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CNN Saturday Morning News

Chinese Discover Listening Devices in Plane U.S. Made for Zemin

Aired January 19, 2002 - 10:02   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: Now more on the story out of China. That's a source of international intrigue this morning. China's president is said to be furious after listening devices were reportedly found on his new 767. The plane was made in the U.S.

For more on the story and reaction from our CNN Beijing bureau chief Jaime Florcruz -- Jaime.

JAIME FLORCRUZ, CNN BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF: Miles, when the Chinese ordered this special Boeing jetliner, they had envisioned a presidential plane outfitted with a bedroom and bathroom and advanced communication and avionics equipment, sort of like a Chinese version of an Air Force One that is comfortable and safe and secure. But when this jetliner was delivered last fall, the Chinese found over 20 listening devices planted in the plane, according to the reports from "Washington Post" and the "Financial Times."

Of course, the Chinese must have been shocked by it. Although, China has yet to issue an official reaction, but the analysts and the officials we've talked are invariable incredulous that the U.S. would even attempt to do that. However, some analysts are not totally shocked, saying that spying is not quite uncommon and that even the U.S. and its allies spy against each other. He also worried, however, that this might, again, fan hostilities and nationalistic fervor amongst some Chinese. However, you know, some government officials here say that that is unlikely -- Miles.

O'BRIEN: All right, Jaime Florcruz, our Beijing bureau chief, thank you very much for that update -- Catherine.

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: And the controversy over the planes merging as an issue for next month's summit between President Bush and China's president. But today, President Bush is focusing on education while honoring a civil rights icon. Let's go to CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace with the latest on that.

Good morning, Kelly. Boy, it's really snowing there.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning. It's a winter wonderland here on the North Lawn of the White House, Catherine. And yes, as you mentioned, Mr. Bush will be devoting his weekly radio address, which we will hear just minutes from now, to the subject of education, calling education the next great civil rights issue of our time and pledging an increase of $1 billion for funding for education for those with special needs, for special education issues.

Now, getting back to this issue regarding this plane, which the Chinese purchased, White House officials are only saying right now that -- quote -- "We do not discuss these types of allegations." Behind the scenes, we're talking to officials who are checking to see if the Chinese have protested in any way to the U.S. government. It's not clear if they have at this time.

Again, it does come -- this development does come just about a month before President Bush makes his first official state visit to China. He did visit with Chinese President Jiang Zemin last fall when the President attended the Asian-Pacific economic summit in Shanghai. It was his first face-to-face meeting with the Chinese leader, but this would be his first official state visit to Beijing. And again, if the allegations are true, it could complicate relations between the two countries.

Here now, though, let's go to Mr. Bush's radio address. He's focusing on domestic issues, as we mentioned, focusing on education and also talking about, this weekend, to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good morning.

On Monday, communities across America will celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Laura will visit Atlanta to commemorate the day in Dr. King's hometown. I will welcome Dr. King's family to the White House.

This year's observance is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of Dr. King and honor the principles for which he lived and died. Americans can proudly say that we have overcome the institutionalized bigotry that Dr. King fought. Now our challenge is to make sure that every child has a fair chance to succeed in life.

That is why education is the great civil rights issue of our time. So my administration worked with Republicans and Democrats to enact into law the most far-reaching educational reform in a generation.

We are insisting on high standards for all our children. We're putting a new emphasis on reading as the first step toward achievement. We are offering teachers new training, and states and localities new flexibility. And we're going to measure and test how everyone is doing in our new accountability system so we can get help to children before it is too late.

We have a special obligation to disadvantaged children, to close the achievement gap in our nation. In my next budget I will propose an increase of $1 billion for the federal program that aids disadvantaged school children. That's on top of the 18 percent increase in last year's budget. In fact, federal spending on Title I will increase just about as much in the first two years of my administration as it did in all the previous eight years combined. I hope Congress will approve this request.

At the same time as we fund Title I, we are giving extra help to children with special needs. The federal program for special-needs children was established by the law known as IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. My 2003 requests an additional $1 billion for IDEA as well, an important increase.

But we want these new dollars to carry to special education the same spirit of reform and accountability we have brought to other education programs.

This reform effort began Tuesday when Education Secretary Rod Paige convened the first meeting of the new Presidential Commission on Excellence in Special Education. This distinguished and diverse group, chaired by former Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, has a clear mission: to propose reforms that will make special education an integral part of an education system that expects all children to reach their full potential.

We must have high expectations for children who are more difficult to teach or who have fallen behind. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would accept no less than an equal concern for every child in America, and neither will my administration.

Thank you for listening.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: And there you heard the President, his weekly radio address. Mr. Bush actually at the presidential retreat at Camp David this weekend. Aids say he is expected to spend some time working on his State of the Union address, which he will deliver a little more than a week from now. It will be his first official State of the Union address as president and Catherine, the context here, you hear the President certainly turning his attention more and more to domestic issues again, as he gears up for that State of the Union address.

Also, the President certainly gearing up for a bit of a budget battle with lawmakers. We know the President will have to present his first budget in February. As we know, this government likely to return to deficit spending this year after years of enjoying surpluses. The President, though, definitely trying put the focus on education, pledging an increase of a billion dollars for funding for special education children. That says that -- Mr. Bush said he'll include that in his upcoming budget. That's the latest from here, Catherine, back to you.

CALLAWAY: All right, thank you, Kelly Wallace and what's turning out to be a true White House today in the winter wonderland up there. Thanks Kelly.

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