Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
For Immediate Release
April 6, 2001
ON-THE-RECORD BRIEFING BY
SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN L. POWELL
April 6, 2001
Washington, D.C.
SECRETARY POWELL: Good morning, everyone. I wanted to say a few words
about the situation with respect to our P-3 crew in China. Let me
begin by noting that Admiral Prueher has been meeting regularly now
with his counterparts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and there has
been movement in the discussions and negotiations, and we are
encouraged at this point and those discussions continue with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier this morning, at 10:25, President Bush received a briefing from
Brigadier General Sealock, who spent an hour with the crew members.
General Sealock was accompanied by our consular section chief from
Guangzhou, Mr. Ted Gong. The President was advised by General Sealock
that all of the crew members are in fine shape, they're in good health,
they're in high spirits, the morale is great, and to quote one of the
things that the general said to the President, "make you feel real
proud. They looked good."
They are residing in Chinese officer quarters, so they are being cared
for well in these equivalent of Chinese officers quarters. And the
rooms that they're in are clean and well lit, and they have all the
provisions they need. They are receiving catered food from outside.
So the Chinese are taking good care of our men and women. They are two
to a room. The three ladies are in one room together. And the
aircraft commander, as the commander, is in a separate room.
We expect to see them again tomorrow and making arrangements to see
them on a regular basis until this matter is resolved. There is no
indication of any physical or verbal mistreatment.
So just to conclude or summarize, President Bush had an excellent
conversation and was reassured by General Sealock as to the condition
of the crew. And I hope the families will take comfort from this
report.
And the negotiations are moving forward and I hope to hear again from
Admiral Prueher, Ambassador Prueher, and his very fine team. And I want
to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ambassador on the fine
work that he and his staff have been doing out there under very, very
challenging circumstances. So we have some movement.
Q: Mr. Secretary, a small question on - you say you expect to see
them regularly. Have the Chinese consented?
SECRETARY POWELL: Yes.
Q: Okay. And the larger question is on the larger issue of getting
them released, where does that stand now? Has the Ambassador made that
point?
SECRETARY POWELL: We are in very intensive discussions and
negotiations and exchanging ideas and papers, and there has been
movement, but that's as far as I'd like to go right now.
Q: Well, can you say directly why - can you be a little more specific
as to why you say you are encouraged?
SECRETARY POWELL: I'm encouraged because there has been movement and
because we are exchanging rather precise ideas as to how to bring this
to a conclusion. And that's as far as I'd like to go at this point.
Q: Mr. Secretary, is there any talk of any joint investigation? Is
that part of one of the proposals?
SECRETARY POWELL: We're discussing a number of ideas as to how to
exchange explanations, to use the term of art that I gave the other
day.
Thank you very much.
(###)
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