Powell briefs lawmakers on U.S.-China standoff

Gen. Colin Powell

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Lawmakers spoke with urgency Thursday about the situation involving a U.S. Navy plane and its crew being held in China, but were careful to back the Bush administration's stance on the issue.

Secretary of State Colin Powell briefed members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee late in the afternoon. Emerging from that briefing, Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, said the situation remains delicate.

"One has to be cautious," he said. "Congress shouldn't mis-speak and raise the stakes. We need to let the intensive diplomacy take place."

Kerry said Powell discussed the ongoing negotiations with the Chinese.

"Sometimes that helps, to have people who aren't directly engaged in the negotiations helping to define some of the realities and that's exactly what's taken place," he said.

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As Congress prepared to take a two-week recess, members voiced concerns that the stalemate with China could continue.

"The clock is ticking," said Sen. Bob Graham, D-Florida. "We don't have very much time to get these Americans back before American public opinion begins to turn very hostile toward China. I'm pleased that in the last 24 hours it seems there has been some diplomatic movement, but that movement can't be at slow speed. It's got to move quickly. I think we've got to get this thing resolved certainly by this weekend."

Some members of Congress have suggested the current impasse between Washington and Beijing could have policy implications on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Tom Lantos, D-California, said Congress plays a very significant role in the relationship between the United States and China.

"We will have arms sales coming up to Taiwan. We will be voting on my resolution that would deny the (2008) Olympics to Beijing. We will have trade issues coming up and the whole climate is undermined by this arrogant and inappropriate behavior," Lantos said.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Thursday that China's actions were driving many members to re-think their decisions to support expanding trade relations with China.

"They are making it possible for a very close vote in the House of Representatives to be reversed," said Grassley, referring to the vote last year to permanently normalize trade relations with China. "I'm not proposing that be done, but it could very easily happen... The Chinese government ought to make a clear decision-- Do they want to move forward or do they want these obstacles that put their relationships with other countries, including the United States, in jeopardy."

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle continued to voice support for President Bush's handling of the situation.

While he said he had concerns about a trend toward "disengagement" in U.S. international policy overall, House Minority Leader Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Missouri, said he approved of the way the Bush administration was proceeding on China.

"I think the president has rightly stated the policy of this country and we stand behind that policy and we think the thing to be done now is for China to release our property and our people."

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said the president had "gone the extra mile because he does want to preserve relationships with China."

"I think China has now got to be a mature nation, a nation that is seeking to do many things that are new for China," Hutchison said. "They have an opportunity to come into the WTO, to expand trade, but it depends on their behavior in this kind of situation."

Kerry also reflected on the potential impact on U.S.-China relations. "Beijing has huge interests on the table in its relationship with the United States," he said.

One group of seven senators met Thursday with the Chinese ambassador to the United States.

"I came out thinking it's a very unfortunate accident or collision that has the potential to significantly retard our relations with China," said Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-New Mexico, who attended the meeting.

CNN's Kate Snow, Dana Bash, Ted Barrett and Kevin Flower contributed to this report.

GOP lawmakers: Arms sales to Taiwan more likely
April 3, 2001
House members say standoff makes arms sales to Taiwan more likely
April 3, 2001

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