[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 20 (Monday, May 21, 2001)]
[Page 765]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Greeting Crewmembers of the United States Navy Surveillance 
Aircraft Downed in China and an Exchange With Reporters

May 18, 2001

    The President. Welcome to the Oval Office. The Vice President and I 
are thrilled to be able to look you in the eye and say, thanks for your 
service to the country. I remember in my phone call saying, ``Gosh, I 
hope I can welcome you to the Oval Office,'' and here you are.
    You handled yourselves with such class and dignity, it was important 
for our Nation to realize the fine caliber of people that serve our 
country. And we're really proud of you. We appreciate your mission, but 
most of all, we appreciate your character. And so it's my honor to 
welcome you here. I look forward to giving you a tour around this 
majestic office, a shrine to the greatness of America.
    I want to say one other thing before we visit informally. Today the 
violence in the Middle East took on a new level of intensity. Our 
country is deeply concerned, first and foremost, for those who lost 
their life and for the families affected. It is essential that the 
leaders in the Middle East speak out clearly against violence.
    We must break the cycle of violence in order to begin meaningful 
discussions about any kind of political settlement. My administration 
will continue to work with the parties involved, reminding folks that 
violence will not lead to peace, obviously. Violence will make it so 
difficult for there to be any political settlement.
    I'm concerned any time anybody loses life. I'm especially concerned 
about suicide bombers that have disregard for themselves and, obviously, 
for innocent folks. We will continue to work hard to bring peace to that 
important part of the region.
    Thank you all for coming.

EP-3 Surveillance Aircraft in China

    Q. What is the latest on the spy plane?
    The President. We're working to get the plane home. We're making 
progress about getting the plane home. But today we get to celebrate the 
fact that the crew is home. And that's the most important thing.

Note: The President spoke at 8:40 a.m. in the Oval Office at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.