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CNN Live Event/Special

Bush: EP-3 Crew `Doing Just Fine'

Aired April 06, 2001 - 13:51   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.
NATALIE ALLEN, CNN ANCHOR: Right now George Bush has just taken the podium at an awards ceremony. He's expected to make a comment about the China standoff.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Thank you all; thank you very much; thank you.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for that kind introduction. And thank you for agreeing to serve your country once again.

My friend Don Evans couldn't make it, but we have a pretty darn good replacement with Norm Mineta.

Dr. Wood (ph), thank you very much, sir, for your leadership.

You may wonder why Dr. Wood (ph) has got such white hair. My mother's on his board.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: And if she were here, she'd say she has white hair because of me.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: I'm thrilled to see the Baldridge family. Thank you all for being here. And thank you for staying with this award. They tell me you never miss, Midge (ph), and that's important.

I want to congratulate the winners who are here, the CEOs, the leaders, the employees, the rowdy Texans.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: I rest my case.

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: It's an honor to be here.

Before I begin, I'd like to update you on a situation in China. Earlier this morning, I talked with General Sealock, who once again visited with our crew for about an hour today, and reports that they are doing just fine.

(APPLAUSE)

BUSH: They are housed in officers quarters, and they are being treated well. We're proud of these young men and women who are upholding the high standards of our armed forces. We know this is a difficult time for their families, and I thank them for their patriotism and their patience.

We're working hard to bring them home through intensive discussions with the Chinese government, and we think we're making progress.

And now, to the business at hand. It's an honor to be here to be a part of an awards ceremony that has stood the test of time. And the reason why, it's just it's based upon principles, such as high standards, quality and excellence.

The philosophy of Malcolm Baldridge and the Baldridge Awards makes clear that everyone in an organization...

ALLEN: All right; brief comments from President Bush as the diplomacy continues in full force. As we just heard from Senator John Warner, a letter being drafted to spell out what both countries think about this incident. President Bush pointing out that he has learned that the crew on Hainan Island doing just fine; he learned that from the military attache Neal Sealock, who met with the crew on Hainan Island and called Mr. Bush -- spoke with him for about 10 minutes. And Mr. Bush continuing to express his support for the crew and for the families back in the United States who await their return.

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