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CNN Live Sunday

Saudi Troops Storm Scene of Hostage Crisis; American Convoy Attacked in Baghdad

Aired May 30, 2004 - 16:38   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.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, here are the top stories. Saudi commandos stormed the scene of a hostage crisis in Khobar that left at least 22 dead, including an American. The standoff took place at compound housing international oil company workers and their families. A man said to be Al Qaeda's top operative in the kingdom is claiming responsibility. One militant was captured, but three others escaped.
In Baghdad, locals celebrate a convoy attack that left at least one person dead, apparently an Iraqi. It's unclear what happened to the other people in the convoy, but reports quoting witnesses as they were either dragged away by the attackers or they escaped.

In the Dominican Republic, residents compete for relief supplies in the wake of last week's devastating floods. Hundreds of Haitians and Dominicans were killed in the flooding. Aid workers there say more mudslides are likely.

Welcome to this abbreviated edition of CNN SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Our top story, in Kufa, Iraq a vicious firefight. Our Guy Raz is with U.S. troops there and joins us on the telephone with the latest on that firefight -- Guy.

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, good evening from Kufa. In this southern Iraqi city this evening, a major firefight has taken place. It lasted about an hour and a half, a sustained firefight between U.S. forces and suspected members of the Mahdi militia. That militia is the local militia here loyal to the young Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Al-Sadr declared a truce last Thursday, and effectively that truce has been on and off in effect since that time.

U.S. forces had ceased offensive operations up until this evening, but over the course of the last three days, rather, U.S. forces in Kufa and in Najaf, the neighboring city, have come under regular attack. Now, we understand that U.S. forces have intended to secure an Iraqi police station in Kufa. Kufa was still a scene of relatively severe fighting over the past few days, but this evening, according to U.S. forces that have traveled with us into the battle, this was the most intense fighting that they have seen here in the past six weeks.

So, in effect, if there was any kind of truce that was meant to have existed here, it all appears to be all but over -- Fredricka. WHITFIELD: Guy Raz, thank you for that report from Kufa.

In this country, violent spring storms continue to leave ugly scars on America's mid section. In Missouri, three people were killed when a tornado tore through the town of Weatherby late last night. More severe thunderstorms are marching through the show-me state, dropping hail and threatening to spawn even more twisters.

A similar story in Oklahoma, where this tornado touched down near the city of Edmond yesterday. Thousands of people were left without power. But the storm caused no injuries, however, parts of Oklahoma remain under gun, as we speak.

Let's get the latest on the weather picture out there. Jacqui Jeras with me now, boy, it really is a mess out there, isn't it and very threatening?

JACQUI JERAS, METEOROLOGIST: You almost have to laugh because if you don't you are going to cry. It is just that unbelievable.

We had 92 tornadoes reports yesterday. And today there's so many out there right now I can't even mention them with in the time that we have. But a couple I do want to mention. Because we have reported tornadoes on the ground in a couple of counties. And we'll go ahead and show you the radar pictures as I read these off to you.

And this one in Indiana, Harrison and Washington county, the public reported a tornado on the ground near more Morengo, and then in Kentucky, eastern Hopkins and in Mulenburg counties, funnel clouds have been spotted there, and in Davis county, county officials report a tornado near Masonville. That is about eight miles south east of Owens Borrow, but it is moving to the north and to the east.

So Owens Borrow it looks like you'll be OK with this storm. That's all along the Ohio River; here to the west of the Louisville area and these storms are headed eastward for the most part, so Louisville may be under the gun very shortly. Certainly an area that we are going to be watching. Of course, problems at the Indianapolis 500, those storms up to the north at this time, and we have multiple tornado warnings in effect across parts of Missouri.

You can see all of these intense super-cell thunderstorms; with in the watch boxes, and in these watches, these are all PDS watches or particularly dangerous situations. And this is the most recent one, tornado watch which includes the Memphis areas, so Memphis conditions are favorable for tornadoes. This is going to be ongoing all night long. Once again though Fred big day tomorrow, for holiday travel, that looks much better.

WHITFIELD: All right, that's encouraging at least. Thanks a lot, Jacqui.

Now to the daring rescue of hostages. In Saudi Arabia amid a weekend of deadly attacks, Saudi security forces stormed the roof of this residential complex in Khobar to rescue the hostages taken by militants. Seven Americans were among those rescued. The hostage taking was part of a series of attacks that killed 22 people, including one American yesterday.

A manhunt is now under way for three of the four suspected attackers. Saudi forces captured the other suspect who is on Saudi's Al Qaeda's most wanted list. Meanwhile, the man at the top of that list, Abdel Aziz Muqrin reportedly made an audio tape that claims responsibility and victory in Saturday's attack. A spokesman for the Saudi Embassy in Washington spoke about al Qaeda on CNN's "LATE EDITION" today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NAIL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI EMBASSY INFORMATION MINISTER: The intent of al Qaeda from the beginning was to go after the Saudi state and the United States. That was the first intent. They almost succeeded. Now they're trying to cripple the world economy by trying to send a message that foreigners are not safe in Saudi Arabia. It is a message that is broadcast around the world. That's what they're going for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The audiotape was posted on an Islamic Web site of a group linked to al Qaeda.

Here in the United States, some bikers are giving the commander in chief thumbs up. Rolling Thunder is in Washington for its annual freedom ride. And the veterans' group is giving its endorsement to President Bush. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is live from the White House on this weekend where America recognizes the men and women who served this country. Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, they were literally driving their point home here, about a dozen members or so of Rolling Thunder that veterans group drove up the south lawn of the White House, were invited here to meet with the president. They talked for about 20 minutes or so. As you know, the president and his opponent, Vietnam vets John Kerry, fiercely competing for this military vote.

Well today, President Bush won the endorsement of this 7,000- member organization. Later in the day he addressed by phone a huge rally, essentially acknowledging not only veterans of the past, but also those soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I also want to thank you and your organization, Artie, for honoring the men and women of our military who fight today in Afghanistan and in Iraq. You and I both know that they're carrying out this mission, a mission which will make America more secure, and the world more free, with incredible courage and compassion and skill.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now Fred, this is a very important week for the president. As you know, yesterday he commemorated the World War II Veterans Memorial, honoring those veterans. But also this week he has a series of events. Tomorrow he is going to be commemorating Memorial Day with a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. On Wednesday he'll be highlighting the Iraq commission at a commencement speech at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and then later in the week, at the end of the week, it's off to Europe, to Rome where he will meet with the Pope, then to Normandy for the 60th D-day anniversary. Very important he'll be meeting with a number of European leaders notably Frances Jacques Chirac is trying to win the support that U.N. Security Council for resolution, for Iraqi sovereignty. Of course here the diplomatic stakes are very high for the president in the weeks to come -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Suzanne, on Monday, Adnan Pachachi, one of the Iraqi Governing Council members says that an announcement will be made tomorrow about the interim government leaders. How involved will the White House be in that by chance?

MALVEAUX: They're certainly involved with it behind the scenes, but you are not going to see them come forward until you see that coming out of Iraq. Essentially you have the U.N. envoy Brahimi, who is going to be talking about it. You're going to have the members of the Iraqi governing council. You are going to have that coming out of Baghdad. It's particularly important to show that the Iraqi people are stepping forward here, that the international community is stepping forward. You can bet that the White House is really going to take a backseat and wait for those types of formal announcements to be made before they actually recognize that interim government.

WHITFIELD: All right, Suzanne Malveaux from the White House, thanks very much.

Well, in the fight for Iraq, the coalition loses a vital partner in controlling militants in Najaf. About 100 Iraqi police have abandoned their posts in the holy city besieged by Shiite militia. Coalition forces had hoped to eventually turn over the security to Iraqi police, but their disappearance is raising skepticism about a peace pledge by militants. CNN's Jane Arraf has more on the problems facing coalition forces in the holy city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): U.S. troops weighed down by the scandal over prisoner abuse in Baghdad are finding their message that Iraqis in Najaf should trust them atop cell. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment is still treading lightly near the holy shrines, but in the last few days has been patrolling further within the city. This patrol is meant to show a presence in this part of Najaf and to find out what people think about the Mahdi army and the Americans here. Around here, a lot of people seem undecided. The psychological operations team stopped to find out what do Iraqis think about the Mahdi army and its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr.

He's a real Iraqi, a holy fighter, Jahatabar (ph) tells Americans. Not quite what Arnes (ph) was hoping to hear. But the Jahatabar's (ph) friend Amid Jaber (ph) doesn't want to talk about weapons in the mosques. Jabar (ph) has seen reports of a U.S. strike near the Syrian border that may have killed 40 people. Television reports claim it was a wedding party, and the abuse in the Abu Ghraib Prison, what's that about, he asks?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a few bad military people, but that's not all of us. They're going to go to trial and be tried just like criminals.

ARRAF: Psy ops team leader says the scandal at Abu Ghraib is making their jobs more difficult.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: the situation there has caused a lot of Iraqi people to doubt the Americans more than they had previously. Basically they're associating the actions of a few soldiers that they're seeing on TV with all American soldiers.

ARRAF: At another shop, troops tear down a calendar depicting Muqtada Al Sadr and his assassinated father. The barber says he's a follower of the more moderate Ali Sistani, that a customer gave him the calendar. We are people of peace, he says. In the same neighborhood, the same scene that's been played out in countless homes in Iraq unfolds. A mother, distraught that her sons have been taken away for questioning. Where did you take them, she asks?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whenever we take somebody in, we tell the family, you know your son, daughter, whomever we detained will be treated with dignity and respect. That is something we have always said, so yeah what's happened at Abu Ghraib, obviously when we say that, they sort of give you that look. So that's frustrating.

ARRAF: In the streets of Najaf, like other cities in Iraq even those grateful that Saddam was removed don't trust the United States. Many believe they've been given more reason for that lack of truth.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Najaf, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well we are at the mid point of this memorial weekend. Traditionally it is a big travel weekend. The unofficial kick off of summer. Well did higher gas prices keep people close to home? We'll explore that when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Despite higher gas prices at the pump, Americans this Memorial Day weekend are starting a travel boom that's expected to last well into the summer. Our Alina Cho reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sticker shock is still there, but Americans are turning the cheek, ignoring $2.00 a gallon gas. And hitting the roads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it was cheaper than flying, or more comfortable than catching the bus. So I don't mind. CHO: These women are heading back to Virginia after a 75th birthday party in New York City. This man spent $50 for go from Long Island to Six Flags in New Jersey one way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had to go where we had to go.

CHO: AAA estimates a record 37 million Americans will travel this Memorial weekend, about a 4 percent increase over last year. Even air travel is up; thanks in part to low prices on new discount airlines.

JUSTIN MCNAULL, AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSN: You think back to last Memorial Day. And we were still at the tail end of the Iraq War, so people hadn't been making travel plans. We also were looking at some disappointing some real economic concerns.

CHO: A year later the economic is improving, so Americans are taking part in this unofficial first splash of summer. Another reason why people are traveling is this -- while you may be feeling the pinch of high gas prices from day to day, the average holiday trip of 500 miles at 20 miles per gallon will cost you just $14 more this year than last. No small change, but for a weekend, this man says he can't do it all the time, but for a holiday trip to Maryland with his daughter --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's worth it, right? We're realists.

CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: George Bush, John Kerry, Ralph Nader, John McCain, what do they have in common? Late night laughs with Leno and Letterman when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The power of Lego, not only does the interlocking plastic blocks help build a child's imagination. Lego is also at the top when it comes to all-time popular toys in Britain that is according to a new poll of adults done by the cartoon network. Toyland favorite couple Barbie and Ken finished third in the toy survey.

American politics can be ruthless, but who says you can't have some comic relief to the race for the White House. Here's a taste from the late night comedians.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW:" Well, first, John Kerry fell off his bike, and then Bush falls off his bike. Is it too much to ask, can't we get someone who can pedal a bike and be president at the same time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I spent several years in the North Vietnamese prison camp in the dark, fed with scraps, do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the United States?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On May 2, 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry fell off his bicycle and hurt himself. On May 23, 2004, President George Bush fell off his bicycle and hurt himself. Vote for Lance Armstrong for president. He knows how to ride a bike.

DAVID LETTERMAN, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": If John Kerry raised all of that money and he bought himself a campaign plane for $10 million. And Ralph Nader, not to be outdone is having himself shipped cross-country in a crate.

LENO: First Kerry, now Bush, you know if Ralph Nader could just stay away from sporting equipment for like five months, he could win this election by default.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, that's going to do it for us. "NEXT@CNN" is coming up at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. At 6:00 p.m. Eastern Winston Churchill the grandson of International Icon Sir Winston Churchill joins us live to talk about this weekends War World II Memorial dedication and upcoming D-Day anniversary. And at 7:00 p.m. Eastern "People In the News" tonight's profile Tom Hanks and Billy Graham. Back with the headlines right after this.

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


Aired May 30, 2004 - 16:38   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, here are the top stories. Saudi commandos stormed the scene of a hostage crisis in Khobar that left at least 22 dead, including an American. The standoff took place at compound housing international oil company workers and their families. A man said to be Al Qaeda's top operative in the kingdom is claiming responsibility. One militant was captured, but three others escaped.
In Baghdad, locals celebrate a convoy attack that left at least one person dead, apparently an Iraqi. It's unclear what happened to the other people in the convoy, but reports quoting witnesses as they were either dragged away by the attackers or they escaped.

In the Dominican Republic, residents compete for relief supplies in the wake of last week's devastating floods. Hundreds of Haitians and Dominicans were killed in the flooding. Aid workers there say more mudslides are likely.

Welcome to this abbreviated edition of CNN SUNDAY. I'm Fredricka Whitfield.

Our top story, in Kufa, Iraq a vicious firefight. Our Guy Raz is with U.S. troops there and joins us on the telephone with the latest on that firefight -- Guy.

GUY RAZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, good evening from Kufa. In this southern Iraqi city this evening, a major firefight has taken place. It lasted about an hour and a half, a sustained firefight between U.S. forces and suspected members of the Mahdi militia. That militia is the local militia here loyal to the young Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Al-Sadr declared a truce last Thursday, and effectively that truce has been on and off in effect since that time.

U.S. forces had ceased offensive operations up until this evening, but over the course of the last three days, rather, U.S. forces in Kufa and in Najaf, the neighboring city, have come under regular attack. Now, we understand that U.S. forces have intended to secure an Iraqi police station in Kufa. Kufa was still a scene of relatively severe fighting over the past few days, but this evening, according to U.S. forces that have traveled with us into the battle, this was the most intense fighting that they have seen here in the past six weeks.

So, in effect, if there was any kind of truce that was meant to have existed here, it all appears to be all but over -- Fredricka. WHITFIELD: Guy Raz, thank you for that report from Kufa.

In this country, violent spring storms continue to leave ugly scars on America's mid section. In Missouri, three people were killed when a tornado tore through the town of Weatherby late last night. More severe thunderstorms are marching through the show-me state, dropping hail and threatening to spawn even more twisters.

A similar story in Oklahoma, where this tornado touched down near the city of Edmond yesterday. Thousands of people were left without power. But the storm caused no injuries, however, parts of Oklahoma remain under gun, as we speak.

Let's get the latest on the weather picture out there. Jacqui Jeras with me now, boy, it really is a mess out there, isn't it and very threatening?

JACQUI JERAS, METEOROLOGIST: You almost have to laugh because if you don't you are going to cry. It is just that unbelievable.

We had 92 tornadoes reports yesterday. And today there's so many out there right now I can't even mention them with in the time that we have. But a couple I do want to mention. Because we have reported tornadoes on the ground in a couple of counties. And we'll go ahead and show you the radar pictures as I read these off to you.

And this one in Indiana, Harrison and Washington county, the public reported a tornado on the ground near more Morengo, and then in Kentucky, eastern Hopkins and in Mulenburg counties, funnel clouds have been spotted there, and in Davis county, county officials report a tornado near Masonville. That is about eight miles south east of Owens Borrow, but it is moving to the north and to the east.

So Owens Borrow it looks like you'll be OK with this storm. That's all along the Ohio River; here to the west of the Louisville area and these storms are headed eastward for the most part, so Louisville may be under the gun very shortly. Certainly an area that we are going to be watching. Of course, problems at the Indianapolis 500, those storms up to the north at this time, and we have multiple tornado warnings in effect across parts of Missouri.

You can see all of these intense super-cell thunderstorms; with in the watch boxes, and in these watches, these are all PDS watches or particularly dangerous situations. And this is the most recent one, tornado watch which includes the Memphis areas, so Memphis conditions are favorable for tornadoes. This is going to be ongoing all night long. Once again though Fred big day tomorrow, for holiday travel, that looks much better.

WHITFIELD: All right, that's encouraging at least. Thanks a lot, Jacqui.

Now to the daring rescue of hostages. In Saudi Arabia amid a weekend of deadly attacks, Saudi security forces stormed the roof of this residential complex in Khobar to rescue the hostages taken by militants. Seven Americans were among those rescued. The hostage taking was part of a series of attacks that killed 22 people, including one American yesterday.

A manhunt is now under way for three of the four suspected attackers. Saudi forces captured the other suspect who is on Saudi's Al Qaeda's most wanted list. Meanwhile, the man at the top of that list, Abdel Aziz Muqrin reportedly made an audio tape that claims responsibility and victory in Saturday's attack. A spokesman for the Saudi Embassy in Washington spoke about al Qaeda on CNN's "LATE EDITION" today.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NAIL AL-JUBEIR, SAUDI EMBASSY INFORMATION MINISTER: The intent of al Qaeda from the beginning was to go after the Saudi state and the United States. That was the first intent. They almost succeeded. Now they're trying to cripple the world economy by trying to send a message that foreigners are not safe in Saudi Arabia. It is a message that is broadcast around the world. That's what they're going for.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The audiotape was posted on an Islamic Web site of a group linked to al Qaeda.

Here in the United States, some bikers are giving the commander in chief thumbs up. Rolling Thunder is in Washington for its annual freedom ride. And the veterans' group is giving its endorsement to President Bush. CNN's Suzanne Malveaux is live from the White House on this weekend where America recognizes the men and women who served this country. Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fred, they were literally driving their point home here, about a dozen members or so of Rolling Thunder that veterans group drove up the south lawn of the White House, were invited here to meet with the president. They talked for about 20 minutes or so. As you know, the president and his opponent, Vietnam vets John Kerry, fiercely competing for this military vote.

Well today, President Bush won the endorsement of this 7,000- member organization. Later in the day he addressed by phone a huge rally, essentially acknowledging not only veterans of the past, but also those soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I also want to thank you and your organization, Artie, for honoring the men and women of our military who fight today in Afghanistan and in Iraq. You and I both know that they're carrying out this mission, a mission which will make America more secure, and the world more free, with incredible courage and compassion and skill.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now Fred, this is a very important week for the president. As you know, yesterday he commemorated the World War II Veterans Memorial, honoring those veterans. But also this week he has a series of events. Tomorrow he is going to be commemorating Memorial Day with a speech at Arlington National Cemetery. On Wednesday he'll be highlighting the Iraq commission at a commencement speech at the Air Force Academy in Colorado, and then later in the week, at the end of the week, it's off to Europe, to Rome where he will meet with the Pope, then to Normandy for the 60th D-day anniversary. Very important he'll be meeting with a number of European leaders notably Frances Jacques Chirac is trying to win the support that U.N. Security Council for resolution, for Iraqi sovereignty. Of course here the diplomatic stakes are very high for the president in the weeks to come -- Fred.

WHITFIELD: Suzanne, on Monday, Adnan Pachachi, one of the Iraqi Governing Council members says that an announcement will be made tomorrow about the interim government leaders. How involved will the White House be in that by chance?

MALVEAUX: They're certainly involved with it behind the scenes, but you are not going to see them come forward until you see that coming out of Iraq. Essentially you have the U.N. envoy Brahimi, who is going to be talking about it. You're going to have the members of the Iraqi governing council. You are going to have that coming out of Baghdad. It's particularly important to show that the Iraqi people are stepping forward here, that the international community is stepping forward. You can bet that the White House is really going to take a backseat and wait for those types of formal announcements to be made before they actually recognize that interim government.

WHITFIELD: All right, Suzanne Malveaux from the White House, thanks very much.

Well, in the fight for Iraq, the coalition loses a vital partner in controlling militants in Najaf. About 100 Iraqi police have abandoned their posts in the holy city besieged by Shiite militia. Coalition forces had hoped to eventually turn over the security to Iraqi police, but their disappearance is raising skepticism about a peace pledge by militants. CNN's Jane Arraf has more on the problems facing coalition forces in the holy city.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JANE ARRAF, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): U.S. troops weighed down by the scandal over prisoner abuse in Baghdad are finding their message that Iraqis in Najaf should trust them atop cell. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment is still treading lightly near the holy shrines, but in the last few days has been patrolling further within the city. This patrol is meant to show a presence in this part of Najaf and to find out what people think about the Mahdi army and the Americans here. Around here, a lot of people seem undecided. The psychological operations team stopped to find out what do Iraqis think about the Mahdi army and its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr.

He's a real Iraqi, a holy fighter, Jahatabar (ph) tells Americans. Not quite what Arnes (ph) was hoping to hear. But the Jahatabar's (ph) friend Amid Jaber (ph) doesn't want to talk about weapons in the mosques. Jabar (ph) has seen reports of a U.S. strike near the Syrian border that may have killed 40 people. Television reports claim it was a wedding party, and the abuse in the Abu Ghraib Prison, what's that about, he asks?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are a few bad military people, but that's not all of us. They're going to go to trial and be tried just like criminals.

ARRAF: Psy ops team leader says the scandal at Abu Ghraib is making their jobs more difficult.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: the situation there has caused a lot of Iraqi people to doubt the Americans more than they had previously. Basically they're associating the actions of a few soldiers that they're seeing on TV with all American soldiers.

ARRAF: At another shop, troops tear down a calendar depicting Muqtada Al Sadr and his assassinated father. The barber says he's a follower of the more moderate Ali Sistani, that a customer gave him the calendar. We are people of peace, he says. In the same neighborhood, the same scene that's been played out in countless homes in Iraq unfolds. A mother, distraught that her sons have been taken away for questioning. Where did you take them, she asks?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Whenever we take somebody in, we tell the family, you know your son, daughter, whomever we detained will be treated with dignity and respect. That is something we have always said, so yeah what's happened at Abu Ghraib, obviously when we say that, they sort of give you that look. So that's frustrating.

ARRAF: In the streets of Najaf, like other cities in Iraq even those grateful that Saddam was removed don't trust the United States. Many believe they've been given more reason for that lack of truth.

Jane Arraf, CNN, Najaf, Iraq.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well we are at the mid point of this memorial weekend. Traditionally it is a big travel weekend. The unofficial kick off of summer. Well did higher gas prices keep people close to home? We'll explore that when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Despite higher gas prices at the pump, Americans this Memorial Day weekend are starting a travel boom that's expected to last well into the summer. Our Alina Cho reports.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALINA CHO, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The sticker shock is still there, but Americans are turning the cheek, ignoring $2.00 a gallon gas. And hitting the roads.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Well, it was cheaper than flying, or more comfortable than catching the bus. So I don't mind. CHO: These women are heading back to Virginia after a 75th birthday party in New York City. This man spent $50 for go from Long Island to Six Flags in New Jersey one way.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We had to go where we had to go.

CHO: AAA estimates a record 37 million Americans will travel this Memorial weekend, about a 4 percent increase over last year. Even air travel is up; thanks in part to low prices on new discount airlines.

JUSTIN MCNAULL, AMERICAN AUTOMOBILE ASSN: You think back to last Memorial Day. And we were still at the tail end of the Iraq War, so people hadn't been making travel plans. We also were looking at some disappointing some real economic concerns.

CHO: A year later the economic is improving, so Americans are taking part in this unofficial first splash of summer. Another reason why people are traveling is this -- while you may be feeling the pinch of high gas prices from day to day, the average holiday trip of 500 miles at 20 miles per gallon will cost you just $14 more this year than last. No small change, but for a weekend, this man says he can't do it all the time, but for a holiday trip to Maryland with his daughter --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: She's worth it, right? We're realists.

CHO: Alina Cho, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: George Bush, John Kerry, Ralph Nader, John McCain, what do they have in common? Late night laughs with Leno and Letterman when we come right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: The power of Lego, not only does the interlocking plastic blocks help build a child's imagination. Lego is also at the top when it comes to all-time popular toys in Britain that is according to a new poll of adults done by the cartoon network. Toyland favorite couple Barbie and Ken finished third in the toy survey.

American politics can be ruthless, but who says you can't have some comic relief to the race for the White House. Here's a taste from the late night comedians.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JAY LENO, "THE TONIGHT SHOW:" Well, first, John Kerry fell off his bike, and then Bush falls off his bike. Is it too much to ask, can't we get someone who can pedal a bike and be president at the same time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I spent several years in the North Vietnamese prison camp in the dark, fed with scraps, do you think I want to do that all over again as vice president of the United States?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: On May 2, 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry fell off his bicycle and hurt himself. On May 23, 2004, President George Bush fell off his bicycle and hurt himself. Vote for Lance Armstrong for president. He knows how to ride a bike.

DAVID LETTERMAN, "LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN": If John Kerry raised all of that money and he bought himself a campaign plane for $10 million. And Ralph Nader, not to be outdone is having himself shipped cross-country in a crate.

LENO: First Kerry, now Bush, you know if Ralph Nader could just stay away from sporting equipment for like five months, he could win this election by default.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Well, that's going to do it for us. "NEXT@CNN" is coming up at 5:00 p.m. Eastern. At 6:00 p.m. Eastern Winston Churchill the grandson of International Icon Sir Winston Churchill joins us live to talk about this weekends War World II Memorial dedication and upcoming D-Day anniversary. And at 7:00 p.m. Eastern "People In the News" tonight's profile Tom Hanks and Billy Graham. Back with the headlines right after this.

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