Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Sunday
Bush Celebrates Easter at Crawford Ranch
Aired April 15, 2001 - 16:02 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.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: The standoff raises serious questions about the future of China's relationship with the United States. A few answers might surface this week when the two sides meet to discuss the incident. For a live update, let's go to Kelly Wallace near President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas -- Kelly.
KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Donna, with the crew members back in the United States and reunited with families, many members of Congress are speaking out, raising the question of whether President Bush should make Beijing pay a price for the 11-day standoff.
Now, as for Mr. Bush; we saw him earlier today. He and members of his family celebrating Easter Sunday, attending an outdoor sunrise service here in Crawford. Also on hand, the president's parents, the former president and Mrs. Bush.
Meantime, though, back in Washington, law makers hit the Sunday talk shows, debating possible penalties for China. On issue: some lawmakers are urging the president to go ahead and sell advanced weapons to Taiwan in part to punish China. Mr. Bush is expected to decide later this month what weapons to sell Taiwan, and whether to go ahead and sell destroyers equipped with the Navy's most sophisticated radar system. It is a sale that China strongly opposes, but some lawmakers think that sale may go forward now.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. GEORGE ALLEN (R), VIRGINIA: If the Chinese authorities thought this would somehow diminish our desire to sell defensive armaments and equipment to the Taiwanese, they clearly have miscalculated.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: But the president's advisers say the detention of 24 crew members and the entire standoff between Washington and Beijing won't play any roll in Mr. Bush's decision; and some law makers say that is the right approach.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: Just to sell the aegis to make a point to the Chinese I think is a mistake. If the aegis is needed to keep our commitment to Taiwan, then we should sell it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALLACE: And there are other possible sanctions; Congress is expected to vote this summer on whether to renew China's normal trade relations with the United States. Also, the United States could oppose Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympics and the president could cancel his planned trip this fall to Beijing.
Right now, Donna, the administration is focusing on that Wednesday meeting, as you mentioned, where it plans to discuss the return of that American plane and the future of U.S. surveillance flights. Just exactly how the Chinese respond, U.S. officials say, will send a very strong signal about the future relationship between the two countries -- Donna
KELLEY: Kelly, as you talked about certainly Taiwan and trade and you mentioned the vote on nations trading status; that comes up in June, how could this effect the normal trade relations or trade relations with China?
WALLACE: Well, right now the sense is from law makers on both sides that they want to see this trade relationship continue. One key factor, Republican leaders say, if the Chinese decide not to return that American plane. One lawmaker saying, that could definitely put the vote in jeopardy, but right now, the consensus is, that trade would likely continue between the two countries.
KELLEY: OK, Kelly Wallace at the ranch there in Crawford, Texas; thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
