Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
White House Press Briefing
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
April 6, 2001
PRESS BRIEFING BY ARI FLEISCHER
The James S. Brady Briefing Room
12:10 P.M. EDT
MR. FLEISCHER: Between 10:15 a.m. and 10:25 a.m. this morning, the President spoke on
the phone with Brigadier General Neal Sealock, who had just returned
from a one-hour visit with our servicemen and women in China. The
President was very heartened to hear that the spirits of the
servicemen and women are high. They are being well taken care of. They
are being housed in the officer quarters, where they are staying.
The President said to the general - this is a quote - that "you are
doing a great job for the country and for their loved ones," referring
to the loved ones, of course, of the servicemen and women being held.
And General Sealock said to the President that the first message he
conveyed to the servicemen was that, the Commander in Chief sends his
regards and he has tremendous pride in you.
....
QUESTION: Ari, does the President now believe that all the major
hurdles toward securing release of the crew have been cleared at this
point?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President is pleased that events are moving
forward. There remains work to be done. Intensive discussions are
continuing in China. So the President is pleased with what is taking
place, but he's cognizant of the fact that there - work does remain,
and the end result remains that our men and women should come home,
and our plane should be returned.
Q: Can I just follow up on that? Is there an essential agreement --
there may be details that are in disagreement now - under which
neither country would assign blame or take immediate responsibility?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to discuss the specifics of something
that's very sensitive that is in the middle of being discussed, as we
speak. There has been an exchange of rather precise ideas between the
Chinese government and the United States government. That is ongoing.
And we're going to continue to monitor it.
Q: Then would you characterize the kind of work which remains to be
done as the building of a framework for both to exchange ideas, or
explanations, as the Secretary of State put it?
MR. FLEISCHER: Ideas, explanations, work continues to be done to
secure their release.
Q: The idea is that once the structure is put together and this
happens, that they can be released? Is that the understanding we have
with the other side?
MR. FLEISCHER: Bill, they all go together. In the course of exchanging
the ideas of developing the specifics, to create the goal that the
President identified when he spoke to the nation earlier this week,
about the release of our men and women so they can come home to their
families.
All the efforts in China right now are aimed at securing that result.
That's the whole purpose of the discussions that have been underway.
Q: One more, if I may. What is it - that's our goal, obviously. What
is it that the Chinese want? Do they continue to want some sort of
apology? They obviously want something as well as --
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to characterize what the Chinese are
asking for, what the Chinese position is. That's something for the
Chinese officials, of course, to do. Major.
Q: You said just a moment ago that you want to discuss something very
sensitive that is being discussed as we speak. Can you confirm that
these sensitive discussions are about the final deal and not about
preliminary negotiations that may lead to a final deal?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm reluctant to put any type of time frame on it like
final, such as that. It is ongoing and it is intense. It continues.
And I think it's important to allow them to continue their important
work. But we will see what the exact time is, sequence is. During the
course of diplomacy, of course, events develop, items move forward,
items sometimes move not forward; things start, things pause. All of
these remain possibilities.
Q: But the discussions are about the deal to get them home, right?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's correct.
Q: Secretary Powell said that U.S. officials are expected to meet
again with the crew tomorrow. Does that mean the U.S. has secured what
we've been looking for, sort of constant or regular access to the
crew? And is there any concern that that is an indication this might
not be wrapped up anytime soon, or in the next 24-48 hours?
MR. FLEISCHER: The Secretary indicated that we would meet, that
General Sealock will meet with the servicemen and women tomorrow. We
are pleased about that. I think it's an indication, again, of how we
are moving forward.
Q: Ari, a follow-up, if I may. The Secretary also said, in answer to a
question at the end, from the AP correspondent, whether China has
agreed to further meetings. He said, yes. If we say, further meetings,
is this now an ongoing, lengthy process? Any idea of the time table,
at all?
MR. FLEISCHER: As I indicated, it is ongoing. Diplomacy is ongoing.
And it is at a sensitive stage still. And Ambassador Prueher has been
having meetings and will continue to have meetings.
Q: In the meeting this time, the second one, were the U.S. officials
allowed to meet with the U.S. service personnel by themselves, or were
they still accompanied by Chinese officials?
MR. FLEISCHER: At this second meeting with the General and our
servicemen, they met alone; there were no Chinese officials present.
Q: And did they report anything in particular to the President back on
what they learned in the conversations they were able to have alone
with the U.S. service personnel that might shed light on some of the
disputed facts of the collision?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to get into some of the details of their
conversation. And I informed you of what the President discussed with
the General.
Q: Has there been any exchange, whatsoever, between President Bush and
President Jiang Zemin? And is General Powell the point man at this
stage, and who is his counterpart in China? Is it the Foreign Minister
himself, or what --
MR. FLEISCHER: Ambassador Prueher is the point man on the ground in
China, in terms of the discussions with Chinese officials. Secretary
Powell of course, this is a diplomatic effort. Secretary Powell, as
Secretary of State, is the head of the diplomatic effort, of course.
The President spoke to Secretary Powell twice last night, just for
your information. Those conversations I think were about 9:00 p.m. or
so. And the President had his first conversation of the morning with
Condi at about 5:30 a.m. this morning, about the situation in China.
So those are the people who are doing the talking. Of course, Condi is
involved. But this is a diplomatic effort.
Q: Ari, is it accurate to say that in these sensitive discussions
right now, Chinese officials are no longer demanding an apology in
exchange for any result, because there's been progress absent an
outright apology? Is that accurate, and how does that square with the
fact that President Jiang is still publicly saying there needs to be
an apology?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to characterize the Chinese position. I
think that's a question that you need to address to the Chinese
officials.
Q: I'm sorry, but is it still accurate to conclude that that's the
case, given there's been progress, that there is still, through
channels, not an explicit demand for an apology by the Chinese? Can't
we make that conclusion?
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm not going to characterize the Chinese position.
Martha.
Q: I'm just following up. Is it accurate to say that President Bush
and Jiang Zemin have never spoken on the phone, have never had any
contact since he became President?
MR. FLEISCHER: That's a correct statement.
MS. COUNTRYMAN: No, no, they have exchanged letters.
MR. FLEISCHER: I'm sorry.
Q: Exchanged letters?
MS. COUNTRYMAN: Yes.
Q: Can I ask about what - the negotiators are going back and forth,
Secretary Powell has spoken of drafts. Is it the intention of the two
sides to come up with some sort of joint statement? And can you give
us a clue as to what might that entail? Might it include a description
of the event, as best we all know it, a description of a mechanism for
investigating the facts?
MR. FLEISCHER: As for the specifics of what's being discussed, I just
have to urge your patience. I understand the question but, as you can
imagine, it is ongoing, and it is sensitive. And for us to start
publicly to discuss what is still a conversation going back and forth
between American officials and Chinese officials would not be
productive in obtaining the President's goal, which is to bring our
men and women and home.
Q: Is the goal some sort of joint statement, at least?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, I'm not going to discuss what is going on
between the two parties as they negotiate.
Q: Ari, what explanation can you offer the American people as to the
administration's view of why our servicemen and women are over there?
Why are they being held? What can you tell the people?
MR. FLEISCHER: Well, as a result of the accident, of course, the
United States crew made an emergency landing on Chinese territory, as
has been very well described. And I think you know the facts of the
matter, in which the plane landed and the pilot of the American
airplane was able to successfully, in very difficult circumstances,
save the lives of his crew by landing on the runway.
And that is why they are there. And, of course, the Chinese took the
action they did that has led to the situation that we are in. And
that's where we stand. I think it's all rather obvious.
Q: The President has asked that they be returned and they have not.
What is the administration's view as to why they have not honored his
request?
MR. FLEISCHER: The administration is less interested in assigning any
blame and is more interested in solving the issue, so that our men and
women can come home.
Q: What is China's response now, when we ask that the 24 detained
servicemen and women be released?
MR. FLEISCHER: - we're going to talk to the United States government
about it, and that's why there has been this ongoing series of
diplomatic exchanges.
Q: China says that it will talk to the U.S. government about it, when
the U.S. government asks for their release.
MR. FLEISCHER: I think it's fairly obvious; China is talking to the
United States government about it. That is precisely what is
happening. That's why Ambassador Prueher has been meeting with
officials in Beijing and that's why the President has said what he
said.
Q: Then I ask again, because, obviously, I didn't understand your
response. What is China's response when we ask that the service people
be released? What is their explanation for why they continue to be
held?
MR. FLEISCHER: They're aware of our request that they be released, and
that is the course of the negotiations that we're in with the Chinese,
to determine the best, as Secretary Powell described it earlier this
morning, exchanging the precise ideas so that goal can be secured.
Q: Ari, there's an agreement in effect between the United States and
China that was signed back in January of '98, calling for maritime and
aviation issues. CBS broadcast last night that is on the table being
considered. Is it being considered as perhaps a way to solve this
problem?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, I'm not going to discuss any of the specific
ideas that may be part of diplomatic exchanges between the United
States and China. You correctly characterize that there is a Maritime
Commission, but I'm not going to go beyond that.
Q: I have a question about - just to change the subject for a second
-- about the President's political philosophy. A couple months ago,
Business Week magazine did a poll, which found that three-quarters of
the American people "believe that business had gained too much power
over their lives." And in an editorial, Business Week called on
corporations to "get out of politics."
Now, this reminded me of something I read by George Orwell, who
defined fascism as an economy in which the government serves the
interest of oligopolies, a state in which large corporations have the
powers that in a democracy belong to the citizenry.
My question is, does the President agree with three-quarters of the
American people, that business has gained too much power over their
lives and with the editorial that they should get out of politics?
MR. FLEISCHER: The President believes that in this nation we are all
in our economy together. I'm reminded of an old adage that you can't
be for employees if you're against employers. And the President knows
that to keep our economy strong and to make sure that the American
people have jobs, and high-paying jobs, we need to work together in a
balanced approach that protects consumers, protects workers and helps
business.
Q: Are arms sales to Taiwan or other types of equipment to Taiwan part
of this discussion with the Chinese at all?
MR. FLEISCHER: No, they're not.
Q: Can I ask you, has the President contacted Tony Blair, for example,
or Kofi Annan on this crisis? Have they had any conversation that you
know of?
MR. FLEISCHER: Nothing that I'm aware of, I don't think so.
Q: Any foreign leaders whatsoever that he's consulted with?
MR. FLEISCHER: He's been working through the American officials, and
rather productively so, giving them direction of how to proceed in the
course of the conversations, which are bilateral - and productively
so.
Q: Ari, a number of Asian countries are worried about this stand-off
in China. And, also, Indian Foreign Minister of Defense, Minister was
here in the building, just left half an hour ago, met with Ms. Rice.
If the issue was discussed with him? And, also, what role the United
Nations is playing is this matter?
MR. FLEISCHER: I think I just answered that question in regard to what
Jacobo was saying about what the President's activities are. I leave
it at that. I just answered.
Q: How about the Indian Defense Minister and Foreign Minister.
MR. FLEISCHER: The Indian Defense and Foreign Minister was in the
White House this morning, meeting with Dr. Rice. He had a brief
exchange of pleasantries with the President in the Oval Office. But
his meeting took place with Dr. Rice.
Q: Any discussion on China?
MR. FLEISCHER: I haven't talked to Condi about her meeting.
....
Q: Ari, is the idea of a U.S. apology still not acceptable? And are
the negotiations with the Chinese - do they involve the United
States' continued operation in international waters, where we were?
MR. FLEISCHER: On the apology, the American position has not changed.
And I'm just not going to get into any specifics that may or may not
be discussed. Ron.
Q: Sorry. So if I could follow that, you can't rule out the
negotiations for the release of the Americans involving a change in
our operation in international waters?
MR. FLEISCHER: No. I would urge you to be very careful before you
reach any such conclusion. What I've indicated earlier is that there
are specific ideas that are being exchanged. I think you know the
answer to this. I'm not going to get into what any of those specific
ideas are. That is a matter of diplomacy and privacy, so that those
ideas can be discussed productively, so that our men and women can
come home.
So when I say I'm not going to get into any specifics, and if you
offer up a specific, I'm not confirming, I'm not indicating to you,
yes, that may be possible, or not possible. I'm giving you a blanket
statement that I'm not going to discuss any possible specifics.
Because to discuss them could impact the negotiations that are
underway and I'm not going to do that.
Q: Presumably, however, the apology, itself, is a specific and that,
we understand, has been ruled out.
MR. FLEISCHER: And you know what the President's position is on that.
Ron.
....
Q: Chinese television today has run an interview with the second
fighter pilot, in which that pilot contends it was a veering, a sudden
and unexpected veering of the surveillance aircraft that caused the
collision in the first place.
I wonder if the White House has any reaction, generally, to this
blame-placing by this eyewitness, which is being described in the
Chinese media as the only eyewitness to the collision, and any
assessment whatsoever about the truthfulness of that account?
MR. FLEISCHER: There has been no change in the American position, and
that's where the matter stands.
Q: Which is?
MR. FLEISCHER: As you have heard for the last several days, the
American position has been clear about that matter. And what the
President - again, he is focused on a diplomacy that is underway to
bring our men and women home. And he's less interested in assigning
blame, assigning credit. His focus is on the diplomacy required to
bring our men and women home; and that's where he'll stay.
Q: Would not it be fair for some in this country to conclude that the
absence of any specific response from the administration about a
direct accusation of fault might leave open the question as to whether
or not the U.S. plane did, in fact, do something wrong?
MR. FLEISCHER: That would not be accurate.
Q: Why not?
Q: Just on a similar subject, one of the things that you have said
about why we need access to the crew, such as the second meeting, is
to be able to ask them what happened, to get a fuller understanding of
the incident that occurred, the accident that occurred. Were we able
to achieve that in this meeting, since the Chinese weren't present?
MR. FLEISCHER: That question came up previously, and I said I'm not
going to discuss every aspect of the meeting that took place.
Q: But you're still confident that our understanding of events is as
it was?
MR. FLEISCHER: No change. No change in the American position.
Q: Does the President have any plans or any thought of cancelling this
trip today because of this?
MR. FLEISCHER: No. The President has indicated all week that there are
a number of events this week that he's been focused on, including the
domestic agenda. Early this morning, he called Senator Lott, he called
Senator Domenici, to thank them for the work they've been doing in the
Senate on the budget plan. He's focused on meeting with Americans and
traveling the country, just as he went to Delaware on Wednesday. So
the President is very busy, engaged in a variety of items that all are
his duty.
Q: But it's just throwing out a baseball.
Q: Ari, without getting into specifics of the negotiations, you've
already told us that the Chinese are not seeking to link the
negotiations to the issue of Taiwan arms sales. Without getting into
specifics, is there any other issue, aside from this incident and the
return of the crew members and the plane, that either side is trying
to link to any other issues? Is there any linkage going on, on either
side?
MR. FLEISCHER: Again, you're asking me about specifics, again, that
may be underway, under discussion, and I'm not going to go into that.
Q: But you did with Taiwan arms.
MR. FLEISCHER: I gave you the American position on that.
....
Q: If I could engage you again on the question of blame, the Secretary
of State and others have applauded the pilot of the EP-3 for taking --
for rescuing the crew in what was obviously very hazardous
circumstances. They have talked about his efforts to save the plane.
Now we have a specific allegation. The Chinese pilots have said that
pilot, if he did what is alleged, put his crew and everything that
they were trying to accomplish in jeopardy. I am just curious why the
administration doesn't want to engage in this very specific allegation
coming from the Chinese fighter pilot of what would clearly represent
hazardous flying by a U.S. pilot and placing blame on the U.S. for
this episode?
MR. FLEISCHER: I did respond to it. I assured you that the American
position is unchanged.
Q: There are some Republicans on the Hill who actually are saying that
maybe the President could have done more in lobbying, persuading
members of the Senate on both sides of the aisle, and that if he had
done so the tax cut may actually be at a larger amount than what we
think. Do you have any reaction?
MR. FLEISCHER: Let's wait and see how the vote turns out tonight. But
from the President's point of view, things are moving very well and
moving in his direction. So he's pleased with the status of events and
let's wait to see the final vote and let it go to the House-Senate
Conference Committee.
Q: Ari, some of the rhetoric coming out of the Hill earlier this week
on China was pretty heated. It seems to have been toned down a bit in
the last few days. Did the President make any phone calls to members
up there, to tell them to cool it a little bit?
MR. FLEISCHER: There have been conversations between people in the
administration and the Hill, emphasizing that this is a sensitive
time. There are important diplomatic exchanges underway, and a
reminder of where the United States and China stand diplomatically at
this very moment.
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