Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Sunday Morning

U.S. Tries to Establish More Contact With Spy Plane Crew

Aired April 08, 2001 - 07:00   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We begin in Hainan, where it's been a week since a U.S. spy plane landed after colliding with a Chinese F-8 fighter. Negotiations with Beijing for the release of the plane's 24 crewmembers continues, for the talks are delicate and difficult. Meanwhile, the U.S. is pressing for more access to the plane's crew.

CNN's Lisa Rose Weaver is in Hainan and joins us by videophone with the latest -- Lisa.

LISA ROSE WEAVER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, it has been another long day of waiting for the U.S. diplomats here in Hainan who want to meet again, for the fourth time, face-to-face with the 24 crewmembers who have now been in Chinese custody for more than a week. Now, the pattern is that officials here have to wait for a phone call from Chinese officials before they know it's time to have that meeting, so very often it does look -- appear to be very slow on the ground here in Hainan. Nonetheless, behind the scenes the work goes on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BRIG. GEN. NEAL SEALOCK, U.S. MILITARY ATTACHE: Secretary Powell is working it very hard in Washington -- consistently with meetings. Ambassador Prueher has been working virtually around the clock in Beijing in order to secure the release of the crew as soon as possible. So that's our desire, we're all working hard toward that. With regard to future access, we are working hard for unfettered (OFF- MIKE) access to the crew, and we've asked to see them twice a say.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WEAVER: Now, the general did not specify exactly what "unfettered" access means, but in the past few meeting the U.S. officials have had to first sit down with Chinese officials and spend quite a long time talking with them about the ground rules under what conditions they will meet the U.S. crewmemebers face-to-face.

So, for instance, last night, two-and-a-half hours with Chinese officials, and then only one hour alone, face-to-face with the Americans. So that may well be one point that the U.S. side would like to see become easier -- for them to meet more quickly face-to- face with the Americans. Also, they would presumably like to meet without Chinese officials in the room, as they did the last time. Now, Kyra, meanwhile, the Chinese are continuing to search for the downed pilot Wang Wei. He went down in his F-8 after the collision with the U.S. surveillance jet, now a week ago. The Chinese media has reported that more than 800 fishing vessels have been deployed for that search. Not many people believe that Wang Wei will be found alive, but the issue goes to the heart of the apology. Chinese people and the media are talking about the need for a full apology from the United States before this issue can be resolved. They want to -- they feel that the issue, at the very least, of their pilot, Wang Wei, has to be resolved before the Americans can be returned -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Lisa Rose Weaver in Hainan, thank you so much.

At the State Department, diplomats are trying to draw the delicate line between U.S. regrets over the spy plane collision and the apology that China wants.

More on this now from David Ensor, our national security correspondent.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID ENSOR, CNN NATIONAL SECURITY CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): They had to wait until the middle of the night for permission from the Chinese, but the U.S. military and diplomatic delegation finally did get their third visit with the crew members of the damaged surveillance plane, and reported that the crew was in very high spirits, and very much appreciates the e-mails they have been allowed to receive from home.

That word reached President Bush from his national security adviser. In Beijing, Joseph Prueher, the American ambassador, had two more meetings Saturday with officials at the Chinese Foreign Ministry. U.S. officials say that ideas and papers were exchanged as the two governments sought a formula for ending the impasse. White House officials said there was further progress.

JAMES LILLEY, FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: I think right now you're trying to get there. You're trying to get to that point, the line between regret and apologize, the line between their explanation and our explanation.

ENSOR: But raw feelings were also on display on both sides. The White House confirmed the receipt of a letter to President Bush from the wife of the downed Chinese pilot, in which she reportedly called Mr. Bush a coward for not apologizing for what happened to her husband.

A senior congressional Republican warned Beijing that American patience will soon begin to wear thin unless the crew is released.

REP. HENRY HYDE (R), ILLINOIS: I think if we get into the middle of next week and the personnel are still being held, the intensity of this and the danger escalates. ENSOR (on camera): State Department officials say, in fact, talks about a face-savings solution for both sides have made progress, but the outlines of a deal, including a joint letter and other steps are already there. But whether the impasse will end soon or not, that officials here say depends in large measure on Beijing.

David Ensor, CNN, the State Department.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: And in Beijing a new voice has been added to China's demands for a U.S. apology for the spy plane collision as American diplomats wait for new negotiations today. China's defense minister says the People's Liberation Army won't let Washington shirk responsibility for the incident.

And for the latest from China's capital, here's Rebecca MacKinnon, our Beijing bureau chief.

Hi, Rebecca.

REBECCA MACKINNON, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Hello, Kyra.

This is the "People's Liberation Army Daily" from today. In it are a lot of very strongly worded statements about the situation going on right now, including a demand that there be a thorough investigation of the 24 U.S. crewmembers. Also demanding that the U.S. agree to halt all surveillance flights near Chinese airspace.

The United States has indicated that it's not interested in doing so. Also indicated it's not interested in giving the apology China appears to be demanding.

Meanwhile -- this comes on the heels of a visit by China's defense minister to the wife of China's missing fighter pilot, Wang Wei, in which he also made a number of very strong statements including -- he said that the U.S. should take full responsibility for the collision and that the Chinese armed forces will not accept it if the U.S. government attempts to evade its responsibility.

So we have very strongly worded statements coming from the military. Meanwhile, on the diplomatic front here in Beijing today it's been quite slow. The U.S. ambassador spent most of the day waiting for word on when he might be able to meet at the foreign ministry. He even went to church in the earlier part of the day. Later in the day -- at the very end of the day he did have a short meeting at the foreign ministry, but there's absolutely no word what came out of it and absolutely no word as to when and if the U.S. diplomats down in Hainan might have another opportunity to meet with U.S. servicemembers tonight -- or if not tonight, when that might happen -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right; Rebecca MacKinnon from Beijing, thank you.

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