Bush: Damage to US-China Relations Increases Daily

President Bush Warns Risk of Damage to US-China Relations Increases Daily

White House Report: Bush on China, US Crew at April 9 Cabinet Meeting
(Potential damage to US-China relations increases daily)

President Bush told reporters at the top of a meeting with his cabinet
members at the White House April 9 that he had "just talked to General Sealock, who had a good visit with all 24 crew members" on Hainan Island.

"His report is that their spirits are very high, that they're doing well, and that's good news," said Bush.

"Secondly," he said, "all of us around this table understand diplomacy takes time. But there is a point, the longer it goes, there's a point at which our relations with China could become damaged."

"Every day that goes by increases the potential that our relations with China could be damaged," Bush added. "And our hope is that this matter gets resolved quickly."

Asked what more could be done, Bush said, "We're working behind the scenes. We've got every diplomatic channel open. We're in discussions with the Chinese. It is now time for our troops to come home, so that our relationship does not become damaged."

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

© Scoop Media