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CNN Sunday Morning
Bush Visits Turkey; Powell Prepares to Visit Sudan
Aired June 27, 2004 - 09:00 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.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, good morning to you. It is Sunday, June 27. Welcome to CNN SUNDAY MORNING, I'm Betty Nguyen.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Drew Griffin. Thanks for starting your day with us this Sunday morning. Here's what we've got coming in this hour. The president is now visiting NATO's only Muslim member. A live report from Istanbul is just ahead.
Also, Colin Powell is preparing to visit Africa's largest nation to highlight the humanitarian crisis there and the need for massive and immediate aid. We discuss the urgency of the situation with the head of CARE International.
And later, vets who return from Iraq with permanent disabilities. We'll talk with one man who is doing what he can to welcome them home. Emphases there on a "home." First let's check the headlines.
NGUYEN: President Bush is in Istanbul where the NATO summit begins tomorrow. His primary goal will be to secure more assistance and support in Iraq from NATO nations. The president's visit comes as three Turkish citizens are taken hostage in Iraq. And in a moment we will go live to Istanbul for the latest.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is also in Istanbul after a visit yesterday to the former Soviet Republic or Moldova. Rumsfeld tells the BBC the U.S. is making prudent plans to send more American forces to Iraq if they are requested. But he says U.S. commanders have not asked for them and they might not be needed. There's also a possibility NATO could be persuaded to send extra troops to Iraq in necessary.
In Afghanistan, Afghans vote in the September elections are being targeted by the Taliban. Officials say, at least ten people were killed while riding in a van in southern Afghanistan. A police official says they were killed when it was discovered they had registered to vote in the election.
And in Iran, the country's foreign minister says it will move forward this week on its nuclear program despite a chorus of international objections. Specifically, he says, construction of centrifuges will resume Tuesday, but he said for now, they will not be used for uranium enrichment. "Reuters" reports the White House warns that resumption of Iran's nuclear program could lead to sanction against Huron.
GRIFFIN: We begin this hour in Istanbul where President Bush is preparing for tomorrow's start of the NATO summit. CNN's Robin Oakley joins us with the latest from there.
Good morning again, Robin.
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew. And President Bush, as you say, has been here now for a good few minutes after talks this morning in Ankara, the Turkish capitol, with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, and with President Sezer. Talks, during which, he backed the claim of Turkey to join the European Union and pay tribute to it as a model Islamic democracy. But the talks were overshadowed, inevitably, by the capture of three Turkish citizens in Iraq who are being held hostage with threats from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group that they will be beheaded if the Turkish authorities don't pull Turkish contractors out of Iraq. The are, of course, no Turkish troops there, but contractors are helping the coalition forces. But the Turkish defense minister has said there is no way they will give way to such demands.
President Bush has now come on here to Istanbul where he's met by pretty massive demonstration. This is a city almost under siege, 200 roads have been closed off. There are fighter planes in the skies above, there are vessels patrolling Bosphorus here, and some 40,000 demonstrators, there about two and a half to three miles away across the divide, Bosphorus here, which divides the European section of Istanbul from the Asian section. So, not a very warm welcome for President Bush. Lots of slogans saying "get out of the Middle East," but he'll be getting down to business on the NATO summit later hoping to get more help in Iraq -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Robin, for the second day President Bush has held up Turkey as an example of what could be in Iraq, I think in Ireland he called it a "Western democracy steeped in the Islamic traditions." Does Turkey see itself as what Iraq could be?
OAKLEY: Well indeed, Turkey sees itself as a model for this part of the world and is keen to demonstrate that claim by getting admission to the European Union. And it's interesting that Bush has on two occasions, both in Ireland and here in Turkey, stressed the Turkish claims to join the European Union, because that's a subject of some controversy to have somebody from the United States saying that the UE, in which some members are doubtful about admitting Turkey should do so. President Bush is keen to see that because he values Turkey's contribution as a strategically important part of NATO, but some say the president's efforts could be counterproductive, particularly with the French being the biggest objectors to Turkey coming into the European Union and the French not having the best of relations these days with President Bush -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Robin Oakley reporting live from Turkey -- Betty.
NGUYEN: In political news across America, the Green Party has chosen its presidential candidate, but it's not who you might think. Texas native David Cobb won the nod over Ralph Nadir. Cobb helped build the Green Party and served as its general council.
Other stories making headlines this morning: A new FBI computer system won't be tracking domestic terror threats on schedule. Officials had hoped the virtual case file program would be ready by the end of the year. Officials cite problems with the infrastructure that make the program work. It is supposed to help the FBI organize its data.
Fifty-four wildfires are burning across Alaska. About 200 people who had been stranded by flames for two days in a small mining town called Chicken, are now out of harm's way. Fire managers are hoping cooler weather will help them gain the upper hand. Nearly half-a- million acres in Alaska have been charred this fire season.
In Compton, California, Police Chief William Bratton that says that it is OK for police to use their flashlights to subdue suspects, this comes after a videotaped arrest showing an officer repeatedly striking a carjack suspect with a flashlight -- you see that video here. It's being compared by some to the Rodney King beating.
GRIFFIN: Nearly three years after terrorist attacks of 9/11, the events of that day have barely faded from the memory of most New Yorkers. This year, the 11th of September falls on a Saturday, a prime wedding day and a popular month for marriages. CNN's Alina Cho has the story of two soon-to-be brides and their wedding plans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSEPH RUSSO, GROOM-TO-BE: Let's start stuffing these.
JENNIFER LUANGO, BRIDE-TO-BE: OK.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Jennifer Luango and Joseph Russo have spent months planning their perfect wedding.
RUSSO: We both wanted to be outside, we both liked the fall, it's our favorite season. And it was a Saturday.
CHO: Saturday, September 11, the day they will say their vows.
(on camera):Tell me why it is you chose the 11th.
LUANGO: Um, we thought about it and September 11th is big for us. Over the last few years it's really been a time for us to be with family, and we couldn't think of a better way to be with all of our family at once to celebrate our wedding.
CHO (voice-over): Luango and Russo grew up in New York, moved back just a few months before 9/11.
RUSSO: Obviously, that -- it's probably going to be a big part of the day -- you know, remembering what happened, but also -- you know, we want to make something good of it.
CHO (on camera): You're trying to reclaim it?
RUSSO: Right.
LISA CAM, BRIDE-TO-BE: The day is so traumatic and still is so traumatic in the city, and still is such a day of memorial in the city, that I really didn't want to have that as my wedding day.
CHO (voice-over): Bride-to-be Lisa Cam lives within sight of lower Manhattan and on 9/11 watched it all.
CAM: It was an awful day and while I have, to some extent, readjust it to this as my new view, my guests from out of town won't have.
CHO: That's especially important because Cam is getting married at a place that once had spectacular views of the twin towers. Most of the city's wedding halls will be dark this September 11th. The first time since the terrorist attacks the anniversary has fallen on a Saturday.
CHO (on camera): You can understand that people might not want to...
AMY GRUBER, TWENTY-FOUR FIFTH: One-hundred percent. Absolutely, and it's even sometimes uncomfortable for me address and say that I even have the date available.
CHO (voice-over): September is traditionally one of the most popular months for weddings, Saturday the most popular day. No weddings on this Saturday means no cakes...
ELLEN BALMORE, WEDDING CAKE DESIGNER: This year, so far, we have one cake booked, one maybe.
CHO: And no flowers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's emotional more than anything, it's not about the money.
CHO: September 11 is not a day for business as usual.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's certain times when there's other things that are more important than making money and I think that's one of those days.
CHO: A day seared in the nation's memory on which most will be thinking about the past.
CAM: Maybe if it was five years out I couldn't even see doing it. It's still too close and too raw and it's still here in New York.
CHO: While a few...
LUANGO: Celebrating on that day kind of commemorates the love that a lot of people lost that day.
CHO: ...will be toasting the future.
Alina Cho, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE) NGUYEN: And speaking of days, within days of the handover of power in Iraq, plenty of questions remain. Is our mission accomplished? Are the Iraqis ready to take control? We'll tackle those issues and have the latest news live from Baghdad, that's coming up.
GRIFFIN: And giving back to the troops who made an enormous sacrifice. One group's focus on a special home coming for injured veterans and they're looking for a little help.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Beautiful weather expected across the northeast, today. Cooler more comfortable Canadian air coming from Chicago where it's pretty nice right now, but showers will make their way into the Midwest, as well. Talk about it in about a complete forecast in about ten minutes. CNN SUNDAY MORNING will be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GRIFFIN: The international community takes notices of a disastrous situation in the Sudan, but taking notice isn't enough.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Even if we are slow to act hundreds of thousands will die, but if we don't move quickly, even more will die.
GRIFFIN: We'll get a first-hand account of the crisis in about 15 minutes on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Just three days until the official transfer of sovereignty in Iraq. The violence continues and the death toll climbs. Car bombs take a heavy toll of Iraqi civilians in the town of Hillah, militants take three Turkish hostages and threaten to kill them. CNN's Brent Sadler is live in Baghdad with the latest on all of this.
Hi Brent.
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, good morning Betsy. The abductors of three Turkish hostages say they will behead their captives by Monday or Tuesday unless the Turkish authorities agree to stop doing business in Iraq, and ultimatum the Turkish government has already rejected. It is possible that those three Turks could be killed, beheaded at the same time as the NATO summit, the 26-nation alliance agrees to give the Iraqi interim government support in the form of training and equipment to combat a spiraling and ever deadlier insurgency. Overnight here, there was another devastating bomb blast, this time it took place at the Shia Muslim town of Hillah, south of the capitol. At least 23 people were killed in what's thought to be a double bomb blast, explosives packed in vehicles, and dozens more injured in that explosion.
Also, it's thought that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose terror group behind -- thought to be behind the kidnapping of the three Turks, Zarqawi also suspected of being involved in the Hillah explosion. Now, there has been an upsurge in violence in these past few days, with bombings on multiple fronts, ambushes against Iraqi and coalition patrols, the kidnapping and subsequent beheading of the South Korean hostage, just last week. In addition to that coordinated attack against Iraqi police and coalition forces -- very, very heavy increase in recent violence.
On another front, the outgoing head of the CPA, the Coalition Provisional Authority, Ambassador Paul Bremer, paid what's thought to be his last visit outside of the Iraqi capitol. He visited a place near Hillah, not far from where the double bomb blast took place, now he visited a place near Hillah, in fact not far from where that double bomb blast took place overnight. And he visited a mass grave site where it's thought as many as 300,000 remains of Iraqi men, women, and children were buried during 30 years of tyrannical rule by Saddam Hussein. Ambassador Bremer met relatives and victims, and also visited a memorial to those who lost their lives and also the Center for New Democracy in Iraq, which is also near those mass graves. Back to you, Betsy.
NGUYEN: Brent, let's talk more about that upsurge in violence. With that happening and just three days to go to the handover, do Iraqis really feel that the streets of Iraq are going to be changing much, come Wednesday?
SADLER: No. There's no real widespread perception, certainly ion this area, in this area, in the central part of the country and in the south, where I spent a lot of time last week, that there will be a significant change in what's happening on the ground, now. Let's look at what is happening.
There's heavy loss of life, more than 130 people killed over the last three or four days, in these critical countdown days to handover. The terrorists have certainly unleashed a devastating display of weaponry in terms of car bombs, suicide bombs, ambushes, and for the first time a serious level of coordination, it seem, on the attacks on police stations. And it does seem aimed at really one objective -- obviously, to destabilize, if not topple the interim Iraqi government before it assumes power and if not to maintain the pressure on that government after it assumes sovereignty. So, very dangerous days still lie ahead. That's widely expected all around, on the streets and from coalition officials -- Betsy.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Brent Sadler in Baghdad, thank you.
Well, there is news of further fallout over the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib. The "Washington Post" quotes intelligence officials as saying "the CIA has suspended use of its so- called 'enhanced interrogation techniques' approved by the White House." Techniques including sleep deprivation and noise bombardment are now on hold pending a Justice Department review. The "Post" reports that the suspension applies to CIA detention facilities around the world, but not military prisons in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and elsewhere.
GRIFFIN: When the Iraqi people have gained control of their country, later this week, it will bring, perhaps, an eerie reminder of a similar transfer of power there more than seven decades ago. It was the British who invaded Iraq during World War I as an effort to control the country's oil-rich territories. It would be 12 years before the Royal Air Force and the rest of Britain's military would completely withdraw from Iraq. It's taken much less time for the current coalition to return sovereignty to the Iraqi's, although troops remain in the country for a long time to come. Some perspective now from Ken Pollack, from the Saban Center at Brookings Institution, he is also a CNN analyst.
We welcome you this morning.
Unlike the British transfer of power there, at that time there was a revolt by the Iraqis themselves. We are seeing this revolt of foreign fighters or terrorists inside who are trying to topple what could be a legitimate government in Iraq -- Ken.
KENNETH POLLACK, CNN ANALYST: Well, certainly true, there are foreign fighters involved, but I don't think that we should overemphasize their role in this. The fact of the matter is there's a whole range of different people inside Iraq who are unhappy about the U.S. presence and reconstruction itself and many of them are home- grown Iraqis. You've got Shias, you've got Sunnis, you've got fundamentalists, you've got tribesmen, you've got all kinds of different people. And I think that we need to really focus on something that Brent Sadler said in his piece just a few minutes ago -- we now have a full-blown insurgency inside Iraq and that means meeting it head-on with traditional counterinsurgency tactics.
GRIFFIN: Is that insurgency, though, offering the Iraqi people any alternative government? What's to happen if the Iraq interim government fails?
POLLACK: Well, there not -- well, I shouldn't say that, there are different groups that are offering different visions of what their future Iraq might look like and obviously those visions have greater or lesser appeal to different segments of society, but what you're focusing on is also an important point, because it does get to the fact that most Iraqis don't want to see the insurgency succeed. Ultimately most Iraqis are deeply disappointed with the United States, but still believe in the process of reconstruction if only because they are convinced that if reconstruction does not work their country is going to fall into civil war.
GRIFFIN: The Turkish kidnappings that we hear about now, three Turks being held. They could possibly be Muslims themselves, history tells us, the recent history over the last two weeks tells us, these men have been sentenced to death and a death that will be carried out most likely in a couple days from now. How will that play on the Iraqi street as support for or against the terrorist elements plays out?
POLLACK: As best as we can tell Drew, most Iraqis are not terribly happy with these kinds of beheadings, with these kinds of terrorist attacks. Most, as I've said, would like to see reconstruction succeed though they are angry and frustrated with the United States. The idea that these are Turks, and as you said, they are almost certainly Muslims that's going to make it a little bit more painful for Iraqis, may turn them off a little bit more. But, until we can offer them that alternative where they've a society where the streets are safe, where the electricity is working, where they've got clean water, schools, and jobs, until that comes about, it's going to be a real tug-of-war between us and the insurgents.
GRIFFIN: And Ken, magically that's not going to happen on the handover date.
POLLACK: No, that's absolutely right, Drew and this is one of the problems that's confronting this new interim government. They are going to have their work cut out for them. They're going to need to demonstrate as quickly as they can to Iraqis that they are making a difference. It's going to take time and what's more, they don't really have the instruments of power in their hands. Everyone knows that the two biggest things that the Iraqis are concerned about, their economy and security, those things can only be fixed by the United States of America. That new Iraqi government is going to have little ability to fix those problems.
GRIFFIN: Ken Pollack, we appreciate your insight this morning as we look towards the handover in Iraq. Thanks for joining us -- Betty.
POLLACK: Thank you.
NGUYEN: And all of this brings us to our e-mail question of the day: "Is it 'mission accomplished' in Iraq?" Andrea from Sioux Falls, South Carolina tackles this by saying "No, mission not accomplished. Blood is shed daily. What a mess!"
GRIFFIN: Mostly no this morning, but this yes, from Gwen. "Mission accomplished, Saddam is gone, the people of Iraq have clean water and electricity, the schools and hospitals have been rebuilt."
That is Gwen, if you'd like to continue writing us this morning, it's WAM, that stands for WEEKEND AM, @cnn.com and we look forward to reading your comments on the air.
NGUYEN: We do have a check of the top stories and weather, that's coming up.
GRIFFIN: Plus, giving back to injured troops coming home from Iraq. We're going to introduce you to one group and their leader who are trying to make the transition a little easier. More ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
NGUYEN: Well, good morning, Chicago. Look at this lovely view from CLTV, our affiliate there. It's a weekend for cross-town rivalries; the Cubs will be taking on the White Sox, today. And Rob will have the forecast in just a moment. Stay with us.
Now to a quick update of our top stories. President Bush is in Istanbul ahead of tomorrow's NATO summit. Earlier this morning, he met with Turkish leaders in Ankara. Turkey is hoping to begin European Union membership talks very soon.
In Iraq, the coalition now says 23 Iraqi civilians were killed and 58 wounded when two car bombs exploded -- it happened yesterday near a mosque in the southern city of Hillah.
Tossed to Rob Marciano now who's checking the weather across the nation.
Good morning, Rob.
MARCIANO: Good morning, guys. We're looking at a nice day across the northeast, actually that cross-town rivalry, White Sox and Cubs probably will get off at least, to start, dry, but there's some rain showers that are going to be rolling through.
Max, as a matter of fact, let's roll that shot again, if we could out of Chicago.
You can see it. Look at the blue sky. It was fabulous yesterday, had the Taste of Chicago, a lot of folks out enjoying music and food. And you can see that flag flapping in the breeze. Beautiful shot for you. Clouds will increase as we go through the afternoon and there'll probably a couple showers, about a 50/50 shot of seeing showers, today.
All right, that nice weather is stretching now across the East coast and that means more comfortable Canadian air across many of the northeast cities. Still, rain across the southeast in spots and Rocky Mountains, at least the front range of the Rockies will probably see some showers and storms pop up later on this afternoon.
Here is where the showers and storms are firing up at this hour. This area right here, eastern New Mexico and eastern Colorado could see strong to severe weather later on. But, this is what we're concerned about, Houston, Galveston, tremendous amount of rain in the past couple day, well luckily most of the rain now looks like it wants to shift a little bit farther to the north, but that does not mean that Houston won't get anything, and they don't need more. If they get any more and they'll -- talking about major street flooding again today.
Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas towards Kansas City, we'll see showers and storms fire up, there. The showers now that are rolling through the Twin Cities, Minneapolis reporting rainfall, and this area where I have drawn rain is where we'll see the showers pop up from time to time. It won't rain in all places at one time, but certainly will be showery. Seventy in San Fran, no rain expected across the West coast. If you are waking up in San Francisco or Seattle, you got a good- looking day on tap. Back to you guys in the studio.
NGUYEN: Like the sound of that, thank you Rob.
GRIFFIN: With most the tension these days on Iraq and the war on terror, there's another overwhelming disaster that's happening in Africa.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we stand for as humans when we start talking about two million people who may die? And that's where we are on this. It's not dramatic, alarmist, that's a fact.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GRIFFIN: Coming up, a closer look at the crisis in Sudan. What it is and what the rest of the world needs to do to help stop it now.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired June 27, 2004 - 09:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, good morning to you. It is Sunday, June 27. Welcome to CNN SUNDAY MORNING, I'm Betty Nguyen.
DREW GRIFFIN, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Drew Griffin. Thanks for starting your day with us this Sunday morning. Here's what we've got coming in this hour. The president is now visiting NATO's only Muslim member. A live report from Istanbul is just ahead.
Also, Colin Powell is preparing to visit Africa's largest nation to highlight the humanitarian crisis there and the need for massive and immediate aid. We discuss the urgency of the situation with the head of CARE International.
And later, vets who return from Iraq with permanent disabilities. We'll talk with one man who is doing what he can to welcome them home. Emphases there on a "home." First let's check the headlines.
NGUYEN: President Bush is in Istanbul where the NATO summit begins tomorrow. His primary goal will be to secure more assistance and support in Iraq from NATO nations. The president's visit comes as three Turkish citizens are taken hostage in Iraq. And in a moment we will go live to Istanbul for the latest.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is also in Istanbul after a visit yesterday to the former Soviet Republic or Moldova. Rumsfeld tells the BBC the U.S. is making prudent plans to send more American forces to Iraq if they are requested. But he says U.S. commanders have not asked for them and they might not be needed. There's also a possibility NATO could be persuaded to send extra troops to Iraq in necessary.
In Afghanistan, Afghans vote in the September elections are being targeted by the Taliban. Officials say, at least ten people were killed while riding in a van in southern Afghanistan. A police official says they were killed when it was discovered they had registered to vote in the election.
And in Iran, the country's foreign minister says it will move forward this week on its nuclear program despite a chorus of international objections. Specifically, he says, construction of centrifuges will resume Tuesday, but he said for now, they will not be used for uranium enrichment. "Reuters" reports the White House warns that resumption of Iran's nuclear program could lead to sanction against Huron.
GRIFFIN: We begin this hour in Istanbul where President Bush is preparing for tomorrow's start of the NATO summit. CNN's Robin Oakley joins us with the latest from there.
Good morning again, Robin.
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Drew. And President Bush, as you say, has been here now for a good few minutes after talks this morning in Ankara, the Turkish capitol, with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, and with President Sezer. Talks, during which, he backed the claim of Turkey to join the European Union and pay tribute to it as a model Islamic democracy. But the talks were overshadowed, inevitably, by the capture of three Turkish citizens in Iraq who are being held hostage with threats from Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's group that they will be beheaded if the Turkish authorities don't pull Turkish contractors out of Iraq. The are, of course, no Turkish troops there, but contractors are helping the coalition forces. But the Turkish defense minister has said there is no way they will give way to such demands.
President Bush has now come on here to Istanbul where he's met by pretty massive demonstration. This is a city almost under siege, 200 roads have been closed off. There are fighter planes in the skies above, there are vessels patrolling Bosphorus here, and some 40,000 demonstrators, there about two and a half to three miles away across the divide, Bosphorus here, which divides the European section of Istanbul from the Asian section. So, not a very warm welcome for President Bush. Lots of slogans saying "get out of the Middle East," but he'll be getting down to business on the NATO summit later hoping to get more help in Iraq -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Robin, for the second day President Bush has held up Turkey as an example of what could be in Iraq, I think in Ireland he called it a "Western democracy steeped in the Islamic traditions." Does Turkey see itself as what Iraq could be?
OAKLEY: Well indeed, Turkey sees itself as a model for this part of the world and is keen to demonstrate that claim by getting admission to the European Union. And it's interesting that Bush has on two occasions, both in Ireland and here in Turkey, stressed the Turkish claims to join the European Union, because that's a subject of some controversy to have somebody from the United States saying that the UE, in which some members are doubtful about admitting Turkey should do so. President Bush is keen to see that because he values Turkey's contribution as a strategically important part of NATO, but some say the president's efforts could be counterproductive, particularly with the French being the biggest objectors to Turkey coming into the European Union and the French not having the best of relations these days with President Bush -- Drew.
GRIFFIN: Robin Oakley reporting live from Turkey -- Betty.
NGUYEN: In political news across America, the Green Party has chosen its presidential candidate, but it's not who you might think. Texas native David Cobb won the nod over Ralph Nadir. Cobb helped build the Green Party and served as its general council.
Other stories making headlines this morning: A new FBI computer system won't be tracking domestic terror threats on schedule. Officials had hoped the virtual case file program would be ready by the end of the year. Officials cite problems with the infrastructure that make the program work. It is supposed to help the FBI organize its data.
Fifty-four wildfires are burning across Alaska. About 200 people who had been stranded by flames for two days in a small mining town called Chicken, are now out of harm's way. Fire managers are hoping cooler weather will help them gain the upper hand. Nearly half-a- million acres in Alaska have been charred this fire season.
In Compton, California, Police Chief William Bratton that says that it is OK for police to use their flashlights to subdue suspects, this comes after a videotaped arrest showing an officer repeatedly striking a carjack suspect with a flashlight -- you see that video here. It's being compared by some to the Rodney King beating.
GRIFFIN: Nearly three years after terrorist attacks of 9/11, the events of that day have barely faded from the memory of most New Yorkers. This year, the 11th of September falls on a Saturday, a prime wedding day and a popular month for marriages. CNN's Alina Cho has the story of two soon-to-be brides and their wedding plans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JOSEPH RUSSO, GROOM-TO-BE: Let's start stuffing these.
JENNIFER LUANGO, BRIDE-TO-BE: OK.
ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Jennifer Luango and Joseph Russo have spent months planning their perfect wedding.
RUSSO: We both wanted to be outside, we both liked the fall, it's our favorite season. And it was a Saturday.
CHO: Saturday, September 11, the day they will say their vows.
(on camera):Tell me why it is you chose the 11th.
LUANGO: Um, we thought about it and September 11th is big for us. Over the last few years it's really been a time for us to be with family, and we couldn't think of a better way to be with all of our family at once to celebrate our wedding.
CHO (voice-over): Luango and Russo grew up in New York, moved back just a few months before 9/11.
RUSSO: Obviously, that -- it's probably going to be a big part of the day -- you know, remembering what happened, but also -- you know, we want to make something good of it.
CHO (on camera): You're trying to reclaim it?
RUSSO: Right.
LISA CAM, BRIDE-TO-BE: The day is so traumatic and still is so traumatic in the city, and still is such a day of memorial in the city, that I really didn't want to have that as my wedding day.
CHO (voice-over): Bride-to-be Lisa Cam lives within sight of lower Manhattan and on 9/11 watched it all.
CAM: It was an awful day and while I have, to some extent, readjust it to this as my new view, my guests from out of town won't have.
CHO: That's especially important because Cam is getting married at a place that once had spectacular views of the twin towers. Most of the city's wedding halls will be dark this September 11th. The first time since the terrorist attacks the anniversary has fallen on a Saturday.
CHO (on camera): You can understand that people might not want to...
AMY GRUBER, TWENTY-FOUR FIFTH: One-hundred percent. Absolutely, and it's even sometimes uncomfortable for me address and say that I even have the date available.
CHO (voice-over): September is traditionally one of the most popular months for weddings, Saturday the most popular day. No weddings on this Saturday means no cakes...
ELLEN BALMORE, WEDDING CAKE DESIGNER: This year, so far, we have one cake booked, one maybe.
CHO: And no flowers.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's emotional more than anything, it's not about the money.
CHO: September 11 is not a day for business as usual.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's certain times when there's other things that are more important than making money and I think that's one of those days.
CHO: A day seared in the nation's memory on which most will be thinking about the past.
CAM: Maybe if it was five years out I couldn't even see doing it. It's still too close and too raw and it's still here in New York.
CHO: While a few...
LUANGO: Celebrating on that day kind of commemorates the love that a lot of people lost that day.
CHO: ...will be toasting the future.
Alina Cho, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE) NGUYEN: And speaking of days, within days of the handover of power in Iraq, plenty of questions remain. Is our mission accomplished? Are the Iraqis ready to take control? We'll tackle those issues and have the latest news live from Baghdad, that's coming up.
GRIFFIN: And giving back to the troops who made an enormous sacrifice. One group's focus on a special home coming for injured veterans and they're looking for a little help.
ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Beautiful weather expected across the northeast, today. Cooler more comfortable Canadian air coming from Chicago where it's pretty nice right now, but showers will make their way into the Midwest, as well. Talk about it in about a complete forecast in about ten minutes. CNN SUNDAY MORNING will be right back.
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GRIFFIN: The international community takes notices of a disastrous situation in the Sudan, but taking notice isn't enough.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Even if we are slow to act hundreds of thousands will die, but if we don't move quickly, even more will die.
GRIFFIN: We'll get a first-hand account of the crisis in about 15 minutes on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
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NGUYEN: Just three days until the official transfer of sovereignty in Iraq. The violence continues and the death toll climbs. Car bombs take a heavy toll of Iraqi civilians in the town of Hillah, militants take three Turkish hostages and threaten to kill them. CNN's Brent Sadler is live in Baghdad with the latest on all of this.
Hi Brent.
BRENT SADLER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, good morning Betsy. The abductors of three Turkish hostages say they will behead their captives by Monday or Tuesday unless the Turkish authorities agree to stop doing business in Iraq, and ultimatum the Turkish government has already rejected. It is possible that those three Turks could be killed, beheaded at the same time as the NATO summit, the 26-nation alliance agrees to give the Iraqi interim government support in the form of training and equipment to combat a spiraling and ever deadlier insurgency. Overnight here, there was another devastating bomb blast, this time it took place at the Shia Muslim town of Hillah, south of the capitol. At least 23 people were killed in what's thought to be a double bomb blast, explosives packed in vehicles, and dozens more injured in that explosion.
Also, it's thought that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, whose terror group behind -- thought to be behind the kidnapping of the three Turks, Zarqawi also suspected of being involved in the Hillah explosion. Now, there has been an upsurge in violence in these past few days, with bombings on multiple fronts, ambushes against Iraqi and coalition patrols, the kidnapping and subsequent beheading of the South Korean hostage, just last week. In addition to that coordinated attack against Iraqi police and coalition forces -- very, very heavy increase in recent violence.
On another front, the outgoing head of the CPA, the Coalition Provisional Authority, Ambassador Paul Bremer, paid what's thought to be his last visit outside of the Iraqi capitol. He visited a place near Hillah, not far from where the double bomb blast took place, now he visited a place near Hillah, in fact not far from where that double bomb blast took place overnight. And he visited a mass grave site where it's thought as many as 300,000 remains of Iraqi men, women, and children were buried during 30 years of tyrannical rule by Saddam Hussein. Ambassador Bremer met relatives and victims, and also visited a memorial to those who lost their lives and also the Center for New Democracy in Iraq, which is also near those mass graves. Back to you, Betsy.
NGUYEN: Brent, let's talk more about that upsurge in violence. With that happening and just three days to go to the handover, do Iraqis really feel that the streets of Iraq are going to be changing much, come Wednesday?
SADLER: No. There's no real widespread perception, certainly ion this area, in this area, in the central part of the country and in the south, where I spent a lot of time last week, that there will be a significant change in what's happening on the ground, now. Let's look at what is happening.
There's heavy loss of life, more than 130 people killed over the last three or four days, in these critical countdown days to handover. The terrorists have certainly unleashed a devastating display of weaponry in terms of car bombs, suicide bombs, ambushes, and for the first time a serious level of coordination, it seem, on the attacks on police stations. And it does seem aimed at really one objective -- obviously, to destabilize, if not topple the interim Iraqi government before it assumes power and if not to maintain the pressure on that government after it assumes sovereignty. So, very dangerous days still lie ahead. That's widely expected all around, on the streets and from coalition officials -- Betsy.
NGUYEN: All right, CNN's Brent Sadler in Baghdad, thank you.
Well, there is news of further fallout over the Iraq prisoner abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib. The "Washington Post" quotes intelligence officials as saying "the CIA has suspended use of its so- called 'enhanced interrogation techniques' approved by the White House." Techniques including sleep deprivation and noise bombardment are now on hold pending a Justice Department review. The "Post" reports that the suspension applies to CIA detention facilities around the world, but not military prisons in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and elsewhere.
GRIFFIN: When the Iraqi people have gained control of their country, later this week, it will bring, perhaps, an eerie reminder of a similar transfer of power there more than seven decades ago. It was the British who invaded Iraq during World War I as an effort to control the country's oil-rich territories. It would be 12 years before the Royal Air Force and the rest of Britain's military would completely withdraw from Iraq. It's taken much less time for the current coalition to return sovereignty to the Iraqi's, although troops remain in the country for a long time to come. Some perspective now from Ken Pollack, from the Saban Center at Brookings Institution, he is also a CNN analyst.
We welcome you this morning.
Unlike the British transfer of power there, at that time there was a revolt by the Iraqis themselves. We are seeing this revolt of foreign fighters or terrorists inside who are trying to topple what could be a legitimate government in Iraq -- Ken.
KENNETH POLLACK, CNN ANALYST: Well, certainly true, there are foreign fighters involved, but I don't think that we should overemphasize their role in this. The fact of the matter is there's a whole range of different people inside Iraq who are unhappy about the U.S. presence and reconstruction itself and many of them are home- grown Iraqis. You've got Shias, you've got Sunnis, you've got fundamentalists, you've got tribesmen, you've got all kinds of different people. And I think that we need to really focus on something that Brent Sadler said in his piece just a few minutes ago -- we now have a full-blown insurgency inside Iraq and that means meeting it head-on with traditional counterinsurgency tactics.
GRIFFIN: Is that insurgency, though, offering the Iraqi people any alternative government? What's to happen if the Iraq interim government fails?
POLLACK: Well, there not -- well, I shouldn't say that, there are different groups that are offering different visions of what their future Iraq might look like and obviously those visions have greater or lesser appeal to different segments of society, but what you're focusing on is also an important point, because it does get to the fact that most Iraqis don't want to see the insurgency succeed. Ultimately most Iraqis are deeply disappointed with the United States, but still believe in the process of reconstruction if only because they are convinced that if reconstruction does not work their country is going to fall into civil war.
GRIFFIN: The Turkish kidnappings that we hear about now, three Turks being held. They could possibly be Muslims themselves, history tells us, the recent history over the last two weeks tells us, these men have been sentenced to death and a death that will be carried out most likely in a couple days from now. How will that play on the Iraqi street as support for or against the terrorist elements plays out?
POLLACK: As best as we can tell Drew, most Iraqis are not terribly happy with these kinds of beheadings, with these kinds of terrorist attacks. Most, as I've said, would like to see reconstruction succeed though they are angry and frustrated with the United States. The idea that these are Turks, and as you said, they are almost certainly Muslims that's going to make it a little bit more painful for Iraqis, may turn them off a little bit more. But, until we can offer them that alternative where they've a society where the streets are safe, where the electricity is working, where they've got clean water, schools, and jobs, until that comes about, it's going to be a real tug-of-war between us and the insurgents.
GRIFFIN: And Ken, magically that's not going to happen on the handover date.
POLLACK: No, that's absolutely right, Drew and this is one of the problems that's confronting this new interim government. They are going to have their work cut out for them. They're going to need to demonstrate as quickly as they can to Iraqis that they are making a difference. It's going to take time and what's more, they don't really have the instruments of power in their hands. Everyone knows that the two biggest things that the Iraqis are concerned about, their economy and security, those things can only be fixed by the United States of America. That new Iraqi government is going to have little ability to fix those problems.
GRIFFIN: Ken Pollack, we appreciate your insight this morning as we look towards the handover in Iraq. Thanks for joining us -- Betty.
POLLACK: Thank you.
NGUYEN: And all of this brings us to our e-mail question of the day: "Is it 'mission accomplished' in Iraq?" Andrea from Sioux Falls, South Carolina tackles this by saying "No, mission not accomplished. Blood is shed daily. What a mess!"
GRIFFIN: Mostly no this morning, but this yes, from Gwen. "Mission accomplished, Saddam is gone, the people of Iraq have clean water and electricity, the schools and hospitals have been rebuilt."
That is Gwen, if you'd like to continue writing us this morning, it's WAM, that stands for WEEKEND AM, @cnn.com and we look forward to reading your comments on the air.
NGUYEN: We do have a check of the top stories and weather, that's coming up.
GRIFFIN: Plus, giving back to injured troops coming home from Iraq. We're going to introduce you to one group and their leader who are trying to make the transition a little easier. More ahead on CNN SUNDAY MORNING.
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NGUYEN: Well, good morning, Chicago. Look at this lovely view from CLTV, our affiliate there. It's a weekend for cross-town rivalries; the Cubs will be taking on the White Sox, today. And Rob will have the forecast in just a moment. Stay with us.
Now to a quick update of our top stories. President Bush is in Istanbul ahead of tomorrow's NATO summit. Earlier this morning, he met with Turkish leaders in Ankara. Turkey is hoping to begin European Union membership talks very soon.
In Iraq, the coalition now says 23 Iraqi civilians were killed and 58 wounded when two car bombs exploded -- it happened yesterday near a mosque in the southern city of Hillah.
Tossed to Rob Marciano now who's checking the weather across the nation.
Good morning, Rob.
MARCIANO: Good morning, guys. We're looking at a nice day across the northeast, actually that cross-town rivalry, White Sox and Cubs probably will get off at least, to start, dry, but there's some rain showers that are going to be rolling through.
Max, as a matter of fact, let's roll that shot again, if we could out of Chicago.
You can see it. Look at the blue sky. It was fabulous yesterday, had the Taste of Chicago, a lot of folks out enjoying music and food. And you can see that flag flapping in the breeze. Beautiful shot for you. Clouds will increase as we go through the afternoon and there'll probably a couple showers, about a 50/50 shot of seeing showers, today.
All right, that nice weather is stretching now across the East coast and that means more comfortable Canadian air across many of the northeast cities. Still, rain across the southeast in spots and Rocky Mountains, at least the front range of the Rockies will probably see some showers and storms pop up later on this afternoon.
Here is where the showers and storms are firing up at this hour. This area right here, eastern New Mexico and eastern Colorado could see strong to severe weather later on. But, this is what we're concerned about, Houston, Galveston, tremendous amount of rain in the past couple day, well luckily most of the rain now looks like it wants to shift a little bit farther to the north, but that does not mean that Houston won't get anything, and they don't need more. If they get any more and they'll -- talking about major street flooding again today.
Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas towards Kansas City, we'll see showers and storms fire up, there. The showers now that are rolling through the Twin Cities, Minneapolis reporting rainfall, and this area where I have drawn rain is where we'll see the showers pop up from time to time. It won't rain in all places at one time, but certainly will be showery. Seventy in San Fran, no rain expected across the West coast. If you are waking up in San Francisco or Seattle, you got a good- looking day on tap. Back to you guys in the studio.
NGUYEN: Like the sound of that, thank you Rob.
GRIFFIN: With most the tension these days on Iraq and the war on terror, there's another overwhelming disaster that's happening in Africa.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What do we stand for as humans when we start talking about two million people who may die? And that's where we are on this. It's not dramatic, alarmist, that's a fact.
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GRIFFIN: Coming up, a closer look at the crisis in Sudan. What it is and what the rest of the world needs to do to help stop it now.
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