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Documentary Follows Insurgents; Olympic Women's Figure Skating Update; Celebrities Show Charity

Aired February 21, 2006 - 14:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Roadside bombings, suicide attacks, kidnappings, all the work of the evolving insurgency in Iraq. Tonight "Frontline" is airing a chilling documentary, interviews and never before seen video of insurgents and their followers to provide a better understanding who these people are and why they do what they do.

The project was extremely risky. One journalist, Michael Ware, talks about an encounter he thought would be his last.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHAEL WARE, TIME JOURNALIST: They had live grenades and they pulled the pins and were holding them to me. I thought that was it, that was over. I know what happens to foreigners once they're in the hands of Zarqawi's people. This wasn't until the very end that through gritted teeth, after saying, you bring a westerner here and you expect us to let him leave alive that the Zarqawi people, gritting their teeth, said, fine you can have him. Take him. Get out.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Because of the dangers, the journalists sometimes had to give their camera to an intermediary to get their video. Matt Haan co-produced "The Insurgency" and he joins me from London.

Matt, good to talk to you. I have to ask you, first of all, a note on the news of the day, we're reporting here on the network of a coalition forces finding just this warehouse, essentially, just southwest of Baghdad where they found all kind of materials for making IEDs and the like. Was there a moment in the piece that we can show you right now where you found home-made missile launchers? Did you ever come across factories for making these missiles or these IEDs?

MATT HAAN, PRODUCER, "THE INSURGENCY": No, we didn't ourselves. But the footage that you're seeing there is from Michael Ware. He was able to film with these guys at the very beginning of the insurgency. And it's quite remarkable footage because what you've seen there is essentially something which is now used by many insurgent groups just from that small beginning which Michael was able to film. It's now spread throughout the insurgency.

HARRIS: Matt, just a quick -- maybe a couple of true/false questions. The size of the insurgency and its complexity. Has it grown over the years of this war?

HAAN: Yes. I think it has from the beginning, where it started off as being estimated at about three to 5,000 members. But now, in the last year, we're looking at about 15,000 to 20,000 members. So it's increased quite incredibly. What is remarkable is that even though we seem to be hearing or seeing that 2,000 to 3,000 insurgents are captured or killed every month, the numbers don't seem to be diminishing.

HARRIS: True/false, nearly 80 percent of all the attacks occur in Sunni dominated central Iraq?

HAAN: I'd say that's probably true in terms of the Sunni insurgency yes.

HARRIS: What do you consider this -- you've been on the ground, you've watched this. Is this a war that is going on in Iraq or is it more of a police action?

HAAN: Definitely seems to be a war when we were there. I think, A, from the aspect of the number of attacks per day. They say there are about 70 a day. But, also, the way that the U.S. and Iraqi forces are operating. They're taking it seriously like a war. Doesn't seem to be just policing the country.

HARRIS: Matt, in your estimates, are there enough troops on the ground to handle what's going on there?

HAAN: I think that would probably be one of the most difficult things for the coalition over there, is they haven't had enough troops there to be able to cover the whole ground. When we spoke to people over there, it seemed, for example, in Tal Afar, where the insurgency was left to its own devices for quite a long time, it was only when the U.S. and coalition forces decided to actually concentrate their efforts that way. They were able to do something. But in the meantime, they'd had almost a year without interruption.

HARRIS: Matt, I want you to listen to this and then respond for us. Here is a had the couple of fighters. Answering a question about their ability to launch attacks.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Brother, we are citizens of this town. We have our businesses in the city. Our shops. Our families. We move around and travel just as everybody else does.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Matt, that's a response to the question of how is it that these fighters are able to operate so freely in these cities.

HAAN: Yes, that's right. I mean, that's the footage which we're able to gather when we were over there. We spoke to various people, contacts, intermediaries, who then informed us that they would be able to reach these type of people. These are actually al Qaeda operatives, or they claim to be.

We passed them a camera and questions and, said, OK, can you get to them, speak to them and see what you can achieve? This is what came back. It's quite remarkable when you watch the whole footage, which you'll see in the film tonight. There just seems to be, I suppose, a sense they can operate as they please. This is in Ramadi just before a U.S. attack. They're on the streets, operating very freely.

HARRIS: Another piece of sound from the film tonight. Here's a commander for a nationalist resistance group talking about the insurgency.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who are you? .

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): My named is Abu Mohammed. I represent the Iraqi National Resistance. Resistance is a natural reaction to any occupation. All occupations in history face the resistance.

Occupation is not for developing people and making them better. It is for humiliating people and chaining them and taking their freedom and fortunes away. These are my convictions that make me feel that this occupation is an insult to me and my people.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HARRIS: Matt, how widespread is that sentiment?

HAAN: I think quite widespread amongst the Iraqis within the -- that they were national resistance there, but within the insurgency. They feel that the -- what they perceive as the occupation is an insult to them, to their country, to what they want to do.

And I think it's one of the biggest unifying forces amongst the whole of the insurgency, is this idea of an occupation that they feel is happening within their country, not how we've looked at it over here as being a liberation.

HARRIS: OK. One final question. I'm curious as to what kind of a job you think -- big media is doing in telling this story from the perspective of average Iraqis who must be frustrated, A, in the insurgency, and, then, B, in the occupation.

HAAN: I think that's probably one of the biggest tasks that the media have. Because it's so hard to be able to get out there, to get into -- to speak to these people, to be able to operate within Iraq because the dangers are so high.

When you look at the number of journalists who have died in Iraq, it's more than the whole of the Vietnam War. So I think that's a hard task, but they seem to be getting some sense. In particular, some of the journalists that we concentrated on in this film are doing a really good job getting out the message what is happening in Iraq on both sides of the war.

HARRIS: Matt Haan, co-producer of "The Insurgency," tonight on PBS, on the program "Frontline." It is riveting television and folks should watch it. Matt, thanks for your time.

HAAN: Thank you.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Speaking of riveting television, in the Olympic spotlight, a sport of jumps, spins and elegance on top of all of that. It is the women's turn to shine, and America's hoping a 21-year-old figure skater will lead the way. There she is. We'll take a closer look at Sasha Cohen and her competition next.

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NGUYEN: There is upset on the oval. Cheered on by the home crowd, Italy's Enrico Fabris raced to gold today in the men's 1500. In the process, he broke the American's hold on the individual skating events, leaving heavy favorites Shani Davis and teammate rival Chad Hedrick with silver and bronze. America's Joey Cheek finished ninth.

Well, there's no pressure for the U.S. men's hockey team. They play Russia later today, and win or lose, they play Finland in the quarterfinals.

It's silver for U.S. bobsledders Shauna Rohbock and Valerie Fleming. They couldn't quite catch Germany's one sled today. Italy won and took the bronze.

On central ice tonight, one of the most popular competitions, women's figure skating. America's hopes rest primarily on a graceful 21-year-old who for years has been skating in the shadow of Michelle Kwan.

CNN's Larry Smith has more from Torino.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LARRY SMITH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sasha Cohen. She's the new darling of American figure skating. The 21-year-old has been called the world's most gifted skater, and may be ready to strike gold in her second Olympics.

SASHA COHEN, U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPION: I'm coming in, you know, as a much more experienced athlete, person. I've learned how to handle myself in competition, and I've learned how to better prepare, physically, emotionally, mentally for competitions.

SMITH: But Cohen she has a reputation of coming up short on the big stage. Before skating to the U.S. nationals crown last month, a competition Michelle Kwan also missed due to injury, Cohen had never won a major world or national title, earning her the nickname the "Silver Bell."

COHEN: Trough experience, you learn what works and what doesn't work. You learn what thoughts to think and what not to think. Just to let things bounce off, let the emotions aside and just to work hard.

BRIAN BOITANO, 1988 OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALLIST: This will be the true test. All the pressure's going to be focused on to her as Michelle Kwan's not in the competition. So now, everything's going to be on Sasha's -- everybody is going to think that Sasha is the only opportunity that we'll have for a Gold medal and possibly a medal, even.

COHEN: I have many goals in my life in skating. And I'd love a national title, a world title, and Olympic title. See if we can knock all three out this year.

SMITH: Yet even as Cohen emerges from Michelle Kwan's shadow, she has been dwarfed by the media attention focused on Kwan's replacement, Emily Hughes. Hughes paid close attention four years ago in Salt Lake City when big sister Sarah surprised all to win figure skating gold.

EMILY HUGHES, FIGURE SKATER: Whenever I got to experience the Olympics, being on the outside, and now that I'm going to skate and she's on the outside, I think that helped me coming into this Olympics.

MICHELLE KWAN, SILVER & BRONZE MEDALLIST: She'll make the country proud. I'm sure she's been working really hard, running through her programs. And she's ready.

HUGHES: I'm definitely a different person than Sarah is. But you know, she's my sister and everyone is going to compare us sooner or later. So, you know, I don't think it's too bad being compared to an Olympic gold medallist.

SMITH: The Americans will have to find a way to shine brighter than Russian star Irina Slutskaya. The woman who now took silver in Salt Lake is now the heavy favorite to join countrymen Evgeni Plushenko, who dominated the men's competition last week as Olympic champion.

BOITANO: She's really the woman to beat. She's aggressive. She has -- she's a veteran at the sport. And yet, she knows what to expect and knows how to handle it. I would say that Slutskaya is the Plushenko of the women's side.

SMITH (on camera): Let's not forget about 16-year-old Kimmie Meissner of the United States, one the youngest athletes in these games. While she is not expected to make her mark until Vancouver in 2010, she is just the second American woman ever to perform a triple axle. And landing one of those could land her on the podium, as well.

Larry Smith, CNN, Torino.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: How about this? A food flap in Olympic village. In a land known for its cuisine, many athletes are walking away hungry? They say it's not just that the food is tasteless and often cold, but there aren't enough of the foods athletes need such as high fiber breads and vegetables.

After one unsatisfying meal America bobsledder Vonetta Flowers joked, that well, the banana was good. And a Polish bobsledder was heard wishing for McDonald's? Managers of the cafeteria say Olympians shouldn't expect gourmet quality since they're catering to more than 1,000 athletes. Take that.

Straight ahead, entertainment news with A.J. Hammer of "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." There is he. A.J., good to see you. What's on tap?

A.J. HAMMER, "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT": Nice to see you. You want your athletes and your television hosts well fed, don't you, Tony?

HARRIS: That's right. You do. You do.

HAMMER: Well, coming up, two musical legends take the stage together for a great cause. And U2's Bono, it's looking like he's going to have to buy a new guitar after what he plans to do. We've got that and more. LIVE FROM continues.

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NGUYEN: Those snazzy shots in B control. Well, mushing was a must-see at the movies this weekend, and two Las Vegas headliners unite for a good cause.

CNN's A.J. Hammer joins me now from New York with today's entertainment news. A lot on your hands today, A.J.

HAMMER: A lot on my hands, and yes, mushing big over the weekend, Betty. Walt Disney Pictures' "Eight Below" certainly raised the temperature at the box office over the extra-long President's Day weekend.

The family-friendly flick, which is inspired by a true story, follows a group of scientists who are forced to leave behind their beloved team of sled dogs after a sudden accident while exploring the extreme wilderness of Antarctica.

Well the film pulled in better than expected numbers over the weekend. It topped the box office with an estimated $25 million. That makes it the fourth biggest debut during the holiday frame and it's a personal best for the director of this film, Frank Marshall. And also, Betty, it was a hot weekend for Disney because "Eight Below" was actually their best-ever February opening.

NGUYEN: You know, I wanted to see that movie. Obviously, others did, too.

But we're going to shift gears a little bit because Celine Dion, Elton John -- they sang together. What's that all about?

HAMMER: They did have a big night. For the very first time, the music legends Sir Elton John and the Queen of Las Vegas herself, they got on stage together. It was last night -- just a one-time deal -- to benefit and raise money for Harrah's Entertainment workers who were affected by last year's hurricane.

The pair sang duets of "Sorry" and "Saturday Night" before a packed house at Caesar's Palace's coliseum, and raised -- are you ready for this big number -- $2.1 million in one show. And that's going to help out some 8,000 casino workers in the Gulf Coast region.

Tickets for the event ranged anywhere from $100 bucks -- which wasn't a bad deal at all -- to $1,000 each, certainly well worth the price for such a great cause.

And, Betty, the crowd got an even bigger bang for their buck. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld also took the stage to entertain as well.

HAMMER: Yes, I saw him in that video making people laugh for a very good cause. You know, but there was more than just three musicians or, I should say, celebrities. Well, Jerry sings every now and then, maybe not so great, not as good as Celine or Elton. But they're not the only ones doing great things for good causes. Can't be.

HAMMER: No, of course not. Another great gesture actually we have to tell you about, this one involves Bono. The U2 front man is donating a guitar just weeks after taking home five Grammy awards including rock album of the year, for "How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb."

He's hoping to dismantle world hunger by donating his guitar. Bono says that he's going to auction off the guitar after U2's performances this week in Brazil. Money from the auction is going to go to Brazil's Zero Hunger Campaign, which is doing some excellent work.

The list of celebs lending a hand doesn't stop there. Tonight on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT," we're going to tell you about Oprah Winfrey's own Katrina mission. The queen of talk teams up with our own Anderson Cooper to reveal how there is still so much heartbreak and misery six months after the storm. That's on "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT." We get underway at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Eastern on CNN Headline Prime -- Betty.

NGUYEN: Well, A.J., just like you, when the queen of talk talks, people listen, right?

HAMMER: That's absolutely right.

NGUYEN: All right. See you tonight.

HAMMER: OK, thanks.

HARRIS: So, who picked out what you're wearing today? If you've got a knack for it, you could help a guy named Kevin choose what he'll wear tomorrow. Sounds like a Jeanne Moos piece to me.

Back with more LIVE FROM in a moment.

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