U.S. and Hong Kong (2007)

The White House

For Immediate Release
November 29, 2007

Press Briefing by Dana Perino

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

12:49 P.M. EST

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Q: Can you clear up the confusion with China over what led to the turning the Kitty Hawk away from the port?

MS. PERINO: We have been in communication with the Chinese. We are asking them to clarify the reasons that the Kitty Hawk was turned back. Yesterday we were told there was a miscommunication. Today there are reports in the press that someone in the defense ministry is saying it had to do with other reasons. So we are asking for a clarification on that matter.

Regardless, we believe it was wrong for the families of these sailors who went to Hong Kong in order to have Thanksgiving with the sailors that were on that ship to have been denied that opportunity. It was a tremendous disappointment for them, a lot of expense, and we hope that that would never happen again. And the President has said that one of the best ways for that not to happen again is for there to be this hotline that he talked about establishing back when we were in APEC in Australia, a hotline between our two militaries, so that any misunderstandings or miscommunications could be cleared up right away.

Q: Where does that stand? Have they agreed to that?

MS. PERINO: Yes, when we were in APEC, there was an agreement that we would work to establish that hotline. I don't think it's up and running yet, but this underscores the need for it.

Q: Given the way this has unfolded, from misunderstanding to now something that you call absolutely wrong, does the President view this an intentional affront to him?

MS. PERINO: No. No. I think the President believes we have good relations with China, we work cooperatively with China on so many different issues. This is one small incident. And in the big picture, in the big scheme of things we have very good relations. We would just like to clarify this issue. We feel badly for the families that were denied this opportunity to see their loved ones, and of course for the sailors who were on the ship, who must have been so disappointed to not have been able to see their family, that they were so looking forward to.

And so we've asked for the clarification and I think that we'll get it, and then we'll be able to move beyond this.

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Q: And then, you haven't mentioned the minesweepers being denied access to Hong Kong in the last couple of days, and I'm wondering whether there's a difference between seeking a clarification on the Kitty Hawk and the minesweeper issue?

MS. PERINO: Well, obviously the Kitty Hawk was a different situation, in that you had family members who had, at great personal expense, gotten to Hong Kong so that they could have a visit -- a planned visit with their loved ones. The minesweepers, obviously that is another issue. But it goes back to the point that I made, which is it underscores the need for this hotline so that our militaries can talk to one another quickly so that there are no miscommunications.

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END

1:08 P.M. EST