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CNN Live Today

Iraq Attempts to Piece Together New Democracy; Jesse Jackson Visits Schiavo Hospice

Aired March 29, 2005 - 11:34   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: We've been listening in to President Bush, an event held today in the Rose Garden. He is celebrating the newly elected government in Iraq and democracy as it emerges, and struggle to find its form and what the next step is in Iraq, surrounded by a number of Iraqi Americans who participated in the election eight weeks ago by voting at different places here in the U.S.
Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House.

Elaine, the topic of democracy on the mind not on the president, but the first lady today, as she is on her way to Afghanistan.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

That announcement coming out of the White House earlier this morning that the first lady is, in fact, on her way to Afghanistan. Really, the primary theme there, the first lady's interest in education. That has been a longstanding concern of hers. Of course, she is a former librarian, former educator. But during her five-hour visit there on the ground in Afghanistan, that will be her primary focus.

As far as the president's remarks in the Rose Garden, interesting to note that he started off offering his condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia. Certainly significant, because if you'll recall, he was widely criticized in the days after the tsunami for not coming out sooner, you'll recall, at the end of December, when that happened.

But here, the president quite clearly starting off saying that the U.S. stands ready to help those victims.

Now, as for the centerpiece, really, of his remarks, the situation in Iraq -- really, the president looking back with those members, with those people in Iraq who, in fact, voted, also other people here in the United States observing the legal systems and the democratic institutions.

But President Bush saying that -- really applauding the efforts made back then when Iraqis headed to the polls, saying that they defied terrorists, but also saying that now the focus should be on compromise.

Of course, there have been some difficulties with the transitional national assembly in trying to get a new government installed. President Bush, though, essentially saying today that they are on the right path, that they should continue -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Elaine Quijano live at the White House.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Let's do this now.

Let's take you to Iraq and try and get a first-person reporter's account of what's going on. And let's start with the good news as we head over to Aneesh Raman who is following this story for us.

Aneesh, there seems to be -- is there not -- a lull at least in terms of the insurgents' attacks?

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There has been, Rick.

If you look at the past month from Hillah, which was largest single deadliest attack since the fall of Saddam, there has been a virtual silence in terms of insurgent attacks.

There has been the daily drum beat of mortars and also guns -- assassinations and policemen being gunned down. But year to date, we're being told there has been a overall decrease, American casualties have decreased.

So there is a sense on the ground that Iraqi forces themselves perhaps are starting to come into their own. We've seen a number of instances in the past few weeks of Iraqi forces capturing hundreds of insurgents in one, finding a base of insurgent operations in another. They led those operations. They're getting better intelligence.

The interior minister just yesterday said that they hope within perhaps 18 months to have really a sense of control from the Iraqi forces on the entire country, Rick.

SANCHEZ: As far as governmental policies go, and their attempt to try and form a government in the national assembly, they're having a bit of a time with it. As a matter of fact, they can't seem to be able to pick a speaker.

RAMAN: That's right.

The president vocalizing support for this process, perhaps mitigating frustration that hit a boiling point today at the second meeting of the national assembly -- the second time they did not vote for a speaker. That, because negotiations had effectively collapsed among the Sunnis.

Members of the assembly not part of the negotiations vocalized their anger, demanded to know why it wasn't happening, what was happening behind closed doors. At that point, the video signal that Iraqis at home were watching went black. The media were kicked out, a closed-door impromptu session began.

They emerged from that saying they will meet on Sunday at which point a speaker will be put in place. But you heard the president really saying what an incredible, seminal moment it was at the end of January when Iraqis braved the security fears to vote. Those Iraqis feel they've done their part and now are really hoping that this government takes shape and it does its part in combating security, and also the daily necessities of things like water and electricity -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Still, though, this government will have -- what -- very little Shia representation?

RAMAN: Yes.

I mean, the Shia are clearly the majority. But they need that two-thirds block in order to get this first step going, which is where the Kurds become kind of the kingmakers.

The Kurds, in turn, are aware that this is their one window of opportunity to really determine what happens. So they're making sure not to concede too much, not to demand too little.

And all sides are trying to do what the president called upon them to do, which is form a unity government, to bring the Sunnis into it. And all of that is very detailed. The negotiations continue to this day. They don't know who's going to have certain ministries such as the oil and defense ministries.

So it's a very complicated process, a lot of history being played out. But everyone aware that they have to go forward soon, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Aneesh Raman following that story from Iraq, and thanks for picking that up for me, by the way. I misspoke when I said Shia -- I meant to say lacking Sunni representation.

Once again, Aneesh Raman reporting from Baghdad.

KAGAN: To Lynchburg, Virginia now. There is breaking news on the Reverend Jerry Falwell.

He has been readmitted to a hospital there. He apparently has been hospitalized today for an undisclosed medical problem. We do know that this is his second trip to the hospital this year. He was treated in Lynchburg General Hospital for 13 days in late February and early March while battling pneumonia. And doctors only let him out of the hospital saying they made him promise to take it easy.

Jerry Falwell back in the hospital today in Lynchburg, Virginia.

We have a break coming up. Much more news straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: In our "Daily Dose" of health news, we like it, we need it, but we just don't get enough of it. We're talking about sleep. And getting too little can actually affect your health, your job performance, your sex life and your safety.

For example, according to a survey out today from the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of licensed drivers say they have driven while drowsy in the past year. And four percent say they've had an accident or near accident because they were just too tired or dozed off while they were behind the wheel. So why is it that we're so sleepless in America these days?

Senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who puts in a few hours himself, we might add, examines some of the causes and gives us advice on getting a good night's sleep.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill Teneyck had reached the end of the line. His heart was failing and his doctors told him he might soon need a heart transplant. But then he learned something that would change everything. He had sleep apnea.

BILL TENEYCK, SLEEP APNEA PATIENT: During a measurement of one hour during the night, it showed that I had stopped breathing 33 times, the longest of which was a minute and the shortest of which was 15 seconds.

GUPTA: Important for Teneyck because studies have shown sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease.

DR. THOMAS LORUSSO, N. VA SLEEP DIAGNOSTIC CENTER: What actually happens during a sleep apnea event is when the airway closes, the blood oxygen level drops. So it's really no different than me coming in and putting my hands over your neck.

GUPTA: A new survey from the National Sleep Foundation found one in four respondents were at risk for sleep apnea. And sleep apnea is just one cause of sleep deprivation. Stress can also lead to insomnia. And poor health is just one side-effect from lack of sleep.

The same survey found that 78 percent of those polled said they were getting less sleep because of their partners' sleep problems, and a third said lack of sleep had a negative impact on their sex life. Most importantly, the National Sleep Foundation is warning adults against ignoring sleep problems.

DR. BARBARA PHILLIPS, NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION: Sleep is like anything else. It's like calories or the amount of exercise or hair color. Not one size fits all. But the vast majority of people should do well with between seven and nine hours a night.

GUPTA: If this sounds easier said than done, here are tips on how you might get more sleep. Try to wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day, even on weekends. Avoid caffeine after 2:00 p.m. Keep the bedroom quiet. No working in bed, no TV in bed.

As for Bill, he wears a special mask at night, which helps him breathe easier.

TENEYCK: My heart was able to perform better, because it was getting rest. I think that had I not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, had I not been using this machine for the last five years, I probably would have been history.

GUPTA: And today, he's no longer in need of a heart transplant.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Get enough sleep, you won't forget things, by the way.

KAGAN: Yes, absolutely, I'll make a note of that. We'll also going to remember to have a lot more news ahead, including the latest from Florida on the Terri Schiavo case. Plus a look at your weather forecast. That's coming up.

SANCHEZ: We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A lot of action today in Pinellas Park outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo is. Let's go to our Bob Franken, standing by live -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, with all the activity going on, we have to be reminded that this is about Terri Schiavo, who, inside the hospice, is reported to be slipping away, as she's now in her 12th day without being reconnected to the feeding tube. A short while ago, we had an appearance -- in fact, he's still around here -- Reverend Jesse Jackson. Reverend Jackson was brought here at the invitation of the family.

And he was delayed in his appearance before news cameras because he was said to be on the telephone with some state senators, trying to convince three who would make a difference, according to those keep count, to somehow come up with some sort of emergency legislation that at this last hour would result in the feeding tube being reconnected. He was asked to go into the hospice to see Terri Schiavo, but according to them, members of Michael Schiavo's organization, his legal organization, said no, that Michael Schiavo did not want him inside. Reverend Jackson did not try to go inside. He came out, however, and talked to reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: In this case, they pull not the plug but the feeding tube and the water. So without water or food, without even ice cubes for her lips for 12 days, she is still alive. That should send a message to all of us, that while law is important, law must be tempered with mercy to have justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: And while Reverend Jackson was speaking, a bit of excitement. A man penetrated the security around the hospice, got as far as the door by racing past police. According to police officials, when he would not stop, they tasered him. He has been identified as Dow Percely (ph) of Scranton, Pennsylvania, identified as a teacher in a bible college there. He was being charged with attempted burglary and resisting arrest.

So the activity here gets more and more frenetic. And Reverend Jackson is still here, trying to exert whatever influence he can on a group of institutions and government that have thus far have resisted influence as Terri Schiavo's life slips away -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob Franken live from Pinellas Park, Florida, thank you.

SANCHEZ: Bring you up-to-date on another breaking story that we told you about a little while ago. CNN is now confirming that the Reverend Jerry Falwell has, indeed, been hospitalized for an undisclosed medical problem.

Here's what Jessica Tucker (ph) has to say. She works at Jerry Falwell's ministries. She says, I can tell you that he is in the hospital, and that he is resting, and that's about all they can say at this point. The hospitalization, by the way, is Falwell's second so far this year. He's being treated at Lynchburg General Hospital. And a story that we'll continue to follow.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Take a look at these pictures. Fast-acting firefighters saved a cab driver near Cincinnati. The cabby was caught in a flash flood in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. It was about 2:30 Monday morning and the water was rising by several inches every minute. Firefighters quickly extended a ladder and broke open the cab's rear window. Everyone got out safely. Even the car was saved, but not until after the floodwaters had receded.

SANCHEZ: And there was no charge for the ride.

KAGAN: Do you think he kept the meter running?

SANCHEZ: I was just going to say, absolutely not, sir.

KAGAN: I bet he did.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Wolf Blitzer did some serious traveling lately.

KAGAN: He did.

SANCHEZ: I don't know if you got a chance to see some of his reports, but he's filed stories from the Middle East, he was in Iraq, had video that nobody else had. And he's going to be coming up next with the very latest on all the news on this day.

KAGAN: Absolutely. That's going to do it for us. We'll see you right here, tomorrow morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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


Aired March 29, 2005 - 11:34   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We've been listening in to President Bush, an event held today in the Rose Garden. He is celebrating the newly elected government in Iraq and democracy as it emerges, and struggle to find its form and what the next step is in Iraq, surrounded by a number of Iraqi Americans who participated in the election eight weeks ago by voting at different places here in the U.S.
Our Elaine Quijano is at the White House.

Elaine, the topic of democracy on the mind not on the president, but the first lady today, as she is on her way to Afghanistan.

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right.

That announcement coming out of the White House earlier this morning that the first lady is, in fact, on her way to Afghanistan. Really, the primary theme there, the first lady's interest in education. That has been a longstanding concern of hers. Of course, she is a former librarian, former educator. But during her five-hour visit there on the ground in Afghanistan, that will be her primary focus.

As far as the president's remarks in the Rose Garden, interesting to note that he started off offering his condolences to the victims of the earthquake in Indonesia. Certainly significant, because if you'll recall, he was widely criticized in the days after the tsunami for not coming out sooner, you'll recall, at the end of December, when that happened.

But here, the president quite clearly starting off saying that the U.S. stands ready to help those victims.

Now, as for the centerpiece, really, of his remarks, the situation in Iraq -- really, the president looking back with those members, with those people in Iraq who, in fact, voted, also other people here in the United States observing the legal systems and the democratic institutions.

But President Bush saying that -- really applauding the efforts made back then when Iraqis headed to the polls, saying that they defied terrorists, but also saying that now the focus should be on compromise.

Of course, there have been some difficulties with the transitional national assembly in trying to get a new government installed. President Bush, though, essentially saying today that they are on the right path, that they should continue -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Elaine Quijano live at the White House.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN ANCHOR: Let's do this now.

Let's take you to Iraq and try and get a first-person reporter's account of what's going on. And let's start with the good news as we head over to Aneesh Raman who is following this story for us.

Aneesh, there seems to be -- is there not -- a lull at least in terms of the insurgents' attacks?

ANEESH RAMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There has been, Rick.

If you look at the past month from Hillah, which was largest single deadliest attack since the fall of Saddam, there has been a virtual silence in terms of insurgent attacks.

There has been the daily drum beat of mortars and also guns -- assassinations and policemen being gunned down. But year to date, we're being told there has been a overall decrease, American casualties have decreased.

So there is a sense on the ground that Iraqi forces themselves perhaps are starting to come into their own. We've seen a number of instances in the past few weeks of Iraqi forces capturing hundreds of insurgents in one, finding a base of insurgent operations in another. They led those operations. They're getting better intelligence.

The interior minister just yesterday said that they hope within perhaps 18 months to have really a sense of control from the Iraqi forces on the entire country, Rick.

SANCHEZ: As far as governmental policies go, and their attempt to try and form a government in the national assembly, they're having a bit of a time with it. As a matter of fact, they can't seem to be able to pick a speaker.

RAMAN: That's right.

The president vocalizing support for this process, perhaps mitigating frustration that hit a boiling point today at the second meeting of the national assembly -- the second time they did not vote for a speaker. That, because negotiations had effectively collapsed among the Sunnis.

Members of the assembly not part of the negotiations vocalized their anger, demanded to know why it wasn't happening, what was happening behind closed doors. At that point, the video signal that Iraqis at home were watching went black. The media were kicked out, a closed-door impromptu session began.

They emerged from that saying they will meet on Sunday at which point a speaker will be put in place. But you heard the president really saying what an incredible, seminal moment it was at the end of January when Iraqis braved the security fears to vote. Those Iraqis feel they've done their part and now are really hoping that this government takes shape and it does its part in combating security, and also the daily necessities of things like water and electricity -- Rick.

SANCHEZ: Still, though, this government will have -- what -- very little Shia representation?

RAMAN: Yes.

I mean, the Shia are clearly the majority. But they need that two-thirds block in order to get this first step going, which is where the Kurds become kind of the kingmakers.

The Kurds, in turn, are aware that this is their one window of opportunity to really determine what happens. So they're making sure not to concede too much, not to demand too little.

And all sides are trying to do what the president called upon them to do, which is form a unity government, to bring the Sunnis into it. And all of that is very detailed. The negotiations continue to this day. They don't know who's going to have certain ministries such as the oil and defense ministries.

So it's a very complicated process, a lot of history being played out. But everyone aware that they have to go forward soon, Rick.

SANCHEZ: Aneesh Raman following that story from Iraq, and thanks for picking that up for me, by the way. I misspoke when I said Shia -- I meant to say lacking Sunni representation.

Once again, Aneesh Raman reporting from Baghdad.

KAGAN: To Lynchburg, Virginia now. There is breaking news on the Reverend Jerry Falwell.

He has been readmitted to a hospital there. He apparently has been hospitalized today for an undisclosed medical problem. We do know that this is his second trip to the hospital this year. He was treated in Lynchburg General Hospital for 13 days in late February and early March while battling pneumonia. And doctors only let him out of the hospital saying they made him promise to take it easy.

Jerry Falwell back in the hospital today in Lynchburg, Virginia.

We have a break coming up. Much more news straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SANCHEZ: In our "Daily Dose" of health news, we like it, we need it, but we just don't get enough of it. We're talking about sleep. And getting too little can actually affect your health, your job performance, your sex life and your safety.

For example, according to a survey out today from the National Sleep Foundation, 60 percent of licensed drivers say they have driven while drowsy in the past year. And four percent say they've had an accident or near accident because they were just too tired or dozed off while they were behind the wheel. So why is it that we're so sleepless in America these days?

Senior medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who puts in a few hours himself, we might add, examines some of the causes and gives us advice on getting a good night's sleep.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SANJAY GUPTA, CNN SR. MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Bill Teneyck had reached the end of the line. His heart was failing and his doctors told him he might soon need a heart transplant. But then he learned something that would change everything. He had sleep apnea.

BILL TENEYCK, SLEEP APNEA PATIENT: During a measurement of one hour during the night, it showed that I had stopped breathing 33 times, the longest of which was a minute and the shortest of which was 15 seconds.

GUPTA: Important for Teneyck because studies have shown sleep apnea can contribute to heart disease.

DR. THOMAS LORUSSO, N. VA SLEEP DIAGNOSTIC CENTER: What actually happens during a sleep apnea event is when the airway closes, the blood oxygen level drops. So it's really no different than me coming in and putting my hands over your neck.

GUPTA: A new survey from the National Sleep Foundation found one in four respondents were at risk for sleep apnea. And sleep apnea is just one cause of sleep deprivation. Stress can also lead to insomnia. And poor health is just one side-effect from lack of sleep.

The same survey found that 78 percent of those polled said they were getting less sleep because of their partners' sleep problems, and a third said lack of sleep had a negative impact on their sex life. Most importantly, the National Sleep Foundation is warning adults against ignoring sleep problems.

DR. BARBARA PHILLIPS, NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION: Sleep is like anything else. It's like calories or the amount of exercise or hair color. Not one size fits all. But the vast majority of people should do well with between seven and nine hours a night.

GUPTA: If this sounds easier said than done, here are tips on how you might get more sleep. Try to wake up and go to sleep at the same time every day, even on weekends. Avoid caffeine after 2:00 p.m. Keep the bedroom quiet. No working in bed, no TV in bed.

As for Bill, he wears a special mask at night, which helps him breathe easier.

TENEYCK: My heart was able to perform better, because it was getting rest. I think that had I not been diagnosed with sleep apnea, had I not been using this machine for the last five years, I probably would have been history.

GUPTA: And today, he's no longer in need of a heart transplant.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SANCHEZ: Get enough sleep, you won't forget things, by the way.

KAGAN: Yes, absolutely, I'll make a note of that. We'll also going to remember to have a lot more news ahead, including the latest from Florida on the Terri Schiavo case. Plus a look at your weather forecast. That's coming up.

SANCHEZ: We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: A lot of action today in Pinellas Park outside the hospice where Terri Schiavo is. Let's go to our Bob Franken, standing by live -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, with all the activity going on, we have to be reminded that this is about Terri Schiavo, who, inside the hospice, is reported to be slipping away, as she's now in her 12th day without being reconnected to the feeding tube. A short while ago, we had an appearance -- in fact, he's still around here -- Reverend Jesse Jackson. Reverend Jackson was brought here at the invitation of the family.

And he was delayed in his appearance before news cameras because he was said to be on the telephone with some state senators, trying to convince three who would make a difference, according to those keep count, to somehow come up with some sort of emergency legislation that at this last hour would result in the feeding tube being reconnected. He was asked to go into the hospice to see Terri Schiavo, but according to them, members of Michael Schiavo's organization, his legal organization, said no, that Michael Schiavo did not want him inside. Reverend Jackson did not try to go inside. He came out, however, and talked to reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REV. JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST: In this case, they pull not the plug but the feeding tube and the water. So without water or food, without even ice cubes for her lips for 12 days, she is still alive. That should send a message to all of us, that while law is important, law must be tempered with mercy to have justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: And while Reverend Jackson was speaking, a bit of excitement. A man penetrated the security around the hospice, got as far as the door by racing past police. According to police officials, when he would not stop, they tasered him. He has been identified as Dow Percely (ph) of Scranton, Pennsylvania, identified as a teacher in a bible college there. He was being charged with attempted burglary and resisting arrest.

So the activity here gets more and more frenetic. And Reverend Jackson is still here, trying to exert whatever influence he can on a group of institutions and government that have thus far have resisted influence as Terri Schiavo's life slips away -- Daryn.

KAGAN: Bob Franken live from Pinellas Park, Florida, thank you.

SANCHEZ: Bring you up-to-date on another breaking story that we told you about a little while ago. CNN is now confirming that the Reverend Jerry Falwell has, indeed, been hospitalized for an undisclosed medical problem.

Here's what Jessica Tucker (ph) has to say. She works at Jerry Falwell's ministries. She says, I can tell you that he is in the hospital, and that he is resting, and that's about all they can say at this point. The hospitalization, by the way, is Falwell's second so far this year. He's being treated at Lynchburg General Hospital. And a story that we'll continue to follow.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KAGAN: Take a look at these pictures. Fast-acting firefighters saved a cab driver near Cincinnati. The cabby was caught in a flash flood in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. It was about 2:30 Monday morning and the water was rising by several inches every minute. Firefighters quickly extended a ladder and broke open the cab's rear window. Everyone got out safely. Even the car was saved, but not until after the floodwaters had receded.

SANCHEZ: And there was no charge for the ride.

KAGAN: Do you think he kept the meter running?

SANCHEZ: I was just going to say, absolutely not, sir.

KAGAN: I bet he did.

(WEATHER REPORT)

SANCHEZ: Wolf Blitzer did some serious traveling lately.

KAGAN: He did.

SANCHEZ: I don't know if you got a chance to see some of his reports, but he's filed stories from the Middle East, he was in Iraq, had video that nobody else had. And he's going to be coming up next with the very latest on all the news on this day.

KAGAN: Absolutely. That's going to do it for us. We'll see you right here, tomorrow morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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