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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

Iraq Votes; Iraqis Vote in United States; Lovelorn Larry; 'Business Buzz'

Aired January 28, 2005 - 06:31   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning. Welcome to the last half-hour of DAYBREAK. From the Time Warner center in New York, I'm Carol Costello.
"Now in the News."

Iraq's government announced today the arrests of two close associates of terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. One happened yesterday, the other in mid-January. Iraq says it kept a lid on the arrests until after campaigning ended for Sunday's election.

A Delta jet made an emergency landing in Greensborough, North Carolina, Thursday. A warning light indicated a possible fire in the cargo hold. No word on whether anything was actually on fire, but no one was hurt during the incident.

The man who left his SUV on the tracks and caused a train derailment will be in court today. Juan Alvarez is charged with murder and could face the death penalty. Eleven people died in the southern California train crash.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be sworn in again today. This time it's only ceremonial. Yesterday, she jumped right into her new job, speaking to workers at the State Department. Next week, Rice begins a seven-day trip to Europe and to the Middle East.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: More attacks in Iraq ahead of Sunday's landmark election. Here are the latest developments for you. A suicide car bomb explodes outside of a Baghdad police station, killing four people and wounding two others. About two hours later, a second car bomb explodes near the same spot. No casualties this time.

Casting ballots. Iraqis living outside of Iraq begin voting today in the nation's election. Expatriates have until Sunday to cast their ballots in 14 countries, including the United States. Of the 200,000 Iraqi exiles in Syria, only about 16,000 are registered to vote.

In Baghdad, insurgents distribute leaflets warning people to stay away from the polls, saying enough bombs and ammunitions and are on hand to wash Baghdad's streets with voters' blood.

And as Iraqis cast their ballots, Arab media outlets are providing intense media coverage. Interviews with candidates, analysis and a plan to cover the votes spread over the airwaves and on paper.

Live to Baria Alamuddin, the editor of "Al Hayat," an Arab newspaper based in London.

Good morning.

BARIA ALAMUDDIN, EDITOR, "AL HAYAT" NEWSPAPER: Good morning to you.

COSTELLO: Baria, reporters have to travel at their own risk in Iraq. How are you covering these elections?

ALAMUDDIN: Well, we have extensive coverage, of course, of Iraq ever since the liberation, invasion, whatever you want to call it. We have about 12 people all across Iraq, and we have a big office inside Baghdad. And we actually distribute our newspaper coming out of London in Baghdad and various other areas in Iraq.

COSTELLO: Do you plan to be in cities like Falluja and Mosul, where some say it will be difficult to vote because of lingering violence?

ALAMUDDIN: Well, yes, of course. We are not expecting people to take part in this election in Falluja and other areas around Baghdad. But, however, yes, we will have people in there covering the elections. And we are indeed very interested in seeing how the turnout will be as, you know, people are very scared.

Of course, there is jubilation, not only in Iraq but around the Arab world, in a sense, that there is going to be such an election. This is not to say that people are anticipating a large turnout or because they think that this is the real democracy that they're hoping for. People think that this is not the kind of election they dream of. They see it more as a cosmetic election, if you like.

COSTELLO: A cosmetic election. You know, I'm interested in that, because I was particularly interested in your interviews with Iraqis and about how they really feel about the prospect of voting. So, can you expound more for us on that?

ALAMUDDIN: Yes, of course. I'll tell you, I just came back from the area. I was in the Gulf. Unfortunately, I did not go to Iraq. But I have spoken to quite a few Iraqis there, and I remember distinctly speaking to a lady Iraqi artist that I should not really mention her name. And I asked her, how do you feel about the elections? And she says, "I'm very excited about democracy. Who does not want democracy and freedom? But I have to be alive to enjoy democracy and freedom." She was very concerned about family members inside Iraq, especially in Baghdad.

But, you know, Iraqis see no area in Iraq as being safe, because you never know when is the next bomb going to explode.

And also there is a concern that this election will not be fair. Indeed, they know that there will not be many international observers of this election. So, there are mixed feelings, if you like. While people are very happy about the prospects of a democracy, nevertheless they do not see that this is the democracy that they've been dreaming of.

COSTELLO: Baria Alamuddin, the editor at "Al Hayat," thank you for joining DAYBREAK this morning.

Only about 10 percent of Iraqis living in the United States are expected to vote in their country's election. They can cast their ballots in and around five cities.

CNN's Keith Oppenheim is at a polling place in Southgate, Michigan.

Good morning.

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you.

And we're not far from Dearborn and Detroit, and this is one of -- this area is one of five American cities that is providing polling centers for this election. For many of the people who will start to vote here in about 20 minutes or so, it's really the first opportunity they feel that they've had to vote in a free election for their homeland.

And no doubt, this has been an election that's been filled with a number of problems, including low voter turnout. But it's also one that, here, has created some real excitement.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM (voice over): As men gather for evening prayers at a Dearborn, Michigan, mosque, women gather in the next room and talk politics.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm really so much excited about this, because this is an election that we have never had all our life.

OPPENHEIM: For some Iraqis living in America, the election is an opportunity.

Unis Amalla (ph) told us he believes the vote will unify his country. But many others aren't so sure. Across the U.S., the registration process appears to be getting only about 10 percent of eligible Iraqi voters.

Osama Sablani (ph), who is not Iraqi but the influential publisher of the "Arab American News," believes disorganization will create an election Iraqis won't trust and a government that won't last.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What we are seeing today is a step towards a disaster in Iraq, not toward a democracy in Iraq.

OPPENHEIM: Community leaders here believe about two-thirds of Iraqis in southeast Michigan are Christians, and some feel their people are not likely to gain in the election.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So I don't think it's going to change nothing. It's going to be worse and worse.

OPPENHEIM: But others argue free elections don't guarantee victory for everyone and democracy has to start somewhere.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to take some time, but the day will come.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

OPPENHEIM: Carol, the voting will take place here and at other American polling centers throughout the weekend. In Iraq, it takes place on Sunday. It should take about 10 days for the ballots to be counted, and they will be counted by hand.

In the Detroit area, almost 10,000 people registered to vote. That is about 10 percent of the local Iraqi-American eligible voting population and reflective of the national trend, too, perhaps about 10 percent.

The problem, though, is it's very cold today, and there are some concerns that a low voter turnout could be even lower, because it's quite chilly.

Back to you.

COSTELLO: You look chilly. Keith Oppenheim live in Michigan this morning. Thank you.

CNN will have much more from Dearborn, Michigan, later tonight when Aaron Brown hosts CNN's special coverage of the Iraqi vote. That's at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, 7:00 Pacific Time.

Still ahead on DAYBREAK, an update on desperate Larry. He took out a $17,000 newspaper ad asking his wife to come back to him. Did it work? That's just ahead at 42 minutes past.

And from hardhat to helmet, moonlighting at the Super Bowl, a dream job. That's at 57 minutes past.

Here's a look at what else is making news this Friday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Across America this morning, a New York-area parochial school remains closed a day after a first-grader was stabbed to death in the school. Grief counselors have been made available for the students, for their families. Police say they have no suspects in the murder of 7-year-old Jerica Rhodes.

A soldier returning from Iraq caused quite a commotion at Atlanta's Hartfield-Jackson Airport. Two live grenades were found in his luggage. Arriving passengers were kept out of the international concourse while those grenades were removed. The unidentified soldier was turned over to the military.

The Navy has posted pictures of its damaged submarine. One sailor was killed when the USS San Francisco hit an underground mountain south of Guam more than two weeks ago. The crash itself remains under investigation, but a Navy official says it appears that the mountain was not on their navigation charts.

Now an update on lovelorn Larry. He's the man who bought a newspaper ad for $17,000 to get his wife back. We were intrigued by that. What kind of man would do this? And would it work?

Let's head live to Florida and "Florida Times-Union" reporter Jesse-Lynne Kerr.

Good morning.

JESSE-LYNNE KERR, "FLORIDA TIMES-UNION": Good morning, Carol.

COSTELLO: Oh, I'm so fascinated by this story for some unknown reason. You've talked to Larry, though. Is he your average guy, maybe with a little more cash than most, who was just desperate in a desperate moment?

KERR: That's what I believe. Unfortunately, I've only spoken to Larry once, the very first interview I had with him before I wrote the first story. Efforts since then for two straight days to get him to answer his phone -- and all I had was a cell phone for him -- have been unsuccessful.

But I'll tell you, Carol, the reaction I'm getting from around the world just everyone is pulling for Larry. I have an e-mail from some man in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. I got an e-mail from a jewelry store in California that, if Larry and Maryanne get back together, we'll give them a ring for their Valentine Day celebration -- all sorts of things like that. I have never seen -- it's incredible.

COSTELLO: Well, allow me to read part of his letter, the ad in the paper, and the letter...

KERR: It's (UNINTELLIGIBLE).

COSTELLO: ... yes -- to our viewers. He says, and I quote: "Please believe the words in my letter. They are true and from the heart. I can only hope you will give me the chance to prove my unending love for you. Life without you is empty and meaningless."

And I know you haven't gotten a hold of Larry, but do you have any update as to whether his wife read the ad or reaction from the family?

KERR: Well, I have no idea how to reach Maryanne. I have -- Larry did tell me that he knows she read the ad, and she began crying. Now, whether that was, oh, I love him and whatnot, or it was, oh, you miserable so and so, I have no idea. But everyone around the world is, you know, what's happening? Are they getting back together? And all I can tell them is, hey, I'm going to keep trying. I'll keep pounding and wearing out my telephone dialing Larry's cell phone to see if I can finally get him to answer.

COSTELLO: I just cannot believe that people, like, overseas are so interested in poor Larry.

KERR: Yes.

COSTELLO: What do you think is driving this intense interest?

KERR: Well, I think, No. 1, everyone loves a good love story, even if it's only one side or unrequited love. And then the sheer fact that someone would spend $17,000 to make amends or to ask forgiveness, you know, that is just grabbing the imagination of people around the world.

COSTELLO: Boy, you're not kidding. Well, keep us updated, will you?

KERR: I certainly shall, Carol.

COSTELLO: Jesse-Lynne Kerr, a reporter from the "Florida Times- Union" joining DAYBREAK this morning.

We've got a little bit of Super Bowl spice for you coming up in just a bit. And we'll tell you why one construction worker is getting a big sendoff from his co-workers as he gets ready for a very special Super Bowl vacation -- a working vacation that is. Stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Your news, money, weather and sports. It is 6:48 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

The voting begins. Iraqis living outside of their homeland have started casting ballots in their country's historic elections. The vote will take place over the next three days in 14 countries. In Iraq itself, the election is set for Sunday.

Participants at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland are urging industrial countries to increase aid to Africa. Former President Bill Clinton said a fraction of the $80 billion the White House wants for Iraq this year would help to alleviate Africa's problems.

In money news, this year at the end of Super Bowl XXXIX nobody will announce, "I'm going to Disney World." After 19 years, Disney is benching its "what's next" promotion.

In culture, singer Beyonce has a new release. That would be her own fashion collection. She's designed a line of apparel for young women with her mother Tina Knowles and naming it after her grandmother.

In sports, it was a semifinal slugfest at the Australian Open today. Australian third-seed Lleyton Hewitt ousted American second- seed Andy Roddick three sets to one.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Those are the latest headlines for you this morning.

The Iraq elections will continue to be the focus on "AMERICAN MORNING." And how will the United States be involved in securing the situation there? "AMERICAN MORNING's" Bill Hemmer joins us now with a look at what's coming up at 7:00 Eastern.

Good morning.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Carol, good morning to you on this Friday. Countless story lines are starting to develop on this story around the world, not just in Iraq itself. We have extensive coverage coming up. What is at stake there, both for Iraq and the U.S. military? And really, Carol, in a broader sense, what's at stake now for the Arab world as they watch this vote this weekend?

President Bush repeating something with "The New York Times" yesterday that he said about six months ago about saying that if the new parliament asked U.S. troops to leave, he will abide by that decision. Now, how realistic is that? We'll talk to John Negroponte, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, also Annan Patachi (ph). He is a Sunni. He's a candidate for election on Sunday. He believes the Sunni turnout will be larger than anyone expects. But he puts the figure at 20 percent. Is that considered a success?

So, we'll talk to him about that a whole lot more coming up here on "AMERICAN MORNING," an awful lot to talk about, two days and counting now to the elections in Iraq -- Carol.

COSTELLO: We'll be right here. Thank you, Bill.

HEMMER: All right.

COSTELLO: Still to come on DAYBREAK, what goes around comes around. Billboard messages for Viking wide receiver Randy Moss.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Checking business headlines now. Another blockbuster business marriage could be announced today. Proctor & Gamble announcing today it's buying the Gillette Company for more than $57 billion in stock.

Boeing has agreed to sell 60 of its new 77 jetliners to six Chinese airlines. The deal will be worth $7 billion. The 7E7s would be built at the Boeing factory north of Seattle and will be ready for service in 2008.

A defense industry feud will be settled today. The contract to replace Marine One, the president's helicopter, will be awarded by the Pentagon at 4:00 p.m. Eastern. Teams from Lockheed Martin are up against Sikorsky Aircraft.

It's time now for a little "Business Buzz." If you drive a Ford truck or SUV, listen up.

Carrie Lee live at the Nasdaq Marketsite with details of a huge recall.

CARRIE LEE, CNN FINANCIAL NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Eight hundred thousand pickups and SUVs, Carol. That's what Ford is recalling because a cruise control switch could circuit and cause a fire under the hood. So, the recall affects Ford F-150 pickups, Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators from the 2000 model year, also the 2001 F- Series Super Crew trucks.

Now, Ford is going to notify owners of this recall in February. Dealers will then deactivate the cruise control switch for free and eventually replace the switches.

Now, Ford has received one unconfirmed report of an alleged minor injury related to the switch. Ford has also received a few reports of structural fires, and they haven't received any reports of accidents or deaths in connection to the problem. But still, 800,000 vehicles. That is a pretty big recall.

Meanwhile, turning to futures, stocks are looking up a little bit today for this session. Remember, the S&P and the Nasdaq have seen three straight days of gains, the first time that's happened this year. The Dow lost a little bit of ground.

Microsoft is one stock to watch today. The stock was higher by 2 percent in the after-hours session after seeing profits more than double in the recent quarter. They're also raising guidance for 2005.

Carol -- back to you.

COSTELLO: Thank you. Carrie Lee live from the Nasdaq Marketsite.

This is DAYBREAK for a Friday morning.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Check this out: Imagine going on vacation for the Super Bowl, not to watch it, but to play. That's the case for construction worker Jeff Thomason, who got a call to play tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles. And no, it's not part of a reality show. Thomason will replace Eagles' regular tight end who got injured. He got a big sendoff from his co-workers. Thomason says he'll take a two-week vacation from his project manager job to play a little football.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TONY CASAPOULLA, THOMASON'S BOSS: He asked me if I could, and I said, 'Of course, you could. What am I going to do, hold you back? Go play in the Super Bowl.' And he's talking about vacation days. And I'm like, 'Jeff, we'll work that out later.'

(END VIDEO CLIP) COSTELLO: Of course, Thomason has played for the Eagles before and also appeared in two Super Bowls for the Green Bay Packers.

Some Packer fans may be getting a measure of revenge against Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss. A series of billboards poke fun at Moss and his history of drawing fines from the league. The last was a $10,000 fine for his pretend mooning of Packer fans. The last billboard, though, says it all, there it is: "No rings for Moss. Priceless."

It is pretty funny, Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: You know, Carol, I understand that Packers fans will moon the bus of visiting teams if they won as they leave the parking lot. So, you know, Randy Moss kind of getting back at them. It's a little tit-for-tat deal going.

COSTELLO: I know, but it was on national television, and the rest of the country did not understand. "AMERICAN MORNING" starts right now.

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