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Pentagon Activates 40,000 More Troops for Iraq; Abu Ghraib Victim Describes Treatment; 'Arlington West' Tribute to Fallen Troops

Aired May 04, 2004 - 13:59   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.


KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to the second hour of LIVE FROM...
Ninety days won't do it, that's the conclusion of U.S. commanders in Iraq who have told the top brass they need a beefed up force well beyond the three extra months being asked of 20,000 troops who have already been in Iraq for a year. CNN's Kathleen Koch joins us from the Pentagon with details -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: ... for last month when they extended these 20,000 troops. They said that if the commanders in the region reach the decision that they needed to keep those troops longer, that they would activate other troops and they would keep their commitment to bringing those troops home.

In addition, I believe, it was 30 days or so, I'm not certain on that. But so who they are activating are some 37,000 National Guard and Reserve troops, bringing them to active duty, as well as some 5000 members of the Army active duty troops will be deployed to Iraq. Also some 5000 Marine active duty troops.

And the Defense Secretary spoke about that today at the debriefing.

And we were going to show you what Secretary Rumsfeld had to say about that. Now, of course, the secretary today also took a large number of questions about the continuing controversy over the alleged abuse that occurred at Abu Ghraib Prison. The secretary said he was stunned by all of it. He called it totally unacceptable and un- American.

He was faced with several questions about members of Congress who are very upset, very concerned that they hadn't been notified earlier about the extent of these alleged abuses. The secretary said he didn't know the scale at the time. But they had notified the entire public about this in January. Back to you.

PHILLIPS: Kathleen Koch live from the Pentagon. We apologize for those technical difficulties. We thank you for that report.

Let's talk more about what Donald Rumsfeld had to say. Also let's talk more about Abu Ghraib. The Senate is seething, the Pentagon's probing and the new commander is clamping down. Let's talk about more with some insights. For the latest developments, we turn to CNN military intelligence analyst, Ken Robinson. Ken, a lot of things we want to hit on. I guess, first of all, maybe we should talk about the fact of how quickly this information was turned when these allegations were made. We heard about it in less than 48 hours.

KEN ROBINSON, CNN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: That's my vote. Two things that struck me real quickly was Jamie McIntyre asked the smartest question which was specifically U.S. credibility, because this has been like an atomic bomb going off in the Arab world.

Secondly when the chain of command found out about it, they moved very rapidly, according to Secretary Rumsfeld, because from the time of notification to the time of an investigation was one day, and the time they told the world that the investigation was ongoing was just three days, it was probably less than that in actual time. So that's remarkable in terms of how fast they reacted which meant they recognized the seriousness of this.

PHILLIPS: All right let's talk about the fact that Donald Rumsfeld brought up the point, torture versus abuse. Are they the same thing? Do they mean two totally different things? And I want to reference a part of the Army's interrogation manual, the Field Manual, 3452, also it's in the Geneva Convention, laws of land warfare, that you have told me about, the ethics training; and that's the use of force, mental torture, threats, insults or exposure to unpleasant and inhumane treatment of any kind is prohibited by law and is neither authorized for condoned by the U.S. government. Experience indicates that the use of force is not necessary to gain the cooperation of sources for interrogation.

Now, I don't see abuse mentioned anywhere in there. But I do see torture?

ROBINSON: I don't even think it's healthy to even split hairs between those two words. I think I would focus on what Brigadier General Kimmitt said yesterday, which was, hey, it's wrong. Whatever it was, whoever they were, whatever training they received, any reasonable person would know that it was wrong.

And the -- as you say, the law of land warfare, the code of ethics, the Geneva Convention all spell those things out. But as a human being anyone would know what occurred there was wrong. It needs to be apologized for and the Department of Defense is clearly saying they're moving out in terms of doctrine, training and taking corrective action.

The problem is how do you convince that to the Arab street? It's a legitimacy issue, which was Jamie's question.

PHILLIPS: Secretary Rumsfeld saying that he is going to hold those accountable, those found guilty of breaking the code of military conduct. What could happen to those individuals -- if found guilty, what could happen?

ROBINSON: Well, what should happen is if they're found guilty, they should serve time in a nice prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. Those that are found administratively responsible, letters of reprimand, their careers will be ended because of that. A general officer -- letter of reprimand from a general officer, convening authority, the first general officer in their chain of command, that ends their career. But those who criminal charges are brought against and who courts martial finds them guilty, they'll spend time in Leavenworth.

PHILLIPS: Ken, we have heard from the Republican administration. Let's hear what Democratic (sic) Senator John McCain had to say earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: The Congress should have been notified of this situation a long time ago. It's a neglect of the responsibilities that Secretary Rumsfeld and civilian leaders at the Pentagon have to keep the Congress informed of an issue of this magnitude. We need to have a hearing as soon as possible with Secretary Rumsfeld testifying, and other service secretaries, if necessary, as to how this whole situation evolved, what action is being taken, and what further action needs to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence of this terrible situation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Bad mistake, Republican Senator McCain, forgive me, Ken. Let's talk about the fact that he raises the issue of holding a hearing. Is that the answer?

ROBINSON: Well, it's an answer for long-term issues involving things that are systemic. In other words, the thing that the secretary of defense spoke about, he said that they are working very quickly. They have the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve get involved. They did an investigation. They talked to their schoolhouses to check about doctrine. They went downrange and they reviewed military police procedures, intelligence procedures, to determine where there were problems.

And so far the only charges and the only letters of reprimand have been on the side of military police. We've not seen anything here yet that indicates that intelligence personnel are involved. Now, there is, according to -- there are two reports that are still due in. And one of them is involving the conduct of intelligence. So we'll see where that goes. But right now the one report that's in found criminal activity on the part of the soldiers whose pictures we've all seen.

PHILLIPS: CNN military intelligence analyst Ken Robinson, thanks so much. And Ken, you'll be back tomorrow. We're going to talk about interrogation approaches. Thanks, Ken.

ROBINSON: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: So far 13 U.S. troops have been hit with criminal charges or administrative penalties in the prison abuse debacle, but what about the prisoners? CNN's Ben Wedeman met one of the Iraqis depicted in those graphic photographs that shamed a nation and also stunned the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CAIRO BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): "That's me," says Haydar Sabbar Ali, prisoner 13077 at Abu Ghraib Prison. Coalition sources confirm to CNN, prisoner number 13077 was one of the seven naked men in these photographs.

"They cut off our clothing with knives," he recalls. "We're Muslims. We don't go naked in front of our families. But there we were, naked in front of American women and men."

As Haydar explains it, this was punishment for beating a prisoner they suspected of spying on them for the Americans. This ordeal, he says, went on for about four hours.

"They were cursing at us," he says. "If you talked, they hit you hard in sensitive places, in the kidney, in the chest, in the throat. Our bodies were full of bruises. They didn't let us out of the cells until all our wounds had healed." He said he was questioned by U.S. military intelligence after the incident and asked to describe those involved.

"There are other pictures," he says. "American intelligence has them, of dogs attacking us."

Abes (ph) claims he was also a prisoner at Abu Ghraib, but not in any of the photographs. He didn't want his face to appear on camera. "They would put the plastic cuffs on someone and leave him outside for hours in the rain, in the cold," he tells me. "They would humiliate them. And this was just punishment for simple things."

The family of Walid Ahmed Hehdi (ph), a prisoner in Abu Ghraib, has just seen the pictures of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Walid's mother, Bufeina (ph), says one of the pictures was particularly disturbing.

"I felt as if this was Jesus crucified," she says. "I thought, that could be my son."

For Iraqi human rights activists, the situation in Abu Ghraib may be just the tip of the iceberg. Says this activist: "There is no oversight on what is going on in the prisons, especially in Abu Ghraib, but also in other prisons around the country. In all those prisons, they do what they want."

Coalition officials say they take this matter extremely seriously and are conducting several investigations into the operations of the prison. The Iraqi Governing Council is now demanding that Iraqi judges be present when Americans interrogate prisoners and that Iraqi officials have free access to all American detention centers.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: Anticipating a heck of a homecoming, former captive American Thomas Hamill is in Germany being treated for a gunshot wound that he received when he was taken captive in Iraq, waiting for his wife to arrive.

He spoke publicly today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS HAMILL, FORMER IRAQI PRISONER: I am feeling well and having few problems with my injury. I would like everyone to know that (AUDIO GAP) and I am looking forward to reuniting with my wife in the morning and thank you so very much and God bless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Hamill says he's looking forward to getting back home to Macon, Mississippi, and as you can imagine, the residents there are thrilled and eagerly awaiting his return. But a short drive away, another family is dealing with a very different ending to their connection to Iraq.

Our national correspondent Bob Franken brings us the stories of both.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two front page stories from Iraq in the local paper. One describes Tommy Hamill's escape from captivity, and the exhilarating relief back home in Macon, Mississippi.

KELLIE HAMILL, WIFE OF ESCAPED HOSTAGE: I want to let you know, I spoke with my husband. He's fine. He's doing well.

FRANKEN: Less than 40 miles away in Columbus, Mississippi, the other story of another family and the knock on the door with crushing news.

JIM DAYTON, FATHER OF JEFF DAYTON: Sergeants came in and told me about Jeff, I mean, my heart just felt like it was going to explode.

FRANKEN: Sergeant Jeff Dayton was another of the hundreds killed in Iraq. His life now searingly painful memories of letters, pictures.

JIM DAYTON: I'll never get to talk to him again, I'll never get to hug him. And it's just a helpless feeling.

JEREMY DAYTON, BROTHER OF JEFF DAYTON: I'm still in disbelief that it even happened. It's -- when I first found out, I just -- I couldn't imagine going on.

FRANKEN: Jeff was a hero to his younger brother Jeremy. The family is trying to cope with his loss by telling the world how proud they were of him, they are of him, yet embracing the spirit of the celebration down the road.

JEREMY DAYTON: It feels good knowing that some people can get some relief.

FRANKEN: But now the first questions are registering.

JIM DAYTON: Once you lose a son, I know it's funny, you have to think, gee, you feel helpless and it's almost senseless.

FRANKEN (on camera): Here in Macon, they celebrate Tommy Hamill's future. But just a short drive away in Columbus, another military family must try and celebrate the past.

Bob Franken, CNN, Macon, Mississippi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Now some headlines from across America. In Portland, Oregon, a lawsuit filed by a Canadian man claims alleges the U.S. Army falsely imprisoned, tortured and injured him in Iraq. The civilian had gone there with a peace group before the U.S.-led invasion. He says U.S. troops arrested him a month into the war, accusing him of aiding Saddam Hussein. He charges that they beat him and saw him -- or saw them torture Iraqis.

In Richmond, Texas, a man who saw the film "The Passion of the Christ" and later confessed to killing a friend, has now pleaded not guilty. Police say Dan Leach told them in March that he had hanged a 19-year-old woman in her apartment.

Southern California's wildfire season is off to an ugly start. Firefighters struggling to contain three major blazes, the largest has charred 5000 acres and driven residents from more than 3000 homes near Corona. A man has been charged with setting that fire.

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, a sobering day at the beach.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're dead. They have mothers. They're people that believe -- they're people that believe in our freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: One man's monument in the sand provokes some strong reaction.

And Al Gore on the air? The former vice president gets into the cable news business. Details on that deal ahead.

And are you on the road to romance? It depends on whether you have the "ultimate driving machine," just ask the owner of these hot wheels.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MCCAIN: I will remember that his family and his country lost a good man. But I will also remember that while many of us may be blessed to live a longer life than he did, few of us, few of us will ever live a better one. And I will celebrate and encourage my children to celebrate the brief, brave and happy life of Pat Tillman, a most honorable man.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Arizona Senator John McCain paying his respects at a memorial service for Tillman. Some 3000 people including celebrities, politicians, family and friends were on hand in San Jose for that tribute. Tillman, as you may remember, walked away from a multimillion dollar NFL contract to join the Army Rangers. He was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan last month.

There are countless opinions about the war in Iraq. But the one thing almost all Americans agree on is support for the troops. A California man has come up with a unique memorial to honor America's fallen heroes. Our Miguel Marquez takes a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It has become a Sunday morning ritual.

STEPHEN SHERILL, CREATOR, ARLINGTON WEST: First and foremost, above all else, it is to honor and memorialize those who have given their lives in service to our country. It is also a wake-up call.

MARQUEZ: Part memorial, part protest, it is the passion of Stephen Sherill. One cross for every American servicewoman and man killed in Iraq. On this Sunday, there are 747.

SHERILL: It seems to cut to all social strata, rich, poor, young, old, white, black, brown, Democrat, Republican, it hits everyone equally.

LORRAINE ELEAUT, WRITER: They're dead. They have mothers. They're people that believe in our freedom.

MARQUEZ: Though Sherill, a building contractor, never served in the military, every Sunday since November he's had help from those who did.

RICHARD NELSON, WORLD WAR II VETERAN: I was in Company G, 36th Armored Regiment of the 3rd Armored Division.

MARQUEZ: In World War II, Richard Nelson fought his way across Europe. He says he saw things no one should see. And planting crosses 60 years later is a little like therapy.

NELSON: You try to stuff all that stuff, all these years. It doesn't work. So that's the way it is.

MARQUEZ: Nelson is a member of Veterans for Peace. The group has taken up Sherill's cause as its own.

LANE ANDERSON, VIETNAM VETERAN: Even if the war was a mistake, even if the war was wrong, even if wrong things are done in warfare, it is not the fault of the soldiers doing it.

MARQUEZ: Anderson served in Vietnam. He helps place the crosses, the names of the dead are attached to each and donated flowers are placed at their bases. Loved ones of those killed in Iraq sometimes make their way to the beach and leave personal touches behind. They call it "Arlington West," a reference to the national cemetery outside Washington, D.C. The only question now, how long will the ritual continue?

ANDERSON: We can't quit any more than it seems like our commander-in-chief can quit.

MARQUEZ: So every Sunday as the sun rises, the crosses go up. There is talk that if the number of dead Americans hits 1000, no more crosses beyond that will be built, it's a decision they hope never to make.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Santa Barbara, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Well, all eyes were on the Federal Reserve. Now this just in, we're being told it has kept the key short-term interest rate at 1 percent. It will remain unchanged.

Now, in other news around the world, moon-gazers on five continents may be howling with delight for tonight's lunar eclipse. It will be visible to sky watchers in Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. But people in North America won't be able to see it.

Revving up for a celebration, one of the world's most famous carmakers is making a milestone. One hundred years ago today, Charles Rolls shook hands with Henry Royce. There we go. I got it now. And an industrial legend was born. Rolls Royce, of course. That company says their work ethic is the same, strive for perfection.

Well talk about your hot wheels. I was getting all tongue-tied because of this story. A new survey could give BMW driver a new reason to stick their keys in the ignition, so to speak. They have more sex. According to a survey of almost 3000 drivers, those behind the wheel of BMWs have sex an average of 2.2 times a week. I guess they don't call them Beamers for nothing. Drivers of Mercedes and Porsches only have sex about 1 1/2 times a week.

A warehouse discovery turning into evidence in the Michael Jackson case, find out why a New Jersey warehouse owner is turning over underwear to investigators.

JEN ROGERS, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jen Rogers in Los Angeles. I'll tell you why Al Gore is adding television executive to his resume. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Al Gore is now in the cable TV news business. He heads a group of investors that just purchased Newsworld International from Vivendi Universal Entertainment. Our Jen Rogers is covering that story, joining us now live from Los Angeles -- Jen.

ROGERS: That's right, Kyra. Watch out Rupert Murdoch and Michael Eisner, Al Gore made his first steps today toward media mogul status. The former vice president is no longer content just making the news, he's buying the news, as you said, Newsworld International, to be exact.

Now financial terms of the deal between Gore and his investors and former Newsworld owner, Vivendi Universal, were not announced. But as cable channels go, Newsworld is relatively small, seen in just about 17 million homes across the United States right now.

Now in statement, Gore, who will serve as chairman of the board, said a new channel is designed for young men and women who want to know more about their world. The target audience is said to be 18- to 34-year-olds.

Now a deal has been rumored for some time that Gore was interested in starting a liberal-leaning news channel. Now at a press conference earlier today, which you see pictures pf, Gore is quoted by the Associated Press as saying, this is not going to be a liberal network. Now Gore, of course, brings his political experience to the job, but also a journalism background, in fact, the one-time presidential candidate also worked as a reporter before entering the political fray -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Jen Rogers, we will be following it, thank you.

(MARKET REPORT)

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Aired May 4, 2004 - 13:59   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to the second hour of LIVE FROM...
Ninety days won't do it, that's the conclusion of U.S. commanders in Iraq who have told the top brass they need a beefed up force well beyond the three extra months being asked of 20,000 troops who have already been in Iraq for a year. CNN's Kathleen Koch joins us from the Pentagon with details -- Kathleen.

KATHLEEN KOCH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: ... for last month when they extended these 20,000 troops. They said that if the commanders in the region reach the decision that they needed to keep those troops longer, that they would activate other troops and they would keep their commitment to bringing those troops home.

In addition, I believe, it was 30 days or so, I'm not certain on that. But so who they are activating are some 37,000 National Guard and Reserve troops, bringing them to active duty, as well as some 5000 members of the Army active duty troops will be deployed to Iraq. Also some 5000 Marine active duty troops.

And the Defense Secretary spoke about that today at the debriefing.

And we were going to show you what Secretary Rumsfeld had to say about that. Now, of course, the secretary today also took a large number of questions about the continuing controversy over the alleged abuse that occurred at Abu Ghraib Prison. The secretary said he was stunned by all of it. He called it totally unacceptable and un- American.

He was faced with several questions about members of Congress who are very upset, very concerned that they hadn't been notified earlier about the extent of these alleged abuses. The secretary said he didn't know the scale at the time. But they had notified the entire public about this in January. Back to you.

PHILLIPS: Kathleen Koch live from the Pentagon. We apologize for those technical difficulties. We thank you for that report.

Let's talk more about what Donald Rumsfeld had to say. Also let's talk more about Abu Ghraib. The Senate is seething, the Pentagon's probing and the new commander is clamping down. Let's talk about more with some insights. For the latest developments, we turn to CNN military intelligence analyst, Ken Robinson. Ken, a lot of things we want to hit on. I guess, first of all, maybe we should talk about the fact of how quickly this information was turned when these allegations were made. We heard about it in less than 48 hours.

KEN ROBINSON, CNN MILITARY INTELLIGENCE ANALYST: That's my vote. Two things that struck me real quickly was Jamie McIntyre asked the smartest question which was specifically U.S. credibility, because this has been like an atomic bomb going off in the Arab world.

Secondly when the chain of command found out about it, they moved very rapidly, according to Secretary Rumsfeld, because from the time of notification to the time of an investigation was one day, and the time they told the world that the investigation was ongoing was just three days, it was probably less than that in actual time. So that's remarkable in terms of how fast they reacted which meant they recognized the seriousness of this.

PHILLIPS: All right let's talk about the fact that Donald Rumsfeld brought up the point, torture versus abuse. Are they the same thing? Do they mean two totally different things? And I want to reference a part of the Army's interrogation manual, the Field Manual, 3452, also it's in the Geneva Convention, laws of land warfare, that you have told me about, the ethics training; and that's the use of force, mental torture, threats, insults or exposure to unpleasant and inhumane treatment of any kind is prohibited by law and is neither authorized for condoned by the U.S. government. Experience indicates that the use of force is not necessary to gain the cooperation of sources for interrogation.

Now, I don't see abuse mentioned anywhere in there. But I do see torture?

ROBINSON: I don't even think it's healthy to even split hairs between those two words. I think I would focus on what Brigadier General Kimmitt said yesterday, which was, hey, it's wrong. Whatever it was, whoever they were, whatever training they received, any reasonable person would know that it was wrong.

And the -- as you say, the law of land warfare, the code of ethics, the Geneva Convention all spell those things out. But as a human being anyone would know what occurred there was wrong. It needs to be apologized for and the Department of Defense is clearly saying they're moving out in terms of doctrine, training and taking corrective action.

The problem is how do you convince that to the Arab street? It's a legitimacy issue, which was Jamie's question.

PHILLIPS: Secretary Rumsfeld saying that he is going to hold those accountable, those found guilty of breaking the code of military conduct. What could happen to those individuals -- if found guilty, what could happen?

ROBINSON: Well, what should happen is if they're found guilty, they should serve time in a nice prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. Those that are found administratively responsible, letters of reprimand, their careers will be ended because of that. A general officer -- letter of reprimand from a general officer, convening authority, the first general officer in their chain of command, that ends their career. But those who criminal charges are brought against and who courts martial finds them guilty, they'll spend time in Leavenworth.

PHILLIPS: Ken, we have heard from the Republican administration. Let's hear what Democratic (sic) Senator John McCain had to say earlier.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: The Congress should have been notified of this situation a long time ago. It's a neglect of the responsibilities that Secretary Rumsfeld and civilian leaders at the Pentagon have to keep the Congress informed of an issue of this magnitude. We need to have a hearing as soon as possible with Secretary Rumsfeld testifying, and other service secretaries, if necessary, as to how this whole situation evolved, what action is being taken, and what further action needs to be taken to prevent a reoccurrence of this terrible situation.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Bad mistake, Republican Senator McCain, forgive me, Ken. Let's talk about the fact that he raises the issue of holding a hearing. Is that the answer?

ROBINSON: Well, it's an answer for long-term issues involving things that are systemic. In other words, the thing that the secretary of defense spoke about, he said that they are working very quickly. They have the Office of the Chief of Army Reserve get involved. They did an investigation. They talked to their schoolhouses to check about doctrine. They went downrange and they reviewed military police procedures, intelligence procedures, to determine where there were problems.

And so far the only charges and the only letters of reprimand have been on the side of military police. We've not seen anything here yet that indicates that intelligence personnel are involved. Now, there is, according to -- there are two reports that are still due in. And one of them is involving the conduct of intelligence. So we'll see where that goes. But right now the one report that's in found criminal activity on the part of the soldiers whose pictures we've all seen.

PHILLIPS: CNN military intelligence analyst Ken Robinson, thanks so much. And Ken, you'll be back tomorrow. We're going to talk about interrogation approaches. Thanks, Ken.

ROBINSON: Thank you.

PHILLIPS: So far 13 U.S. troops have been hit with criminal charges or administrative penalties in the prison abuse debacle, but what about the prisoners? CNN's Ben Wedeman met one of the Iraqis depicted in those graphic photographs that shamed a nation and also stunned the world.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CAIRO BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): "That's me," says Haydar Sabbar Ali, prisoner 13077 at Abu Ghraib Prison. Coalition sources confirm to CNN, prisoner number 13077 was one of the seven naked men in these photographs.

"They cut off our clothing with knives," he recalls. "We're Muslims. We don't go naked in front of our families. But there we were, naked in front of American women and men."

As Haydar explains it, this was punishment for beating a prisoner they suspected of spying on them for the Americans. This ordeal, he says, went on for about four hours.

"They were cursing at us," he says. "If you talked, they hit you hard in sensitive places, in the kidney, in the chest, in the throat. Our bodies were full of bruises. They didn't let us out of the cells until all our wounds had healed." He said he was questioned by U.S. military intelligence after the incident and asked to describe those involved.

"There are other pictures," he says. "American intelligence has them, of dogs attacking us."

Abes (ph) claims he was also a prisoner at Abu Ghraib, but not in any of the photographs. He didn't want his face to appear on camera. "They would put the plastic cuffs on someone and leave him outside for hours in the rain, in the cold," he tells me. "They would humiliate them. And this was just punishment for simple things."

The family of Walid Ahmed Hehdi (ph), a prisoner in Abu Ghraib, has just seen the pictures of alleged abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers. Walid's mother, Bufeina (ph), says one of the pictures was particularly disturbing.

"I felt as if this was Jesus crucified," she says. "I thought, that could be my son."

For Iraqi human rights activists, the situation in Abu Ghraib may be just the tip of the iceberg. Says this activist: "There is no oversight on what is going on in the prisons, especially in Abu Ghraib, but also in other prisons around the country. In all those prisons, they do what they want."

Coalition officials say they take this matter extremely seriously and are conducting several investigations into the operations of the prison. The Iraqi Governing Council is now demanding that Iraqi judges be present when Americans interrogate prisoners and that Iraqi officials have free access to all American detention centers.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, Baghdad.

(END VIDEOTAPE) PHILLIPS: Anticipating a heck of a homecoming, former captive American Thomas Hamill is in Germany being treated for a gunshot wound that he received when he was taken captive in Iraq, waiting for his wife to arrive.

He spoke publicly today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

THOMAS HAMILL, FORMER IRAQI PRISONER: I am feeling well and having few problems with my injury. I would like everyone to know that (AUDIO GAP) and I am looking forward to reuniting with my wife in the morning and thank you so very much and God bless.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PHILLIPS: Hamill says he's looking forward to getting back home to Macon, Mississippi, and as you can imagine, the residents there are thrilled and eagerly awaiting his return. But a short drive away, another family is dealing with a very different ending to their connection to Iraq.

Our national correspondent Bob Franken brings us the stories of both.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Two front page stories from Iraq in the local paper. One describes Tommy Hamill's escape from captivity, and the exhilarating relief back home in Macon, Mississippi.

KELLIE HAMILL, WIFE OF ESCAPED HOSTAGE: I want to let you know, I spoke with my husband. He's fine. He's doing well.

FRANKEN: Less than 40 miles away in Columbus, Mississippi, the other story of another family and the knock on the door with crushing news.

JIM DAYTON, FATHER OF JEFF DAYTON: Sergeants came in and told me about Jeff, I mean, my heart just felt like it was going to explode.

FRANKEN: Sergeant Jeff Dayton was another of the hundreds killed in Iraq. His life now searingly painful memories of letters, pictures.

JIM DAYTON: I'll never get to talk to him again, I'll never get to hug him. And it's just a helpless feeling.

JEREMY DAYTON, BROTHER OF JEFF DAYTON: I'm still in disbelief that it even happened. It's -- when I first found out, I just -- I couldn't imagine going on.

FRANKEN: Jeff was a hero to his younger brother Jeremy. The family is trying to cope with his loss by telling the world how proud they were of him, they are of him, yet embracing the spirit of the celebration down the road.

JEREMY DAYTON: It feels good knowing that some people can get some relief.

FRANKEN: But now the first questions are registering.

JIM DAYTON: Once you lose a son, I know it's funny, you have to think, gee, you feel helpless and it's almost senseless.

FRANKEN (on camera): Here in Macon, they celebrate Tommy Hamill's future. But just a short drive away in Columbus, another military family must try and celebrate the past.

Bob Franken, CNN, Macon, Mississippi.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Now some headlines from across America. In Portland, Oregon, a lawsuit filed by a Canadian man claims alleges the U.S. Army falsely imprisoned, tortured and injured him in Iraq. The civilian had gone there with a peace group before the U.S.-led invasion. He says U.S. troops arrested him a month into the war, accusing him of aiding Saddam Hussein. He charges that they beat him and saw him -- or saw them torture Iraqis.

In Richmond, Texas, a man who saw the film "The Passion of the Christ" and later confessed to killing a friend, has now pleaded not guilty. Police say Dan Leach told them in March that he had hanged a 19-year-old woman in her apartment.

Southern California's wildfire season is off to an ugly start. Firefighters struggling to contain three major blazes, the largest has charred 5000 acres and driven residents from more than 3000 homes near Corona. A man has been charged with setting that fire.

PHILLIPS: Straight ahead, a sobering day at the beach.

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UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They're dead. They have mothers. They're people that believe -- they're people that believe in our freedom.

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PHILLIPS: One man's monument in the sand provokes some strong reaction.

And Al Gore on the air? The former vice president gets into the cable news business. Details on that deal ahead.

And are you on the road to romance? It depends on whether you have the "ultimate driving machine," just ask the owner of these hot wheels.

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MCCAIN: I will remember that his family and his country lost a good man. But I will also remember that while many of us may be blessed to live a longer life than he did, few of us, few of us will ever live a better one. And I will celebrate and encourage my children to celebrate the brief, brave and happy life of Pat Tillman, a most honorable man.

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PHILLIPS: Arizona Senator John McCain paying his respects at a memorial service for Tillman. Some 3000 people including celebrities, politicians, family and friends were on hand in San Jose for that tribute. Tillman, as you may remember, walked away from a multimillion dollar NFL contract to join the Army Rangers. He was killed in a firefight in Afghanistan last month.

There are countless opinions about the war in Iraq. But the one thing almost all Americans agree on is support for the troops. A California man has come up with a unique memorial to honor America's fallen heroes. Our Miguel Marquez takes a look.

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MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It has become a Sunday morning ritual.

STEPHEN SHERILL, CREATOR, ARLINGTON WEST: First and foremost, above all else, it is to honor and memorialize those who have given their lives in service to our country. It is also a wake-up call.

MARQUEZ: Part memorial, part protest, it is the passion of Stephen Sherill. One cross for every American servicewoman and man killed in Iraq. On this Sunday, there are 747.

SHERILL: It seems to cut to all social strata, rich, poor, young, old, white, black, brown, Democrat, Republican, it hits everyone equally.

LORRAINE ELEAUT, WRITER: They're dead. They have mothers. They're people that believe in our freedom.

MARQUEZ: Though Sherill, a building contractor, never served in the military, every Sunday since November he's had help from those who did.

RICHARD NELSON, WORLD WAR II VETERAN: I was in Company G, 36th Armored Regiment of the 3rd Armored Division.

MARQUEZ: In World War II, Richard Nelson fought his way across Europe. He says he saw things no one should see. And planting crosses 60 years later is a little like therapy.

NELSON: You try to stuff all that stuff, all these years. It doesn't work. So that's the way it is.

MARQUEZ: Nelson is a member of Veterans for Peace. The group has taken up Sherill's cause as its own.

LANE ANDERSON, VIETNAM VETERAN: Even if the war was a mistake, even if the war was wrong, even if wrong things are done in warfare, it is not the fault of the soldiers doing it.

MARQUEZ: Anderson served in Vietnam. He helps place the crosses, the names of the dead are attached to each and donated flowers are placed at their bases. Loved ones of those killed in Iraq sometimes make their way to the beach and leave personal touches behind. They call it "Arlington West," a reference to the national cemetery outside Washington, D.C. The only question now, how long will the ritual continue?

ANDERSON: We can't quit any more than it seems like our commander-in-chief can quit.

MARQUEZ: So every Sunday as the sun rises, the crosses go up. There is talk that if the number of dead Americans hits 1000, no more crosses beyond that will be built, it's a decision they hope never to make.

Miguel Marquez, CNN, Santa Barbara, California.

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PHILLIPS: Well, all eyes were on the Federal Reserve. Now this just in, we're being told it has kept the key short-term interest rate at 1 percent. It will remain unchanged.

Now, in other news around the world, moon-gazers on five continents may be howling with delight for tonight's lunar eclipse. It will be visible to sky watchers in Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. But people in North America won't be able to see it.

Revving up for a celebration, one of the world's most famous carmakers is making a milestone. One hundred years ago today, Charles Rolls shook hands with Henry Royce. There we go. I got it now. And an industrial legend was born. Rolls Royce, of course. That company says their work ethic is the same, strive for perfection.

Well talk about your hot wheels. I was getting all tongue-tied because of this story. A new survey could give BMW driver a new reason to stick their keys in the ignition, so to speak. They have more sex. According to a survey of almost 3000 drivers, those behind the wheel of BMWs have sex an average of 2.2 times a week. I guess they don't call them Beamers for nothing. Drivers of Mercedes and Porsches only have sex about 1 1/2 times a week.

A warehouse discovery turning into evidence in the Michael Jackson case, find out why a New Jersey warehouse owner is turning over underwear to investigators.

JEN ROGERS, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: I'm Jen Rogers in Los Angeles. I'll tell you why Al Gore is adding television executive to his resume. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Al Gore is now in the cable TV news business. He heads a group of investors that just purchased Newsworld International from Vivendi Universal Entertainment. Our Jen Rogers is covering that story, joining us now live from Los Angeles -- Jen.

ROGERS: That's right, Kyra. Watch out Rupert Murdoch and Michael Eisner, Al Gore made his first steps today toward media mogul status. The former vice president is no longer content just making the news, he's buying the news, as you said, Newsworld International, to be exact.

Now financial terms of the deal between Gore and his investors and former Newsworld owner, Vivendi Universal, were not announced. But as cable channels go, Newsworld is relatively small, seen in just about 17 million homes across the United States right now.

Now in statement, Gore, who will serve as chairman of the board, said a new channel is designed for young men and women who want to know more about their world. The target audience is said to be 18- to 34-year-olds.

Now a deal has been rumored for some time that Gore was interested in starting a liberal-leaning news channel. Now at a press conference earlier today, which you see pictures pf, Gore is quoted by the Associated Press as saying, this is not going to be a liberal network. Now Gore, of course, brings his political experience to the job, but also a journalism background, in fact, the one-time presidential candidate also worked as a reporter before entering the political fray -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Jen Rogers, we will be following it, thank you.

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