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CNN Live Today
Iraq's Oil Exports Come to a Halt; Six Members of Iraq's Civil Defense Corps Being Held in Connection to Roadside Bombing
Aired June 16, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everyone from CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. We begin with the headlines.
Iraq's oil exports have come to a halt, after saboteurs attacked a key pipeline in the Gulf. There were similar attacks on Iraq's oil infrastructure last week. It's not clear how long Iraq's oil experts will be stopped, but world prices did rise slightly this morning.
In Ramadi, six members of Iraq's Civil Defense Corps are being held in connection to a roadside bombing. That blast near a U.S. convoy wounded at least five Iraqis. An Iraqi civilian was also taken into custody after he ran out of a nearby building with several hand grenades. All are being questioned at a coalition base.
There has been more violence in the West Bank. Israeli and Palestinian sources tell CNN that a gunfight erupted in Jenin between militants and an undercover military unit. The Jihad militant was killed, four others arrested. Israel says no soldiers were wounded.
In Washington, the September 11th Commission concludes there is no credible link between al Qaeda and Iraq. A live picture there from those hearings. That is despite a 1994 meeting between Osama bin Laden and a top Iraqi official. The panel is holding hearings this morning. It has issued a report that says al Qaeda has changed drastically since the strikes, but remains intent on inflicting mass casualties in the U.S.
Live this hour, President Bush thanks U.S. troops for all they have done in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will bring you the president's speech from MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, it is being broadcast around the world.
President Bush is giving U.S. forces a pat on the back, and thanks to technology the president's arm has been extended by its reach.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president. And she joins us from MacDill Air Force Base Florida.
Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, this is home to U.S. Central Command. Many of the soldiers here, and there are thousands who are going to be listening to the president today have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Really this is also home to U.S. sports -- Special Forces at MacDill Air Force Base.
This is going to be a very important speech for the president. It's part of a series to rally the troops, leading up to the transfer of power to Iraqi people on June 30th. It is here, just to give you a sense of how important the speech is; it is here that there are thousands of soldiers. But also, this is going to be broadcast live via satellite to the troops in Afghanistan, in Iraq, also through Armed Forces Radio and Television.
Essentially, President Bush was here just six days into the war last year in March. It was a very different time back then; only several dozen U.S. troops had been killed in Iraq at that time. The president, during his speech last year, actually warned them and said the U.S. was doing everything it could to protect the soldiers from the Iraqi regime, possibly using its hidden weapons of mass destruction. As we know, there is no real, solid evidence that there are such weapons inside Iraq. But the president here, of course, rallying the troops and making his case here that Iraqi sovereignty and reconstruction will be a success story.
Should also let you know, too, Daryn, it's not only the message that's important, but where he is delivering the message. We're talking about here, no other than the State of Florida, 27 electoral votes. And of course, this is the place that sealed his presidency back in 2000 by only 537 votes. So, President Bush looking at Florida as a potential gold mine.
The last four polls in this state, however, shows Kerry led just slightly the last three out of four polls. So both candidates pushing very hard for Florida's undecided votes, more than a million undecided voters here. President Bush, also of course, trying to get out that message that he believes that Iraq policy is the right thing to do, it's on the right track and that it ultimately will be successful -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux in Florida, thank you. Suzanne, we'll have much more with you later in the morning.
Also ahead, the live coverage of the president's speech from MacDill. That's at 1:30 -- actually, that's coming up later today at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, the bottom of the hour.
Other news now. Islamic militants are threatening to kill a kidnapped American by Friday if their demands are not met. A blindfolded and bandaged Paul Johnson appeared in a web site video yesterday. He spoke for 25 seconds. An armed masked man also spoke on the tape, identifying himself as the military leader of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. He threatened to execute Johnson unless the Saudis free militants that they're holding and westerners leave the country. Johnson is an employee of Lockheed Martin. He disappeared Saturday in Riyadh.
A State Department spokesman says the U.S. will use what they call every appropriate resource to gain Johnson's freedom, but the government does not negotiate with terrorists. The final public hearing of the 9/11 Commission is now underway. The panel is revealing new details about the plot leading up to the terrorist attacks.
Our Sean Callebs is listening into today's session in Washington, and brings us latest.
Sean, good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. Indeed, over the next couple days, the panel investigating the September 11 attacks will do what it can to answer questions haunting the American public. Later today, the FBI and CIA will appear before the panel to discuss the investigation into the terrorist attacks.
This morning, the panel is hearing a staff report titled, "Overview of the Enemy." It spells out the roots of al Qaeda and how al Qaeda has ties to Hezbollah. It also details how Osama bin Laden -- and here a live picture of that hearing. Osama bin Laden called together a network of terrorists committed to wreaking havoc in the United States and against Americans everywhere.
Also the investigation into 9/11 determined the plot was not funded by bin Laden's personal fortune. Bin Laden's family does provide him with $1 million a year but not his $300 million inheritance; his family divested that share. Attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were financed by al Qaeda fund- raising.
It also says there is strong, but indirect evidence, that al Qaeda played a role in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombings in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 Americans.
Here is commission Chairman Thomas Kean.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: They're going to learn about al Qaeda. We want to know why these people hate us so much. We're going to follow some of these conspirators one-step to the other, as they plan the attack. And then we're going to turn to the response. What did our leaders do? What decisions did they have to make? How did they get planes in the air, how did they do all those things? And mistakes were made on both sides.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: Now, terrorists' camps in Afghanistan were also used to train all the 9/11 hijackers, as well as those involved in the Khobar Towers attack, and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.
The report says that while Osama bin Laden did not apparently -- did apparently, rather, approach Iraq for weapons and training there is, and we quote here, Daryn, "No credible evidence that Iraq and al Qaeda cooperated on the attacks against the United States." KAGAN: And so it's going to be interesting to listen in to two events, President Bush's speech from MacDill Air Force Base later this morning. In fact, about 20 minutes from now. And also, we'll hear more from that 9/11 Commission later in the morning.
Sean Callebs, thank you for that.
Now, on to Iraq and the latest insurgent offensive preying on Iraq's oil targets. For the second day in a row, saboteurs blasted a key pipeline and have now brought the entire country's oil exports to a halt.
Our senior international correspondent Brent Sadler is at the ruptured, Basra pipeline with this exclusive look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): This is now the frontline of Iraq's war on oil. Overnight, insurgents were able to destroy part of a strategic pipeline, carrying crude oil from Basra to offshore terminals, at the northern end of the Persian Gulf.
If we walk around here, it stinks because of the heavy odors of crude oil that's created a large sea around here. If we pan off my location you'll see a half a meter deep, several feet deep, at least a lake of crude oil that's burst from this underground piping. This is the crude oil that should now have been sent to ships waiting to take on oil on those offshore terminals. Iraq's oil experts from the south now completely at a stand still.
Now, this is actually the place where the explosion went off. If we walk around this pumping machinery, they're trying to push back the oil that was in the pipeline that burst out in this area so they can affect repairs. But before they can do that, they have to put sand, piles and piles of sand, tons of it around the actual leak, which you can see down here. And that's oozing from the burst pipe, if you can see those bubbles. They first of all have to isolate that area with an earth and burm (ph), and then get engineers to repair it. That's going to take several days.
Now, there has been an escalation in attacks on Iraq's oil infrastructure over the past several weeks. And northern supplies have been cut to a trickle. And now with the complete standstill of crude exports from the south, it is a very serious situation, undermining not only coalition efforts to secure this strategic, vital industry, but also undermining the coalition efforts to stabilize Iraq in the crucial period before the handover of sovereignty.
Brent Sadler, CNN, Basra.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Let's take a look at some new numbers. There's a new poll out of Iraqis that shows optimism about a future without U.S. forces. A copy of the coalition-conducted poll was obtained by the Associated Press. Nearly two-thirds of those polls think that conditions will improve after the June 30th handover. And that Iraqi forces will be able to maintain security without the help of U.S. troops. A majority of Iraqis say that they will feel safer if U.S. troops left right now. Forty-five percent said troops should leave when the Iraqi government takes over. Seven in 10 Iraqis were surprised by the Abu Ghraib photos and a majority believes that all Americans behave just like the guards.
One more note on Iraq for you. An independent commission looking into the Oil For Food program has reached an information-sharing deal with Iraqi investigators. The U.N. created the Oil For Food program to help provide for Iraqis during sanctions under the Saddam Hussein regime. But critics say the program was riddled with corruption with U.N. officials, diplomats and even journalists on the take.
We are at 11 minutes past the hour. There is one list you might not want your hometown to be on. The results for America's Sweatiest Cities are in. We'll tell you which town came in first.
Plus, speaking of towns. The Motor City manhandled the L.A. Lakers. How the Detroit Pistons took the NBA title.
And school is out for the summer, but now it is time to start paying back. Some advice on paying off your school loans.
That's all ahead when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: To Southern California, there are no reports of major damage or injury, after an earthquake rumbled 40 miles south of the coast of San Diego. A mid-afternoon trembler with a magnitude 5.2 prompted Sea World officials had to close a water coaster as a precaution.
The competition was breaking a sweat, but the winner is glowing with distinction. El Paso, Texas tops a list of America's 100 Sweatiest Cities. That is a study relying on heat indexes and humidity. Rounding out the top five: Greenville, South Carolina, Phoenix, Arizona, Corpus Christi and New Orleans, Louisiana.
This one -- this survey has our Jacqui Jeras all worked up. You just came in today, you're like, "I just made an investigation." I know. Come on! El Paso. My friends in Phoenix.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I know.
KAGAN: Please! It's a dry heat.
JERAS: It's a dry heat.
KAGAN: What happened to South Florida?
JERAS: South Carolina I hear that one. New Orleans, definitely.
KAGAN: Atlanta, Georgia. JERAS: Corpus Christi. I know! We didn't even make the top five. What's up with that? I know.
KAGAN: We must get our investigative unit behind us.
JERAS: Certainly was hot, 102 in El Paso yesterday, by the way
KAGAN: Yes, but dry heat.
JERAS: Dry heat, absolutely.
KAGAN: So I have my little dollar here.
JERAS: Yes?
KAGAN: Yes. I bet Jack Cafferty $1, I bet on my L.A. Lakers.
JERAS: Uh, sorry about that.
KAGAN: This one is going out to New York City. Didn't work out. Of course, lots of fans in Detroit and Michigan very pleased. The Detroit Pistons fired on all four cylinders to topple the mighty Lakers, a dream team that failed to live up to expectations. Detroit outplayed, out hustled and outlasted the Lakers. Did the Lakers even show up last night? The Pistons just cruised to their victory, 100-87 the final of that game. The victory gave the Pistons a four to one victory win, and their first championship in 14 years.
Last night's celebrations were calm and controlled, by the way, compared to the 1990 eruption when seven people were killed and hundreds injured in car accidents and stabbings, shootings and fighting. The celebrations will continue tomorrow with a parade through Detroit.
And a live picture from Tampa, Florida. That is Air Force One, President Bush onboard. President Bush going to MacDill Air Force Base. He will be speaking to troops not just at the base, but all around the world talking and giving a big pat on the back for efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. That speech expected to begin in about 10 minutes. When it does, you'll see it live here on CNN.
So, you college students or just about to be former college students. Are you thinking of how you'll pay off those college loans? Gerri Willis has some great tips for you.
Hi, Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn, good to see you. Well, if you're a college student graduating, you're going to want to go out and grab some of the lowest interest rates on college student loans in 39 years. We'll tell you how to do it when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: And we're looking at a live picture, once again, from Florida. Air Force One just landing there. President Bush on board. President Bush going to MacDill Air Force Base. He'll be giving a speech not jut there but it is being beamed via satellite to troops all around the world, a pat on the back for the efforts done in Iraq and Afghanistan. When that speech begins, and it could be less than 10 minutes from now, you'll see it live right here on CNN.
For millions of students, summer break is here, hurray. But for new college grads facing their first student loan payments there is another milestone approaching. On July 1st, interest rates will plunge to historic loans providing a valuable chance to consolidate those debts.
A closer look at our "Top Five." Let's check in with our Financial News personal finance editor Gerri Willis.
Gerr, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. Well, here are the big numbers. You have got to take a look at these. Stafford loan, which is the bread and butter loan that most students use, the interest rates now at 3.37 percent. That's pretty dramatic. But take a look at this, Daryn. If you consolidate those loans, that is put them all together, you can lock in an interest rate of 2.875 percent if you do it in the first six months.
Now, this is big news for people because it is a really low rate. Consider the five-year average. Look backwards five years, the average was 5.72 percent. This is big, big savings for college students and college graduates.
KAGAN: OK. So when you consolidate it together, mushing together, technical term there for you.
WILLIS: Mushing.
KAGAN: Mushing a bunch of loans. But what really is happening on paper and behind the scenes?
WILLIS: Well, behind the scenes you're consolidating and rolling together all your loans and getting a single interest rates for all of those loans. Let's look at some of the pros and cons of doing this. No. 1, you get a fixed interest rate rather than variable. You get immediate debt relief because what you owe monthly is going to actually go down because of the lower rate. Easier repayment because you're only making one payment.
Now, the cons. You know what? You can only consolidate once. So if you think rates are going to go lower, now is not the time to do it. You get no grace period when you do this. Typically graduates have six months to do this, but if you consolidate, the minute you consolidate you have to start paying. So pay attention to that.
KAGAN: Hmm. OK. What about your consolidating rights?
WILLIS: Well, a lot of people don't know there is no credit check when you consolidate. Which is great news. Also keep in mind, you cannot be rejected for the school you go to, the amount of money you owe or even an employment check. So they have got to do it; it's a good thing for most people.
KAGAN: Young blood beware is the next tip. I'm wondering what you have for that?
WILLIS: Well, you know, Daryn. A lot of kids aren't finding jobs right out of school. A big problem this year, only about 10 percent of graduates are getting jobs. So it is going to be really hard for them to make monthly payments on their college loans. So it's OK if you don't have a job not to immediately consolidate. You can actually talk to your banker and say you want to stretch out that period while you're still looking for a job.
And even if you wait, let's say you go beyond that six-month period, you're still going to get a really good rate now. It's just that the lowest rates are available to people who lock in that first six months.
KAGAN: Or just go back to school. Isn't that...
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Isn't that what everyone likes to do?
WILLIS: There's that to!
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: More school.
Now, there are some loans you shouldn't consolidate because they might be forgiven.
WILLIS: That's right. If you're in the military, if you have some kind of disability, in some cases, your loan could be forgiven. And if you consolidate it, you lose that privilege. You know, there are a lot of details here, Daryn, we want people to go to the Web site money.com to get every single one of them.
KAGAN: Gerri Willis, great tips.
WILLIS: Thank you.
KAGAN: As always, thank you. Good to have you here with us.
We're waiting or standing by. President Bush getting ready to talk to the troops. We expect to hear his address from MacDill Air Force Base in just a few minutes. As soon as it starts, you'll see it live right here on CNN.
CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's check the top stories at this hour.
President Bush is at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, the home of U.S. Central Command. Besides getting a briefing from military officials, the president plans to thank troops for their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. forces still in those countries will watch the president's speech via satellite.
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Aired June 16, 2004 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning everyone from CNN Headquarters in Atlanta. I'm Daryn Kagan. We begin with the headlines.
Iraq's oil exports have come to a halt, after saboteurs attacked a key pipeline in the Gulf. There were similar attacks on Iraq's oil infrastructure last week. It's not clear how long Iraq's oil experts will be stopped, but world prices did rise slightly this morning.
In Ramadi, six members of Iraq's Civil Defense Corps are being held in connection to a roadside bombing. That blast near a U.S. convoy wounded at least five Iraqis. An Iraqi civilian was also taken into custody after he ran out of a nearby building with several hand grenades. All are being questioned at a coalition base.
There has been more violence in the West Bank. Israeli and Palestinian sources tell CNN that a gunfight erupted in Jenin between militants and an undercover military unit. The Jihad militant was killed, four others arrested. Israel says no soldiers were wounded.
In Washington, the September 11th Commission concludes there is no credible link between al Qaeda and Iraq. A live picture there from those hearings. That is despite a 1994 meeting between Osama bin Laden and a top Iraqi official. The panel is holding hearings this morning. It has issued a report that says al Qaeda has changed drastically since the strikes, but remains intent on inflicting mass casualties in the U.S.
Live this hour, President Bush thanks U.S. troops for all they have done in Iraq and Afghanistan. We will bring you the president's speech from MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, it is being broadcast around the world.
President Bush is giving U.S. forces a pat on the back, and thanks to technology the president's arm has been extended by its reach.
Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president. And she joins us from MacDill Air Force Base Florida.
Suzanne, good morning.
SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. Well, this is home to U.S. Central Command. Many of the soldiers here, and there are thousands who are going to be listening to the president today have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. Really this is also home to U.S. sports -- Special Forces at MacDill Air Force Base.
This is going to be a very important speech for the president. It's part of a series to rally the troops, leading up to the transfer of power to Iraqi people on June 30th. It is here, just to give you a sense of how important the speech is; it is here that there are thousands of soldiers. But also, this is going to be broadcast live via satellite to the troops in Afghanistan, in Iraq, also through Armed Forces Radio and Television.
Essentially, President Bush was here just six days into the war last year in March. It was a very different time back then; only several dozen U.S. troops had been killed in Iraq at that time. The president, during his speech last year, actually warned them and said the U.S. was doing everything it could to protect the soldiers from the Iraqi regime, possibly using its hidden weapons of mass destruction. As we know, there is no real, solid evidence that there are such weapons inside Iraq. But the president here, of course, rallying the troops and making his case here that Iraqi sovereignty and reconstruction will be a success story.
Should also let you know, too, Daryn, it's not only the message that's important, but where he is delivering the message. We're talking about here, no other than the State of Florida, 27 electoral votes. And of course, this is the place that sealed his presidency back in 2000 by only 537 votes. So, President Bush looking at Florida as a potential gold mine.
The last four polls in this state, however, shows Kerry led just slightly the last three out of four polls. So both candidates pushing very hard for Florida's undecided votes, more than a million undecided voters here. President Bush, also of course, trying to get out that message that he believes that Iraq policy is the right thing to do, it's on the right track and that it ultimately will be successful -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Suzanne Malveaux in Florida, thank you. Suzanne, we'll have much more with you later in the morning.
Also ahead, the live coverage of the president's speech from MacDill. That's at 1:30 -- actually, that's coming up later today at 10:30 a.m. Eastern, the bottom of the hour.
Other news now. Islamic militants are threatening to kill a kidnapped American by Friday if their demands are not met. A blindfolded and bandaged Paul Johnson appeared in a web site video yesterday. He spoke for 25 seconds. An armed masked man also spoke on the tape, identifying himself as the military leader of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia. He threatened to execute Johnson unless the Saudis free militants that they're holding and westerners leave the country. Johnson is an employee of Lockheed Martin. He disappeared Saturday in Riyadh.
A State Department spokesman says the U.S. will use what they call every appropriate resource to gain Johnson's freedom, but the government does not negotiate with terrorists. The final public hearing of the 9/11 Commission is now underway. The panel is revealing new details about the plot leading up to the terrorist attacks.
Our Sean Callebs is listening into today's session in Washington, and brings us latest.
Sean, good morning.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Daryn. Indeed, over the next couple days, the panel investigating the September 11 attacks will do what it can to answer questions haunting the American public. Later today, the FBI and CIA will appear before the panel to discuss the investigation into the terrorist attacks.
This morning, the panel is hearing a staff report titled, "Overview of the Enemy." It spells out the roots of al Qaeda and how al Qaeda has ties to Hezbollah. It also details how Osama bin Laden -- and here a live picture of that hearing. Osama bin Laden called together a network of terrorists committed to wreaking havoc in the United States and against Americans everywhere.
Also the investigation into 9/11 determined the plot was not funded by bin Laden's personal fortune. Bin Laden's family does provide him with $1 million a year but not his $300 million inheritance; his family divested that share. Attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were financed by al Qaeda fund- raising.
It also says there is strong, but indirect evidence, that al Qaeda played a role in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombings in Saudi Arabia that killed 19 Americans.
Here is commission Chairman Thomas Kean.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
THOMAS KEAN, CHAIRMAN, 9/11 COMMISSION: They're going to learn about al Qaeda. We want to know why these people hate us so much. We're going to follow some of these conspirators one-step to the other, as they plan the attack. And then we're going to turn to the response. What did our leaders do? What decisions did they have to make? How did they get planes in the air, how did they do all those things? And mistakes were made on both sides.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CALLEBS: Now, terrorists' camps in Afghanistan were also used to train all the 9/11 hijackers, as well as those involved in the Khobar Towers attack, and the 2000 attack on the USS Cole in Yemen.
The report says that while Osama bin Laden did not apparently -- did apparently, rather, approach Iraq for weapons and training there is, and we quote here, Daryn, "No credible evidence that Iraq and al Qaeda cooperated on the attacks against the United States." KAGAN: And so it's going to be interesting to listen in to two events, President Bush's speech from MacDill Air Force Base later this morning. In fact, about 20 minutes from now. And also, we'll hear more from that 9/11 Commission later in the morning.
Sean Callebs, thank you for that.
Now, on to Iraq and the latest insurgent offensive preying on Iraq's oil targets. For the second day in a row, saboteurs blasted a key pipeline and have now brought the entire country's oil exports to a halt.
Our senior international correspondent Brent Sadler is at the ruptured, Basra pipeline with this exclusive look.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
BRENT SADLER, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (on camera): This is now the frontline of Iraq's war on oil. Overnight, insurgents were able to destroy part of a strategic pipeline, carrying crude oil from Basra to offshore terminals, at the northern end of the Persian Gulf.
If we walk around here, it stinks because of the heavy odors of crude oil that's created a large sea around here. If we pan off my location you'll see a half a meter deep, several feet deep, at least a lake of crude oil that's burst from this underground piping. This is the crude oil that should now have been sent to ships waiting to take on oil on those offshore terminals. Iraq's oil experts from the south now completely at a stand still.
Now, this is actually the place where the explosion went off. If we walk around this pumping machinery, they're trying to push back the oil that was in the pipeline that burst out in this area so they can affect repairs. But before they can do that, they have to put sand, piles and piles of sand, tons of it around the actual leak, which you can see down here. And that's oozing from the burst pipe, if you can see those bubbles. They first of all have to isolate that area with an earth and burm (ph), and then get engineers to repair it. That's going to take several days.
Now, there has been an escalation in attacks on Iraq's oil infrastructure over the past several weeks. And northern supplies have been cut to a trickle. And now with the complete standstill of crude exports from the south, it is a very serious situation, undermining not only coalition efforts to secure this strategic, vital industry, but also undermining the coalition efforts to stabilize Iraq in the crucial period before the handover of sovereignty.
Brent Sadler, CNN, Basra.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KAGAN: Let's take a look at some new numbers. There's a new poll out of Iraqis that shows optimism about a future without U.S. forces. A copy of the coalition-conducted poll was obtained by the Associated Press. Nearly two-thirds of those polls think that conditions will improve after the June 30th handover. And that Iraqi forces will be able to maintain security without the help of U.S. troops. A majority of Iraqis say that they will feel safer if U.S. troops left right now. Forty-five percent said troops should leave when the Iraqi government takes over. Seven in 10 Iraqis were surprised by the Abu Ghraib photos and a majority believes that all Americans behave just like the guards.
One more note on Iraq for you. An independent commission looking into the Oil For Food program has reached an information-sharing deal with Iraqi investigators. The U.N. created the Oil For Food program to help provide for Iraqis during sanctions under the Saddam Hussein regime. But critics say the program was riddled with corruption with U.N. officials, diplomats and even journalists on the take.
We are at 11 minutes past the hour. There is one list you might not want your hometown to be on. The results for America's Sweatiest Cities are in. We'll tell you which town came in first.
Plus, speaking of towns. The Motor City manhandled the L.A. Lakers. How the Detroit Pistons took the NBA title.
And school is out for the summer, but now it is time to start paying back. Some advice on paying off your school loans.
That's all ahead when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: To Southern California, there are no reports of major damage or injury, after an earthquake rumbled 40 miles south of the coast of San Diego. A mid-afternoon trembler with a magnitude 5.2 prompted Sea World officials had to close a water coaster as a precaution.
The competition was breaking a sweat, but the winner is glowing with distinction. El Paso, Texas tops a list of America's 100 Sweatiest Cities. That is a study relying on heat indexes and humidity. Rounding out the top five: Greenville, South Carolina, Phoenix, Arizona, Corpus Christi and New Orleans, Louisiana.
This one -- this survey has our Jacqui Jeras all worked up. You just came in today, you're like, "I just made an investigation." I know. Come on! El Paso. My friends in Phoenix.
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I know.
KAGAN: Please! It's a dry heat.
JERAS: It's a dry heat.
KAGAN: What happened to South Florida?
JERAS: South Carolina I hear that one. New Orleans, definitely.
KAGAN: Atlanta, Georgia. JERAS: Corpus Christi. I know! We didn't even make the top five. What's up with that? I know.
KAGAN: We must get our investigative unit behind us.
JERAS: Certainly was hot, 102 in El Paso yesterday, by the way
KAGAN: Yes, but dry heat.
JERAS: Dry heat, absolutely.
KAGAN: So I have my little dollar here.
JERAS: Yes?
KAGAN: Yes. I bet Jack Cafferty $1, I bet on my L.A. Lakers.
JERAS: Uh, sorry about that.
KAGAN: This one is going out to New York City. Didn't work out. Of course, lots of fans in Detroit and Michigan very pleased. The Detroit Pistons fired on all four cylinders to topple the mighty Lakers, a dream team that failed to live up to expectations. Detroit outplayed, out hustled and outlasted the Lakers. Did the Lakers even show up last night? The Pistons just cruised to their victory, 100-87 the final of that game. The victory gave the Pistons a four to one victory win, and their first championship in 14 years.
Last night's celebrations were calm and controlled, by the way, compared to the 1990 eruption when seven people were killed and hundreds injured in car accidents and stabbings, shootings and fighting. The celebrations will continue tomorrow with a parade through Detroit.
And a live picture from Tampa, Florida. That is Air Force One, President Bush onboard. President Bush going to MacDill Air Force Base. He will be speaking to troops not just at the base, but all around the world talking and giving a big pat on the back for efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. That speech expected to begin in about 10 minutes. When it does, you'll see it live here on CNN.
So, you college students or just about to be former college students. Are you thinking of how you'll pay off those college loans? Gerri Willis has some great tips for you.
Hi, Gerri.
GERRI WILLIS, CNNFN PERSONAL FINANCE EDITOR: Hey, Daryn, good to see you. Well, if you're a college student graduating, you're going to want to go out and grab some of the lowest interest rates on college student loans in 39 years. We'll tell you how to do it when CNN LIVE TODAY returns.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: And we're looking at a live picture, once again, from Florida. Air Force One just landing there. President Bush on board. President Bush going to MacDill Air Force Base. He'll be giving a speech not jut there but it is being beamed via satellite to troops all around the world, a pat on the back for the efforts done in Iraq and Afghanistan. When that speech begins, and it could be less than 10 minutes from now, you'll see it live right here on CNN.
For millions of students, summer break is here, hurray. But for new college grads facing their first student loan payments there is another milestone approaching. On July 1st, interest rates will plunge to historic loans providing a valuable chance to consolidate those debts.
A closer look at our "Top Five." Let's check in with our Financial News personal finance editor Gerri Willis.
Gerr, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey, Daryn. Good to see you. Well, here are the big numbers. You have got to take a look at these. Stafford loan, which is the bread and butter loan that most students use, the interest rates now at 3.37 percent. That's pretty dramatic. But take a look at this, Daryn. If you consolidate those loans, that is put them all together, you can lock in an interest rate of 2.875 percent if you do it in the first six months.
Now, this is big news for people because it is a really low rate. Consider the five-year average. Look backwards five years, the average was 5.72 percent. This is big, big savings for college students and college graduates.
KAGAN: OK. So when you consolidate it together, mushing together, technical term there for you.
WILLIS: Mushing.
KAGAN: Mushing a bunch of loans. But what really is happening on paper and behind the scenes?
WILLIS: Well, behind the scenes you're consolidating and rolling together all your loans and getting a single interest rates for all of those loans. Let's look at some of the pros and cons of doing this. No. 1, you get a fixed interest rate rather than variable. You get immediate debt relief because what you owe monthly is going to actually go down because of the lower rate. Easier repayment because you're only making one payment.
Now, the cons. You know what? You can only consolidate once. So if you think rates are going to go lower, now is not the time to do it. You get no grace period when you do this. Typically graduates have six months to do this, but if you consolidate, the minute you consolidate you have to start paying. So pay attention to that.
KAGAN: Hmm. OK. What about your consolidating rights?
WILLIS: Well, a lot of people don't know there is no credit check when you consolidate. Which is great news. Also keep in mind, you cannot be rejected for the school you go to, the amount of money you owe or even an employment check. So they have got to do it; it's a good thing for most people.
KAGAN: Young blood beware is the next tip. I'm wondering what you have for that?
WILLIS: Well, you know, Daryn. A lot of kids aren't finding jobs right out of school. A big problem this year, only about 10 percent of graduates are getting jobs. So it is going to be really hard for them to make monthly payments on their college loans. So it's OK if you don't have a job not to immediately consolidate. You can actually talk to your banker and say you want to stretch out that period while you're still looking for a job.
And even if you wait, let's say you go beyond that six-month period, you're still going to get a really good rate now. It's just that the lowest rates are available to people who lock in that first six months.
KAGAN: Or just go back to school. Isn't that...
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: Isn't that what everyone likes to do?
WILLIS: There's that to!
(LAUGHTER)
KAGAN: More school.
Now, there are some loans you shouldn't consolidate because they might be forgiven.
WILLIS: That's right. If you're in the military, if you have some kind of disability, in some cases, your loan could be forgiven. And if you consolidate it, you lose that privilege. You know, there are a lot of details here, Daryn, we want people to go to the Web site money.com to get every single one of them.
KAGAN: Gerri Willis, great tips.
WILLIS: Thank you.
KAGAN: As always, thank you. Good to have you here with us.
We're waiting or standing by. President Bush getting ready to talk to the troops. We expect to hear his address from MacDill Air Force Base in just a few minutes. As soon as it starts, you'll see it live right here on CNN.
CNN LIVE TODAY is back after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: I'm Daryn Kagan. Let's check the top stories at this hour.
President Bush is at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, the home of U.S. Central Command. Besides getting a briefing from military officials, the president plans to thank troops for their efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. forces still in those countries will watch the president's speech via satellite.
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