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CNN Live Sunday

Pentagon Debates Further Action in Recovering Detained EP-3 Plane

Aired May 06, 2001 - 17:05   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.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: Now to China: the White House said today that relations with China are still strained by the surveillance plane controversy. And as CNN's Patty Davis reports from the Pentagon, the question of what to do with the plane itself is causing renewed disagreement.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY DAVIS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Technicians who have examined the damaged U.S. EP-3 surveillance plane say, at least preliminarily, that it can be repaired and flown out. That's what U.S. military officials want, but they say the Chinese prefer it be broken in pieces and shipped back. Either way, the U.S. wants China to hand it over.

DONALD RUMSFELD, DEFENSE SECRETARY: It's an $80 million aircraft and it's ours. One would think you'd want it back. We do. And I suspect we'll get it back.

DAVIS: Only when the plane is back in U.S. hands will officials know for sure how much military intelligence fell into Chinese hands. Officials say the plane's crew was able to destroy much of the sensitive data onboard, but not all. Last month's incident and China's detention of the EP-3's 24 crew members has strained U.S.- China relations.

CONDOLEEZZA RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER: It's not business as issue just yet with China and we have made that very clear. But we will continue to work with the Chinese.

SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D), VERMONT: It would be impossible to get anything through the Congress that would be deemed very, very favorable to China because of the resentment.

DAVIS: The Pentagon says it is reviewing all of its contacts with the Chinese military on a case-by-case basis, saying a memo made public last week ordering their complete halt was a mistake. Despite the fact that China is dead set against it, the U.S. says surveillance flights, on hold since the incident, will resume, but won't say when.

RICE: They are part of a broad national security strategy -- not just for our security, but also for the security of our allies in the region, and to bring stability to the region. DAVIS: Officials say they haven't decided whether or not fighter planes will escort future surveillance flights. For the first flight, at least, they're considering using a faster surveillance plane, rather than the workforce EP-3.

Patty Davis, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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