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CNN Live Today
Jesse Jackson Please for Hostage's Life; Bush Seeks Boost in Payments for Families of Slain Troops; Jury Selection Begins in Michael Jackson Trial
Aired February 01, 2005 - 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've got to run.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Let's send it down to Daryn and Rick. They are at the CNN Center, going to take you through the next couple of hours.
Hey, guys.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Good morning to both of you. We have got a lot of Jacksons in the news. You guys have a great day in New York City. We have Michael Jackson's jury selection starting in Santa Maria.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Also the Reverend Jesse Jackson with the possibility of being able to talk to him about the hostage situation that's going on in Iraq. In fact, here's what's happening right now in the news.
KAGAN: This hour, a Senate panel is hearing details on President Bush's plans to boost military death benefits. Mr. Bush is proposing that families of troops killed in combat zones receive $100,000. That one-time payout is eight times the current death benefit. The president's plan would also increase life insurance benefits for a service member in combat.
U.S. military investigators are trying to determine how a routine prison camp search turned into a riot. Troops opened fire to put down the uprising at the facility in southern Iraq. Four inmates were killed and six more wounded. The military says the casualties were the result of both gunfire and violence by other detainees.
Iraq's president says it would be complete nonsense for U.S. troops to leave the country now. But Ghazi al Yawar says that troops may be able to go by the end of the year. Officials today begin the second stage of the vote count. We'll have a live report from Baghdad in a minute.
Police today arrested four suspects in last year's Madrid train bombing. The four are members of the same family and are allegedly linked to a Moroccan terrorist group. Police say the family members helped two other train bombing suspects escape their hideout before being arrested. One hundred and ninety-one people were killed in those bombings.
And good morning. Thanks for joining us. I'm Daryn Kagan. SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.
About a fight and votes to count. Opposite ends at Iraq's struggle this morning.
KAGAN: And we'll get to Iraq in just a minute. One week ago today, we saw the first pictures of Roy Hallums in captivity. The 56- year-old American was taken hostage three months ago. Now Hallums' ex-wife has asked the Reverend Jesse Jackson to help win his release. Reverend Jackson joins me now on the phone from Greensboro, North Carolina. He is there attending a black history month event.
Reverend, good morning. Thanks for being with us.
REV. JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Yes. This is the day 45 years ago that African-Americans sat in, began the sit-in movement to end legal Jim Crow in our own country. So it is quite a celebration.
But today, our hearts are heavy for Roy Hallums who is trapped somewhere in Iraq. I spoke with Thomas Hamilton who we helped in some way to get free. He was a prisoner in Iraq and his ex-wife reaching out to religious leaders in Iraq, reaching out to al Jazeera. And seeking other media outlets to whom it might concern to please let him go. There is no value in keeping him.
KAGAN: Now, Reverend, when you say, "reaching out," are you just making a plea? Do you have plans to go to Iraq? Do you have plans to get more involved than just asking for his release?
JACKSON: Well, in this instance, we were able to bring Americans home before, there was always some head of state that we could appeal to, whether it was Assad, or whether it was Saddam Hussein, or Milosevic. In this case, we do not know who has him. We do not know who the central force is. But they listen to CNN, and BBC, and al Jazeera.
To make a moral appeal, certainly reach out to religious leaders because they have power within those groups, within Iraq for example. My point is tell them don't use Roy Hallums as a trophy. Killing him is of no value to the end that they seek. Please on humanitarian grounds release him.
KAGAN: Reverend, you've been quoted as saying that government officials can't negotiate in this matter. But someone ought to get out there and negotiate. Do you think is it a good policy to negotiate with hostage takers?
JACKSON: Well, yes. Sometimes government-to-government has different kind of institutional relationships. You don't want to get into a situation where the government may have to deal in ransom, for example, or negotiate with an individual.
Religious leaders often can take a different approach and make a church-to-church, religious to religious moral appeal without entangling government in the process. Certainly governments support his release, but it would not be wise to be individually doing the negotiations.
So we reach out to religious leaders in that area. To whom it may concern, please let Mr. Hallums go. He is a sick man. He is no threat to anybody in Iraq. Please let him go on a humanitarian basis.
KAGAN: When you use the word "negotiate" though, Reverend, that sometimes gives the idea that hostage takers are going to be given something. And then when you do that, when you talk to them, when you give them something in exchange for a hostage, are you not encouraging people to take hostages -- even more hostages in the future?
JACKSON: Well, sometimes what they want is their message to get out. There are a number of hostages that have been let go during this last two years ordeal. I do not think that when somebody's life is at stake, and we're beyond talking about with, you don't have to agree with someone who is a hostage taker. But you have to appeal to them.
If they have the hatchet and your neck is on the line, we must not be so arrogant as to not talk with them and make a moral appeal to them to please let him go. It matters very much to him, his family. It should matter to the people in Iraq and to the American people.
KAGAN: Final question, do you plan to travel to Iraq at any point?
JACKSON: If we were to get a lead that was direct, we would make such a mission. We don't have such a lead. Right now, all we know is that there are religious leaders that we know in the area. We know that there are people who have released people before based on these moral appeals.
Today, we would stand to lose everything if we didn't try. And we stand to gain everything if we do try it. And somebody may be listening now. Please, on humanitarian grounds do not kill this man as a trophy. Please release him.
KAGAN: The Reverend Jesse Jackson joining us on the phone from Greensboro, North Carolina. Reverend, thank you for your time. Clearly the family of Roy Hallums, very concerned about this man who's been in captivity in Iraq since November 1 -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Well, even as Iraqi leaders boast of success in Sunday's historic elections, an audio taped voice said to be of terror mastermind Abu Zarqawi, who you've heard so much about, vows the holy war and its warriors will not relent. The tape calls for Iraq's Sunni Muslims to fight the Shiia majority and to chase U.S. troops from the region. In fact, the future of American forces in Iraq has joined the pledge of support from the country's interim president on this day.
Now, CNN's Jeff Koinange is in Baghdad. He's putting all this together for us.
But Jeff, let's start with this. Let's start with Zarqawi's quote, which seems to be saying -- in fact, this is a direct quote from him. "Baghdad will never be Shiite." What's the concern there? JEFF KOINANGE, CNN LAGOS BUREAU CHIEF: That's very surprising, Rick that he would say that. Because Shiias make up 60 percent of this country's population and they voted in numbers on Sunday. So Zarqawi obviously is a little delusional there, if you will, because he's saying that it will not be ruled by Shiias. That's not the point. A lot of Shiias turned out on Election Day. They're trying to do some kind of sharing -- power sharing to include everyone.
In fact, that is what outgoing President Ghazi Yawar said in his first post-election press conference today. He congratulated all Iraqis for turning out in large numbers. He's trying to pool everyone together, trying to rein them in, saying this is an Iraq for all Iraqis. And everyone was a winner on Election Day.
But when asked about the question, which is just about on everyone's lips these days, in other words, when will U.S. troops be withdrawing, this is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GHAZI AL YAWER, INTERIM PRESIDENT, IRAQ (through translator): There isn't a timetable, which has not been put to paper yet. This depends on the speed of building the Iraqi security forces and armed forces. This is not a difficult task. Secondly, we should protect our borders and accomplish security across the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOINANGE: And Rick, this was the first full day when Iraqis could actually trickle into the streets. This after a three-day lockdown. You could see people walking down the streets. Vehicles were allowed there for the first time. Baghdad Airport opened and the borders too, also opened.
All this as counting continued across the country. Ballot counting, that is, across most provinces. They have counted and they're making their way to Baghdad, where all the votes will be collated, counted again, put into the computer system. Results, according to officials, within seven to 10 days -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: The emphasis may be that dysfunction between Sunnis and Shiias, as you so well describe for us on this day. Jeff Koinange following the story for us from Baghdad. We certainly appreciate it, Jeff. And we will be getting back to you -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Now to the military Angle. President Bush wants to make a huge increase in death benefits paid to the families of U.S. troops killed in combat zones. We get details on that now from Lindsey Arent in Washington -- Lindsey.
LINDSEY ARENT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Right now the Senate Armed Services Committee is holding hearings on how to increase death benefits for survivors of U.S. troops killed in combat. You can see right now, the Honorable David Chu talking, he's the under-secretary of defense for Personnel and Readiness, talking about death benefits and the severely wounded; what to do with those. Now, lawmakers at the hearing today expressed emotion. They had some outrage at what they say are the, quote, "paltry and miserly sums" troops' families get when a family member dies in combat. And they praise President Bush for including funds for service members' survivors in his 2006 budget proposal. Now so far, more than 1500 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since October 2001.
Earlier, just a few minutes ago, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions spoke at the hearing this morning and expressed his emotion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), REPUBLICAN: They want to be involved. They want to be sure that soldiers who are serving our country and give their lives for their country are well -- their families are well taken care of if something happens to them. And every soldier that goes and serves our country, puts their lives at risk, need to know that if something happens the to him or her, their family will be well taken care of. I think that's the bond that we are involved in here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARENT: Now, let's break down the numbers for you. Under the current system, families of troops killed in combat receive a one-time tax-free payment from the government of some $12,420. Now under the administration's new proposal that benefit would grow to $100,000. Meantime, troops' life insurance benefit would increase under the new plan. Rising from $250,000 up to $400,000 for troops killed in a designated combat zone.
Now additionally, the Pentagon will also propose to pay for the difference in premiums for the new insurance benefits. So what we have altogether here under the new proposal, we're going to see U.S. troops who are killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly future war zones, receiving $250,000 extra from the government in benefits.
Now, if this proposal is passed in its current form, Daryn, these changes would be retroactive to any service member killed in combat since October 2001 -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Lindsey Arent reporting from Washington. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Pop star Michael Jackson is back in court today and still in the spotlight. Hundreds of everyday citizens are going to be under the microscope as well. Why? Well, there are some hundred potential jurors are going to be facing questions, and the possibility of ultimately deciding his guilt or innocence in this child molestation trial.
CNN's Miguel Marquez is in Santa Maria, California. He's setting the stage for us.
Good morning, Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And what a stage it is. Mr. Jackson will be back in court here. At 10:00 a.m. they're going to start today. And what should be one of the most boring sort of procedures in the courts becomes sort of a concert-like atmosphere, where Mr. Jackson arrives.
He arrived yesterday by himself. Many family members have flown in. According to a family spokesperson, and wanted to join him in court yesterday but weren't able to. And were quite upset that they weren't able to.
Mr. Jackson wearing all white, which has become his court trademark it seems, walked into court. He was confident and relaxed in there, according to some of the journalists, the pool journalists who were allowed into the courtroom. Because of space considerations, only a few journalists and none of Mr. Jackson's family can get into the courtroom.
Mr. Jackson joking with his lawyers, even said hello to the court reporter at one point. And then once the jurors came in and the prosecutors entered, Mr. Jackson was all business apparently. Sitting down and looking straight ahead and being the model defendant, if you will.
About 300 journalists cycled through the courtroom yesterday. More than half said that they would be able to serve the six months of the trial. They were then taken off to fill out a seven-page questionnaire. Another 300 journalists will cycle -- or jurors, potential jurors will cycle through today. Those that say that they can serve a six-month trial will also fill out that seven-page questionnaire. There will be the reminder of the jurors tomorrow.
And then all of those questionnaires will be gone through by the lawyers on both sides. And next week what will happen is that both sides, both lawyers for the prosecution and the defense, will begin questioning the prospective jurors to see who will judge Michael Jackson -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Miguel Marquez following that story for us out of California. We certainly appreciate it, Miguel. We will be getting back to you as that story develops.
Now we should tell you this. On a programming note, at the bottom of the hour, we're going to talk to a man who combines his training as both a lawyer and a psychologist to try and develop a science of jury selection. In short, we're going to be asking him what the defense is looking for in juries. And as well what the prosecution is looking for in juries. That's Robert Gordon. He'll be our guest. Stay tuned for that.
KAGAN: One man and one man only has headed up the Homeland Security Department. He is leaving. What is next for Tom Ridge? We'll tell you what he says about a possible run for the White House.
Plus this...
SANCHEZ: Also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) (GUNFIRE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He went down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: How to fight against terrorism is helping a New Mexico ghost town suddenly find new life.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: In today's CNN "Security Watch," Tom Ridge is spending his last day on the job as the nation's first Homeland Security chief. Last night, Ridge formally bid farewell to his troops at the vast government agency that he helped create and define over the past three years. During that time there have been reports of several terrorist plots defused but none carried out on U.S. soil.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, SECRETARY, HOMELAND SECURITY: Every single day I go to bed knowing that, given the collective efforts of 180,000 people, we got one more step in terms of greater security. One more step in insuring that my children, and your children, and other children are going to be able to enjoy the extraordinary freedoms and liberties that we've enjoyed as a country for 220-plus years.
We've been challenged from time to time. But every time we've been challenged, we've met that challenge. And in the process of meeting that challenge, we've become a better country. And that's what's happening to us now and will happen to us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Ridge says that he looks forward to returning to the private sector but is not ruling out a future presidential run.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary nominee Michael Chertoff is expected to face some tough questioning from the Democrats tomorrow. Chertoff will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The panel is expected to approve President Bush's choice. And Chertoff should easily win confirmation from the full Senate.
The Democrats want to know about Chertoff's role in advising the CIA on torture standards. When Chertoff headed the Justice Department's Criminal Division he said any legal advice he gave was broad and generalized.
SANCHEZ: Here is that story we were mentioning to you just moments ago. It starts in Playas, New Mexico. This is a one-industry town, which stands for beach, interestingly enough. When the plant closed, Playas was virtually deserted. But Playas has now been resurrected. Again, thanks to one business, the war on terror.
Take a look at this report from our Ed Lavandera.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a really nice town to raise a family.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Hometown, USA.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was ghost town. Peaceful, quiet, it's a beautiful country. It's not a ghost town anymore.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Playas, New Mexico is the kind of place that maps ignore. But the town is making its mark as the newest nerve center for a war on terror.
VAN ROMERO, TECH, NEW MEXICO: This is a real town, real infrastructure that is essentially at our disposal. We control everything here.
LAVANDERA: Playas is an old copper smelting town. Five years ago, the plant shut down and nearly all the 1,000 people who lived here moved out. Then a few months ago, it was turned into an anti- terror training center. At the opening ceremony, the ribbon wasn't cut. It was...
(GUNFIRE)
LAVANDERA: Playas has been nicknamed Terror Town, USA. But don't say that to Bill Cavalier, the town's only police officer.
BILL CAVALIER, POLICEMAN: I think anti-terror town is more appropriate.
LAVANDERA (on camera): New Mexico Tech University bought the town of Playas back in October for $5 million. They've also contracted with the Department of Homeland Security, which will pay $20 million a year for the next five years to conduct training here.
(voice-over): It's now a wide open classroom to train police officers, firefighters, and other emergency officials in the latest techniques for fighting terrorists.
ROMERO: We can bring first responders and put them in a situation that they wouldn't be able to experience anyplace else in the country.
LAVANDERA: Like simulating a suicide bombing in an urban environment.
ROMERO: This is essentially a bus bombing that's taken place.
LAVANDERA: During weeklong courses in Playas, emergency teams work a fictional scenario. The mission, to keep terrorists from attacking a public event.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got pipe bombs.
(GUNFIRE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go, go, go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He went down.
LAVANDERA: All this happens in plain view of the 40 people who still live in Playas. Residents say the town is booming again.
LINDA MCCARTY, RESIDENT: That's surprising that they can come to this little place.
LAVANDERA: Albert Mora is a former welder. He lost his job at the copper plant. At age 58, he's starting a new career, role-playing in a mock bus bombing.
ALBERT MORA, RESIDENT: I was told today that I need to get to Hollywood to get some acting lessons. I thought I was doing real good, but they kind of hurt my feelings a little bit.
(LAUGHTER)
LAVANDERA: After years of struggling to find work, these residents now find themselves in the middle of the action. They're turning in the grime and grit of the copper smelter for fake blood and scars. Seeing the walking wounded stagger around town has become normal.
MCCARTY: I was dead on the bus.
CAVALIER: Playas Police Department, this is Bill.
LAVANDERA: Bill Cavalier senses his hometown is changing, answering a call to duty. He and his neighbors feel this is a chance to fight terror and to make a difference.
CAVALIER: I really support the military and I support this anti- terrorist training. Really anything that's going to help protect the United States.
LAVANDERA: This once forgotten ghost town has been transformed into the most unlikely of modern-day battlefields. A reminder, the war on terror is never far from home.
Ed Lavandera, Playas, New Mexico.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Great stuff. And that's what we do, looking for stories like those. Stay tuned to CNN day and night for reliable news about your security.
KAGAN: All right. Personal question for you. Do you Google?
SANCHEZ: I Google and I Yahoo!.
KAGAN: Oh, now we know more than we need to know. If you said yes, Microsoft actually wants you to stop doing that and start using their search engine. How the software giant wants to change the way you surf the web.
SANCHEZ: Interesting.
Also the president's first major address of his second term. And we're going to preview the State of the Union Address for you. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Microsoft is turning the keys on a new search engine today. The Internet search engine will permanently replace the Yahoo! search technology that's been on Microsoft's website. Microsoft is hoping to gain a foothold. Also, Goggle's been there too, hoping to gain a foothold in the lucrative search engine market. Google and Yahoo! are leaders in that part of the Internet industry.
Good thing. Because you know I'm worried about the folks at Microsoft. They aren't making enough money.
(LAUGHTER)
SANCHEZ: Yes.
KAGAN: They need more products out there.
SANCHEZ: Orelon Sidney, do you Google or Yahoo!?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I wouldn't tell you on the air.
(LAUGHTER)
SIDNEY: Every now and again I do Google. We have to look up things that we can't immediately access. So yes, definitely very useful.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: Thank you for that.
SANCHEZ: Seating a jury of Michael Jackson's peers. That's kind of a loaded question for the purposes of a tease. But here's the question. How can you find 12 peers to judge the defendant who has been a public figure for decades? We're going to talk with a jury consultant about what the lawyers need to do.
KAGAN: And still ahead, never before seen pictures of south Asia's tsunami. Much more, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired February 1, 2005 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've got to run.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Let's send it down to Daryn and Rick. They are at the CNN Center, going to take you through the next couple of hours.
Hey, guys.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Good morning to both of you. We have got a lot of Jacksons in the news. You guys have a great day in New York City. We have Michael Jackson's jury selection starting in Santa Maria.
RICK SANCHEZ, CNN CO-ANCHOR: Also the Reverend Jesse Jackson with the possibility of being able to talk to him about the hostage situation that's going on in Iraq. In fact, here's what's happening right now in the news.
KAGAN: This hour, a Senate panel is hearing details on President Bush's plans to boost military death benefits. Mr. Bush is proposing that families of troops killed in combat zones receive $100,000. That one-time payout is eight times the current death benefit. The president's plan would also increase life insurance benefits for a service member in combat.
U.S. military investigators are trying to determine how a routine prison camp search turned into a riot. Troops opened fire to put down the uprising at the facility in southern Iraq. Four inmates were killed and six more wounded. The military says the casualties were the result of both gunfire and violence by other detainees.
Iraq's president says it would be complete nonsense for U.S. troops to leave the country now. But Ghazi al Yawar says that troops may be able to go by the end of the year. Officials today begin the second stage of the vote count. We'll have a live report from Baghdad in a minute.
Police today arrested four suspects in last year's Madrid train bombing. The four are members of the same family and are allegedly linked to a Moroccan terrorist group. Police say the family members helped two other train bombing suspects escape their hideout before being arrested. One hundred and ninety-one people were killed in those bombings.
And good morning. Thanks for joining us. I'm Daryn Kagan. SANCHEZ: And I'm Rick Sanchez.
About a fight and votes to count. Opposite ends at Iraq's struggle this morning.
KAGAN: And we'll get to Iraq in just a minute. One week ago today, we saw the first pictures of Roy Hallums in captivity. The 56- year-old American was taken hostage three months ago. Now Hallums' ex-wife has asked the Reverend Jesse Jackson to help win his release. Reverend Jackson joins me now on the phone from Greensboro, North Carolina. He is there attending a black history month event.
Reverend, good morning. Thanks for being with us.
REV. JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: Yes. This is the day 45 years ago that African-Americans sat in, began the sit-in movement to end legal Jim Crow in our own country. So it is quite a celebration.
But today, our hearts are heavy for Roy Hallums who is trapped somewhere in Iraq. I spoke with Thomas Hamilton who we helped in some way to get free. He was a prisoner in Iraq and his ex-wife reaching out to religious leaders in Iraq, reaching out to al Jazeera. And seeking other media outlets to whom it might concern to please let him go. There is no value in keeping him.
KAGAN: Now, Reverend, when you say, "reaching out," are you just making a plea? Do you have plans to go to Iraq? Do you have plans to get more involved than just asking for his release?
JACKSON: Well, in this instance, we were able to bring Americans home before, there was always some head of state that we could appeal to, whether it was Assad, or whether it was Saddam Hussein, or Milosevic. In this case, we do not know who has him. We do not know who the central force is. But they listen to CNN, and BBC, and al Jazeera.
To make a moral appeal, certainly reach out to religious leaders because they have power within those groups, within Iraq for example. My point is tell them don't use Roy Hallums as a trophy. Killing him is of no value to the end that they seek. Please on humanitarian grounds release him.
KAGAN: Reverend, you've been quoted as saying that government officials can't negotiate in this matter. But someone ought to get out there and negotiate. Do you think is it a good policy to negotiate with hostage takers?
JACKSON: Well, yes. Sometimes government-to-government has different kind of institutional relationships. You don't want to get into a situation where the government may have to deal in ransom, for example, or negotiate with an individual.
Religious leaders often can take a different approach and make a church-to-church, religious to religious moral appeal without entangling government in the process. Certainly governments support his release, but it would not be wise to be individually doing the negotiations.
So we reach out to religious leaders in that area. To whom it may concern, please let Mr. Hallums go. He is a sick man. He is no threat to anybody in Iraq. Please let him go on a humanitarian basis.
KAGAN: When you use the word "negotiate" though, Reverend, that sometimes gives the idea that hostage takers are going to be given something. And then when you do that, when you talk to them, when you give them something in exchange for a hostage, are you not encouraging people to take hostages -- even more hostages in the future?
JACKSON: Well, sometimes what they want is their message to get out. There are a number of hostages that have been let go during this last two years ordeal. I do not think that when somebody's life is at stake, and we're beyond talking about with, you don't have to agree with someone who is a hostage taker. But you have to appeal to them.
If they have the hatchet and your neck is on the line, we must not be so arrogant as to not talk with them and make a moral appeal to them to please let him go. It matters very much to him, his family. It should matter to the people in Iraq and to the American people.
KAGAN: Final question, do you plan to travel to Iraq at any point?
JACKSON: If we were to get a lead that was direct, we would make such a mission. We don't have such a lead. Right now, all we know is that there are religious leaders that we know in the area. We know that there are people who have released people before based on these moral appeals.
Today, we would stand to lose everything if we didn't try. And we stand to gain everything if we do try it. And somebody may be listening now. Please, on humanitarian grounds do not kill this man as a trophy. Please release him.
KAGAN: The Reverend Jesse Jackson joining us on the phone from Greensboro, North Carolina. Reverend, thank you for your time. Clearly the family of Roy Hallums, very concerned about this man who's been in captivity in Iraq since November 1 -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Well, even as Iraqi leaders boast of success in Sunday's historic elections, an audio taped voice said to be of terror mastermind Abu Zarqawi, who you've heard so much about, vows the holy war and its warriors will not relent. The tape calls for Iraq's Sunni Muslims to fight the Shiia majority and to chase U.S. troops from the region. In fact, the future of American forces in Iraq has joined the pledge of support from the country's interim president on this day.
Now, CNN's Jeff Koinange is in Baghdad. He's putting all this together for us.
But Jeff, let's start with this. Let's start with Zarqawi's quote, which seems to be saying -- in fact, this is a direct quote from him. "Baghdad will never be Shiite." What's the concern there? JEFF KOINANGE, CNN LAGOS BUREAU CHIEF: That's very surprising, Rick that he would say that. Because Shiias make up 60 percent of this country's population and they voted in numbers on Sunday. So Zarqawi obviously is a little delusional there, if you will, because he's saying that it will not be ruled by Shiias. That's not the point. A lot of Shiias turned out on Election Day. They're trying to do some kind of sharing -- power sharing to include everyone.
In fact, that is what outgoing President Ghazi Yawar said in his first post-election press conference today. He congratulated all Iraqis for turning out in large numbers. He's trying to pool everyone together, trying to rein them in, saying this is an Iraq for all Iraqis. And everyone was a winner on Election Day.
But when asked about the question, which is just about on everyone's lips these days, in other words, when will U.S. troops be withdrawing, this is what he had to say.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GHAZI AL YAWER, INTERIM PRESIDENT, IRAQ (through translator): There isn't a timetable, which has not been put to paper yet. This depends on the speed of building the Iraqi security forces and armed forces. This is not a difficult task. Secondly, we should protect our borders and accomplish security across the country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOINANGE: And Rick, this was the first full day when Iraqis could actually trickle into the streets. This after a three-day lockdown. You could see people walking down the streets. Vehicles were allowed there for the first time. Baghdad Airport opened and the borders too, also opened.
All this as counting continued across the country. Ballot counting, that is, across most provinces. They have counted and they're making their way to Baghdad, where all the votes will be collated, counted again, put into the computer system. Results, according to officials, within seven to 10 days -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: The emphasis may be that dysfunction between Sunnis and Shiias, as you so well describe for us on this day. Jeff Koinange following the story for us from Baghdad. We certainly appreciate it, Jeff. And we will be getting back to you -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Now to the military Angle. President Bush wants to make a huge increase in death benefits paid to the families of U.S. troops killed in combat zones. We get details on that now from Lindsey Arent in Washington -- Lindsey.
LINDSEY ARENT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Daryn. Right now the Senate Armed Services Committee is holding hearings on how to increase death benefits for survivors of U.S. troops killed in combat. You can see right now, the Honorable David Chu talking, he's the under-secretary of defense for Personnel and Readiness, talking about death benefits and the severely wounded; what to do with those. Now, lawmakers at the hearing today expressed emotion. They had some outrage at what they say are the, quote, "paltry and miserly sums" troops' families get when a family member dies in combat. And they praise President Bush for including funds for service members' survivors in his 2006 budget proposal. Now so far, more than 1500 U.S. soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since October 2001.
Earlier, just a few minutes ago, Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions spoke at the hearing this morning and expressed his emotion.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), REPUBLICAN: They want to be involved. They want to be sure that soldiers who are serving our country and give their lives for their country are well -- their families are well taken care of if something happens to them. And every soldier that goes and serves our country, puts their lives at risk, need to know that if something happens the to him or her, their family will be well taken care of. I think that's the bond that we are involved in here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ARENT: Now, let's break down the numbers for you. Under the current system, families of troops killed in combat receive a one-time tax-free payment from the government of some $12,420. Now under the administration's new proposal that benefit would grow to $100,000. Meantime, troops' life insurance benefit would increase under the new plan. Rising from $250,000 up to $400,000 for troops killed in a designated combat zone.
Now additionally, the Pentagon will also propose to pay for the difference in premiums for the new insurance benefits. So what we have altogether here under the new proposal, we're going to see U.S. troops who are killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and possibly future war zones, receiving $250,000 extra from the government in benefits.
Now, if this proposal is passed in its current form, Daryn, these changes would be retroactive to any service member killed in combat since October 2001 -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Lindsey Arent reporting from Washington. Thank you.
SANCHEZ: Pop star Michael Jackson is back in court today and still in the spotlight. Hundreds of everyday citizens are going to be under the microscope as well. Why? Well, there are some hundred potential jurors are going to be facing questions, and the possibility of ultimately deciding his guilt or innocence in this child molestation trial.
CNN's Miguel Marquez is in Santa Maria, California. He's setting the stage for us.
Good morning, Miguel.
MIGUEL MARQEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. And what a stage it is. Mr. Jackson will be back in court here. At 10:00 a.m. they're going to start today. And what should be one of the most boring sort of procedures in the courts becomes sort of a concert-like atmosphere, where Mr. Jackson arrives.
He arrived yesterday by himself. Many family members have flown in. According to a family spokesperson, and wanted to join him in court yesterday but weren't able to. And were quite upset that they weren't able to.
Mr. Jackson wearing all white, which has become his court trademark it seems, walked into court. He was confident and relaxed in there, according to some of the journalists, the pool journalists who were allowed into the courtroom. Because of space considerations, only a few journalists and none of Mr. Jackson's family can get into the courtroom.
Mr. Jackson joking with his lawyers, even said hello to the court reporter at one point. And then once the jurors came in and the prosecutors entered, Mr. Jackson was all business apparently. Sitting down and looking straight ahead and being the model defendant, if you will.
About 300 journalists cycled through the courtroom yesterday. More than half said that they would be able to serve the six months of the trial. They were then taken off to fill out a seven-page questionnaire. Another 300 journalists will cycle -- or jurors, potential jurors will cycle through today. Those that say that they can serve a six-month trial will also fill out that seven-page questionnaire. There will be the reminder of the jurors tomorrow.
And then all of those questionnaires will be gone through by the lawyers on both sides. And next week what will happen is that both sides, both lawyers for the prosecution and the defense, will begin questioning the prospective jurors to see who will judge Michael Jackson -- Rick.
SANCHEZ: Miguel Marquez following that story for us out of California. We certainly appreciate it, Miguel. We will be getting back to you as that story develops.
Now we should tell you this. On a programming note, at the bottom of the hour, we're going to talk to a man who combines his training as both a lawyer and a psychologist to try and develop a science of jury selection. In short, we're going to be asking him what the defense is looking for in juries. And as well what the prosecution is looking for in juries. That's Robert Gordon. He'll be our guest. Stay tuned for that.
KAGAN: One man and one man only has headed up the Homeland Security Department. He is leaving. What is next for Tom Ridge? We'll tell you what he says about a possible run for the White House.
Plus this...
SANCHEZ: Also this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) (GUNFIRE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He went down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SANCHEZ: How to fight against terrorism is helping a New Mexico ghost town suddenly find new life.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: In today's CNN "Security Watch," Tom Ridge is spending his last day on the job as the nation's first Homeland Security chief. Last night, Ridge formally bid farewell to his troops at the vast government agency that he helped create and define over the past three years. During that time there have been reports of several terrorist plots defused but none carried out on U.S. soil.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM RIDGE, SECRETARY, HOMELAND SECURITY: Every single day I go to bed knowing that, given the collective efforts of 180,000 people, we got one more step in terms of greater security. One more step in insuring that my children, and your children, and other children are going to be able to enjoy the extraordinary freedoms and liberties that we've enjoyed as a country for 220-plus years.
We've been challenged from time to time. But every time we've been challenged, we've met that challenge. And in the process of meeting that challenge, we've become a better country. And that's what's happening to us now and will happen to us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAGAN: Ridge says that he looks forward to returning to the private sector but is not ruling out a future presidential run.
Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary nominee Michael Chertoff is expected to face some tough questioning from the Democrats tomorrow. Chertoff will appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The panel is expected to approve President Bush's choice. And Chertoff should easily win confirmation from the full Senate.
The Democrats want to know about Chertoff's role in advising the CIA on torture standards. When Chertoff headed the Justice Department's Criminal Division he said any legal advice he gave was broad and generalized.
SANCHEZ: Here is that story we were mentioning to you just moments ago. It starts in Playas, New Mexico. This is a one-industry town, which stands for beach, interestingly enough. When the plant closed, Playas was virtually deserted. But Playas has now been resurrected. Again, thanks to one business, the war on terror.
Take a look at this report from our Ed Lavandera.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a really nice town to raise a family.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Hometown, USA.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was ghost town. Peaceful, quiet, it's a beautiful country. It's not a ghost town anymore.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Playas, New Mexico is the kind of place that maps ignore. But the town is making its mark as the newest nerve center for a war on terror.
VAN ROMERO, TECH, NEW MEXICO: This is a real town, real infrastructure that is essentially at our disposal. We control everything here.
LAVANDERA: Playas is an old copper smelting town. Five years ago, the plant shut down and nearly all the 1,000 people who lived here moved out. Then a few months ago, it was turned into an anti- terror training center. At the opening ceremony, the ribbon wasn't cut. It was...
(GUNFIRE)
LAVANDERA: Playas has been nicknamed Terror Town, USA. But don't say that to Bill Cavalier, the town's only police officer.
BILL CAVALIER, POLICEMAN: I think anti-terror town is more appropriate.
LAVANDERA (on camera): New Mexico Tech University bought the town of Playas back in October for $5 million. They've also contracted with the Department of Homeland Security, which will pay $20 million a year for the next five years to conduct training here.
(voice-over): It's now a wide open classroom to train police officers, firefighters, and other emergency officials in the latest techniques for fighting terrorists.
ROMERO: We can bring first responders and put them in a situation that they wouldn't be able to experience anyplace else in the country.
LAVANDERA: Like simulating a suicide bombing in an urban environment.
ROMERO: This is essentially a bus bombing that's taken place.
LAVANDERA: During weeklong courses in Playas, emergency teams work a fictional scenario. The mission, to keep terrorists from attacking a public event.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've got pipe bombs.
(GUNFIRE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Go, go, go.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He went down.
LAVANDERA: All this happens in plain view of the 40 people who still live in Playas. Residents say the town is booming again.
LINDA MCCARTY, RESIDENT: That's surprising that they can come to this little place.
LAVANDERA: Albert Mora is a former welder. He lost his job at the copper plant. At age 58, he's starting a new career, role-playing in a mock bus bombing.
ALBERT MORA, RESIDENT: I was told today that I need to get to Hollywood to get some acting lessons. I thought I was doing real good, but they kind of hurt my feelings a little bit.
(LAUGHTER)
LAVANDERA: After years of struggling to find work, these residents now find themselves in the middle of the action. They're turning in the grime and grit of the copper smelter for fake blood and scars. Seeing the walking wounded stagger around town has become normal.
MCCARTY: I was dead on the bus.
CAVALIER: Playas Police Department, this is Bill.
LAVANDERA: Bill Cavalier senses his hometown is changing, answering a call to duty. He and his neighbors feel this is a chance to fight terror and to make a difference.
CAVALIER: I really support the military and I support this anti- terrorist training. Really anything that's going to help protect the United States.
LAVANDERA: This once forgotten ghost town has been transformed into the most unlikely of modern-day battlefields. A reminder, the war on terror is never far from home.
Ed Lavandera, Playas, New Mexico.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SANCHEZ: Great stuff. And that's what we do, looking for stories like those. Stay tuned to CNN day and night for reliable news about your security.
KAGAN: All right. Personal question for you. Do you Google?
SANCHEZ: I Google and I Yahoo!.
KAGAN: Oh, now we know more than we need to know. If you said yes, Microsoft actually wants you to stop doing that and start using their search engine. How the software giant wants to change the way you surf the web.
SANCHEZ: Interesting.
Also the president's first major address of his second term. And we're going to preview the State of the Union Address for you. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KAGAN: Microsoft is turning the keys on a new search engine today. The Internet search engine will permanently replace the Yahoo! search technology that's been on Microsoft's website. Microsoft is hoping to gain a foothold. Also, Goggle's been there too, hoping to gain a foothold in the lucrative search engine market. Google and Yahoo! are leaders in that part of the Internet industry.
Good thing. Because you know I'm worried about the folks at Microsoft. They aren't making enough money.
(LAUGHTER)
SANCHEZ: Yes.
KAGAN: They need more products out there.
SANCHEZ: Orelon Sidney, do you Google or Yahoo!?
ORELON SIDNEY, CNN METEOROLOGIST: I wouldn't tell you on the air.
(LAUGHTER)
SIDNEY: Every now and again I do Google. We have to look up things that we can't immediately access. So yes, definitely very useful.
(WEATHER REPORT)
KAGAN: Thank you for that.
SANCHEZ: Seating a jury of Michael Jackson's peers. That's kind of a loaded question for the purposes of a tease. But here's the question. How can you find 12 peers to judge the defendant who has been a public figure for decades? We're going to talk with a jury consultant about what the lawyers need to do.
KAGAN: And still ahead, never before seen pictures of south Asia's tsunami. Much more, stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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