[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 15 (Monday, April 16, 2001)]
[Page 597]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on Plans for Release of United States Navy Aircraft Crewmembers 
in China

April 11, 2001

    Good morning. I'm pleased to be able to tell the American people 
that plans are underway to bring home our 24 American service men and 
women from Hainan Island.
    This morning the Chinese Government assured our American Ambassador 
that the crew would leave promptly. We're working on arrangements to 
pick them up and to bring them home.
    This has been a difficult situation for both our countries. I know 
the American people join me in expressing sorrow for the loss of life of 
a Chinese pilot. Our prayers are with his wife and his child.
    I appreciate the hard work of our Ambassador to China, Joseph 
Prueher, and his entire Embassy team, who worked tirelessly to solve 
this situation. The American people, their families, and I are proud of 
our crew, and we look forward to welcoming them home.
    Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 8:25 a.m. in the James S. Brady Briefing 
Room at the White House. In his remarks, he referred to Ruan Guoqino, 
widow of Chinese pilot Wang Wei.