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CNN LIVE AT DAYBREAK

Rescuers Struggle to Reach Downed U.S. Chopper; Americans, Europeans React to Bush Speech; Terror Suspect's Wife Surprised by Charges

Aired June 29, 2005 - 05:30   ET

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

(WEATHER REPORT)
CAROL COSTELLO, HOST: Thank you, Chad. And remember, you can view more CNN reports online. Just visit CNN.com. Click onto "watch," and you can check out the most popular stories on video.

Let's talk about the news now. Recovery efforts under way this morning in the rugged mountains along the Afghan-Pakistan border. That's where a U.S. military helicopter has gone down with 17 service members on board, and the military fears the chopper may have been shot down.

Joining us now from Kabul, Afghanistan, is Lieutenant Cindy Moore from the U.S. Navy.

Good morning, Lieutenant.

LT. CINDY MOORE, U.S. NAVY: Good morning, ma'am.

COSTELLO: What can you tell us about this crash?

MOORE: We know we had 17 service members on this CH-47 helicopter that crashed in mountainous terrain west of Asadabad yesterday. And they were heavily involved in counterterrorism operation. The helicopter was transporting forces into this area as a part of Operation Redwing (ph), which is part of the counterterrorism operation to defeat al Qaeda militants and to deny their influence in the province, Kunar Province.

COSTELLO: The Taliban called CNN's Pakistan bureau and claimed responsibility for this, saying they shot this helicopter down. Is there evidence of that?

MOORE: Well, there's been recent activity in this area, described as a series of harassing attacks by enemy forces and intelligence gathering activities against Afghan and U.S. forces. Our initial report indicates that the crash might have been caused by hostile fire, but certainly, there is investigation into what caused the crash.

COSTELLO: It's in a remote area. I mean, how many people have been able to get up there to investigate?

MOORE: Well, we do have Afghan national army and coalition forces that quickly responded by moving into position around the crash to block any enemy movement toward or away from that site. And certainly, have coalition aircraft remaining overhead, alternating in and out of this area to support any forces on the ground.

COSTELLO: Seventeen service members were on board this helicopter. Have you found any of them?

MOORE: Well, we have not made any type of initial contact. We do have forces on the ground but maybe, you know, at this time making contact. We will be hearing back, I'm sure, getting a follow-on report. But the status of the service members is not known at this time.

COSTELLO: Who are these service members? Where are they from?

MOORE: These coalition service members, as I said, are engaged in Operation Redwing. This operation does continue in Kunar Province, and they are part of the coalition forces that have been providing a committed effort to deny sanctuary to the militants in this area.

COSTELLO: Can you tell us, specifically, where they were from, though? More specifically, about who they were?

MOORE: Well, as a part of courtesy to any family members, since we do not have a status of service members at this time, and it is customary that we would not discuss units they are based out of.

COSTELLO: I understand, Lieutenant Moore. One more question for you: we don't hear much out of Afghanistan, and perhaps that's the media's fault. But tell us how intense the fighting is between Taliban forces, or whoever these people are, and the U.S. military.

MOORE: I think the counterterrorism operations that are going on in Kunar are definitely what we are seeing in these type of operations along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Certainly, coalition forces with the Afghan national army are poised to deny them sanctuary. They -- we are seeing different attacks, somewhat sporadic at times, not always organized. Somewhat organized, to try to make an effort, some type of last ditch effort or effort towards, you know, violence towards innocent civilians or against coalition and Afghan national army forces.

Yet, our forces are prevailing. They're working diligently to deny sanctuary, and they are knocking these forces out by our air power, as well as our ground forces.

COSTELLO: Are these fighters coming in from Pakistan, or are they in Afghanistan already?

MOORE: I think some of the forces are actually in Afghanistan. There are pockets of criminals or terrorists in Afghanistan. And certainly, the government of Afghanistan has made many efforts to offer reconciliation to individuals that are Afghans, to offer a way back into society here in Afghanistan, for them to be able to lay down arms and participate in the government and in a peaceful way of living.

But we do see, occasionally, individuals come across from other areas, from other countries into Afghanistan.

COSTELLO: Lieutenant Cindy Moore from the U.S. Navy, joining DAYBREAK this morning. Thank you for taking the time.

Let's get to the president's speech now. President Bush outlined specific steps that U.S. forces are taking to help the Iraqi forces, quote, "fight the enemy on their own." First, he made it clear sending more U.S. troops to Iraq is not the answer.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself, and we can leave.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: The three new things the president said are being done -- that are being done, rather, first, U.S. troops are being partnered with Iraqi units in the field to give Iraqis combat experience.

Second, coalition transition teams are being embedded with Iraqi units to provide advice and skill between battles.

And third, says the president, U.S. officials are working with Iraqi officials to establish command and control structures.

So let's take a look at how the president's speech played with voters across the country. According to a CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll that was taken right before the speech, 56 percent of Americans thought the president had a clear plan for the situation in Iraq. After the speech, that number jumped to 63 percent.

And among those who watched the speech, just 45 percent believe the war in Iraq is making it easier to fight the war on terror. Two years ago, 75 percent of people agreed with that statement.

Brings us to our e-mail question of the morning.

CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: The question is, well, yesterday what did you expect? Today the question is, "What's your reaction to what he said?" And we're getting some pretty good e-mails kind of coming back and forth today. Daybreak@CNN.com if you're still interested in e-mailing us, please. We'll read them again later.

And from Susan in North Carolina, the answer to your question, "No, nothing new. Nothing at all. But we did learn of a new support your troops web site. But that just goes to reinforce my belief that the president doesn't get it. There are no doubts in my mind that U.S. citizens support the troops. They just don't approve the war."

And Linda from Kenasaw (ph): "I was taken aback by President Bush's steadfast resolve, by his dedication to the safety of our nation and his love for the soldiers who provide it. I was sickened by the hateful voices of the political enemies, those politicians who put their loathing for the president over the concern for the country."

And Wendy in Washington: "It seems to me that Bush just keeps giving us the -- repeating the same thing over and over in every speech. I cannot decide if that scares me more -- what scares me more. Is he really that oblivious or in that much of a state of denial? In a way, we never hear anything new or particularly reassuring. I just become more and more distressed every time he speaks."

And Scott in Phoenix said: "There should be no confusion as to why we are in Iraq. To keep America safe the war on terrorism must be won. The goal has never changed. The goal is now being changed by Democrats to turn Americans against the president, but that's not going to happen. It seems Americans forgot 9/11 too quickly."

COSTELLO: Interesting. Keep them coming: Daybreak@CNN.com.

And still to come on DAYBREAK, what do our neighbors across the pond think? Europe's reaction to the president's speech in just a few minutes. But first, here's a look at what else is making news this Wednesday.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: When the history of this period is written, the liberation of Afghanistan and the liberation of Iraq will be remembered as great turning points in the story of freedom.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: President Bush has been the target of a lot of criticism in Europe over Iraq, so let's get the reaction this morning to the president's speech. Our European political editor, Robin Oakley, is in London.

Good morning, Robin.

ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN EUROPEAN POLITICAL EDITOR: Good morning, Carol.

Well, not a lot of reaction as yet, of course, because the days when Europe's leaders stayed up till 1 a.m. in the morning to hear the president speak, I think, are rather gone. But I think what is being noted is the way in which the president very much linked the issues of the war on terror with the war in Iraq and the counter-insurgency measures.

And I think people are feeling that was done because they know he is in trouble domestically in the opinion polls in terms of the war in Iraq, with some polls showing sort of 58 to 40 against him on that issue, whereas on the issue of the war against terror, obviously, his poll standings are much better. And all along, I think, in Europe there's been less inclination to accept the linkage that the president was making on the importance of the counterinsurgency operation in Iraq being part of the war against terror.

I think also in Europe, people are noting from the kinds of things that Tony Blair and others have been saying, is that disarray between Vice President Dick Cheney, saying that the insurgency is in its last throes, and Donald Rumsfeld, defense secretary, saying, "Oh, it could take 10 or 12 years" to dispose of the insurgency.

And I asked Tony Blair about that at his press conference on Monday, and he said, as other European leaders are saying, "Look, the whole key to when there can be a troop withdrawal and an end to the insurgency is when the Iraqi security forces themselves have been sufficiently trained up to do the job.

So Europeans, I think, will say that what the president was saying last night was just what they'd expected to hear, a commitment to stay until the job is finished and that a lot depends on the progress of the Iraqi forces themselves -- Carol.

COSTELLO: Robin Oakley, live in London this morning.

Many military families watched the president's speech, trying to get some encouragement from the commander in chief. CNN's Rusty Dornin watched the president with one California family who says they were not disappointed.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Many of their neighbors are anti-war anti-Bush. That's made it difficult at times for the Downs family. For them, it's about supporting a young first lieutenant in the Marines, Phillip Junior. He's just returned from a seven month tour in Iraq and wants to go back in November.

Before the speech, the Downs said they wanted to hear a message from President Bush with attitude.

PHILIP DOWNS, FATHER: I would like him to make an impassioned plea to the American populace to steel their resolve and stay the course.

BUSH: ... who need to know that America will not leave before the job is done.

P. DOWNS: There you go. That's as clear as possible.

He clearly outlined the reasons why we're not going to set an arbitrary date to pull out or, you know, diminish our presence there.

DEBBIE DOWNS, MOTHER: I just hope that more people get that message from tonight's speech, that there -- there is a reason why we're there. And it's not for oil. It goes beyond that.

DORNIN: Younger brother Patrick doesn't think the speech will change things for anyone who has made up their mind about the war.

PATRICK DOWNS, YOUNGER BROTHER: It wasn't really a persuasive speech so much but a telling of what he's going to do, what he plans to do. You know, he's not going to set a date of when they're leaving or anything like that. So he puts it out there for people to make up their own mind.

DORNIN: The Downs are fond of saying, never fall in love with a politician. They're not always pro-Bush. But when it comes to the war, when the president talks, they listen. And with a son going back to Iraq soon, they hope others did, too.

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Terra Linda (ph) California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Getting a lot of e-mails, aren't we, Chad?

MYERS: We are, Carol. They're coming in just like yesterday, actually.

Stacy (ph) says, "I'd like to know -- I'd like to comment here on the training of the Iraqi troops," where the question if what's your reaction to the president's speech yesterday. She says, "I fully understand it takes time to train these troops, but how much time does it really take? You consider it's been nearly a full year that we've been training these guys. They're a nation, but at the same time here in the United States, a person deciding to join the U.S. military gets only a few months of training before being sent over to fight in Iraq. Why not send these Iraqi army guys to U.S. boot camp for basic training? Then send them back to defend their own country. It's OK for a U.S. soldier to receive just a few months of training, and that's good enough for the best military force in the world. Why isn't just a few months of training for the Iraqi military not good enough?"

Nicole (ph) thinks that "He thinks that we are idiots, like he has to repeat himself over and over and over so we can understand, like children. Who's writing the president's speeches, the Teletubbies? I cringe when I hear him use 9/11 for his own benefit. Three years later and they still aren't running out of insurgents. Hello, anyone home?"

And from Helen in Rhode Island: "It's too bad Mr. Bush needs to bring up 9/11 five times to make a case for the war in Iraq. Many people still believe there was a connection, but now we know that there wasn't until after we attacked. Now we just need to stay home. Oh, boy, what a mess."

And Pat in Sugar Loaf says, "I disagreed with this administration's management of the war before the speech, and the speech did nothing to change my mind. But I did get that terrorists are bad and America and democracy are good."

COSTELLO: Wow. So they're mostly negative this morning?

MYERS: I'll tell you what: they're running about 80-20, maybe. Maybe 90-10.

COSTELLO: Interesting. Thank you, Chad.

MYERS: OK.

COSTELLO: We'll read more later.

Your news, morning weather and sports. It is 5:48 Eastern. Here's what's all new this morning.

A U.S. military helicopter that crashed in the mountains of Afghanistan had 17 troops on board. Initial reports say the crash may have been caused by hostile fire. Taliban forces are claiming responsibility. No word yet on casualties.

Doctors have had to amputate the leg of the 16-year-old boy attacked by a shark in Florida. The 16-year-old remains in critical condition this morning. He was fishing when he was attacked on Monday by the shark.

In money news, I'll bet rising gas prices have some of you looking for alternatives. Sales of hybrid and diesel vehicles will likely more than double over the next few years. That's according to experts who keep an eye on the car industry.

And culture. If you want to get a real feel for Bob Dylan's famous coffee house vibe, head to the nearest Starbucks. The chain will be selling remastered bootlegs from Dylan's days of playing coffee houses back in the '60s.

And sports, two bits of new regarding the New York Yankees. One, manager Joe Torre is staying. Two, the Yankees are staying in the Steinbrenner family. George Steinbrenner says his son-in-law will follow him as the next owner -- Chad.

(WEATHER REPORT)

COSTELLO: Thank you, Chad. That's a look at the latest headlines. DAYBREAK will be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Checking our "Security Watch." It's all about milk. The National Academy of Sciences says it will publish a controversial study outlining how terrorists could use botulism to contaminate the nation's milk supply. That despite complains from the Health and Human Services Department that the article is a -- and I'm quoting here -- "roadmap for terrorists."

An editorial accompanying the article will note that anybody can get the information on contaminating the nation's milk supply over the Internet.

There are concerns about the security at the government's nuclear facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Department of Energy reports security workers there are overworked and are not getting proper training. The report says many guards routinely work more than the 60-hour limit imposed by the department.

The Homeland Security Department says it's not worried about Fourth of July celebrations. The agency says it has seen no indications that any of the many celebrations across the country are being targeted by terrorists, so go out and enjoy the fireworks.

Take a look at these. You'll see them soon enough. You're going to see confiscated lighters at the airport in Honolulu. There they are. Screeners have seized -- get this -- more than you're seeing there. They've seized something like 1,700 pounds of lighters -- there they are -- since they were banned on planes in mid-April. Screeners say they get as much as 40 pounds a day. It has created such a problem that they had to buy a fireproof locker to store all of those lighters safely.

The wife of a New York man indicted as an alleged support of al Qaeda says she is still startled and confused over his arrest last month. Tarik Shah and another man pleaded not guilty in federal court on Tuesday. Mary Snow talked to Shah's wife in this CNN exclusive.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Are you married to an al Qaeda supporter?

ZAKKIYYA SHAH, WIFE OF TERROR SUSPECT: No.

SNOW: The FBI alleges that he was very interested in Osama bin Laden, had listened to his speeches and had pledged loyalty to the Jihad. What do you say to that?

SHAH: Never heard it. Never heard him say that. And that's an alleged count.

SNOW: Did he ever talk about Osama bin Laden?

SHAH: Who can't talk about Osama bin Laden? He's on the news. He's in the newspapers. He's in "Newsweek." He's in "TIME."

SNOW (voice-over): One month ago, Tarik Shah was arrested. The indictment says he was planning to train al Qaeda supporters in martial arts, which he practiced.

(on camera) What was your reaction to that?

SHAH: Surprised, startled . I couldn't believe it. I was confused, because I really did not understand what they were saying, and what evidence they could possibly have that could connect him to any of these things that they were alleging.

SNOW: Your husband is a jazz musician.

SHAH: Yes, he is.

SNOW: Law enforcement officials say he was using that as a cover. SHAH: Not true. One thing about Tarik Shah, my husband, is that he is one that will show you one face all the time. Not two-faced. He does not have the ability to be two-faced.

SNOW (voice-over): Zakkiyya Shah married her husband 13 years ago and says he inspired her to convert to Islam.

SHAH: He had a tremendous light the first time I saw him. He was just glowing, and the first time I saw him, he was playing his bass.

SNOW: She currently has a job inspecting boilers, a trade she learned while serving four years in the Navy.

(on camera) You spent four years of your life devoting your life to the government, the very same government that's put your husband in jail. Are you angry about that?

SHAH: Very concerned about the amount of power that's being wielded. The government has a lot of power, and they are flexing, if you will.

SNOW (voice-over): She says a man posing as a music student turned out to be the government informant who betrayed her husband. She believes that Muslims have become a magnet for terror probes.

SHAH: We are all afflicted with trials and tribulations. And whatever is meant for us to happen here, we have to accept what's meant for us to happen.

SNOW (on camera): At federal court here in New York in an arraignment, Tarik Shah and his co-defendant and friend, Rafiq Sabir, both pled not guilty to charges of conspiring to provide support for al Qaeda. Both men are being held without bail but have the right to apply for bail. They are next due in court on September 6.

Mary Snow, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And stay tuned to CNN day and night for the most reliable news about your security.

All new in the next hour of DAYBREAK, when crude oil goes up, gas prices go up. When crude oil goes down, gas prices stay the same. What's up with that? We'll discuss "Crude Oil 101" with an expert.

Also, a murder mystery that spans a long trail, from New Hampshire to California. And one mother's search for closure.

We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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