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CNN Sunday Morning

Chechnya's President Dead in Explosion; Al-Sadr's Top Aides in Coalition Custody

Aired May 09, 2004 - 07:30   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.


THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Tragedy at a victory rally in Chechnya. Chechnya's president is among the dead, following an explosion this morning at the republic's capital. Now the blast occurred underneath the VIP section of the city stadium during Victory Day celebrations. At least four others were killed in the blast. And 44 other people were injured.
Two top aides of the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are in coalition custody following raids in Sadr City. Sadr's chief financial adviser is one of the men captured by coalition forces. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has launched an offensive against Sadr's militia in Najaf.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decides he's going to skip a planned trip to Washington this month. Instead, Mr. Sharon will stay in Jerusalem to re-work a plan to pull out of Gaza and parts of the West Bank. His original plan, approved by President Bush, was voted down by his own Likud Party last week.

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: The Pentagon is investigating other incidents of abuse at Abu Ghraib. There are also allegations of abuse at other detention facilities in Iraq. This week's issue of "TIME" magazine takes an inside look at the stories of abuse, including an interview with one of the Iraqis portrayed in the now infamous Abu Ghraib pictures.

For more on the upcoming article and the investigation of abuse, we are joined now by "TIME" magazine's Elaine Shannon in Washington.

Good of you stop by and talk with us this morning.

ELAINE SHANNON, CRIMINAL JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning.

CHOI: I understand that the International Red Cross has been warning about prisoner abuses in Iraq for a while now. What do you know about that?

SHANNON: I talked to Pierre Gasman (ph), who is head of the United International Red Cross delegation responsible for Iraq. They went into the prison in October, not too long after it was opened in August -- re-opened by the U.S. They did an on the spot oral report to then local prison commanders. But they also reported at that point to the lawyers and other staff officers that patched to the general command, to General Sanchez's group. And they started putting on pressure. They won't say exactly what they said, but they visited the prison again in January. They say they talked to as many inmates as they thought they could without witnesses present. And again, made a second report. And then finally met in late February with Paul Bremer and General Sanchez to discuss the problems at this present.

CHOI: Is that when the administration found out about it in February then?

SHANNON: Well, they -- Mr. Gasman (ph) believes that one reason for the investigations is the November report, when they went in October and then reported to the Sanchez staff. This was before, well before the whistle-blower came forward in mid January.

CHOI: All right, now we're hearing that this may have happened in other Iraqi prisons as well. How many others?

SHANNON: I think probably all of the detention centers are going to be looked at hard, because what we are reporting in "TIME" is that -- I mean, there's substantial doubt that this was the work of few perverted, weird period on the night shift, that there was a general accord in the military to toughen up conditions for prisoners so that they would talk more readily. And this came from on high.

CHOI: All right, besides this sexual harassment that we're seeing in these pictures, what other kinds of interrogation methods were U.S. soldiers using?

SHANNON: Well, I think it runs the spectrum from sleep deprivation and being made to stand or being in uncomfortable positions for a long time without sanitation for a couple of days. I've heard people who've heard of this. And then it goes all the way up to actual beatings.

And we are told -- we report in "TIME" that Defense Secretary Rumsfeld is considering showing the videos, which are supposed to be quite harsh, to members of Congress soon, perhaps this week.

CHOI: Wasn't Abu Ghraib the same prison where Saddam Hussein conducted much of his torture?

SHANNON: It was. And actually, I was doing some reporting on the FBI fingerprinting people there a couple of months ago. They're fingerprinting in case they ever try to come here, we'll know they were in that prison. And they told me that Abu Ghraib, and I was sort of surprised that they would use a torture chamber for an American installation in a country where we're supposed to be trying to win hearts and minds. And obviously, it's all gone terribly, terribly wrong.

CHOI: Elaine Shannon from "TIME" magazine. We look forward to reading the entire article. Thanks so much.

SHANNON: Thank you. ROBERTS: About 45 percent of all Hispanic Americans live on the West coast. So how would the California economy be affected if one day they all just disappeared? That is the premise of an upcoming mocumentary. And coming up next hour, the film is sparking a look at the importance of Latinos in the upcoming election. We'll talk about that then.

In the 9:00 hour, a long distance Mother's Day reunion of a daughter on duty in Baghdad with her family back here in the U.S. It's going to be pretty special. It's all live right on CNN.

Also at 9:00 Eastern time, the raging debate in professional sports. Are advertisers and promoters going overboard? Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROBERTS: In Iraq, despite continued violence in places like Karbala, the U.S. is set to hand over power to Iraqis on June 30. One issue being debated is whether to put members of Saddam Hussein's former Ba'ath party in important positions.

Here to discuss that issue is Fawaz Gerges. He's a professor of Middle East Studies at Sarah Lawrence College. He's joining us out of New York this morning.

Sir, good morning.

FAWAZ GERGES, SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE: Good morning.

ROBERTS: Thanks so much for being here. Want to talk right away about the importance of whether or not Ba'ath party -- former Ba'ath party members are going to be used when the handover comes. And if they are going to be used, to what extent do these former members play a key role in the smooth transition of power?

GERGES: I think, Thomas, you're raising a very important point here. I mean, I think one cannot understand the changes in U.S. policy toward the Ba'athists except within the context and previous decisions that were made by the United States. And I think there were days on limited understanding of the complex realities in Iraq.

For example, Ambassador Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in charge of Iraq, disbanded the Iraqi army and the Iraqi security services, numbering about 400,000 strong. Also, the U.S. Defense Department decided to purge Iraqis -- Iraq of Ba'athists. The only problem here, Tom, is that you had almost two million Iraqis who were members of the Ba'ath Party, most of whom -- most of the two million members joined the Ba'ath Party for promotional and expedient reasons, not for ideological reasons.

And I think many Iraqis, particularly Sunnis, Sunnis who are basically the ruling party in Iraq for the last 40 years or so, resented and opposed what they considered the collective punishment of the community that is the Sunni community because of the crimes of one of its members. That's Saddam Hussein. And I think what we need to understand now is that the United States is trying to address the grievances of the Sunni community by taking a second look at the policy, the so-called de-Ba'athification policy.

ROBERTS: So now we have the re-Ba'athification policy. So let's talk about the careers though. You said that many Iraqis joined the Ba'ath party to develop their careers. So what careers are we talking about here that they lost when the U.S. came in?

GERGES: I think, again, this is a very important question for our American viewers. I think American officials say that the new changes in the policy, the policy of the de-Ba'athification, is meant to reintegrate Iraqi professionals, teachers, bureaucrats, engineers, and so on and so forth, rather than to bring back the senior echelon of the Ba'ath Party.

But Thomas here, let's remember that the reappointment of former Iraqi generals in Fallujah by U.S. officials a few days ago, I think clearly shows the dilemma facing U.S foreign policy in Iraq.

And the dilemma is balancing the need to secure the peace in Iraq with the question of reconciliation, accountability, and justice. And I believe that neither U.S. officials nor Iraqi officials have addressed the question reconciliation and justice and accountability in Iraq yet.

ROBERTS: So while we've talked about former Ba'ath party members, what other groups are going to help make up the balance of power? And also, in your opinion, do you think that former Ba'ath Party members are going to carry a stigma with them in the transition of power?

GERGES: Well, I think, Thomas, here there are so many questions you're putting on the table. The first question is yes, I think although Iraqis are deeply divided over the issue, the issue whether to bring back some Ba'athists or not, in particular, the Shi'ites, the Shi'ites were victimized by Saddam Hussein, I don't believe that the Shi'ites would basically sanction a policy, a collective punishment of all Ba'athists.

As we said, there are two million Iraqis, Ba'athists, most of whom, the overwhelming majority of whom, Thomas, have no blood on their hands. They have nothing to do with the crimes of Saddam Hussein.

And I don't believe personally that the challenge facing Iraqis when they regain their sovereignty in two months, their limited sovereignty, is basically whether the Ba'athists would return to power or not. I think the challenge facing the -- Iraq and Iraqis is the potential for communal strife. And this is why, I think, it's essential for Iraqis when they regain their sovereignty in a few months, is to find ways and means to reconcile, to share power, to address the question of justice and accountability.

Because you meet Iraq and Iraqis need a new paradigm, a new mindset, based on inclusion not exclusion and punishment. That's the only way that the new Iraq should be dealt. Not on punishment, not on exclusion, but rather on inclusion and sharing power.

ROBERTS: Well, Fawaz, I have some more questions for you, but unfortunately, we're out of time this morning. Fawaz Gerges, professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Sarah Lawrence College. Thanks again for joining us this morning.

GERGES: My pleasure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: Do you know where your mommy is right now?

CHRIS TAYLOR, SON: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Where is your mommy?

C. TAYLOR: Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHOI: So how do you celebrate Mother's Day when you're thousands of miles apart? CNN's Gary Tuchman visits one family, hoping for a reunion soon. Their story ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROBERTS: Let's fast forward to see what's taking place later this week. Tomorrow in Colorado, Kobe Bryant is expected to enter a plea in his high profile sexual assault case. He's accused of raping a 19-year old employee at a resort. Bryant says the sex was consensual.

On Tuesday, a judge will hear from a request from Scott Peterson's defense team for a second change of venue. His lawyer wants the murder trial moved out of the San Francisco Bay area, saying many potential jurors there have already formed an opinion.

And you know we said goodbye to "Friends" a few days ago. Well, this Thursday, it's "Frasier's" turn to bid farewell. After 11 successful seasons, you may recall that the show started as a spin-off of another very popular program, "Cheers."

CHOI: And don't forget to try your hand in our caption writing contest. We're taking your suggestions on the best title for this picture, next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: All right, we're looking for a good caption for this unique picture, to say the least, a snapshot from Nevada Roadways, where a six car pile-up ended with that Dodge Neon in the back of the horse trailer.

And here is one of the e-mails for the caption for that picture that we just got. "That's not how to add horsepower to a Dodge Neon." That's from Gail in Philadelphia.

ROBERTS: Oh, this next one comes into us from Eric B. in Reading and saying "Avoiding the high gas prices on the way to work: PRICELESS."

We appreciate everybody taking time to write us. If you want to put your own caption in here, it's wam@cnn.com. But again, the horse was fine, just so you know.

CHOI: Yes, Crinson Agent (ph) was doing just fine. But we're looking for what that horse might be thinking.

ROBERTS: What the horse might be thinking, exactly.

(WEATHER REPORT)

ROBERTS: I want to give you a quick recap of our top stories this morning. The president of Russia's warring Chechen region was killed in an explosion today. Four others, including a top general, were also killed. The blast ripped through a stadium in the Chechen capital of Grozny.

In Iraq, the U.S. military launched a major offensive today to take control of parts of Najaf. The goal was to kill or capture members of Muqtada al-Sadr's militia. CNN's Jane Arraf who is embedded with the troops, says that military forces are staying away from religious sites.

CHOI: Well, today is Mother's Day, one of the busiest days of the year for phone calls. Some of those phone calls will be ultra long distance, especially if Mom is deployed in Iraq.

CNN's Gary Tuchman has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey!

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sergeant Sydell Taylor has been deployed in Iraq for one year.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all day, every day.

TUCHMAN: And for the second Mother's Day in a row, she will be without this young man and this young lady.

What would you like to say to your mother for Mother's Day?

TASHARA TAYLOR, DAUGHTER: I love you. Be careful. And Happy Mother's Day.

TUCHMAN: Eleven year old Tashara and three-year old Chris' father is also serving in Iraq. The children now live with their mother's 15-year old sister and an older cousin in Brunswick, Georgia.

HOPE LEGGETT, CHILDREN'S GUARDIAN: We did a power of attorney. If anything happens, she want me to raise the kids, tell them that she loved them, and they know she was over there for a good cause.

TUCHMAN: Do you know where your mommy is right now?

CHRIS TAYLOR, SON: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Where is your mommy?

C. TAYLOR: Iraq.

TUCHMAN: Iraq. And how far away is Iraq? Is it far or close?

C. TAYLOR: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Far? Do you miss her?

C. TAYLOR: (nodding yes).

TUCHMAN: Yes. A lot?

C. TAYLOR: (nodding yes).

TUCHMAN: Their mother was scheduled to come home next week. Sergeant Taylor told her daughter they were going to Disneyworld, but then the word her deployment had been extended at least another four months.

SGT. SYDELL TAYLOR, 501st FORWARD SUPPORT BATTALION: She's taking it like a champ. She says that's all right. We'll just go next summer, but I know she was hurt.

TUCHMAN: What's the first thing you want to do when your mom and your dad come home?

T. TAYLOR: I don't really want to do anything. I just want to know if they're -- that they're here and that they're all right.

TUCHMAN: Her mother dreams of that moment.

S. TAYLOR: I am so sorry that I can't be there with you right now, but I will be home soon. I promise. And I love you very much.

T. TAYLOR: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep...

TUCHMAN: Gary Tuchman, CNN, Brunswick, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTS: Nice story there.

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 May 9, 2004 - 07:30   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THOMAS ROBERTS, CNN ANCHOR: Tragedy at a victory rally in Chechnya. Chechnya's president is among the dead, following an explosion this morning at the republic's capital. Now the blast occurred underneath the VIP section of the city stadium during Victory Day celebrations. At least four others were killed in the blast. And 44 other people were injured.
Two top aides of the cleric Muqtada al-Sadr are in coalition custody following raids in Sadr City. Sadr's chief financial adviser is one of the men captured by coalition forces. Meanwhile, the U.S. military has launched an offensive against Sadr's militia in Najaf.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon decides he's going to skip a planned trip to Washington this month. Instead, Mr. Sharon will stay in Jerusalem to re-work a plan to pull out of Gaza and parts of the West Bank. His original plan, approved by President Bush, was voted down by his own Likud Party last week.

SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: The Pentagon is investigating other incidents of abuse at Abu Ghraib. There are also allegations of abuse at other detention facilities in Iraq. This week's issue of "TIME" magazine takes an inside look at the stories of abuse, including an interview with one of the Iraqis portrayed in the now infamous Abu Ghraib pictures.

For more on the upcoming article and the investigation of abuse, we are joined now by "TIME" magazine's Elaine Shannon in Washington.

Good of you stop by and talk with us this morning.

ELAINE SHANNON, CRIMINAL JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT, "TIME" MAGAZINE: Good morning.

CHOI: I understand that the International Red Cross has been warning about prisoner abuses in Iraq for a while now. What do you know about that?

SHANNON: I talked to Pierre Gasman (ph), who is head of the United International Red Cross delegation responsible for Iraq. They went into the prison in October, not too long after it was opened in August -- re-opened by the U.S. They did an on the spot oral report to then local prison commanders. But they also reported at that point to the lawyers and other staff officers that patched to the general command, to General Sanchez's group. And they started putting on pressure. They won't say exactly what they said, but they visited the prison again in January. They say they talked to as many inmates as they thought they could without witnesses present. And again, made a second report. And then finally met in late February with Paul Bremer and General Sanchez to discuss the problems at this present.

CHOI: Is that when the administration found out about it in February then?

SHANNON: Well, they -- Mr. Gasman (ph) believes that one reason for the investigations is the November report, when they went in October and then reported to the Sanchez staff. This was before, well before the whistle-blower came forward in mid January.

CHOI: All right, now we're hearing that this may have happened in other Iraqi prisons as well. How many others?

SHANNON: I think probably all of the detention centers are going to be looked at hard, because what we are reporting in "TIME" is that -- I mean, there's substantial doubt that this was the work of few perverted, weird period on the night shift, that there was a general accord in the military to toughen up conditions for prisoners so that they would talk more readily. And this came from on high.

CHOI: All right, besides this sexual harassment that we're seeing in these pictures, what other kinds of interrogation methods were U.S. soldiers using?

SHANNON: Well, I think it runs the spectrum from sleep deprivation and being made to stand or being in uncomfortable positions for a long time without sanitation for a couple of days. I've heard people who've heard of this. And then it goes all the way up to actual beatings.

And we are told -- we report in "TIME" that Defense Secretary Rumsfeld is considering showing the videos, which are supposed to be quite harsh, to members of Congress soon, perhaps this week.

CHOI: Wasn't Abu Ghraib the same prison where Saddam Hussein conducted much of his torture?

SHANNON: It was. And actually, I was doing some reporting on the FBI fingerprinting people there a couple of months ago. They're fingerprinting in case they ever try to come here, we'll know they were in that prison. And they told me that Abu Ghraib, and I was sort of surprised that they would use a torture chamber for an American installation in a country where we're supposed to be trying to win hearts and minds. And obviously, it's all gone terribly, terribly wrong.

CHOI: Elaine Shannon from "TIME" magazine. We look forward to reading the entire article. Thanks so much.

SHANNON: Thank you. ROBERTS: About 45 percent of all Hispanic Americans live on the West coast. So how would the California economy be affected if one day they all just disappeared? That is the premise of an upcoming mocumentary. And coming up next hour, the film is sparking a look at the importance of Latinos in the upcoming election. We'll talk about that then.

In the 9:00 hour, a long distance Mother's Day reunion of a daughter on duty in Baghdad with her family back here in the U.S. It's going to be pretty special. It's all live right on CNN.

Also at 9:00 Eastern time, the raging debate in professional sports. Are advertisers and promoters going overboard? Back in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROBERTS: In Iraq, despite continued violence in places like Karbala, the U.S. is set to hand over power to Iraqis on June 30. One issue being debated is whether to put members of Saddam Hussein's former Ba'ath party in important positions.

Here to discuss that issue is Fawaz Gerges. He's a professor of Middle East Studies at Sarah Lawrence College. He's joining us out of New York this morning.

Sir, good morning.

FAWAZ GERGES, SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE: Good morning.

ROBERTS: Thanks so much for being here. Want to talk right away about the importance of whether or not Ba'ath party -- former Ba'ath party members are going to be used when the handover comes. And if they are going to be used, to what extent do these former members play a key role in the smooth transition of power?

GERGES: I think, Thomas, you're raising a very important point here. I mean, I think one cannot understand the changes in U.S. policy toward the Ba'athists except within the context and previous decisions that were made by the United States. And I think there were days on limited understanding of the complex realities in Iraq.

For example, Ambassador Paul Bremer, the U.S. administrator in charge of Iraq, disbanded the Iraqi army and the Iraqi security services, numbering about 400,000 strong. Also, the U.S. Defense Department decided to purge Iraqis -- Iraq of Ba'athists. The only problem here, Tom, is that you had almost two million Iraqis who were members of the Ba'ath Party, most of whom -- most of the two million members joined the Ba'ath Party for promotional and expedient reasons, not for ideological reasons.

And I think many Iraqis, particularly Sunnis, Sunnis who are basically the ruling party in Iraq for the last 40 years or so, resented and opposed what they considered the collective punishment of the community that is the Sunni community because of the crimes of one of its members. That's Saddam Hussein. And I think what we need to understand now is that the United States is trying to address the grievances of the Sunni community by taking a second look at the policy, the so-called de-Ba'athification policy.

ROBERTS: So now we have the re-Ba'athification policy. So let's talk about the careers though. You said that many Iraqis joined the Ba'ath party to develop their careers. So what careers are we talking about here that they lost when the U.S. came in?

GERGES: I think, again, this is a very important question for our American viewers. I think American officials say that the new changes in the policy, the policy of the de-Ba'athification, is meant to reintegrate Iraqi professionals, teachers, bureaucrats, engineers, and so on and so forth, rather than to bring back the senior echelon of the Ba'ath Party.

But Thomas here, let's remember that the reappointment of former Iraqi generals in Fallujah by U.S. officials a few days ago, I think clearly shows the dilemma facing U.S foreign policy in Iraq.

And the dilemma is balancing the need to secure the peace in Iraq with the question of reconciliation, accountability, and justice. And I believe that neither U.S. officials nor Iraqi officials have addressed the question reconciliation and justice and accountability in Iraq yet.

ROBERTS: So while we've talked about former Ba'ath party members, what other groups are going to help make up the balance of power? And also, in your opinion, do you think that former Ba'ath Party members are going to carry a stigma with them in the transition of power?

GERGES: Well, I think, Thomas, here there are so many questions you're putting on the table. The first question is yes, I think although Iraqis are deeply divided over the issue, the issue whether to bring back some Ba'athists or not, in particular, the Shi'ites, the Shi'ites were victimized by Saddam Hussein, I don't believe that the Shi'ites would basically sanction a policy, a collective punishment of all Ba'athists.

As we said, there are two million Iraqis, Ba'athists, most of whom, the overwhelming majority of whom, Thomas, have no blood on their hands. They have nothing to do with the crimes of Saddam Hussein.

And I don't believe personally that the challenge facing Iraqis when they regain their sovereignty in two months, their limited sovereignty, is basically whether the Ba'athists would return to power or not. I think the challenge facing the -- Iraq and Iraqis is the potential for communal strife. And this is why, I think, it's essential for Iraqis when they regain their sovereignty in a few months, is to find ways and means to reconcile, to share power, to address the question of justice and accountability.

Because you meet Iraq and Iraqis need a new paradigm, a new mindset, based on inclusion not exclusion and punishment. That's the only way that the new Iraq should be dealt. Not on punishment, not on exclusion, but rather on inclusion and sharing power.

ROBERTS: Well, Fawaz, I have some more questions for you, but unfortunately, we're out of time this morning. Fawaz Gerges, professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Sarah Lawrence College. Thanks again for joining us this morning.

GERGES: My pleasure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TUCHMAN: Do you know where your mommy is right now?

CHRIS TAYLOR, SON: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Where is your mommy?

C. TAYLOR: Iraq.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHOI: So how do you celebrate Mother's Day when you're thousands of miles apart? CNN's Gary Tuchman visits one family, hoping for a reunion soon. Their story ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROBERTS: Let's fast forward to see what's taking place later this week. Tomorrow in Colorado, Kobe Bryant is expected to enter a plea in his high profile sexual assault case. He's accused of raping a 19-year old employee at a resort. Bryant says the sex was consensual.

On Tuesday, a judge will hear from a request from Scott Peterson's defense team for a second change of venue. His lawyer wants the murder trial moved out of the San Francisco Bay area, saying many potential jurors there have already formed an opinion.

And you know we said goodbye to "Friends" a few days ago. Well, this Thursday, it's "Frasier's" turn to bid farewell. After 11 successful seasons, you may recall that the show started as a spin-off of another very popular program, "Cheers."

CHOI: And don't forget to try your hand in our caption writing contest. We're taking your suggestions on the best title for this picture, next on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHOI: All right, we're looking for a good caption for this unique picture, to say the least, a snapshot from Nevada Roadways, where a six car pile-up ended with that Dodge Neon in the back of the horse trailer.

And here is one of the e-mails for the caption for that picture that we just got. "That's not how to add horsepower to a Dodge Neon." That's from Gail in Philadelphia.

ROBERTS: Oh, this next one comes into us from Eric B. in Reading and saying "Avoiding the high gas prices on the way to work: PRICELESS."

We appreciate everybody taking time to write us. If you want to put your own caption in here, it's wam@cnn.com. But again, the horse was fine, just so you know.

CHOI: Yes, Crinson Agent (ph) was doing just fine. But we're looking for what that horse might be thinking.

ROBERTS: What the horse might be thinking, exactly.

(WEATHER REPORT)

ROBERTS: I want to give you a quick recap of our top stories this morning. The president of Russia's warring Chechen region was killed in an explosion today. Four others, including a top general, were also killed. The blast ripped through a stadium in the Chechen capital of Grozny.

In Iraq, the U.S. military launched a major offensive today to take control of parts of Najaf. The goal was to kill or capture members of Muqtada al-Sadr's militia. CNN's Jane Arraf who is embedded with the troops, says that military forces are staying away from religious sites.

CHOI: Well, today is Mother's Day, one of the busiest days of the year for phone calls. Some of those phone calls will be ultra long distance, especially if Mom is deployed in Iraq.

CNN's Gary Tuchman has our report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hey!

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Sergeant Sydell Taylor has been deployed in Iraq for one year.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all day, every day.

TUCHMAN: And for the second Mother's Day in a row, she will be without this young man and this young lady.

What would you like to say to your mother for Mother's Day?

TASHARA TAYLOR, DAUGHTER: I love you. Be careful. And Happy Mother's Day.

TUCHMAN: Eleven year old Tashara and three-year old Chris' father is also serving in Iraq. The children now live with their mother's 15-year old sister and an older cousin in Brunswick, Georgia.

HOPE LEGGETT, CHILDREN'S GUARDIAN: We did a power of attorney. If anything happens, she want me to raise the kids, tell them that she loved them, and they know she was over there for a good cause.

TUCHMAN: Do you know where your mommy is right now?

CHRIS TAYLOR, SON: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Where is your mommy?

C. TAYLOR: Iraq.

TUCHMAN: Iraq. And how far away is Iraq? Is it far or close?

C. TAYLOR: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Far? Do you miss her?

C. TAYLOR: (nodding yes).

TUCHMAN: Yes. A lot?

C. TAYLOR: (nodding yes).

TUCHMAN: Their mother was scheduled to come home next week. Sergeant Taylor told her daughter they were going to Disneyworld, but then the word her deployment had been extended at least another four months.

SGT. SYDELL TAYLOR, 501st FORWARD SUPPORT BATTALION: She's taking it like a champ. She says that's all right. We'll just go next summer, but I know she was hurt.

TUCHMAN: What's the first thing you want to do when your mom and your dad come home?

T. TAYLOR: I don't really want to do anything. I just want to know if they're -- that they're here and that they're all right.

TUCHMAN: Her mother dreams of that moment.

S. TAYLOR: I am so sorry that I can't be there with you right now, but I will be home soon. I promise. And I love you very much.

T. TAYLOR: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep...

TUCHMAN: Gary Tuchman, CNN, Brunswick, Georgia.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROBERTS: Nice story there.

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