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CNN Sunday Morning

U.S. Detainees Return to Hero's Welcome

Aired April 15, 2001 - 09:00   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.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: Cheers, tears, hugs and thanks. "We appreciate it a lot," said Lieutenant Shane Osborn, the pilot of the Navy surveillance plane detained in China. It's the morning after the huge welcome home celebration for the now-famous crew of two dozen.

CNN's James Hattori live at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station with the follow-up. Good morning, James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Miles. This is no doubt a time of rest for those 24 crewmembers; 21 men, three women. This is day one of a 30-day leave they've been granted; a time to be with their families, try to get back to a normal life after a triumphant return home.

There were shrieks of joy and happiness on the tarmac yesterday as the crewmembers stepped off the DC-9 aircraft after landing from Hawaii. The homecoming was even more emotional than usual because of the harrowing experience they'd gone through of course, the mid-air collision, the plunge through 8,000 feet in the skies and the emergency landing and 11 days in detention.

During the homecoming ceremony, they were lauded as heroes, especially the pilot who brought the EP-3 surveillance plane down safely.

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LT. SHANE OSBORN, U.S. NAVY: They performed far and above, beyond the call of duty and made me very proud, and should make every one of you proud.

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READ ADM. MICHAEL HOLMES: Lieutenant Osborn's courageous actions and those of his aircrew speaks volumes about their training, their dedication and their professionalism, and demonstrated the true meaning of honor, courage and committement.

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HATTORI: Some of the other crewmembers also spoke about their experiences, people we haven't heard from before. They confirmed the fact that they, of course, were well-treated by the Chinese during their detention. They said the food wasn't great, mostly rice and bread. They used things like playing cards and talking to keep their spirits up and they, of course, were surprised by the extent of coverage and the hubbub that surrounded the incident.

Miles, one other thing, of course, the crew was kept isolated and cut off from the world during that time, and they said they were surprise. In fact, they said that the public outside of the world had probably learned of their release before they did.

O'BRIEN: They didn't even know we were following it, for all they know. I'm curious, you know, some of them, I know, want to get right back in the saddle and continue flying, would just as soon not have a 30-day leave. Why is that, James? Wouldn't they want to enjoy some time off?

HATTORI: Well, you know, they're probably creatures of habit and military training. As much as they'd like to spend some time with their families, and I'm sure many of them will, some of them feel that the best way to get back into a normal life is to do what they do normally, and that is get in these airplanes and fly.

O'BRIEN: All right, James Hattori, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station -- Kyra.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the incident is far from over. The Navy plane remains in China, and Beijing still accuses the U.S. of violating its airspace and causing a fatal in-flight collision. So, the Bush administration still has work to do in that arena, and it begins later this week.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace is in Texas, where the president is spending his Easter. Hi, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, hi there, Kyra. Definitely some work ahead, and some sensitive issues to resolve. There is a meeting scheduled for Wednesday in Beijing, and just how the Chinese respond, U.S. officials say, could signal the future in the relation between the two countries.

But on this day, President Bush is focusing on celebrating Easter Sunday with his family, attending sunrise services outdoors here in Crawford. Also on hand. the former President and Mrs. Bush, and aides do admit that the senior Bush did provide some advice to administration officials during the 11-day standoff, although they won't tell us if the current president did speak to his father about the situation.

Now, at the same time, ever since this crew returned home, the rhetoric has been increasing, coming from both sides, with the U.S. pressing the Chinese to return the $80 million plane and blaming the Chinese for the collision back on April 1st, while the Chinese are denouncing the American version of events and are saying they are holding the plane to carry out an investigation.

Well, again, at the same time, though, lawmakers are urging the administration to make Beijing pay a price by selling high-tech destroyers equipped with a very sophisticated radar system to Taiwan. This is a sale that Beijing strongly opposes. Mr. Bush is expected to make a decision later this month, and one former ambassador to China is cautioning against the sale, saying if it goes forward, it would only further damage relations.

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JAMES SASSER, FRM. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO CHINA: If the Aegis system is sold to Taiwan, then we're going to see severe turbulence in the Chinese-U.S. relationship. I think we'll see problems then developing in our commercial with them. There'll be retaliation against American companies in China, a whole host of things. And I think it would also destabilize the relationship between Taiwan and the mainland Chinese government now.

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WALLACE: Now, the administration says it did make any concessions to Beijing over any issues to secure the release of those crewmembers, including potential arms sales to Taiwan. The message from the administration is that Mr. Bush will make this decision and it will not at all be related to the current standoff -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Kelly Wallace from Crawford, Texas.

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