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Bush Hits Out At China As Crew Arrives In U.S.
WASHINGTON, April 12 (News Agencies) - President George W. Bush Thursday firmly rebuked China for detaining the crew of a downed U.S. spy plane for 11 days, in a hard hitting speech delivered only hours after the 24 servicemen and women arrived back on American soil.
"China's decision to prevent the return of our crew for 11 days is inconsistent with the kind of relationship we have both said we wish to have," Bush said in a statement welcoming the crew's return home.
The muscular tone of his remarks was in marked contrast to the conciliatory stance Bush used in the days leading up to the release of the crew, who were detained after making an emergency landing on southern China's Hainan island.
And they came as Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji warned that the release of the crew did not mean "the end of the case" and declined to guarantee the return of the plane, which was involved in a collision with a Chinese fighter on April 1st.
Both sides appeared to be hardening their positions ahead of talks starting next Wednesday on issues left unresolved by the face-saving deal clinched to end the standoff.
Bush warned Beijing that he would "always stand squarely for American interests and American values" and predicted there would "no doubt" be future clashes.
"We disagree on important, basic issues, such as human rights and religious freedom."
"At times, we have different views about the path to a more stable and secure Asian-Pacific region," Bush said, clearly with an eye on his domestic audience and members of his own Republican party who adopt a hawkish line towards Beijing.
The president said he would instruct the U.S. representative at next Wednesday's talks to ask "tough questions about China's recent practice of challenging United States aircraft operating legally in international airspace."
The United States says its E-P3 surveillance plane was flying in international airspace when it collided with the Chinese jet sent to track it, and insists its pilot did nothing wrong.
And Bush made clear that the flights would go on, despite China's intention to raise them in the talks, the venue for which has not yet been announced.
"Reconnaissance flights are part of a comprehensive national security strategy that helps maintain peace and stability in our world," he said.
Despite his firm tone, Bush stressed that where there was common ground, he was willing to work with Beijing and would deal with China with respect.
"We have different values, yet common interests in the world."
"We agree on the importance of trade, and we want to increase prosperity for our citizens. We want the citizens of both our countries to enjoy the benefits of peace in the world," he stressed.
The crew of the downed EP-3 returned to Hickam air force base in Hawaii to the tune of a brass band and the cheers of flag-waving spectators.
They will be debriefed by teams investigating the collision before returning home for Easter.
As Bush stiffened his public stance on China, administration officials insisted that a workable relationship between the two sides was still possible.
"The framework for productive relations has been preserved," said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
"Continuing to build on that framework depends not only on the actions of the United States, but also the actions of China," he added.
National Security Advisor Condeleezza Rice echoed that stance in a string of television interviews on the end of the crisis.
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