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CNN Live Saturday

Washington, Beijing Search for Words to End Standoff Over Navy Plane

Aired April 07, 2001 - 12:01   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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: We begin with the U.S.-China standoff, and a diplomatic word game that's bouncing between Washington and Beijing. Both sides are seeking the right phrase to end the standoff, and right now, it appears to be somewhere between regrets and an apology. That's a lot more than a diplomatic tiff between two super powers. There could be billions of dollars in trade at stake.

We'll have more on that in a minute, but first, let's get the latest from John King. He's our senior White House correspondent.

Good morning, John.

JOHN KING, CNN SR. WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Donna. White House officials certainly hoping that it doesn't come to that, an end to the very lucrative U.S.-China trade relationship. Diplomacy the focus right now. U.S. officials saying the meetings continue and that they're encouraged just by the fact that the meeting continue, although they say no public announcements expected any time just yet.

All eyes, right now, on Hainan Island, where U.S. officials are waiting to have their third meeting with those 24 crew members of the EP-3 surveillance plane. They had hoped that meeting would take place hours ago. Some frustration that the third meeting has not taken place yet, although White House officials saying they are anticipating or at least expecting that it will take place in the very near future.

Now, as you mentioned, this standoff between the United States and China now approaching the one week mark, not only a test of the U.S.-China relationship, but also a test of this relatively young administration. President Bush in office fewer than 100 days. He has spoken out repeatedly over the past week. Some of his remarks aimed at easing concerns of the American people, reassuring them that the crew is in good shape. Many of his other statements directed directly at the Chinese government.

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GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Our priorities are the prompt and safe return of the crew, and the return of the aircraft without further damaging or tampering.

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BUSH: We have allowed the Chinese government time to do the right thing. But now, it is time for our servicemen and women to return home, and it is time for the Chinese government to return our plane. This accident has the potential of undermining our hopes for a fruitful and productive relationship between our two countries.

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KING: Now, the president's tone turned a bit more conciliatory as the diplomacy began to intensify, although still Mr. Bush in public stopping well short of the Chinese demands for an outright U.S. apology.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I regret that a Chinese pilot is missing and I regret one of their airplanes is lost, and our prayers go out to the pilot, his family. Our prayers are also with our own servicemen and women, and they need to come home.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KING: Now, the president at Camp David over the weekend. Among the things he is reviewing, a letter from the wife of that missing Chinese pilot, demanding an apology, saying Mr. Bush's actions have been, quote, "cowardly." U.S. officials say the president has received and has read that letter, although there is no plans -- there are no plans for an immediate response.

White house officials saying the president's focus right now is on the diplomacy. He doesn't want to make may public statements or release any public documents that might undermine what U.S. officials describe as very sensitive and delicate talks. Again, they're hoping that diplomacy ultimately will bear fruit and lead to the release of those 24 crew members, although senior officials here this morning saying that while the talks are expected to continue, they don't expect a breakthrough today -- Donna.

KELLEY: John King at the White House, thank you.

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