Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

Iraqi Election Results Announced; Pope Delivers Sunday Blessing

Aired February 13, 2005 - 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: Two weeks ago they voted for the first time in 50 years and today we learned the outcome as the people of Iraq see democracy in action.
Good morning from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's February 13th. I'm Betty Nguyen.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris.

Power is being divvied up, 9:00 a.m. here in the East and 5:00 p.m. in Baghdad. Thank you for being with us this morning.

Now in the news, the numbers are in for Iraq's first election in a half century. Election officials have spent the last hour reading the raw numbers, province by province. We'll get into the numbers, the bottom line in just a moment with Nic Robertson in Baghdad.

The pope was back at St. Peter's this morning to deliver his regular Sunday blessing. Last week at this time he gave the blessing from his Rome hospital room where he was recovering from the flu. The pope used today's address to publicly ask kidnappers to free a female Italian journalist abducted earlier this month in Iraq.

In the Middle East, up to 500 Palestinian prisoners could regain their freedom over the next few days. The Israeli government approved a list of names to be posted on the Internet. Anyone can file an objection to the release of a particular prisoner. None of those on the list have killed Israelis and most have served at least two-thirds of their sentence.

In Klamath Falls, Oregon a grand jury will convene Monday to consider formal charges against 26-year-old Gerald Crein. He was arrested Thursday for allegedly trying to orchestrate a mass suicide on Valentine's Day. The alleged plot was hatched in an Internet chat room known as Suicide Party 2005.

NGUYEN: On to our top story this hour nurturing the seeds of democracy in Iraq.

Just moments ago, officials announced the uncertified election results from last month's election. It's a moment proud Iraqis have been waiting for and, according to one official, a new step in a march to democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FARID AYAR, IECI SPOKESMAN (through translator): Today this is a new birth for Iraq, a free Iraq and free people who (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to build a state based on civilized values and democratic values of the principles of peace and love.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: All right. Let's get straight to the numbers. Here they are. Over eight and a half million voters turned out to cast their ballots. That is a 58 percent voter turnout.

HARRIS: According to news reports from Reuters and the Associated Press, a Shiite dominated ticket appears to have claimed the lion's share of the over eight million votes cast with the main Kurdish alliance coming in second.

For more on the results we go straight to CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson who is live in Baghdad, hi Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Tony.

Well that is absolutely correct. The United Iraqi Alliance, the religious Shia party, gets 48 percent of the vote, some four million of those eight and a half million votes cast. That gets them 132 seats in the 275 member National Assembly. That means they are just seven seats short of a simple majority. That puts them, if you can excuse the helicopters flying overhead here in Baghdad that puts the United Iraqi Alliance in a very strong position.

They're expected to form a coalition to solidify that position with the Kurdish Alliance. The Kurdish Alliance got 2.175 million votes, 25 percent of all the votes. That gets them 70 seats in that National Assembly.

And, Iyad Allawi, the current prime minister leading a secular Iraqi list, his party got 1.1 million of the votes. That gets them -- that gets them 38 seats in the National Assembly, 14 percent of the vote.

This is not a big surprise here. We haven't heard yet the final figures for some of the individual politicians and some of the Sunni politicians who have been involved but it does mean that this religious party, the United Iraqi Alliance that, in fact, by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a very influential figure, has come out well ahead.

It puts them, if they do form an alliance with the Kurds, in a very strong position, 240 votes by our calculations at 240 seats out of 275 in that National Assembly by our calculations -- Tony.

HARRIS: Yes. Nic, a quick question, so that leads to the next thought are we looking at a theocracy or a secular government? What's the thinking at least recently and maybe even today on the ground there? ROBERTSON: We're very likely to see a constitution that's going to favor Islamic law. There's very unlikely to be anything in it that would contradict anything that's laid down in Islamic law. We're likely to see such laws come into being that are going to curtail some of the rights that women have at this time. It's not clear how strongly Islamic law will be favored.

Certainly, even in the Sunni community, there has been a drift perhaps towards more religious -- a more religious drift, if you will, not a theocracy like Iran and that's not what Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Sistani has favored for himself. He wants to be a background figure in the politics. But the religious parties, the two main religious parties, are going to feel strengthened by this vote -- Tony.

HARRIS: But there is no doubt about the fact that today the most powerful man in Iraq is who?

ROBERTSON: Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. He's been influential in stopping the country slipping into sectarian violence. The Sunni insurgents have been targeting the Shia Muslims.

He stopped them getting into a sectarian warfare. He has kept his coalition of political parties together so that they could get a strong unified vote and he's been influencing them to involve Sunni politicians.

He's been a figure at the moment that seems to be very much working for the unity of the country. But he is a religious figure and he wants to see religious laws in the constitution -- Tony.

HARRIS: Nic Robertson in Baghdad for us this morning, Nic thank you.

With all of the votes now counted in Iraq here's what happens next. Election results will be certified in three days. If voting or counting complaints are not upheld, the 275-member National Assembly will be formed based on the share of the vote each candidate gets.

The National Assembly will pick a president and two deputies. Those three people will then choose a prime minister and a cabinet. The prime minister and cabinet will ask the National Assembly for a vote of confidence.

The National Assembly will draft a constitution by August 15th. The Iraqi people will vote on the constitution by October 15th. If they approve it, a general election will be held by December 15th and the new government will take office by the end of the year.

NGUYEN: There's a lot of work to be done between now and then.

Well, ever since they arrived in Iraq, many American soldiers have been consumed with thoughts of returning home. Now, after spending a year on the front lines that day is almost here for one group of soldiers.

CNN's Jane Arraf got their reaction. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): They're not supposed to count the days but they do, even the hours until they go home to Germany, to California, to Tennessee. They've been in Iraq a year. Task Force 22 of the 1st Infantry Division has seen combat in Najaf and Falluja and Mosul.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, gunners make sure you're way down low, all right?

ARRAF: This is one of their last missions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, if you can I.D. an enemy, by all means shoot.

ARRAF: Over the last year, these soldiers would have been desperate to get off the base but in this last week nobody wants to go out in these streets.

(on camera): For soldiers about to go home this is one of the most harrowing times. They've survived a whole year in Iraq. They just have to get through the next few days.

(voice-over): They talk about what it will be like going home. Most had a small taste during leave. Private First Class Troy Langley (ph), sitting in the back, is 19.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that's fine but, you know, if I freak out don't worry about it and sure enough he shot me in the back and I didn't know he was going to and I flipped out on him.

ARRAF: They've seen enough explosions to last a lifetime.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Falluja was hell on earth.

ARRAF: In the steel of his Humvee, Joshua Thomas Casias (ph) has etched the name of the three of the battalion's 36 men who died in Iraq.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Doc (UNINTELLIGIBLE), probably he was our first medic down here, a good friend. We've all known him for about three years.

ARRAF: Staff Sergeant James Madison and Sergeant Major Steve Falkenberg (ph) were killed in Falluja.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They'd just ride around with me in the turret and watch over me and that's how I roll -- that's how we all roll.

ARRAF: Casias is getting out of the Army.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish I never came down here.

ARRAF: So is Sergeant Dave Pope. SGT. DAVID POPE, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION: It's kind of good to see the elections that happened turn out the way they did because it helps to alleviate some of the sense of pointlessness.

ARRAF: But a lot of the rest have reenlisted. In this last year when many grew up this is how they passed the time and kept the ghosts at bay, grateful they're alive.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Muqtadia (ph), Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we want to know what you think about the future of Iraq. Our morning e-mail question "What's the best case scenario for Iraq?" Drop us a line at wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: Well, it's not just the Iraqis who are gearing up for the future. Still to come on CNN SUNDAY MORNING some big changes are in store for the U.S. military. We will talk to a top commander.

HARRIS: And we'll introduce you to two soldiers who join us to share a harrowing wartime story. That's today's "Soldier's Story."

NGUYEN: And you are getting a bird's eye view of beautiful Dallas over that sky today. What a beautiful shot that is. The town of Emory celebrates the migration of the bald eagle. That's just down the road from Dallas. They're having a festival there. The Sunday forecast for Texas and the rest of the nation that is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: All morning we've watched history unfold in Iraq. Still a live picture up from the press conference held. It started at about eight o'clock this morning held by the Independent Iraqi Election Commission.

You saw the voting result from last month's landmark election unfold live on CNN. Expect continuing coverage of the event throughout the morning and afternoon. We'll be right back with more CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Brother some big art in the Big Apple, we mean big. This 23-mile-long art exhibit was unfurled literally, literally, is that saffron or orange?

NGUYEN: A little bit of both.

HARRIS: It was unfurled yesterday in New York's Central Park. It's called the gates and it has thousands of pieces of orange, saffron-colored fabric hanging like curtains from tall gates. Well it stayed dry. The weather forecast for New York and the rest of the nation is coming up.

NGUYEN: Well, in just the past hour in Baghdad the release of results in Iraq's national election. The United Iraqi Alliance, backed by the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani won about four million votes or 48 percent of the ballots cast. A Kurdish alliance finished second with more than two million votes or 26 percent. But these are uncertified results, which can be contested for three days.

Also in the news today, Pope John Paul II appears at his apartment window this morning right on schedule. He delivered his weekly blessing to a sea of applause from worshipers in St. Peter's Square. The 84-year-old pope was released from the hospital on Thursday following nine days of treatment for a respiratory infection.

And, in Madrid, look at this, terrorism is not suspected in what may be the worst fire in this city's history. Flames gutted the upper floors of this 32-story landmark building. Several firefighters suffered smoke inhalation as well.

So, what are the Arab media saying about Iraq's uncertified election results? That's our question today and that's ahead in about 15 minutes.

HARRIS: Love, love, love, it is a wonderful thing, at least when it comes at least -- in particular when it comes to folks surfing the web. Two of the most viewed stories on cnn.com deal with the seductive subject of the heart and I wonder why. It's only the day before Valentine's Day.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: CNN's Christina Park joins us now with a closer look, hi Christina.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony -- hi, Tony. Are you a fan of Christina Aguilera?

HARRIS: I am very much so.

PARK: "Genie in a Bottle?"

HARRIS: Oh, yes. It's what a girl wants.

PARK: Oh, yes, it looks like Lady (UNINTELLIGIBLE) finally got someone to say yes to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HARRIS: My that was beautiful. Wow.

PARK: At the top of cnn.com's most popular list she is beautiful, no matter what you say. "People" magazine reports that Christina Aguilera is engaged to her longtime boyfriend Jordan Bratman (ph). According to a rep, the music exec proposed to the 24-year-old on Friday, while on vacation.

They've been dating for more than two years and you'll have to wait tonight at the Grammy's to look for her blink but (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is no stranger to Grammy gold. She's a three-time Grammy winner.

And speaking of what a girl wants, what a girl needs, check this out. Also making our top ten most popular list...

HARRIS: What's that?

PARK: ...on cnn.com, Lovapalooza, Tony, part 2. In the Philippines thousands of couples got Valentine's Day celebrations started locking lips at midnight. The event is dubbed Lovapalooza 2. Last year more than 5,300 couples swapped saliva for at least ten seconds.

HARRIS: Yes.

PARK: Breaking Chile's record in the Guinness World Records book. But this year while large crowds turned out, no records were broken this time around. A lot of Altoids being popped right now.

HARRIS: Yes, don't -- don't cheat on the lip balm either.

PARK: I know.

HARRIS: All right, Christina thank you.

NGUYEN: Don't act like you don't know what Lovapalooza is, Tony. You've been there a few times.

HARRIS: I was shocked by that picture. I was shocked and startled by it.

NGUYEN: Orelon Sidney can you help him out.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

NGUYEN: All right, Orelon Sidney thank you so much for that.

And we will be back with more on the Iraq election returns in just a moment.

HARRIS: But first a CNN Extra, big pickup trucks, that's what gets Americans going these days. For the first time in ten years the sales of full size pickup trucks outpaced the growth of SUV's, according to analysis by the Ford Motor Company.

Americans want their pickups bigger, more SUV-like, with seating for the family but there is a downsize to the truck fever. The EPA says the average pickup has become 40 percent heavier and 11 percent less fuel efficient in the last two decades. And studies show the fatality rates for pickup truck passengers is slightly higher than those for minivans or large cars because of an increased rollover risk.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And welcome back everyone to CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

We're talking about the reporting of the election results in Baghdad at the Baghdad Convention Center. Let's bring in Carlos Valenzuela, who was the chief U.N. election adviser and, Carlos, good to see you this morning.

CARLOS VALENZUELA, CHIEF U.N. ELECTION ADVISER: Good to see you.

HARRIS: OK. What do you think, we've got 132 seats for the United Iraqi Alliance, 70 seats for the Kurdish Alliance and Allawi's slate gets 38 seats, what do you think?

VALENZUELA: Well, I think you might be getting a little bit ahead of the game.

HARRIS: Really.

VALENZUELA: What was just announced -- what was just announced are the results, the results that are there. The process of seat allocation is a little bit more complicated than just taking up directly from the proportion of votes that people did.

HARRIS: I see.

VALENZUELA: There is a little bit more complication in that. It will be very likely, something like what you just have said, but the Electoral Commission decided on purpose not to announce the seat allocation until the certification of results, waiting for these results to be certified by them.

HARRIS: And we should explain that because there was a calculation -- there's a formula that's in play here to actually determine the exact number of seats?

VALENZUELA: Absolutely, absolutely. There is, of course, a quota that is in the law and there is a certain number of seats that need to be received by each entity in order to be able to come into the counting of the -- into the allocation of seats.

Once the different entities that have reached a quota are looked at then they are taken and the calculations start all from scratch. So, the percentages change a little bit. It's all in the law.

HARRIS: I see.

VALENZUELA: It's all in the regulations of the commission and that's why the commission was waiting until the results are certified before they go ahead and do the allocation of seats.

HARRIS: Beautiful. All right, Carlos, I know you're on the run but we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us this morning. Thank you.

VALENZUELA: My pleasure. Thank you.

NGUYEN: Two men, both involved in the battle in Iraq, one lost his arm. Then he reenlisted. The other, well he's moving to safety. I'll talk with both of them about their experience. It is today's "Soldier's Story" when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: So, what is the Arab media saying about Iraq's uncertified election returns? Welcome back everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story is coming right up.

But first, here's what's happening right now in the news.

About 90 minutes ago election officials in Iraq began announcing the results of that country's historic nationwide elections. The results, they won't be certified just yet. Political parties have three days to file formal challenges. A Shiite alliance won the most votes so far but fell short of a majority.

Also in the news, rescue workers are scrambling to help tens of thousands of flood victims reeling from the country's worst rains in 20 years. At least 300 people are confirmed dead in those flash floods that were unleashed by at least three burst dams. Rain has tapered off in many areas but the danger of mudslides still loom.

And, in Madrid, Spain, terrorism is not suspected in what's being called the worst fire in the city's history. The flames engulfed this 32-story landmark building in the city's financial district. Firefighters, they were able to contain the blaze from spreading and an electrical short is suspected as the cause of that blaze.

HARRIS: And that historic election in Iraq has been sending ripples throughout the Arab world and the Arab media seem to be sending back mixed messages. Can that be so?

CNN's Senior Editor for Arab Affairs Octavia Nasr joins us now to put these events of the day into context. Really, some mixed reaction, a little give and take back and forth on this?

OCTAVIA NASR, CNN SR. EDITOR FOR ARAB AFFAIRS: Well, I would say intellectualism, you know. They're weighing in.

HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) going on. Okay. Okay.

NASR: Getting in different perspectives, different viewpoints, people saying this was democratic. This was good. Now what? Some saying this was not democratic and we're heading towards disaster in their words.

HARRIS: Are the Sunnis saying that?

NASR: Sunnis and, you know who's saying that, which was very interesting, a guest on Al-Jazeera is a French Arabist and that's someone who's interested in the Arab world.

HARRIS: Yes, that's interesting. That's an interesting take on it.

NASR: He also speaks Arabic and he's a political analyst on Middle East affairs. What he was saying was very interesting I thought. He said that the way people voted in Iraq, it was not the right way to vote. Which means he's saying they voted Sunni, Shia, Kurd, they voted by religion and he says this is a recipe for disaster. He's saying when you vote for a religion, not a person, and what that person and a party is going to be able to do for you, this is recipe for disaster, because that means the ethnic tensions are going to grow and that means there's always going to be strife. He said Iraqis should have voted as Iraqis.

HARRIS: I see. I see.

NASR: And for Iraqis, not for a religion.

HARRIS: But, but, but isn't that down the road? I mean that's a step that's going to happen once we get the constitution written, once we have elections. That process will take care of itself, won't it?

NASR: This is what was saying, too. He said look at Europe, look France, he says, you know, and now Europe where parts of the big picture, this takes time. And, he was saying that. It's a positive step, but he -- his knew nuance was about how they voted for a religion. Now, of course, there are a lot of expert who are looking at the region. They look at Iran, for example. The Islamic republic of Iran and they say if the Shia win in Iraq, then there's a potential of turning Iraq into an Islamic republic.

HARRIS: Yes.

NASR: And they're saying the region doesn't need this right now. The world doesn't need this right now. You have others saying, especially on the Shia side, they're saying no, this is not what's going to happen, it's not going to be an Islamic republic of Iraq. It is going to be an Iraq for all Iraqis. We will be inclusive, we'll bring people in. Of course, it's al yet to be seen.

HARRIS: Well, I know you'll continue to follow it for us. We appreciate it so much. Octavia Nasr.

NASR: Any time.

HARRIS: As always.

Tomorrow in Iraq, the Army's 1st Infantry Division transfers its Tikrit base command to the 42nd Infantry Division. Major General John Batiste is the commander of the 1st I.D. and he joins live from Tikrit.

Well, General, this has to be -- this has to be a great day for you and your soldiers.

MAJ. GEN. JOHN BATISTE, U.S. ARMY: Tony, it is a great day. We're very much involved in preparing to conduct a deliberate relief and place and transfer of authority with the 42nd Infantry Division.

HARRIS: Give us a sense of what it means. You know, we've been hearing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld talk about, you know, the service personnel is stressed. What does it mean to the soldiers that you've worked with all this time in Iraq to finally be getting an opportunity to go home? I don't know if we know at this point how long he'll be home but to get an opportunity to go home.

BATISTE: I tell you, the soldiers of the first infantry division and their family members, for that matter, are incredibly proud of what they've accomplished over the last year and they're also looking forward to going home and taking a little time off to reconnect with families and friends.

HARRIS: Let me ask you this question: Name of the command is also changing, as well, from "Task Force Danger" to "Task Force Liberty." What's in the name change? I know it must be more than symbolic.

BATISTE: Well, the term "danger" is incredibly symbolic to the 1st Infantry Division, it goes back to 1917 and means a lot to all soldiers, past and present. Same thing with the 42nd Infantry Division in terms of "Liberty," means a great deal to those great soldiers, as well.

HARRIS: After the -- do you get a chance to go home, as well?

BATISTE: All the soldiers did have a little R and R during the past year.

HARRIS: I'm asking about you...

BATISTE: We worked hard to achieve balance.

HARRIS: I'm asking you you, personally. Do you get a chance to go home?

BATISTE: Yes, I did.

HARRIS: OK. Here's the question: After the hugs and kisses from the family, what was the best thing about getting that break? What was the best thing? What did you most appreciate about the break?

BATISTE: I think I most appreciated being with my family.

HARRIS: Yeah. The mission: I've heard the area that you have been responsible for described as the size of West Virginia. Talk to us about security in that region, now. And I guess specifically the question I want to ask you is as we move forward here and training Iraqi forces, what are you most looking forward to, what will be the sign or symbol that says to you that the Iraqi security forces are now up, ready, and capable of taking on more of this fight?

BATISTE: Tony, we've been working very hard for the last 12 months on training and equipping the Iraqi security forces. That is, the Iraqi army and the police and the border enforcement within our area of responsibility. We've gotten to the point now where we've got Iraqi battalions that are prepared to conduct independent operations and we're continuing to work with the police and the border enforcement to get them to the same point of competency.

HARRIS: General, do you believe the mission has been accomplished? For the first I.D.?

BATISTE: I think this is a terribly important mission and we saw it on the 30th of September when 63 percent of the registered voters in our area of Iraq went to the polls, despite the risks, and they voted.

HARRIS: Major General John Batiste, the commander of the 1st I.D. Thank you so much for your time and we appreciate your service so much. Thank you.

BATISTE: Thank you.

NGUYEN: The Iraqi election became possible once Saddam Hussein removed from power. However, the violent insurgency that followed has proven to be a bigger challenge. Our "Soldier Story" today focuses on two soldiers who were on a mission to help Iraqi farmers and nearly lost their lives in the process. Why don't we meet them now? Sergeant Chuck Bartles and Sergeant Jared Myers are forever bonded by that fateful day. They join us this morning from Kansas City to tell us about their story.

Good morning to you both.

SGT. JARED MYERS, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: Good morning.

SGT. CHUCK BARTLES, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, Sergeant Bartles, let's start with you. Tell us what happened on October 23, 2003.

BARTLES: Well, me and Jared and an officer from the 4th Infantry Division, Captain John Teal (ph), were on a convoy, and on the way back from the convoy, we encountered an explosive device on the side of the road. And after it exploded it killed Captain Teal and severed my arm and hurt Jared, here, pretty good. And luckily Jared was able to drive the vehicle back to the compound in Baquba and from there (UNINTELLIGIBLE) backed Balad, at Camp Anaconda, and then from there to Landstuhl, Germany, and then back to the states.

NGUYEN: Now, I know you credit the Sergeant Myers for driving you back to the compound and getting you out of harm's way. But I have to ask you, Sergeant Myers, what about Sergeant Bartles? I mean, he actually said he was OK even though the arm was actually severed? Was that the case out there?

MYERS: Yes, it was. Basically, he initiated conversation after the blast happened and up from that point, I thought I was alone. So, whenever he started to talking to me, he gave me a lot of hope and he calmed me down and we were able to move on out of the kill zone.

NGUYEN: That is amazing that he was able to calm you down and suffering such major injuries, there. Sergeant Bartles, let me talk to you again because you reenlisted on the same day that you received your Bronze Star. One year since you first enlisted -- or one year since you were injured in the military battle there. Why did you reenlist? BARTLES: Well, you know, there's still a lot of opportunities I'm looking to get involved with. And it just wasn't my time to go. So, you know, there's still a couple more things I need to do before I end my service.

NGUYEN: So, let me get this right, this means that you could be deployed again?

BARTLES: Yeah, definitely. Definitely could happen.

NGUYEN: And are you ready for that?

BARTLES: Yeah. If it happens, it happens. If it's -- no, I wouldn't have reenlisted if, you know, that was an issue for me.

NGUYEN: Tell us -- take us back to the moment getting the Purple Heart from President Bush. What was that like?

BARTLES: You know, that was really, you know, really neat moment for me. You know, obviously, I'm used to being at the bottom of the power pyramid and strange being at Walter Reed. You know, you've seen all these, you know, these people that make the top decisions. And, you know, it's really strange being at one point and then, you know, all of a sudden, you know, the top level. I guess that's the best way I can explain it.

NGUYEN: Uh-huh. Well, Sergeant Myers now, you have recovered from the physical injuries, but the emotional and psychological scars are still very real for you. Give us an idea of what you've been going through since that attack and what you saw in Iraq.

MYERS: I'm basically, on a day-to-day basis, I think about what happened to us. And how we got out of it and the loss of Captain Teal, and I have a lot of guilt, s lot of -- a lot of feelings of responsibility, but I'm learning to get through that right now and that's with the help of V.A. System and the Army, they have continuing programs for us to try to get back to where we don't allow these kinds of things to run our lives.

NGUYEN: Uh-huh. You've also received a Bronze Star. I have to ask you, you both are friends; in so many ways have been through so much together although this war affected you in separate ways, you with the stress of it all, obviously, Sergeant Bartles with the injury he has sustained. Are you drawing strength from each other?

MYERS: Our relationship is pretty the same as it was before. It's definitely a lot stronger. I mean, we visit each other probably on a weekly basis, but, yeah. I guess in a way you can say that, yeah.

NGUYEN: What about you, Sergeant Bartles.

BARTLES: Yeah, it affects us just a little bit differently, so it kind of helps us -- you know, seeing how the other guy is doing. But, yeah, it's definitely nice having somebody, you know, right there, you know, that knows the exact same kind of feelings that you have.

NGUYEN: I have to say, in speaking with you Sergeant Bartles, you have such a gung ho attitude. You are ready to go out there. What does your family think about all of this?

BARTLES: At first, they were apprehensive about, you know, about reenlisting and staying in the military , but then, you know, they got a little more accustomed to it and now it's really not an issue.

NGUYEN: As we're watching today and seeing the Iraqi elections, how does that make you both feel, and I'll start with you, Sergeant Myers, about your service in Iraq?

MYERS: Well, it definitely gives validity to what we're doing over there and I'm glad they're actually taking a step forward and what we did, our first eight months when we were there, that it actually played a part in that. So, I guess a sense of pride is what I feel.

NGUYEN: Are you feeling that too, Sergeant Bartles, a sense of pride seeing these result numbers coming in?

BARTLES: Well, you know, I think without a doubt, I think the Iraqi people are going to be better off, you know, five or six years down the line than they are right now and, you know, they're going through some tough times right now, but you know, I think long-term it's definitely going to work out for the best.

NGUYEN: And was it well worth it for you?

BARTLES: Yeah, definitely. You know, it was a great experience, obviously there was one bad day but, you know, it was something that I'll never forget and, you know, it's -- you know, one of the -- you know, it was a greatest experience I've ever had in my life. You know, the stuff I was doing in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Absolutely, we appreciate, not only your time, but your service. Thank you, Sergeant Chuck Bartles and Sergeant Jared Myers, for sharing your story with us today. Thank you both, best of luck to you.

BARTLES: Thanks.

NGUYEN: And we have an update on last week's soldier story. You may recall that Sergeant Benderman is seeking conscientious objector status, sighting his experiences in Iraq during his first tour. It's a very high hurdle to get over and the Army, last week, grilled him at length on the beliefs and the same time, the Army is preparing to charge him with desertion. A press release issued, this morning by Benderman's wife, in the case that both matters are still pending and that the Army has informed the sergeant it intends to redeploy him to Iraq for a second tour.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: And here's a quick look at our top stories. Iraq released the final, but uncertified, election tally this morning. It shows a Shiite dominated ticket, won over four-million votes, or 48 percent of the ballots cast. It'll be three days before the results are considered certified.

Let's continue to talk about these results with Dr. Rajana Khoze of the Iraqi List, the party that came in third in the results that were released just about an hour -- over an hour-and-a-half ago -- hour-and-45-minutes ago.

Dr. Rajana Khoze, are you there?

DR. RAJANA KHOZE, THE IRAQI LIST: Yes.

HARRIS: Can you hear me? OK. Good morning to you. Good afternoon to you.

KHOZE: Yes, yes. OK. Good morning to you.

HARRIS: And good afternoon to you. You know, your take on the results can be very instructive for us. Your slate of candidates came in third. How does your party proceed from here?

KHOZE: Well, it's now from today it will be three days if there are any objections from any of the lists. And then, it will take the proper agreement. I don't know what they call it. And after that, the names of the members of the National Assembly will be announced. And then, the National Assembly will be formed and from the National Assembly, the president and the two deputies will be elected.

HARRIS: OK. Dr. Khoze...

KHOZE: The first thing, yes.

HARRIS: Do you anticipate any challenges to the percentages of the results as laid out this afternoon?

KHOZE: No. We were expecting these results. It has been shown, you know, from our first days that the coalition has taken most of the votes. So, we're expecting this -- we thought that we will have 40 seats, so now I think we will have 58.

HARRIS: OK. 58 seats?

KHOZE: Yeah.

HARRIS: OK. Dr, Khoze, moving forward from here what then becomes your party's agenda? What are the issues that your party will be advancing in this new general assembly?

KHOZE: Just to correct you, I never belonged to a party. I'm independent woman.

HARRIS: Oh, OK.

KHOZE: And, but if you think of my list.

HARRIS: Yes. I'm sorry. You're absolutely correct.

KHOZE: Yeah. We will think of raising the standard of the Iraqis by creating jobs, by rebuilding our country. Of course, the security issue is very important issue. And education is second. We think of bringing back the 50 percent of girls who dropped out of school in Saddam's time. We want to bring them back to school. And, of course, as a physician, and the head of the Iraqi List, as a physician, as well, that Allawi, we think of the health care, primary health care centers. This is very important. And, it's on the top of the list of the agenda and the women's health care. I believe that we need to build health care -- women's health care centers all over Iraq. There should be one each -- in each city. And besides we need to rebuild our country. We need to, you know, choose the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) oil to make a prosperous Iraq. With -- there are so many homeless people. We need to think of these people to build houses or flats for them.

HARRIS: Yes, Dr. Khoze.

KHOZE: There are also things to be in Iraq. Yes?

HARRIS: You will be a part of this new general assembly? Am I correct in saying that? Congratulations.

KHOZE: Yes. Yes, I will be on No. 9 on my -- thank you. Thank you very much.

HARRIS: Congratulations. OK. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.

KHOZE: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.

HARRIS: And time now to check in on what's happening in other parts of the world.

NGUYEN: We want to go now to Anand Naidoo at the international desk for the latest on that.

Good morning.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, very good morning to me. Well, Iraq is the main story, but there's rather a major development coming out of the Middle East. The Israeli government says it will release 500,000 Palestinian prisoners over the next several days. Those approved for released have each served two thirds of the sentences and none are accused of killing Israelis. It's not quite a done deal, though. Their names will be posted on a Web site, so anyone can file an objection. That announcement, part of last week's Sharm El-Sheikh cease-fire agreement.

In Pakistan, a major relief effort underway now after thousands of people hit by heavy rains and avalanches. At least 424 deaths are being blamed on the severe weather. Most died when three dams burst in the southwestern part of the country. Hundreds are still missing. Officials say between 25 and 30,000 people are affected by the disaster, scores killed in avalanches in the Pakistani-held part of Kashmir. The country's deploying troops to help with the rescue effort.

In Germany, the city of Dresden remembers the allied bombings, 60 years ago, but the commemoration is marred by far right groups trying to use the occasion for their own ends. Official events begin with a wreath laying ceremony as a mass grave. Neo-Nazi marchers gathered elsewhere in the city. British and American air raids on Dresden at the end of World War II in 1945 killed at least 35,000 people, most of them civilians.

Just worth saying it this time, that today, ceremonies are being attended by British, U.S., French, and Russian dignitaries.

That's it for me for now. More developments as we get them I'm Anand Naidoo. Back to Betty and Tony.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Anand. And we will have a quick check of the weather when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Look at this shot, beautiful southern California today. Hey, you know what, Tony? In the city of Los Angeles today, they are hosting the Golden Dragon Parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

HARRIS: The year of the...

NGUYEN: The Rooster.

HARRIS: Yeah. I knew that. I knew that.

NGUYEN: You knew that? The procession is known for it's spectacular painted dragons and if you haven't heard by this time, as Tony mentioned, it is the year of the rooster. So happy New Year!

HARRIS: And let's send you to Washington now and to Kathleen Hays for preview of "On the Story" that's coming up at the top of the hour.

Hi, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN HAYS, "ON THE STORY": Well, we have something to crow about, here. We're "On the Story" from here in Washington to New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Plus go to Iraq and CNN's Jane Arraf for the latest on the election results.

Dan and I will be talking about the federal budget, how cuts hit home. Elizabeth Cohen is covering a murder trial, that has defense attorneys blaming the anti-depressant Zoloft.

Kelly Wallace looks at republican's top choice for the next presidential race, Rudy Giuliani. And we'll go to Los Angeles. CNN's Brooke Anderson and the Grammy's. That's all coming up all "On the Story." Betty and Tony, back to you.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you. Hey, look who's here this morning. All morning long with us, Orelon Sidney.

HARRIS: In for Rob Marciano? Doing a fabulous job. Great to see you as always.

(WEATHER BREAK)

NGUYEN: Some rain and snow out there for us. Thank you, Orelon.

SIDNEY: You're welcome.

HARRIS: What a morning. Huh? A lot of news, little history being made. That's it for us this morning. Thank you for watching.

NGUYEN: And we hope to see you back here next weekend. "On the Story" is next.

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 February 13, 2005 - 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: Two weeks ago they voted for the first time in 50 years and today we learned the outcome as the people of Iraq see democracy in action.
Good morning from the CNN Center here in Atlanta. This is CNN SUNDAY MORNING. It's February 13th. I'm Betty Nguyen.

TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris.

Power is being divvied up, 9:00 a.m. here in the East and 5:00 p.m. in Baghdad. Thank you for being with us this morning.

Now in the news, the numbers are in for Iraq's first election in a half century. Election officials have spent the last hour reading the raw numbers, province by province. We'll get into the numbers, the bottom line in just a moment with Nic Robertson in Baghdad.

The pope was back at St. Peter's this morning to deliver his regular Sunday blessing. Last week at this time he gave the blessing from his Rome hospital room where he was recovering from the flu. The pope used today's address to publicly ask kidnappers to free a female Italian journalist abducted earlier this month in Iraq.

In the Middle East, up to 500 Palestinian prisoners could regain their freedom over the next few days. The Israeli government approved a list of names to be posted on the Internet. Anyone can file an objection to the release of a particular prisoner. None of those on the list have killed Israelis and most have served at least two-thirds of their sentence.

In Klamath Falls, Oregon a grand jury will convene Monday to consider formal charges against 26-year-old Gerald Crein. He was arrested Thursday for allegedly trying to orchestrate a mass suicide on Valentine's Day. The alleged plot was hatched in an Internet chat room known as Suicide Party 2005.

NGUYEN: On to our top story this hour nurturing the seeds of democracy in Iraq.

Just moments ago, officials announced the uncertified election results from last month's election. It's a moment proud Iraqis have been waiting for and, according to one official, a new step in a march to democracy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) FARID AYAR, IECI SPOKESMAN (through translator): Today this is a new birth for Iraq, a free Iraq and free people who (UNINTELLIGIBLE) to build a state based on civilized values and democratic values of the principles of peace and love.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

NGUYEN: All right. Let's get straight to the numbers. Here they are. Over eight and a half million voters turned out to cast their ballots. That is a 58 percent voter turnout.

HARRIS: According to news reports from Reuters and the Associated Press, a Shiite dominated ticket appears to have claimed the lion's share of the over eight million votes cast with the main Kurdish alliance coming in second.

For more on the results we go straight to CNN's Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson who is live in Baghdad, hi Nic.

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN SR. INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi there, Tony.

Well that is absolutely correct. The United Iraqi Alliance, the religious Shia party, gets 48 percent of the vote, some four million of those eight and a half million votes cast. That gets them 132 seats in the 275 member National Assembly. That means they are just seven seats short of a simple majority. That puts them, if you can excuse the helicopters flying overhead here in Baghdad that puts the United Iraqi Alliance in a very strong position.

They're expected to form a coalition to solidify that position with the Kurdish Alliance. The Kurdish Alliance got 2.175 million votes, 25 percent of all the votes. That gets them 70 seats in that National Assembly.

And, Iyad Allawi, the current prime minister leading a secular Iraqi list, his party got 1.1 million of the votes. That gets them -- that gets them 38 seats in the National Assembly, 14 percent of the vote.

This is not a big surprise here. We haven't heard yet the final figures for some of the individual politicians and some of the Sunni politicians who have been involved but it does mean that this religious party, the United Iraqi Alliance that, in fact, by Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, a very influential figure, has come out well ahead.

It puts them, if they do form an alliance with the Kurds, in a very strong position, 240 votes by our calculations at 240 seats out of 275 in that National Assembly by our calculations -- Tony.

HARRIS: Yes. Nic, a quick question, so that leads to the next thought are we looking at a theocracy or a secular government? What's the thinking at least recently and maybe even today on the ground there? ROBERTSON: We're very likely to see a constitution that's going to favor Islamic law. There's very unlikely to be anything in it that would contradict anything that's laid down in Islamic law. We're likely to see such laws come into being that are going to curtail some of the rights that women have at this time. It's not clear how strongly Islamic law will be favored.

Certainly, even in the Sunni community, there has been a drift perhaps towards more religious -- a more religious drift, if you will, not a theocracy like Iran and that's not what Grand Ayatollah Ali al- Sistani has favored for himself. He wants to be a background figure in the politics. But the religious parties, the two main religious parties, are going to feel strengthened by this vote -- Tony.

HARRIS: But there is no doubt about the fact that today the most powerful man in Iraq is who?

ROBERTSON: Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. He's been influential in stopping the country slipping into sectarian violence. The Sunni insurgents have been targeting the Shia Muslims.

He stopped them getting into a sectarian warfare. He has kept his coalition of political parties together so that they could get a strong unified vote and he's been influencing them to involve Sunni politicians.

He's been a figure at the moment that seems to be very much working for the unity of the country. But he is a religious figure and he wants to see religious laws in the constitution -- Tony.

HARRIS: Nic Robertson in Baghdad for us this morning, Nic thank you.

With all of the votes now counted in Iraq here's what happens next. Election results will be certified in three days. If voting or counting complaints are not upheld, the 275-member National Assembly will be formed based on the share of the vote each candidate gets.

The National Assembly will pick a president and two deputies. Those three people will then choose a prime minister and a cabinet. The prime minister and cabinet will ask the National Assembly for a vote of confidence.

The National Assembly will draft a constitution by August 15th. The Iraqi people will vote on the constitution by October 15th. If they approve it, a general election will be held by December 15th and the new government will take office by the end of the year.

NGUYEN: There's a lot of work to be done between now and then.

Well, ever since they arrived in Iraq, many American soldiers have been consumed with thoughts of returning home. Now, after spending a year on the front lines that day is almost here for one group of soldiers.

CNN's Jane Arraf got their reaction. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): They're not supposed to count the days but they do, even the hours until they go home to Germany, to California, to Tennessee. They've been in Iraq a year. Task Force 22 of the 1st Infantry Division has seen combat in Najaf and Falluja and Mosul.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right, gunners make sure you're way down low, all right?

ARRAF: This is one of their last missions.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, if you can I.D. an enemy, by all means shoot.

ARRAF: Over the last year, these soldiers would have been desperate to get off the base but in this last week nobody wants to go out in these streets.

(on camera): For soldiers about to go home this is one of the most harrowing times. They've survived a whole year in Iraq. They just have to get through the next few days.

(voice-over): They talk about what it will be like going home. Most had a small taste during leave. Private First Class Troy Langley (ph), sitting in the back, is 19.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that's fine but, you know, if I freak out don't worry about it and sure enough he shot me in the back and I didn't know he was going to and I flipped out on him.

ARRAF: They've seen enough explosions to last a lifetime.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Falluja was hell on earth.

ARRAF: In the steel of his Humvee, Joshua Thomas Casias (ph) has etched the name of the three of the battalion's 36 men who died in Iraq.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is Doc (UNINTELLIGIBLE), probably he was our first medic down here, a good friend. We've all known him for about three years.

ARRAF: Staff Sergeant James Madison and Sergeant Major Steve Falkenberg (ph) were killed in Falluja.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They'd just ride around with me in the turret and watch over me and that's how I roll -- that's how we all roll.

ARRAF: Casias is getting out of the Army.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wish I never came down here.

ARRAF: So is Sergeant Dave Pope. SGT. DAVID POPE, 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION: It's kind of good to see the elections that happened turn out the way they did because it helps to alleviate some of the sense of pointlessness.

ARRAF: But a lot of the rest have reenlisted. In this last year when many grew up this is how they passed the time and kept the ghosts at bay, grateful they're alive.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Muqtadia (ph), Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: And we want to know what you think about the future of Iraq. Our morning e-mail question "What's the best case scenario for Iraq?" Drop us a line at wam@cnn.com.

NGUYEN: Well, it's not just the Iraqis who are gearing up for the future. Still to come on CNN SUNDAY MORNING some big changes are in store for the U.S. military. We will talk to a top commander.

HARRIS: And we'll introduce you to two soldiers who join us to share a harrowing wartime story. That's today's "Soldier's Story."

NGUYEN: And you are getting a bird's eye view of beautiful Dallas over that sky today. What a beautiful shot that is. The town of Emory celebrates the migration of the bald eagle. That's just down the road from Dallas. They're having a festival there. The Sunday forecast for Texas and the rest of the nation that is coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: All morning we've watched history unfold in Iraq. Still a live picture up from the press conference held. It started at about eight o'clock this morning held by the Independent Iraqi Election Commission.

You saw the voting result from last month's landmark election unfold live on CNN. Expect continuing coverage of the event throughout the morning and afternoon. We'll be right back with more CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: Brother some big art in the Big Apple, we mean big. This 23-mile-long art exhibit was unfurled literally, literally, is that saffron or orange?

NGUYEN: A little bit of both.

HARRIS: It was unfurled yesterday in New York's Central Park. It's called the gates and it has thousands of pieces of orange, saffron-colored fabric hanging like curtains from tall gates. Well it stayed dry. The weather forecast for New York and the rest of the nation is coming up.

NGUYEN: Well, in just the past hour in Baghdad the release of results in Iraq's national election. The United Iraqi Alliance, backed by the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani won about four million votes or 48 percent of the ballots cast. A Kurdish alliance finished second with more than two million votes or 26 percent. But these are uncertified results, which can be contested for three days.

Also in the news today, Pope John Paul II appears at his apartment window this morning right on schedule. He delivered his weekly blessing to a sea of applause from worshipers in St. Peter's Square. The 84-year-old pope was released from the hospital on Thursday following nine days of treatment for a respiratory infection.

And, in Madrid, look at this, terrorism is not suspected in what may be the worst fire in this city's history. Flames gutted the upper floors of this 32-story landmark building. Several firefighters suffered smoke inhalation as well.

So, what are the Arab media saying about Iraq's uncertified election results? That's our question today and that's ahead in about 15 minutes.

HARRIS: Love, love, love, it is a wonderful thing, at least when it comes at least -- in particular when it comes to folks surfing the web. Two of the most viewed stories on cnn.com deal with the seductive subject of the heart and I wonder why. It's only the day before Valentine's Day.

NGUYEN: Yes.

HARRIS: CNN's Christina Park joins us now with a closer look, hi Christina.

CHRISTINA PARK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Tony -- hi, Tony. Are you a fan of Christina Aguilera?

HARRIS: I am very much so.

PARK: "Genie in a Bottle?"

HARRIS: Oh, yes. It's what a girl wants.

PARK: Oh, yes, it looks like Lady (UNINTELLIGIBLE) finally got someone to say yes to (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

HARRIS: My that was beautiful. Wow.

PARK: At the top of cnn.com's most popular list she is beautiful, no matter what you say. "People" magazine reports that Christina Aguilera is engaged to her longtime boyfriend Jordan Bratman (ph). According to a rep, the music exec proposed to the 24-year-old on Friday, while on vacation.

They've been dating for more than two years and you'll have to wait tonight at the Grammy's to look for her blink but (UNINTELLIGIBLE) is no stranger to Grammy gold. She's a three-time Grammy winner.

And speaking of what a girl wants, what a girl needs, check this out. Also making our top ten most popular list...

HARRIS: What's that?

PARK: ...on cnn.com, Lovapalooza, Tony, part 2. In the Philippines thousands of couples got Valentine's Day celebrations started locking lips at midnight. The event is dubbed Lovapalooza 2. Last year more than 5,300 couples swapped saliva for at least ten seconds.

HARRIS: Yes.

PARK: Breaking Chile's record in the Guinness World Records book. But this year while large crowds turned out, no records were broken this time around. A lot of Altoids being popped right now.

HARRIS: Yes, don't -- don't cheat on the lip balm either.

PARK: I know.

HARRIS: All right, Christina thank you.

NGUYEN: Don't act like you don't know what Lovapalooza is, Tony. You've been there a few times.

HARRIS: I was shocked by that picture. I was shocked and startled by it.

NGUYEN: Orelon Sidney can you help him out.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

NGUYEN: All right, Orelon Sidney thank you so much for that.

And we will be back with more on the Iraq election returns in just a moment.

HARRIS: But first a CNN Extra, big pickup trucks, that's what gets Americans going these days. For the first time in ten years the sales of full size pickup trucks outpaced the growth of SUV's, according to analysis by the Ford Motor Company.

Americans want their pickups bigger, more SUV-like, with seating for the family but there is a downsize to the truck fever. The EPA says the average pickup has become 40 percent heavier and 11 percent less fuel efficient in the last two decades. And studies show the fatality rates for pickup truck passengers is slightly higher than those for minivans or large cars because of an increased rollover risk.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HARRIS: And welcome back everyone to CNN SUNDAY MORNING.

We're talking about the reporting of the election results in Baghdad at the Baghdad Convention Center. Let's bring in Carlos Valenzuela, who was the chief U.N. election adviser and, Carlos, good to see you this morning.

CARLOS VALENZUELA, CHIEF U.N. ELECTION ADVISER: Good to see you.

HARRIS: OK. What do you think, we've got 132 seats for the United Iraqi Alliance, 70 seats for the Kurdish Alliance and Allawi's slate gets 38 seats, what do you think?

VALENZUELA: Well, I think you might be getting a little bit ahead of the game.

HARRIS: Really.

VALENZUELA: What was just announced -- what was just announced are the results, the results that are there. The process of seat allocation is a little bit more complicated than just taking up directly from the proportion of votes that people did.

HARRIS: I see.

VALENZUELA: There is a little bit more complication in that. It will be very likely, something like what you just have said, but the Electoral Commission decided on purpose not to announce the seat allocation until the certification of results, waiting for these results to be certified by them.

HARRIS: And we should explain that because there was a calculation -- there's a formula that's in play here to actually determine the exact number of seats?

VALENZUELA: Absolutely, absolutely. There is, of course, a quota that is in the law and there is a certain number of seats that need to be received by each entity in order to be able to come into the counting of the -- into the allocation of seats.

Once the different entities that have reached a quota are looked at then they are taken and the calculations start all from scratch. So, the percentages change a little bit. It's all in the law.

HARRIS: I see.

VALENZUELA: It's all in the regulations of the commission and that's why the commission was waiting until the results are certified before they go ahead and do the allocation of seats.

HARRIS: Beautiful. All right, Carlos, I know you're on the run but we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us this morning. Thank you.

VALENZUELA: My pleasure. Thank you.

NGUYEN: Two men, both involved in the battle in Iraq, one lost his arm. Then he reenlisted. The other, well he's moving to safety. I'll talk with both of them about their experience. It is today's "Soldier's Story" when we return.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: So, what is the Arab media saying about Iraq's uncertified election returns? Welcome back everyone. I'm Tony Harris.

NGUYEN: And I'm Betty Nguyen. That story is coming right up.

But first, here's what's happening right now in the news.

About 90 minutes ago election officials in Iraq began announcing the results of that country's historic nationwide elections. The results, they won't be certified just yet. Political parties have three days to file formal challenges. A Shiite alliance won the most votes so far but fell short of a majority.

Also in the news, rescue workers are scrambling to help tens of thousands of flood victims reeling from the country's worst rains in 20 years. At least 300 people are confirmed dead in those flash floods that were unleashed by at least three burst dams. Rain has tapered off in many areas but the danger of mudslides still loom.

And, in Madrid, Spain, terrorism is not suspected in what's being called the worst fire in the city's history. The flames engulfed this 32-story landmark building in the city's financial district. Firefighters, they were able to contain the blaze from spreading and an electrical short is suspected as the cause of that blaze.

HARRIS: And that historic election in Iraq has been sending ripples throughout the Arab world and the Arab media seem to be sending back mixed messages. Can that be so?

CNN's Senior Editor for Arab Affairs Octavia Nasr joins us now to put these events of the day into context. Really, some mixed reaction, a little give and take back and forth on this?

OCTAVIA NASR, CNN SR. EDITOR FOR ARAB AFFAIRS: Well, I would say intellectualism, you know. They're weighing in.

HARRIS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) going on. Okay. Okay.

NASR: Getting in different perspectives, different viewpoints, people saying this was democratic. This was good. Now what? Some saying this was not democratic and we're heading towards disaster in their words.

HARRIS: Are the Sunnis saying that?

NASR: Sunnis and, you know who's saying that, which was very interesting, a guest on Al-Jazeera is a French Arabist and that's someone who's interested in the Arab world.

HARRIS: Yes, that's interesting. That's an interesting take on it.

NASR: He also speaks Arabic and he's a political analyst on Middle East affairs. What he was saying was very interesting I thought. He said that the way people voted in Iraq, it was not the right way to vote. Which means he's saying they voted Sunni, Shia, Kurd, they voted by religion and he says this is a recipe for disaster. He's saying when you vote for a religion, not a person, and what that person and a party is going to be able to do for you, this is recipe for disaster, because that means the ethnic tensions are going to grow and that means there's always going to be strife. He said Iraqis should have voted as Iraqis.

HARRIS: I see. I see.

NASR: And for Iraqis, not for a religion.

HARRIS: But, but, but isn't that down the road? I mean that's a step that's going to happen once we get the constitution written, once we have elections. That process will take care of itself, won't it?

NASR: This is what was saying, too. He said look at Europe, look France, he says, you know, and now Europe where parts of the big picture, this takes time. And, he was saying that. It's a positive step, but he -- his knew nuance was about how they voted for a religion. Now, of course, there are a lot of expert who are looking at the region. They look at Iran, for example. The Islamic republic of Iran and they say if the Shia win in Iraq, then there's a potential of turning Iraq into an Islamic republic.

HARRIS: Yes.

NASR: And they're saying the region doesn't need this right now. The world doesn't need this right now. You have others saying, especially on the Shia side, they're saying no, this is not what's going to happen, it's not going to be an Islamic republic of Iraq. It is going to be an Iraq for all Iraqis. We will be inclusive, we'll bring people in. Of course, it's al yet to be seen.

HARRIS: Well, I know you'll continue to follow it for us. We appreciate it so much. Octavia Nasr.

NASR: Any time.

HARRIS: As always.

Tomorrow in Iraq, the Army's 1st Infantry Division transfers its Tikrit base command to the 42nd Infantry Division. Major General John Batiste is the commander of the 1st I.D. and he joins live from Tikrit.

Well, General, this has to be -- this has to be a great day for you and your soldiers.

MAJ. GEN. JOHN BATISTE, U.S. ARMY: Tony, it is a great day. We're very much involved in preparing to conduct a deliberate relief and place and transfer of authority with the 42nd Infantry Division.

HARRIS: Give us a sense of what it means. You know, we've been hearing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld talk about, you know, the service personnel is stressed. What does it mean to the soldiers that you've worked with all this time in Iraq to finally be getting an opportunity to go home? I don't know if we know at this point how long he'll be home but to get an opportunity to go home.

BATISTE: I tell you, the soldiers of the first infantry division and their family members, for that matter, are incredibly proud of what they've accomplished over the last year and they're also looking forward to going home and taking a little time off to reconnect with families and friends.

HARRIS: Let me ask you this question: Name of the command is also changing, as well, from "Task Force Danger" to "Task Force Liberty." What's in the name change? I know it must be more than symbolic.

BATISTE: Well, the term "danger" is incredibly symbolic to the 1st Infantry Division, it goes back to 1917 and means a lot to all soldiers, past and present. Same thing with the 42nd Infantry Division in terms of "Liberty," means a great deal to those great soldiers, as well.

HARRIS: After the -- do you get a chance to go home, as well?

BATISTE: All the soldiers did have a little R and R during the past year.

HARRIS: I'm asking about you...

BATISTE: We worked hard to achieve balance.

HARRIS: I'm asking you you, personally. Do you get a chance to go home?

BATISTE: Yes, I did.

HARRIS: OK. Here's the question: After the hugs and kisses from the family, what was the best thing about getting that break? What was the best thing? What did you most appreciate about the break?

BATISTE: I think I most appreciated being with my family.

HARRIS: Yeah. The mission: I've heard the area that you have been responsible for described as the size of West Virginia. Talk to us about security in that region, now. And I guess specifically the question I want to ask you is as we move forward here and training Iraqi forces, what are you most looking forward to, what will be the sign or symbol that says to you that the Iraqi security forces are now up, ready, and capable of taking on more of this fight?

BATISTE: Tony, we've been working very hard for the last 12 months on training and equipping the Iraqi security forces. That is, the Iraqi army and the police and the border enforcement within our area of responsibility. We've gotten to the point now where we've got Iraqi battalions that are prepared to conduct independent operations and we're continuing to work with the police and the border enforcement to get them to the same point of competency.

HARRIS: General, do you believe the mission has been accomplished? For the first I.D.?

BATISTE: I think this is a terribly important mission and we saw it on the 30th of September when 63 percent of the registered voters in our area of Iraq went to the polls, despite the risks, and they voted.

HARRIS: Major General John Batiste, the commander of the 1st I.D. Thank you so much for your time and we appreciate your service so much. Thank you.

BATISTE: Thank you.

NGUYEN: The Iraqi election became possible once Saddam Hussein removed from power. However, the violent insurgency that followed has proven to be a bigger challenge. Our "Soldier Story" today focuses on two soldiers who were on a mission to help Iraqi farmers and nearly lost their lives in the process. Why don't we meet them now? Sergeant Chuck Bartles and Sergeant Jared Myers are forever bonded by that fateful day. They join us this morning from Kansas City to tell us about their story.

Good morning to you both.

SGT. JARED MYERS, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: Good morning.

SGT. CHUCK BARTLES, U.S. ARMY RESERVES: Good morning.

NGUYEN: Well, Sergeant Bartles, let's start with you. Tell us what happened on October 23, 2003.

BARTLES: Well, me and Jared and an officer from the 4th Infantry Division, Captain John Teal (ph), were on a convoy, and on the way back from the convoy, we encountered an explosive device on the side of the road. And after it exploded it killed Captain Teal and severed my arm and hurt Jared, here, pretty good. And luckily Jared was able to drive the vehicle back to the compound in Baquba and from there (UNINTELLIGIBLE) backed Balad, at Camp Anaconda, and then from there to Landstuhl, Germany, and then back to the states.

NGUYEN: Now, I know you credit the Sergeant Myers for driving you back to the compound and getting you out of harm's way. But I have to ask you, Sergeant Myers, what about Sergeant Bartles? I mean, he actually said he was OK even though the arm was actually severed? Was that the case out there?

MYERS: Yes, it was. Basically, he initiated conversation after the blast happened and up from that point, I thought I was alone. So, whenever he started to talking to me, he gave me a lot of hope and he calmed me down and we were able to move on out of the kill zone.

NGUYEN: That is amazing that he was able to calm you down and suffering such major injuries, there. Sergeant Bartles, let me talk to you again because you reenlisted on the same day that you received your Bronze Star. One year since you first enlisted -- or one year since you were injured in the military battle there. Why did you reenlist? BARTLES: Well, you know, there's still a lot of opportunities I'm looking to get involved with. And it just wasn't my time to go. So, you know, there's still a couple more things I need to do before I end my service.

NGUYEN: So, let me get this right, this means that you could be deployed again?

BARTLES: Yeah, definitely. Definitely could happen.

NGUYEN: And are you ready for that?

BARTLES: Yeah. If it happens, it happens. If it's -- no, I wouldn't have reenlisted if, you know, that was an issue for me.

NGUYEN: Tell us -- take us back to the moment getting the Purple Heart from President Bush. What was that like?

BARTLES: You know, that was really, you know, really neat moment for me. You know, obviously, I'm used to being at the bottom of the power pyramid and strange being at Walter Reed. You know, you've seen all these, you know, these people that make the top decisions. And, you know, it's really strange being at one point and then, you know, all of a sudden, you know, the top level. I guess that's the best way I can explain it.

NGUYEN: Uh-huh. Well, Sergeant Myers now, you have recovered from the physical injuries, but the emotional and psychological scars are still very real for you. Give us an idea of what you've been going through since that attack and what you saw in Iraq.

MYERS: I'm basically, on a day-to-day basis, I think about what happened to us. And how we got out of it and the loss of Captain Teal, and I have a lot of guilt, s lot of -- a lot of feelings of responsibility, but I'm learning to get through that right now and that's with the help of V.A. System and the Army, they have continuing programs for us to try to get back to where we don't allow these kinds of things to run our lives.

NGUYEN: Uh-huh. You've also received a Bronze Star. I have to ask you, you both are friends; in so many ways have been through so much together although this war affected you in separate ways, you with the stress of it all, obviously, Sergeant Bartles with the injury he has sustained. Are you drawing strength from each other?

MYERS: Our relationship is pretty the same as it was before. It's definitely a lot stronger. I mean, we visit each other probably on a weekly basis, but, yeah. I guess in a way you can say that, yeah.

NGUYEN: What about you, Sergeant Bartles.

BARTLES: Yeah, it affects us just a little bit differently, so it kind of helps us -- you know, seeing how the other guy is doing. But, yeah, it's definitely nice having somebody, you know, right there, you know, that knows the exact same kind of feelings that you have.

NGUYEN: I have to say, in speaking with you Sergeant Bartles, you have such a gung ho attitude. You are ready to go out there. What does your family think about all of this?

BARTLES: At first, they were apprehensive about, you know, about reenlisting and staying in the military , but then, you know, they got a little more accustomed to it and now it's really not an issue.

NGUYEN: As we're watching today and seeing the Iraqi elections, how does that make you both feel, and I'll start with you, Sergeant Myers, about your service in Iraq?

MYERS: Well, it definitely gives validity to what we're doing over there and I'm glad they're actually taking a step forward and what we did, our first eight months when we were there, that it actually played a part in that. So, I guess a sense of pride is what I feel.

NGUYEN: Are you feeling that too, Sergeant Bartles, a sense of pride seeing these result numbers coming in?

BARTLES: Well, you know, I think without a doubt, I think the Iraqi people are going to be better off, you know, five or six years down the line than they are right now and, you know, they're going through some tough times right now, but you know, I think long-term it's definitely going to work out for the best.

NGUYEN: And was it well worth it for you?

BARTLES: Yeah, definitely. You know, it was a great experience, obviously there was one bad day but, you know, it was something that I'll never forget and, you know, it's -- you know, one of the -- you know, it was a greatest experience I've ever had in my life. You know, the stuff I was doing in Iraq.

NGUYEN: Absolutely, we appreciate, not only your time, but your service. Thank you, Sergeant Chuck Bartles and Sergeant Jared Myers, for sharing your story with us today. Thank you both, best of luck to you.

BARTLES: Thanks.

NGUYEN: And we have an update on last week's soldier story. You may recall that Sergeant Benderman is seeking conscientious objector status, sighting his experiences in Iraq during his first tour. It's a very high hurdle to get over and the Army, last week, grilled him at length on the beliefs and the same time, the Army is preparing to charge him with desertion. A press release issued, this morning by Benderman's wife, in the case that both matters are still pending and that the Army has informed the sergeant it intends to redeploy him to Iraq for a second tour.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) HARRIS: And here's a quick look at our top stories. Iraq released the final, but uncertified, election tally this morning. It shows a Shiite dominated ticket, won over four-million votes, or 48 percent of the ballots cast. It'll be three days before the results are considered certified.

Let's continue to talk about these results with Dr. Rajana Khoze of the Iraqi List, the party that came in third in the results that were released just about an hour -- over an hour-and-a-half ago -- hour-and-45-minutes ago.

Dr. Rajana Khoze, are you there?

DR. RAJANA KHOZE, THE IRAQI LIST: Yes.

HARRIS: Can you hear me? OK. Good morning to you. Good afternoon to you.

KHOZE: Yes, yes. OK. Good morning to you.

HARRIS: And good afternoon to you. You know, your take on the results can be very instructive for us. Your slate of candidates came in third. How does your party proceed from here?

KHOZE: Well, it's now from today it will be three days if there are any objections from any of the lists. And then, it will take the proper agreement. I don't know what they call it. And after that, the names of the members of the National Assembly will be announced. And then, the National Assembly will be formed and from the National Assembly, the president and the two deputies will be elected.

HARRIS: OK. Dr. Khoze...

KHOZE: The first thing, yes.

HARRIS: Do you anticipate any challenges to the percentages of the results as laid out this afternoon?

KHOZE: No. We were expecting these results. It has been shown, you know, from our first days that the coalition has taken most of the votes. So, we're expecting this -- we thought that we will have 40 seats, so now I think we will have 58.

HARRIS: OK. 58 seats?

KHOZE: Yeah.

HARRIS: OK. Dr, Khoze, moving forward from here what then becomes your party's agenda? What are the issues that your party will be advancing in this new general assembly?

KHOZE: Just to correct you, I never belonged to a party. I'm independent woman.

HARRIS: Oh, OK.

KHOZE: And, but if you think of my list.

HARRIS: Yes. I'm sorry. You're absolutely correct.

KHOZE: Yeah. We will think of raising the standard of the Iraqis by creating jobs, by rebuilding our country. Of course, the security issue is very important issue. And education is second. We think of bringing back the 50 percent of girls who dropped out of school in Saddam's time. We want to bring them back to school. And, of course, as a physician, and the head of the Iraqi List, as a physician, as well, that Allawi, we think of the health care, primary health care centers. This is very important. And, it's on the top of the list of the agenda and the women's health care. I believe that we need to build health care -- women's health care centers all over Iraq. There should be one each -- in each city. And besides we need to rebuild our country. We need to, you know, choose the (UNINTELLIGIBLE) oil to make a prosperous Iraq. With -- there are so many homeless people. We need to think of these people to build houses or flats for them.

HARRIS: Yes, Dr. Khoze.

KHOZE: There are also things to be in Iraq. Yes?

HARRIS: You will be a part of this new general assembly? Am I correct in saying that? Congratulations.

KHOZE: Yes. Yes, I will be on No. 9 on my -- thank you. Thank you very much.

HARRIS: Congratulations. OK. Thank you for taking the time to talk to us.

KHOZE: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much.

HARRIS: And time now to check in on what's happening in other parts of the world.

NGUYEN: We want to go now to Anand Naidoo at the international desk for the latest on that.

Good morning.

ANAND NAIDOO, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, very good morning to me. Well, Iraq is the main story, but there's rather a major development coming out of the Middle East. The Israeli government says it will release 500,000 Palestinian prisoners over the next several days. Those approved for released have each served two thirds of the sentences and none are accused of killing Israelis. It's not quite a done deal, though. Their names will be posted on a Web site, so anyone can file an objection. That announcement, part of last week's Sharm El-Sheikh cease-fire agreement.

In Pakistan, a major relief effort underway now after thousands of people hit by heavy rains and avalanches. At least 424 deaths are being blamed on the severe weather. Most died when three dams burst in the southwestern part of the country. Hundreds are still missing. Officials say between 25 and 30,000 people are affected by the disaster, scores killed in avalanches in the Pakistani-held part of Kashmir. The country's deploying troops to help with the rescue effort.

In Germany, the city of Dresden remembers the allied bombings, 60 years ago, but the commemoration is marred by far right groups trying to use the occasion for their own ends. Official events begin with a wreath laying ceremony as a mass grave. Neo-Nazi marchers gathered elsewhere in the city. British and American air raids on Dresden at the end of World War II in 1945 killed at least 35,000 people, most of them civilians.

Just worth saying it this time, that today, ceremonies are being attended by British, U.S., French, and Russian dignitaries.

That's it for me for now. More developments as we get them I'm Anand Naidoo. Back to Betty and Tony.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you, Anand. And we will have a quick check of the weather when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

NGUYEN: Look at this shot, beautiful southern California today. Hey, you know what, Tony? In the city of Los Angeles today, they are hosting the Golden Dragon Parade to celebrate the Chinese New Year.

HARRIS: The year of the...

NGUYEN: The Rooster.

HARRIS: Yeah. I knew that. I knew that.

NGUYEN: You knew that? The procession is known for it's spectacular painted dragons and if you haven't heard by this time, as Tony mentioned, it is the year of the rooster. So happy New Year!

HARRIS: And let's send you to Washington now and to Kathleen Hays for preview of "On the Story" that's coming up at the top of the hour.

Hi, Kathleen.

KATHLEEN HAYS, "ON THE STORY": Well, we have something to crow about, here. We're "On the Story" from here in Washington to New York, Atlanta and Los Angeles. Plus go to Iraq and CNN's Jane Arraf for the latest on the election results.

Dan and I will be talking about the federal budget, how cuts hit home. Elizabeth Cohen is covering a murder trial, that has defense attorneys blaming the anti-depressant Zoloft.

Kelly Wallace looks at republican's top choice for the next presidential race, Rudy Giuliani. And we'll go to Los Angeles. CNN's Brooke Anderson and the Grammy's. That's all coming up all "On the Story." Betty and Tony, back to you.

NGUYEN: All right. Thank you. Hey, look who's here this morning. All morning long with us, Orelon Sidney.

HARRIS: In for Rob Marciano? Doing a fabulous job. Great to see you as always.

(WEATHER BREAK)

NGUYEN: Some rain and snow out there for us. Thank you, Orelon.

SIDNEY: You're welcome.

HARRIS: What a morning. Huh? A lot of news, little history being made. That's it for us this morning. Thank you for watching.

NGUYEN: And we hope to see you back here next weekend. "On the Story" is next.

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