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American Morning
A Powerful Bomb Explodes in Lebanon; Votes in for Iraq's Elections
Aired February 14, 2005 - 08:00 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: Good morning.
There is breaking news at this hour from Beirut. A powerful bomb exploding in Lebanon. The former prime minister is dead.
In the Philippines, bombs going off in three cities. Word of casualties there, as well, this morning.
And the votes are in for Iraq's elections, but big questions remain about who will govern and how.
And all the glitz and glamour of the Grammys, and deep respect for the man who was not there last night.
All ahead this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
We're going to have more on that bombing in Lebanon in just a few moments.
Also, from Iraq this morning, the results of the January 30th election have been announced. Shiite candidates are the big winners. They don't hold all the cards, though. We're going to take a look at what the new Iraqi government might look like; also, talk with the new U.S. commander in Tikrit about how things might be changing for the military now.
HEMMER: Also on a much lighter note this hour, all the bold fashion statements last night at the Grammys. Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" drops by to tell us about the good, the bad and the outrageous from last night. So, we'll have some fun with Carson a bit later this hour.
O'BRIEN: Oh, Jamie Foxx had a big white fur coat.
HEMMER: Yes?
O'BRIEN: Was that him?
HEMMER: It might have been. O'BRIEN: It might have been a fashion crime.
HEMMER: That was Usher there in the white one there.
O'BRIEN: Oh, that was Usher there?
HEMMER: The men were wearing white last night, too. So, we'll talk to Carson -- hello.
O'BRIEN: Hi -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I missed the Grammys.
Were they good?
HEMMER: I thought it was a great show. Yes, well, with the exception of J-Lo and Marc Anthony. It was that afternoon soap opera, and a bad one, at that.
O'BRIEN: A little.
CAFFERTY: Plus she just -- she actually tried to sing last night, which is a huge mistake. Ordinarily she doesn't -- all she does is lip sync.
HEMMER: The Grammys won't let you.
O'BRIEN: Right.
CAFFERTY: That's all you should ever do is lip sync and you should not go on the Grammys if they won't let you lip sync because you cannot sing.
Coming up in the "Cafferty File" in less than an hour, Will Smith proves he's not just an action hero. What women are willing to do for a date with one of Hollywood's hottest actors. And I do have a Valentine's gift for my pal, Soledad.
HEMMER: Cool.
O'BRIEN: You know, at first I was like that is to sweet. And now when you keep saying, now I'm getting worried.
HEMMER: You're getting worried.
CAFFERTY: No, listen, this is...
O'BRIEN: Really?
CAFFERTY: You'll be very touched by this.
O'BRIEN: Really?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Touched in the good, positive way or touched... CAFFERTY: Well, you'll be touched. Let's just leave it at that.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack, thanks.
HEMMER: We definitely look forward to that.
In the meantime, one of the Middle East's most influential leaders has been killed in a massive explosion in Beirut. An apparent car bomb in the heart of the Lebanese capital killing the popular former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri.
Brent Sadler back on the phone in Beirut -- Brent, what do you have?
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Bill.
Good morning.
This does appear to have been a massive car bomb by any standards. A huge explosion rocked the center of downtown Beirut. This was an attack, it seems. It killed Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a five times Lebanese prime minister, a dominant, powerful political figure, a Sunni Muslim on the Lebanese scene, an extraordinarily well connected politician whose reach went way beyond the shores of Lebanon -- reaching to Paris, a close personal friend of President Jacques Chirac; on very good terms with U.S. President George W. Bush; a frequent visitor to many of the Arab capitals, including Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt, and the Jordanian king, Abdullah. He is a close personal friend of the Saudi Arabian royal family. Hariri had both Lebanese and dual Saudi nationality.
He has been in and out of favor with the Syrians. That's the neighboring regime of Bashar al-Assad, who have been instrumental in, they say, securing, helping to secure Lebanon for the past 15, 16 years or so. Sorry, 20 years or so.
But Syria certainly has been in the spotlight from the U.S. and France for pushing Syria to quit its occupation of Lebanon and to disarm the Hezbollah militia here.
So it's set against a backdrop of vicious political infighting that this assassination appears to have taken place -- Bill.
HEMMER: Brent Sadler on the scene there in Beirut, Lebanon.
We'll follow that throughout the morning.
Brent, thanks for that report.
When you get more, come on back.
Now Soledad with more.
O'BRIEN: Other headlines now with Heidi Collins -- good morning.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day to you guys.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
Likewise.
HEMMER: Happy Valentine's Day.
COLLINS: I haven't said it yet.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
COLLINS: And good morning to you, everybody.
We want to get straight to the news now, though, this morning.
Three powerful explosions rocking the southern Philippines. Police officials report at least three people are dead, many others wounded. There's one apparent claim that the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf is behind the bombings. That, though, has not yet been verified.
A man who opened fire at a mall near Kingston, New York is behind bars right now. Police say a 24-year-old man walked into a store and shot until his assault rifle ran out of bullets. Mall employees then rushed in and subdued him. At least two people were injured. The suspect is facing assault and reckless endangerment charges.
The country's largest phone company getting bigger now. CNN has learned Verizon Communications is acquiring MCI for, can you hear me now, more than $6.7 billion. It follows the $16 billion SBC Communications and AT&T deal.
And, the battle for the top dog starts today in the Big Apple. Some big hair, too. The 100 -- or fur, I should say. The 129th Westminster Kennel Club show kicking off at Madison Square Garden. More than 2,500 pooches are bound for the green carpet. This is a look at some of the contestants from last year. We're going to have this year's best in show winner on AMERICAN MORNING coming up on Wednesday.
Such handsome pooches.
HEMMER: Um-hmm.
O'BRIEN: They really are. They're beautiful animals.
HEMMER: A great event.
COLLINS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Heidi.
COLLINS: You bet.
O'BRIEN: Well, this morning Michael Jackson's child molestation case enters a new phase of jury selection. Miguel Marquez is in Santa Maria, California with more on the efforts to seat that jury.
Hey, Miguel -- good morning.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you there, Soledad.
Yes, today begins the process of voire dire -- the questioning of the jurors. They have a pool of about 250 jurors. Several of them will be called today, all in an attempt to get to 12.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
MARQUEZ (voice-over): Michael Jackson will be in and out of the central California courthouse, where nearly 250 potential jurors will be questioned.
JEAN ROSENBLUTH, USC LAW PROFESSOR: The defense just needs one juror to say not guilty and that's it. The prosecution needs 12 people to say this guy did it.
MARQUEZ: But before the verdict, a jury of 12 plus eight alternates must be selected.
ROSENBLUTH: I think that the defense certainly is going to be looking for single people, whether they're male or female, people who don't have children.
MARQUEZ: In the questionnaires filled out by the potential jurors, 25 percent answered that they knew someone who had met Jackson or had been to his Neverland Ranch. And 150 potential jurors are under age 50.
ROSENBLUTH: I think the prosecution is going to be looking for parents, and maybe even particularly mothers.
MARQUEZ: Those same questionnaires show that there are more women than men and that 20 percent of the potential jurors have been exposed to inappropriate sexual behavior during their lifetimes. And 60 percent of the potential jurors said that they had heard or read something about past allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson.
Another problem for the pop star, the prosecution has subpoenaed actor Corey Feldman, who, in his teens, was Jackson's friend. Feldman previously defended Jackson, but last Friday on ABC's "20/20," he changed his story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "20/20," COURTESY ABC NEWS)
MARTIN BASHIR, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: So why does it disturb you now?
COREY FELDMAN, ACTOR: Because when I look at the pieces of evidence and I see that one of the pieces of evidence is Michael Jackson looking at pornographic material with a child and the child is 13 or 14 years old and the fact that I witnessed that exact occurrence in my own life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO TAPE)
MARQUEZ: Now, Jackson has maintained his innocence of past allegations and he certainly pled innocent to the current charges. A hundred and thirteen of those potential jurors will come into the courtroom today. All of them will be seated at once. Lawyers from both sides will question those jurors and begin dismissing them for cause, that is, getting the judge to say -- challenging them, the judge would dismiss them, and they will whittle that number down until, they believe, or they hope, they can get 12 jurors plus those eight alternates -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Miguel Marquez in Santa Maria, California for us this morning.
Miguel, thanks -- Bill.
HEMMER: About 10 minutes past the hour.
If you're traveling in the Northeast today, pack your patience. You may have to deal with some weather there -- Chad, good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Bill.
Especially at the airports now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Well, there may be new evidence that the U.S. is planning a strike on Iran. We're going to take you live to the Pentagon for a look at that.
HEMMER: Also in a moment, just days after leaving the hospital, the pope appears with a missing in Vatican City. Will that stop, though, the questions about a resignation? We're talking about that in a moment.
O'BRIEN: And a unique challenge in Iraq. The National Guard prepares to do something it has not done since the Korean War. We'll explain just ahead as we continue right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Thousands watched, but many more waited for yesterday's address by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square. It was the first address he has made since he was rushed to the hospital about two weeks ago.
Monsignor William Kerr is the executive director of the John Paul II Cultural Center down in Washington.
He's our guest now in New York.
Nice to see you again, Monsignor.
MSGR. WILLIAM KERR, POPE JOHN PAUL II CULTURAL CENTER: Nice to see you, Bill.
HEMMER: Good morning to you.
What were your impressions yesterday through the TV monitor about his health and how he is doing?
KERR: Well, I was impressed by the fact that he was determined to do that. He did that, of course, while he was in the hospital, to show the faithful that he was with them. And that's been his message all through his papacy, that he is with us.
His health, of course, continues to deteriorate, as one might expect. But his spirit continues to be just as vibrant as ever. And I think even though someone reads a text, his spirit is still very much a part of that.
HEMMER: How much do you think this was a statement yesterday to tell one billion Catholics around the world that I'm back to work and I'm back here where I belong?
KERR: There's been no pope who's mastered the media as well as he has. And I think it was definitely a statement to say that I'm with you, I'm back and I'm going to be here as long as my conscience tells me I should be here.
HEMMER: You saw him, what, a year ago in Vatican City?
KERR: I saw him in November.
HEMMER: This past November?
KERR: This past November.
HEMMER: How much can you tell about his condition through a TV monitor sitting in Washington, D.C.?
KERR: Well, it's very difficult because he appears to be so physically impaired. And that's something you immediately notice. But when you're with him, you notice something else. You notice there's a vibrancy there. You notice there's an alertness. He's very much in touch with what's going on mentally and reacts to people in as, you know, an acute a way as he has since I first met him in 1985.
HEMMER: In Catholic circles, how much is the discussion focused on a possible resignation for him, knowing this leading bishop in Vatican City came out and broached the topic a few days ago?
KERR: Well, I don't think anybody really expects a resignation as such. If he reaches a point where, in his conscience, again, as this leading cardinal said in Vatican City, he can no longer serve the church and fulfill his vocation as pope, then I think he will quickly do whatever he has to do. But I think as long as he has that mental capacity, as long as he has the ability to serve, I don't think resignation is a reality. And I don't think anybody in the church would.
HEMMER: For American Catholics, then, Monsignor, your cultural center down in Washington, D.C....
KERR: Yes?
HEMMER: What purpose does that serve? And what purpose will that serve after he passes as his legacy?
KERR: Well, when Cardinal Mida of Detroit came up with the idea of establishing a cultural center, he thought of it as a presidential library, to continue the legacy of the pope. And it will serve that. You know, his vision of human solidarity across all boundaries and, you know, enveloping all peoples is something that we will continue to promote.
HEMMER: But you're careful to say this is not a monument to him.
KERR: It's not a monument to him...
HEMMER: But it does recognize his life.
KERR: It recognizes his life and it celebrates his legacy. Now, we want to really say this man is somebody who talked about faith, he talked about life, he talked about peace, he was across a period in history when there were wars and devastating fires and bombings such as we have today, and yet he talked about peace and he talked about life and he talked about faith.
And he touched peoples in the, if you will, the most remote parts of the world with a vision.
HEMMER: Thank you, Monsignor.
KERR: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: William Kerr, nice to see you.
KERR: Good to be with you.
HEMMER: Thanks for making the trip up.
All right -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, the results are in in Iraq this morning and it's a big victory for the Shiites in the nation's historic election. Shiites will hold nearly half the seats in Iraq's new national assembly. The most immediate task for the national assembly is to draft a constitution before August 15. That constitution will go before the Iraqi people for approval on October 15. If the voters pass it, elections for a prominent government will be held on December 15. Winners will assume office before the end of the year.
A hand over of military command this morning in Tikrit to talk about. The U.S. Army's 1st Infantry has turned over control to the 42nd Infantry. Major General Joseph Taluto is now in charge.
He joins us this morning from Tikrit.
Nice to see you, Major General.
Thank you very much for talking with us.
As the guy who is taking over the command in a strategic area in Iraq, which includes, frankly, much of treacherous land in that Sunni Triangle region, what's your biggest challenge now? What's involved here?
MAJ. GEN. JOSEPH L. TALUTO, COMMANDER, 42ND INFANTRY DIVISION: I'm really sorry. I'm having a hard time hearing you.
Could you repeat your question please?
O'BRIEN: Absolutely, sir.
I'd be happy to.
I was asking as the commander what your biggest challenge is now. You take on an area that, as we all know, includes the treacherous Sunni Triangle.
What's your main challenge?
TALUTO: That's way down, too much.
O'BRIEN: All right, obviously we're having some audio problems.
Sir, we're going to try to work those out and we'll get back to you in just a few moments.
We're going to check back in with Major Taluto in just a few moments.
A short back is first.
We're back with more on AMERICAN MORNING right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Before the break, we were talking about a hand over in military command that's happening in Tikrit.
Major General Joseph Taluto is now in charge and he's in Tikrit this morning.
Sir, thank you very much for being with us.
You're taking over an area that includes the very dangerous Sunni Triangle.
What's your challenge, your biggest challenge right now? TALUTO: Well, it's -- our area is very big. It's the size of West Virginia. And it's a very diverse area. It takes in the Kirkuk Province, which is Kurdish lands, and, of course, part of the Sunni Triangle. And then we have a city down in the southeast called Ba'qubah, which is a Sunni-Shia fault line. And so it's very big and it's very diverse.
So our units are -- all have very different types of work in their areas. The one thing we do have in common is that we're all working hard to train up the Iraqi security forces and then get them ready to protect the process for the Iraqi people.
O'BRIEN: Has that been your main focus right now, training and then security after that? Is that fair to say?
TALUTO: That is exactly fair to say. It is training, security always. We are constantly, you know, securing ourselves, doing security work for the Iraqi people with Iraqi security forces. And as those forces become more proficient, they will begin to take a more prominent role in the security operations in Iraq.
O'BRIEN: As I'm sure you're very well aware, this is the first time since the Korean War that an entire National Guard division is fully deployed in combat. And we're talking about people who, in their prior lives were social workers and teachers and cops and firefighters and lawyers and cooks. The list goes on and on and on.
How have you prepared them for what they'll be doing now in Iraq?
TALUTO: Well, we have been preparing for nine months. Task Force Liberty has been working in the United States preparing for this mission. We have been working with the 1st Division since June. We've made several trips over to Iraq prior to taking over today. Our troops are very, understand the mission very well.
By the way, all those skills that you just mentioned that our citizen soldiers have will serve us well as we do this mission, because some of those skills are very appropriate as we help the Iraqi people work through the process of a representative government.
The soldiering part is actually more easy. We've trained hard. The soldiers have much experience. Some of them have prior service. So we're ready to go. There isn't a problem there.
O'BRIEN: Major General Joseph Taluto joining us this morning.
He is now the commander in Tikrit.
Nice to see you, sir.
Thank you very much.
We appreciate your time -- Bill.
HEMMER: From Iraq to Jack and the Question of the Day back here. CAFFERTY: Taser stun guns. The company wants to market a civilian version. It wouldn't be as strong as the one the cops and the military use now. It will sell for about $1,000. It would have a range of about 15 feet and would stun an intruder in your home for about 30 seconds. The idea, the company says, is to convince people to replace firearms in the home with Taser stun guns.
And that's the question this morning, would you buy a...
(MUSIC)
CAFFERTY: What was that?
O'BRIEN: That was me humming in your ear.
CAFFERTY: "The File" with accompanying strings.
The question, before we were rudely interrupted by the orchestra, was would you buy a Taser stun gun for your home?
David in Ames, Iowa writes: "Yes. It's a great way to get worms out of the ground for fishing."
Frank in Dyersburg, Tennessee: "It would be a bad idea to allow Taser stun guns in homes unless and until PMS is solved.
Edward in Ottawa, Ontario: "No, I wouldn't. Who's going to be held accountable for the flood of after school specials? Just buy a gun so we don't have to sit through daddy thought Bobby was a burglar so let's go visit him in intensive care.
And Jim in Monroe City, Missouri: "It sounds interesting. Is there a low setting that you can use to get a teenager out of bed on school mornings?"
Some of you are not taking us seriously here, right?
O'BRIEN: I was to say, I guess I'm a little encouraged, exactly, by the flip nature of some of your responses because maybe they think it's so improbable.
CAFFERTY: Well, realistically there's a problem with using a Taser stun gun. It's one shot and if you miss...
O'BRIEN: You're done.
CAFFERTY: You're done. If you've got yourself an old .9 millimeter there that holds 10 with one in the chamber, you can miss nine times and still kill the guy. So, you know...
O'BRIEN: And there is that.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: As they say.
All right, Jack.
Thanks.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Is there a new reason to believe today the U.S. could be planning an attack on Iran? Details of a revealing new report in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING as we continue after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.
Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Is the U.S. flying spy planes into Iranian air space? A report in the "Washington Post" is raising some important questions about U.S. intelligence gathering in Iran and what it could mean about possible military strikes.
Barbara Starr has got a report just ahead.
HEMMER: Also, we know the big winners last night at the Grammys.
O'BRIEN: Ray Charles.
HEMMER: Ray Charles, that's right. Who gets the best nod for best dressed, though?
O'BRIEN: She looks good, Queen Latifah, huh?
HEMMER: Yes. Carson Kressley, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" stops by in a few moments, giving us the low down on who looked good and who could have used a little bit of help last night. So we'll get to Carson this hour in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: And he'll dish on all of that.
HEMMER: Oh, yes.
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Aired February 14, 2005 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
There is breaking news at this hour from Beirut. A powerful bomb exploding in Lebanon. The former prime minister is dead.
In the Philippines, bombs going off in three cities. Word of casualties there, as well, this morning.
And the votes are in for Iraq's elections, but big questions remain about who will govern and how.
And all the glitz and glamour of the Grammys, and deep respect for the man who was not there last night.
All ahead this hour on AMERICAN MORNING.
ANNOUNCER: From the CNN broadcast center in New York, this is AMERICAN MORNING with Bill Hemmer and Soledad O'Brien.
SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning.
Welcome back, everybody.
We're going to have more on that bombing in Lebanon in just a few moments.
Also, from Iraq this morning, the results of the January 30th election have been announced. Shiite candidates are the big winners. They don't hold all the cards, though. We're going to take a look at what the new Iraqi government might look like; also, talk with the new U.S. commander in Tikrit about how things might be changing for the military now.
HEMMER: Also on a much lighter note this hour, all the bold fashion statements last night at the Grammys. Carson Kressley of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" drops by to tell us about the good, the bad and the outrageous from last night. So, we'll have some fun with Carson a bit later this hour.
O'BRIEN: Oh, Jamie Foxx had a big white fur coat.
HEMMER: Yes?
O'BRIEN: Was that him?
HEMMER: It might have been. O'BRIEN: It might have been a fashion crime.
HEMMER: That was Usher there in the white one there.
O'BRIEN: Oh, that was Usher there?
HEMMER: The men were wearing white last night, too. So, we'll talk to Carson -- hello.
O'BRIEN: Hi -- Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I missed the Grammys.
Were they good?
HEMMER: I thought it was a great show. Yes, well, with the exception of J-Lo and Marc Anthony. It was that afternoon soap opera, and a bad one, at that.
O'BRIEN: A little.
CAFFERTY: Plus she just -- she actually tried to sing last night, which is a huge mistake. Ordinarily she doesn't -- all she does is lip sync.
HEMMER: The Grammys won't let you.
O'BRIEN: Right.
CAFFERTY: That's all you should ever do is lip sync and you should not go on the Grammys if they won't let you lip sync because you cannot sing.
Coming up in the "Cafferty File" in less than an hour, Will Smith proves he's not just an action hero. What women are willing to do for a date with one of Hollywood's hottest actors. And I do have a Valentine's gift for my pal, Soledad.
HEMMER: Cool.
O'BRIEN: You know, at first I was like that is to sweet. And now when you keep saying, now I'm getting worried.
HEMMER: You're getting worried.
CAFFERTY: No, listen, this is...
O'BRIEN: Really?
CAFFERTY: You'll be very touched by this.
O'BRIEN: Really?
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Touched in the good, positive way or touched... CAFFERTY: Well, you'll be touched. Let's just leave it at that.
O'BRIEN: All right, Jack, thanks.
HEMMER: We definitely look forward to that.
In the meantime, one of the Middle East's most influential leaders has been killed in a massive explosion in Beirut. An apparent car bomb in the heart of the Lebanese capital killing the popular former Lebanese prime minister, Rafik Hariri.
Brent Sadler back on the phone in Beirut -- Brent, what do you have?
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thanks, Bill.
Good morning.
This does appear to have been a massive car bomb by any standards. A huge explosion rocked the center of downtown Beirut. This was an attack, it seems. It killed Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, a five times Lebanese prime minister, a dominant, powerful political figure, a Sunni Muslim on the Lebanese scene, an extraordinarily well connected politician whose reach went way beyond the shores of Lebanon -- reaching to Paris, a close personal friend of President Jacques Chirac; on very good terms with U.S. President George W. Bush; a frequent visitor to many of the Arab capitals, including Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt, and the Jordanian king, Abdullah. He is a close personal friend of the Saudi Arabian royal family. Hariri had both Lebanese and dual Saudi nationality.
He has been in and out of favor with the Syrians. That's the neighboring regime of Bashar al-Assad, who have been instrumental in, they say, securing, helping to secure Lebanon for the past 15, 16 years or so. Sorry, 20 years or so.
But Syria certainly has been in the spotlight from the U.S. and France for pushing Syria to quit its occupation of Lebanon and to disarm the Hezbollah militia here.
So it's set against a backdrop of vicious political infighting that this assassination appears to have taken place -- Bill.
HEMMER: Brent Sadler on the scene there in Beirut, Lebanon.
We'll follow that throughout the morning.
Brent, thanks for that report.
When you get more, come on back.
Now Soledad with more.
O'BRIEN: Other headlines now with Heidi Collins -- good morning.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning and Happy Valentine's Day to you guys.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
Likewise.
HEMMER: Happy Valentine's Day.
COLLINS: I haven't said it yet.
O'BRIEN: Thank you.
COLLINS: And good morning to you, everybody.
We want to get straight to the news now, though, this morning.
Three powerful explosions rocking the southern Philippines. Police officials report at least three people are dead, many others wounded. There's one apparent claim that the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf is behind the bombings. That, though, has not yet been verified.
A man who opened fire at a mall near Kingston, New York is behind bars right now. Police say a 24-year-old man walked into a store and shot until his assault rifle ran out of bullets. Mall employees then rushed in and subdued him. At least two people were injured. The suspect is facing assault and reckless endangerment charges.
The country's largest phone company getting bigger now. CNN has learned Verizon Communications is acquiring MCI for, can you hear me now, more than $6.7 billion. It follows the $16 billion SBC Communications and AT&T deal.
And, the battle for the top dog starts today in the Big Apple. Some big hair, too. The 100 -- or fur, I should say. The 129th Westminster Kennel Club show kicking off at Madison Square Garden. More than 2,500 pooches are bound for the green carpet. This is a look at some of the contestants from last year. We're going to have this year's best in show winner on AMERICAN MORNING coming up on Wednesday.
Such handsome pooches.
HEMMER: Um-hmm.
O'BRIEN: They really are. They're beautiful animals.
HEMMER: A great event.
COLLINS: Yes.
O'BRIEN: Thanks, Heidi.
COLLINS: You bet.
O'BRIEN: Well, this morning Michael Jackson's child molestation case enters a new phase of jury selection. Miguel Marquez is in Santa Maria, California with more on the efforts to seat that jury.
Hey, Miguel -- good morning.
MIGUEL MARQUEZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you there, Soledad.
Yes, today begins the process of voire dire -- the questioning of the jurors. They have a pool of about 250 jurors. Several of them will be called today, all in an attempt to get to 12.
(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)
MARQUEZ (voice-over): Michael Jackson will be in and out of the central California courthouse, where nearly 250 potential jurors will be questioned.
JEAN ROSENBLUTH, USC LAW PROFESSOR: The defense just needs one juror to say not guilty and that's it. The prosecution needs 12 people to say this guy did it.
MARQUEZ: But before the verdict, a jury of 12 plus eight alternates must be selected.
ROSENBLUTH: I think that the defense certainly is going to be looking for single people, whether they're male or female, people who don't have children.
MARQUEZ: In the questionnaires filled out by the potential jurors, 25 percent answered that they knew someone who had met Jackson or had been to his Neverland Ranch. And 150 potential jurors are under age 50.
ROSENBLUTH: I think the prosecution is going to be looking for parents, and maybe even particularly mothers.
MARQUEZ: Those same questionnaires show that there are more women than men and that 20 percent of the potential jurors have been exposed to inappropriate sexual behavior during their lifetimes. And 60 percent of the potential jurors said that they had heard or read something about past allegations of sexual abuse against Jackson.
Another problem for the pop star, the prosecution has subpoenaed actor Corey Feldman, who, in his teens, was Jackson's friend. Feldman previously defended Jackson, but last Friday on ABC's "20/20," he changed his story.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "20/20," COURTESY ABC NEWS)
MARTIN BASHIR, ABC NEWS CORRESPONDENT: So why does it disturb you now?
COREY FELDMAN, ACTOR: Because when I look at the pieces of evidence and I see that one of the pieces of evidence is Michael Jackson looking at pornographic material with a child and the child is 13 or 14 years old and the fact that I witnessed that exact occurrence in my own life.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(END VIDEO TAPE)
MARQUEZ: Now, Jackson has maintained his innocence of past allegations and he certainly pled innocent to the current charges. A hundred and thirteen of those potential jurors will come into the courtroom today. All of them will be seated at once. Lawyers from both sides will question those jurors and begin dismissing them for cause, that is, getting the judge to say -- challenging them, the judge would dismiss them, and they will whittle that number down until, they believe, or they hope, they can get 12 jurors plus those eight alternates -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Miguel Marquez in Santa Maria, California for us this morning.
Miguel, thanks -- Bill.
HEMMER: About 10 minutes past the hour.
If you're traveling in the Northeast today, pack your patience. You may have to deal with some weather there -- Chad, good morning.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Good morning, Bill.
Especially at the airports now.
(WEATHER REPORT)
O'BRIEN: Well, there may be new evidence that the U.S. is planning a strike on Iran. We're going to take you live to the Pentagon for a look at that.
HEMMER: Also in a moment, just days after leaving the hospital, the pope appears with a missing in Vatican City. Will that stop, though, the questions about a resignation? We're talking about that in a moment.
O'BRIEN: And a unique challenge in Iraq. The National Guard prepares to do something it has not done since the Korean War. We'll explain just ahead as we continue right here on AMERICAN MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEMMER: Thousands watched, but many more waited for yesterday's address by Pope John Paul II in St. Peter's Square. It was the first address he has made since he was rushed to the hospital about two weeks ago.
Monsignor William Kerr is the executive director of the John Paul II Cultural Center down in Washington.
He's our guest now in New York.
Nice to see you again, Monsignor.
MSGR. WILLIAM KERR, POPE JOHN PAUL II CULTURAL CENTER: Nice to see you, Bill.
HEMMER: Good morning to you.
What were your impressions yesterday through the TV monitor about his health and how he is doing?
KERR: Well, I was impressed by the fact that he was determined to do that. He did that, of course, while he was in the hospital, to show the faithful that he was with them. And that's been his message all through his papacy, that he is with us.
His health, of course, continues to deteriorate, as one might expect. But his spirit continues to be just as vibrant as ever. And I think even though someone reads a text, his spirit is still very much a part of that.
HEMMER: How much do you think this was a statement yesterday to tell one billion Catholics around the world that I'm back to work and I'm back here where I belong?
KERR: There's been no pope who's mastered the media as well as he has. And I think it was definitely a statement to say that I'm with you, I'm back and I'm going to be here as long as my conscience tells me I should be here.
HEMMER: You saw him, what, a year ago in Vatican City?
KERR: I saw him in November.
HEMMER: This past November?
KERR: This past November.
HEMMER: How much can you tell about his condition through a TV monitor sitting in Washington, D.C.?
KERR: Well, it's very difficult because he appears to be so physically impaired. And that's something you immediately notice. But when you're with him, you notice something else. You notice there's a vibrancy there. You notice there's an alertness. He's very much in touch with what's going on mentally and reacts to people in as, you know, an acute a way as he has since I first met him in 1985.
HEMMER: In Catholic circles, how much is the discussion focused on a possible resignation for him, knowing this leading bishop in Vatican City came out and broached the topic a few days ago?
KERR: Well, I don't think anybody really expects a resignation as such. If he reaches a point where, in his conscience, again, as this leading cardinal said in Vatican City, he can no longer serve the church and fulfill his vocation as pope, then I think he will quickly do whatever he has to do. But I think as long as he has that mental capacity, as long as he has the ability to serve, I don't think resignation is a reality. And I don't think anybody in the church would.
HEMMER: For American Catholics, then, Monsignor, your cultural center down in Washington, D.C....
KERR: Yes?
HEMMER: What purpose does that serve? And what purpose will that serve after he passes as his legacy?
KERR: Well, when Cardinal Mida of Detroit came up with the idea of establishing a cultural center, he thought of it as a presidential library, to continue the legacy of the pope. And it will serve that. You know, his vision of human solidarity across all boundaries and, you know, enveloping all peoples is something that we will continue to promote.
HEMMER: But you're careful to say this is not a monument to him.
KERR: It's not a monument to him...
HEMMER: But it does recognize his life.
KERR: It recognizes his life and it celebrates his legacy. Now, we want to really say this man is somebody who talked about faith, he talked about life, he talked about peace, he was across a period in history when there were wars and devastating fires and bombings such as we have today, and yet he talked about peace and he talked about life and he talked about faith.
And he touched peoples in the, if you will, the most remote parts of the world with a vision.
HEMMER: Thank you, Monsignor.
KERR: Thank you, Bill.
HEMMER: William Kerr, nice to see you.
KERR: Good to be with you.
HEMMER: Thanks for making the trip up.
All right -- Soledad.
O'BRIEN: Well, the results are in in Iraq this morning and it's a big victory for the Shiites in the nation's historic election. Shiites will hold nearly half the seats in Iraq's new national assembly. The most immediate task for the national assembly is to draft a constitution before August 15. That constitution will go before the Iraqi people for approval on October 15. If the voters pass it, elections for a prominent government will be held on December 15. Winners will assume office before the end of the year.
A hand over of military command this morning in Tikrit to talk about. The U.S. Army's 1st Infantry has turned over control to the 42nd Infantry. Major General Joseph Taluto is now in charge.
He joins us this morning from Tikrit.
Nice to see you, Major General.
Thank you very much for talking with us.
As the guy who is taking over the command in a strategic area in Iraq, which includes, frankly, much of treacherous land in that Sunni Triangle region, what's your biggest challenge now? What's involved here?
MAJ. GEN. JOSEPH L. TALUTO, COMMANDER, 42ND INFANTRY DIVISION: I'm really sorry. I'm having a hard time hearing you.
Could you repeat your question please?
O'BRIEN: Absolutely, sir.
I'd be happy to.
I was asking as the commander what your biggest challenge is now. You take on an area that, as we all know, includes the treacherous Sunni Triangle.
What's your main challenge?
TALUTO: That's way down, too much.
O'BRIEN: All right, obviously we're having some audio problems.
Sir, we're going to try to work those out and we'll get back to you in just a few moments.
We're going to check back in with Major Taluto in just a few moments.
A short back is first.
We're back with more on AMERICAN MORNING right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Before the break, we were talking about a hand over in military command that's happening in Tikrit.
Major General Joseph Taluto is now in charge and he's in Tikrit this morning.
Sir, thank you very much for being with us.
You're taking over an area that includes the very dangerous Sunni Triangle.
What's your challenge, your biggest challenge right now? TALUTO: Well, it's -- our area is very big. It's the size of West Virginia. And it's a very diverse area. It takes in the Kirkuk Province, which is Kurdish lands, and, of course, part of the Sunni Triangle. And then we have a city down in the southeast called Ba'qubah, which is a Sunni-Shia fault line. And so it's very big and it's very diverse.
So our units are -- all have very different types of work in their areas. The one thing we do have in common is that we're all working hard to train up the Iraqi security forces and then get them ready to protect the process for the Iraqi people.
O'BRIEN: Has that been your main focus right now, training and then security after that? Is that fair to say?
TALUTO: That is exactly fair to say. It is training, security always. We are constantly, you know, securing ourselves, doing security work for the Iraqi people with Iraqi security forces. And as those forces become more proficient, they will begin to take a more prominent role in the security operations in Iraq.
O'BRIEN: As I'm sure you're very well aware, this is the first time since the Korean War that an entire National Guard division is fully deployed in combat. And we're talking about people who, in their prior lives were social workers and teachers and cops and firefighters and lawyers and cooks. The list goes on and on and on.
How have you prepared them for what they'll be doing now in Iraq?
TALUTO: Well, we have been preparing for nine months. Task Force Liberty has been working in the United States preparing for this mission. We have been working with the 1st Division since June. We've made several trips over to Iraq prior to taking over today. Our troops are very, understand the mission very well.
By the way, all those skills that you just mentioned that our citizen soldiers have will serve us well as we do this mission, because some of those skills are very appropriate as we help the Iraqi people work through the process of a representative government.
The soldiering part is actually more easy. We've trained hard. The soldiers have much experience. Some of them have prior service. So we're ready to go. There isn't a problem there.
O'BRIEN: Major General Joseph Taluto joining us this morning.
He is now the commander in Tikrit.
Nice to see you, sir.
Thank you very much.
We appreciate your time -- Bill.
HEMMER: From Iraq to Jack and the Question of the Day back here. CAFFERTY: Taser stun guns. The company wants to market a civilian version. It wouldn't be as strong as the one the cops and the military use now. It will sell for about $1,000. It would have a range of about 15 feet and would stun an intruder in your home for about 30 seconds. The idea, the company says, is to convince people to replace firearms in the home with Taser stun guns.
And that's the question this morning, would you buy a...
(MUSIC)
CAFFERTY: What was that?
O'BRIEN: That was me humming in your ear.
CAFFERTY: "The File" with accompanying strings.
The question, before we were rudely interrupted by the orchestra, was would you buy a Taser stun gun for your home?
David in Ames, Iowa writes: "Yes. It's a great way to get worms out of the ground for fishing."
Frank in Dyersburg, Tennessee: "It would be a bad idea to allow Taser stun guns in homes unless and until PMS is solved.
Edward in Ottawa, Ontario: "No, I wouldn't. Who's going to be held accountable for the flood of after school specials? Just buy a gun so we don't have to sit through daddy thought Bobby was a burglar so let's go visit him in intensive care.
And Jim in Monroe City, Missouri: "It sounds interesting. Is there a low setting that you can use to get a teenager out of bed on school mornings?"
Some of you are not taking us seriously here, right?
O'BRIEN: I was to say, I guess I'm a little encouraged, exactly, by the flip nature of some of your responses because maybe they think it's so improbable.
CAFFERTY: Well, realistically there's a problem with using a Taser stun gun. It's one shot and if you miss...
O'BRIEN: You're done.
CAFFERTY: You're done. If you've got yourself an old .9 millimeter there that holds 10 with one in the chamber, you can miss nine times and still kill the guy. So, you know...
O'BRIEN: And there is that.
CAFFERTY: Yes.
O'BRIEN: As they say.
All right, Jack.
Thanks.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jack.
Is there a new reason to believe today the U.S. could be planning an attack on Iran? Details of a revealing new report in a moment here on AMERICAN MORNING as we continue after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
O'BRIEN: Welcome back, everybody.
Just about half past the hour on this AMERICAN MORNING.
Is the U.S. flying spy planes into Iranian air space? A report in the "Washington Post" is raising some important questions about U.S. intelligence gathering in Iran and what it could mean about possible military strikes.
Barbara Starr has got a report just ahead.
HEMMER: Also, we know the big winners last night at the Grammys.
O'BRIEN: Ray Charles.
HEMMER: Ray Charles, that's right. Who gets the best nod for best dressed, though?
O'BRIEN: She looks good, Queen Latifah, huh?
HEMMER: Yes. Carson Kressley, "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" stops by in a few moments, giving us the low down on who looked good and who could have used a little bit of help last night. So we'll get to Carson this hour in a moment here.
O'BRIEN: And he'll dish on all of that.
HEMMER: Oh, yes.
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