April 5, 2001

In Response to a Question
At the American Society of Newspaper Editors Convention
The J.W. Marriott Hotel, Washington, D.C.

Q    Do you believe it's appropriate for the Chinese to be questioning our airmen that have been downed?  And also, what do you believe the Chinese have put at risk with their actions?

     THE PRESIDENT:  I appreciate you bringing up the subject.  I want to make this clear.  First, I regret that a Chinese pilot is missing, and I regret one of their airplanes is lost.  And our prayers go out to the pilot, his family.  Our prayers are also with our own servicemen and women. And they need to come home.

     The message to the Chinese is, we should not let this incident destabilize relations.  Our relationship with China is very important.  But they need to realize that it's time for our people to be home.  We're working all diplomatic channels to affect our priority.  There's discussions going on.  And we'll continue to do so.  My mission is to bring the people home.

     And as to whether or not we'll have good relations, my intention is to make sure we do have good relations.  But the Chinese have got to act.  And I hope they do so quickly.

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