where people suffer the most. We want to tackle the toughest problems in this country not the easiest ones.

GUPTA: It's still too early to tell what kind of impact the dollars will have but what has many concerned is the link made by the U.S. administration between money and morality.

BUSH: I think our country needs a practical effective moral message. In addition to other kinds of prevention, we need to tell our children that abstinence is the only certain way to avoid contracting HIV.

GUPTA: But experts warn against reliance on abstinence alone in the fight against AIDS.

DR. THOMAS COATES, UCSP: There's not one study that anybody can point to that shows that it has any benefit. Monogamy can be a good thing, but if people are going to engage in sexual relations, they also need to know how to take care of themselves.

GUPTA: To be clear, Wolf, about a third of all U.S. money going towards prevention is going towards abstinence only programs. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) a lot of money to be sure, $15 billion is what's committed over five years, but there is going to be a continued debate over this clash between science and ideology.

For the next week, Wolf, we hear to expect more stories about AIDS orphans. What is AIDS doing to an entire generation of people and how many orphans will be left in its wake?

We also expect to hear about the feminization of AIDS. More women than ever are getting AIDS and finally more and more about the protests and the activism. They're concerned about the generic drugs, they're concerned about abstinence versus condoms and most of all, Wolf, they're concerned about money. Back to you.

GUPTA (on camera): Still, for now, abstinence only programs will still continue to receive more than a third of all U.S. funds dedicated towards AIDS prevention. Overall, it's lots of money to be sure, but it's also sure to continue the debate linking ideology and science.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Bangkok.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well 'Heath Headlines' for you this morning.

A British study highlights more health problems for veterans of the first Gulf War. The study shows infertility and stillbirths are more common for veterans of that war than they are for other service members. Previous studies had shown no difference.

Like alcohol and cigarettes, getting a tan may be addictive. New research shows ultraviolet rays cause the body to release endorphins that can make you feel more relaxed and that's why people keep heading back to the beach and the tanning salon despite doctor's warnings.

For more on this or other health stories, head to our Web site. The address is CNN.com/health.

The thought of an on-the-job nap seems kind of good. Ahead on DAYBREAK, how one company is making all that possible, but it's going to cost you.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well sleep experts say a 20-minute nap is the perfect amount of time. They say a longer nap tends to leave you a bit groggy. Well when that sleepy feeling hits, folks working near the Empire State Building now have a place to catch some ZZZs.

Our Jeanne Moos takes us -- takes us napping.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When your head starts to droop, when your mouth starts to gape, maybe it's time to slip into something a little more comfortable.

(on camera) I wonder if people snore.

(voice-over): High above New York City in the Empire State Building, people are napping like peas in eight pods.

That's white noise. The pleasantly restful atmosphere feels like a cross between a gym and a funeral home.

Welcome to Metronaps.

ARSHAD CHOWDHURY, CO-FOUNDER, METRONAPS: Well, Metronaps is a place to power nap. It's a place where people can recharge.

MOOS: Cofounder Arshad Chowdhury offers 20-minute naps for $14. Some who have napped don't lose sleep over the price.

ALLEN JENNE, NAPPER: Nice doze. Twenty minutes is a nice doze.

MOOS (on camera): That's OK with you? Fourteen bucks?

JENNE: It's less than $1 a minute. What are you going to get for $1 a minute these days?

MOOS (voice-over): Parking, perhaps?

At Metronaps, they hand you a blanket...

(on camera) No napster has used this previously?

CHOWDHURY: Everything is cleaned after every user.

MOOS (voice-over): And tuck you in.

CHOWDHURY: The pod itself is designed to wake you up in about 20 minutes.

MOOS: It gently vibrates and the lights come on.

Some are so out of practice they need napping instructions.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I just lay? I feel like I'm in a spaceship.

MOOS: The sleeping modules in "2001: A Space Odyssey" were more advanced, but at least at Metronaps they don't murder you in your sleep as Hal, the computer, did in the movie.

The first Metronaps pod was designed by a team that specialized in racecars. It's like being under a hair dryer in a doublewide dentist chair that's capable of dizzying positions.

Metronaps' founders dreams of one day seeing their pods sprout all over.

CHOWDHURY: Airports, highway rest stops, in corporate offices, bus stations and train stations. Anywhere.

MOOS: Post-nap, nappers proceed to the wake station for towelettes and mints.

Our favorite Metronapping rule: pods are for single occupancy only.

But getting 40 winks in 20 minutes can be a challenge.

(on camera) How am I supposed to sleep if you're looking at me?

(voice-over): Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: I think I need to sleep on that one, not so sure.

Well ahead in the next hour of DAYBREAK, performance enhancing drugs, they are trickling down to grade school kids now. Ahead, how lawmakers are trying to stop that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: A deadly blast in Baghdad in one of the city's most heavily guarded areas.

It's Wednesday, July 14, and this is DAYBREAK.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com