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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

The U.S. Crew Homecoming

Aired April 12, 2001 - 20:00   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.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: This is a special report: "The U.S. Crew Homecoming." It's a day of cheers and tears for the crew members and their families.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

LIEUTENANT SHANE OSBORN, MISSION COMMANDER: The first thing I'd like to say, on behalf of the crew, we're definitely glad to be back.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Emotions are hard to contain. We'll hear from family members.

The crew members now begin a lengthy debriefing on their harrowing ordeal. We'll get a live report from Honolulu. And I'll talk live with senator Orrin Hatch of the Select Intelligence Committee about the conflicts remaining between the United States and China.

Good evening. Welcome to our special report: "The U.S. Crew Homecoming." I'm Wolf Blitzer reporting tonight from Washington.

The 24 Americans who were held in China for 11 days are now on U.S. soil, but the U.S.-Chinese relationship is going to be rocky for some time. That was underscored today by the forceful statements coming from both sides. Still, for the Americans, on this day, it was a time to celebrate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): After two flights and almost 17 hours in transit, the 21 men and three women of EP-3 crew arrived in Hawaii.

ADMIRAL THOMAS FARGO, COMMANDER, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET: What's wonderful for me to have the pleasure to say both "welcome back" and "well done" to this great crew.

S. OSBORN: I want to share all the families and loved ones of these 23 flying crew members, that they miss them very much, they're all healthy an ready to get home.

BLITZER: Back in Nebraska, the parents of pilot Lieutenant Shane Osborn who landed the EP-3 in dangerous circumstances, watch the arrival ceremony.

DIANE OSBORN, MOTHER OF SHANE OSBORN: Looks great. Looks great. He looks great. It will be great to hold him in our arms.

BLITZER: White House officials insist there were no secret deals to persuade China to let the crew go. President Bush says the fact that China held the crew for 11 days is inconsistent with good relations.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The kind of incident we've just been through does not advance a constructive relationship between our two countries.

BLITZER: The next order of business: a U.S.-Chinese meeting next Wednesday, where the U.S. will try to get its plane back, and China will raise its demand to end American surveillance flights off its coast.

ZHANG QIYUE, CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY (through translator): This affair is not over yet. The Chinese side urges the United States to stop spying activities in Chinese territory.

BLITZER: But the U.S. says these flights are a fundamental part of is security, and will not stop.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: The first order of business, once the crew members arrived at Hickam Air Force base in Hawaii, was to question them on exactly what happened during their mission. Joining us live from the base with more, CNN national correspondent Mike Boettcher. Mike, tell us what the 24 crew members are doing right now.

MIKE BOETTCHER, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, right now, they're here at Pearl Harbor in a building that Pacific fleet command, where they're being questioned by 12 debriefing teams. This will carry on for probably another eight hours today, Wolf. These are pretty long sessions. They say they will go as long as they have to go, because they want to get them out of here by Saturday morning so they can be home before Easter -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Is there any sense yet on some of the potential psychological damage they may have had to endure, given the harrowing flight, the near-death experience I'm sure most of them felt?

BOETTCHER: Well, that will be the big psychological impact. You know, in past, hostage returns, let's say, to Ramstein Air Force base in Germany, you have had people from the Middle East or prisoners of war from Kosovo, or from the Gulf War, and their harrowing experience was their captivity, whereas here, they probably -- the most harrowing experience was their flight to Hainan to try to save the airplane and save their lives.

And judging by the way they came off the plane, they look sharp, they look healthy, and that's just about all we have to go on right now, Wolf. BLITZER: Mike Boettcher in Hawaii, thank you very much.

The crew members will be reunited with their families this weekend on Whidbey island in Washington state. Our Jeff Flock is live in Norfolk, Nebraska, where he's been visiting with the parents of the plane's 26-year-old mission commander.

Jeff, tell us how it went.

JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Sun setting now on the hometown of Shane Osborn, Lieutenant Shane Osborn. You know, his parents, Doug and Diane Osborn, have not been married for quite some time, but when it comes to what's best for their son and supporting him, it seems they are very much together, they and the rest of their families.

And so it was that they were together here today at Diane's house to watch the very first pictures of their son leading his team off the plane in Hawaii. Shane was the first man down the steps. They also had the opportunity to see him up close for the first time, and think about their trip out to Whidbey island on Friday. Very, very proud parents here in Norfolk, Nebraska.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

FLOCK (on camera): So what do you think?

DIANE OSBORN: Going to go to church and praise the Lord.

FLOCK: I think you must have gone to enough church. It worked out OK.

DIANE OSBORN: I'm just so thankful that they're all home and they're all safe. Just great.

FLOCK: That's your boy up there speaking for the whole crew?

DIANE OSBORN: Yeah. It is. It's a very proud moment. Very, very proud moment.

DOUG OSBORN, FATHER OF SHANE OSBORN: We've always been proud of him. We've always thought that he was a hero in our eyes anyway, but again, I got to say it took 23 other people doing their job exactly right. They had to be right on time in doing everything they did to allow Shane to do what he had to do. And there's 24 heroes out there as far as I'm concerned, but we're very proud that our son is one of them.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

FLOCK: Very grateful to the Osborn family for sharing their comments and their emotions with us live today on CNN. You know, Wolf, Norfolk, Nebraska has up to this point has been known primarily as the hometown of Johnny Carson. I think it's fair to say that this town has a new favorite son tonight -- Wolf.

BLITZER: I think that would be fair, Jeff. How worried, though, are these parents about the fact, as you asked them earlier today, I know you did, that their son is going to continue to remain in the U.S. Navy, and presumably continue to fly these EP-3s?

FLOCK: Very good question. But they said that they knew about this all along. He's always shared a lot about what he does. They know it's a dangerous mission, but they said this son of theirs loves what he does, and he fully intends to keep doing it. And as his dad pointed out, based on what he did with that aircraft in very difficult conditions, he does it pretty well.

BLITZER: Jeff Flock in Nebraska, thank you very much.

President Bush, meanwhile, insisted today there's no evidence the crew did anything to cause the collision. As CNN military affairs correspondent Jamie McIntyre explains, new details from initial interviews with the crew back up that assessment.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JAMIE MCINTYRE, CNN MILITARY AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These photographs of Chinese fighters jets obtained by CNN are believed by Pentagon officials to have been taken by one of the just- released crew members, and e-mailed home a few days before the April 1st accident to show how close the Chinese pilots fly to U.S. planes. The photos include one that, based on the jet ID number, appears to Wang Wei, the Chinese pilot killed in the later collision.

(on camera): But with China still holding the $100 million surveillance plane, sources say Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is sitting on far more damning evidence: photos and videotape that document hair-raising stunts by hot-dogging Chinese pilots, including, sources tell CNN, a video in which the nose of a Chinese fighter can be seen between the propellers on one wing of an EP-3 on patrol.

(voice-over): With Navy pilot Lieutenant Shane Osborn and his crew now free, the U.S. is no longer pulling punches about who is to blame.

BUSH: The United States aircraft was operating in international airspace, in full accordance with all laws, procedures and regulations, and did nothing to cause the accident.

MCINTYRE: Based on initial interviews with the aircrew, Pentagon sources say the U.S. EP-3 surveillance plane was flying straight and level on autopilot, not turning when the Chinese F-8 fighter approached rapidly from a 45-degree angle.

It passed just under the left wing of the prop plane, and then pulled up its nose to slow down, causing its tail to hit the EP-3's left outboard propeller. The Chinese jet then broke up, and debris hit the EP-3's nose cone, which in turn knocked out the inboard engine on the right wing. The badly crippled plane dipped to the left and did an almost 90-degree roll, dropping 5,000 to 8,000 feet, and turning nearly upside down before pilot Lieutenant Shane Osborn regained control. Sources tell CNN Osborn considered ordering his crew to bail out, and then, after righting the plane, thought of ditching at sea. Finally, he decided he had a good chance of landing at the Lingshui Chinese military base that was only 40 to 50 miles away. Sources say Osborn and his senior chief were both models of control in the aftermath of the accident, and the talk at the Pentagon is that they may both be recommended for Medals of Commendation.

Jamie McIntyre, CNN, the Pentagon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: After the break, what will become of U.S. surveillance flights near China? I'll speak live with Senator Orrin Hatch of the Senate's Select Intelligence Committee.

And later, will those whose lives were forever changed by the Oklahoma City bombing be allowed to witness the execution of Timothy McVeigh? Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. While the crew members of the U.S. surveillance plane are now back in the United States, the issues are far from resolved. Still on the agenda: The fate of that EP-3 aircraft and the future of U.S. reconnaissance missions near China. Joining me now live from Salt Lake City, Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah, a member of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee.

Senator Hatch, thanks for joining us. Let's get right to the future of that EP-3. How hard should the Bush Administration push China to get that aircraft back to the United States?

SEN. ORRIN HATCH (R), UTAH: Well, they've got to push hard, but there's no question that the Chinese are going over that plane and everything in it. And you know, in a very real sense, you can't blame them, except that it's a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) of international law.

BLITZER: Is that though, something that the U.S. should be squeezing, using a lot of its clout on, or just simply write off the plane now as a loss cause?

HATCH: Keep in mind we're dealing with a regime over there that is a dictatorial authoritarian regime. It's a different culture than we have. It has to be handled very delicately, flexibility, but yet with firmness. And I think our administration is doing that. You know, you have to give credit to General Powell. Secretary of State Powell.

Of course, Ambassador Prueher, the military liaison over there. They did what really was quiet diplomacy that worked, worked well. It was firm, but it worked well. And I think the president deserves a lot of credit. He said he would bring a true professional team in foreign policy to bear four our country, and I think he's done that and I think this is good evidence of it. BLITZER: In that letter that Ambassador Prueher wrote to the Chinese foreign minister, he acknowledges that China will be able to bring up at this meeting next Wednesday the future of U.S. surveillance flights near China. We're hearing they have not resumed yet.

How important is that issue? Should the U.S. resume those surveillance flights which could be dangerous?

HATCH: Well, they had to, in that letter, make it clear that there are a number of things that they're going to bring up. We have to continue the flights. That's in international air. As long as we have problems in the Taiwan straights, in South China Sea. With some of the bellicose attitudes of those dictatorial and authoritarian leaders in China, the best thing we can do is make sure we're aware of everything we can possibly be aware of, and that we protect our interests in that area, which are very great.

Because our strategic partnership, of course, is between, is with Japan and Korea. We want to have good relations with China, but let's face it, it is not a strategic partnership as the prior administration said. It's a situation where they're an emerging great country, and we have to be careful how we deal with them. We have to deal with them straight up. We have to be firm. We have to have, it seems to me, quiet diplomacy that works. But we also cannot submit to coercion, and we can't be told what to do with regard to international air or international water.

BLITZER: Assuming those surveillance flights are going to resume, they're pretty slow moving. They're lumbering planes. Should they be accompanied from now on, by U.S. fighter escorts, jet fighters joining those planes on those missions?

HATCH: Well, I don't think so, because I think even China has to acknowledge that we're acting within our rights. If you look at the real facts, and they'll come out ultimately, you'll find that there were some very, very grandiose movements by the Chinese fliers. They enjoyed harassing our planes. I don't think the Chinese flyer intended to knock the nose off our plane or to die. And we have to regret that anybody died.

But what he was doing and what they've been doing has been harassing our planes, and playing some real dangerous air games, and of course this caught up to them and caused us a lot of hurt and disappointment and difficulty itself. But you know, I don't think we're going to need to have escorts. But if it comes to that it comes to that. We cannot give up our rights in international airspace. It is important for us to protect our interest in that area and to do the best we can for our strategic partnership with Japan, Korea.

I'm one of the authors of the Taiwan Relations Act. We have make it very clear to the Chinese that we have obligations under that act and we're going to act in accordance as any great power would have to do.

BLITZER: On that issue of Taiwan, if I could interrupt you for a second, "The New York Times" editorial page had some advice for President Bush today. Let me read you an excerpt of what "The New York Times" said: "The events of the past should not push Washington into selling Taiwan the advanced Aegis radar system which would upset the current political and military equilibrium across the Taiwan Straight."

Should President Bush accept that advice from "New York Times"?

HATCH: Well, I'm not going to advise President Bush on that. He has the best foreign policy team I've seen in years. When you add the vice president, who's had tremendous foreign policy experience, you add Colin Powell, hardly anybody can exceed his, you have the good diplomatic core that he's got working for him. I think they'll make the right decision.

But I'll tell you one thing we have to do. We're dealing with a nation that's emerging. It's a nation that's a different culture from ours. The best thing -- we're not going to be able to do anything about current communist leadership. They have a tremendous amount of inter-conflicts within that country, between the PLA, the People's Liberation Army, and the rest of the leadership in China.

Remember Jiang Zemin is the first leader of China who did not come up through the military ranks. So there's a lot of suspicion there. And we've got to understand we're dealing with a nation that's emerging and the best thing we can do is preach democracy, capitalism, human rights and rule of law. If we keep doing that, hopefully, a new generation will emerge that will be far more cooperative in working for worldwide peace, and especially peace in Southeast Asia, than this current generation is.

BLITZER: On that note, Senator Hatch, we have to leave it right there. I want to thank you very much for joining us.

HATCH: Nice to be with you.

BLITZER: Thank you, Senator. And when we come back, a city under fire. Race and the law collide in the streets of Cincinnati. Tonight: What's being done to ease tensions?

Also ahead, a decision today by the nation's top lawyer on who can witness the end for convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. An overnight curfew went into effect just minutes ago in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the city struggles to restore order. Today, Mayor Charles Luken declared a state of emergency in an attempt to end rioting. The violence was sparked by the weekend's fatal police shooting of an unarmed black man.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAYOR CHARLES LUKEN (D), CINCINNATI, OHIO: The message, the single message, the only message that we want to communicate to the citizens of this city, is that the violence must stop, and the violence will stop.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Since 1995, 15 black men have died at the hands of police. The Justice Department, U.S. attorney's office in Cincinnati, and the FBI, have now launched a civil rights investigation. A live report from Cincinnati is coming up on THE POINT with my colleague, Greta Van Susteren.

A painful chapter in this nation's history comes to a close next month, when convicted Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh is scheduled to be put to death. Today, Attorney General John Ashcroft made a major decision. Let's go live to CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman in Oklahoma City for details -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, he was a U.S. senator from the neighboring state of Missouri. But two days ago, John Ashcroft came to Oklahoma as the nation's new attorney general. He came to the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. He met with people who's lives have changed forever because of the 1995 bombing, people who want to be witnesses to the execution of Timothy McVeigh. And today those people are very pleased with what Ashcroft has done.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Carrie Lenz was 26 years old and six months pregnant when she died in the Oklahoma City bombing. Her mother was one of many who pushed for a chance to witness the execution.

DORIS JONES, MOTHER OF VICTIM: I think Carrie would be very pleased that I have taken a stand and I have been outspoken in her honor.

TUCHMAN: Doris Jones was one of those invited to tour the Oklahoma City National Memorial Center with Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday. Later, she and about 100 other survivors and family members pleaded with Ashcroft to allow a closed-circuit feed of the execution so they could witness it. And on Thursday morning, Ashcroft said it will be done. In addition, he says 10 survivors and relatives, two more than planned, can view it in person at the U.S. penitentiary in Indiana.

ASHCROFT: All witnesses will see Mr. McVeigh on the execution table, and they will be able to hear any final statement Mr. McVeigh makes.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: There is substantial fear here among family members that Timothy McVeigh will use his last words in the execution chamber to taunt those families members. That's a risk they'll have to take, now that they've gotten permission to watch Timothy McVeigh die. Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: Gary Tuchman in Oklahoma City, thank you very much. Up next, I'll open our mail bag. Is there really any difference between saying you're sorry, as opposed to saying you're very sorry? Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. Time now to open our mailbag. Lots of reaction to the release of the American crew members. Jack writes this:

"What wit the very sorry and the sincere regret etc., versus just the more ordinary sorry and regret. I wonder if we've not begun, somehow secretly, to infiltrate China with our best weapon: attorneys and their wordsmithing."

Joseph from Minnesota writes:

"I am happy that the crew is on their way home. However, saying I am very sorry, and insisting we didn't apologize, sounds a lot like it depends on what the definition of 'is' is."

Max writes...

"The word sorry is not strong enough to allay the pain. Wang Wei's child lost a father, and his wife, her husband. It's enough to apologize for."

Remember, you can e-mail me: at wolf@cnn.com. I just might read your comments on the air. And you can read my daily on-line column previewing our nightly programs by going to our WOLF BLITZER REPORTS Web site: cnn.com/wolf.

Please stay with CNN throughout the night. Much more on the return of the U.S. crew members on LARRY KING LIVE at the top of the hour. Up next, Greta Van Susteren. She's standing by to tell us what she has -- Greta.

GRETA VAN SUSTEREN, HOST, CNN'S "THE POINT": We're going to Cincinnati and talk to the police chief and find out about the unrest in the city and find out if the curfew is doing any good. Plus, we'll get an update from our Bill Schneider about President Bush -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Thanks, Greta. Sounds good. Tomorrow night, we'll look at the political fallout for President Bush from the standoff with China. Until then, thanks very much for watching. I'm Wolf BLITZER in Washington. "THE POINT" with Greta Van Susteren begins right now.

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