以下是美國駐華大使普理赫,今日下午就撞機事件遞交給中國外長唐家璇的信件。
中文:
尊敬的部長先生:
我茲代表美利堅合眾國政府,略述解決這一問題的措施。
布希總統和鮑威爾國務卿都已就你們失蹤的飛行員和飛機表達了真誠的遺憾。請向中國人民和飛行員王偉的家屬轉達,我們對他們的損失深表歉意。
雖然所發生的事件全貌尚不清楚,但據我們所知,我們嚴重受損的飛機是在遵循了國際處理緊急情況的程式後進行緊急降落的。我們對未經口頭許可進入中國領空並降落深表歉意,但對機組人員安全降落感到高興。我們對中方為妥善安置機組人員所做的努力表示感謝。
對於這一悲劇性事件,在我和貴方代表討論的基礎上,我們已經同意採取下列行動:
雙方同意舉行會議討論該事件。我國政府認為並希望我們的機組人員能夠被允許儘快離開中國。
會議將於2001年4月18日開始。
會議日程將包括討論事件原因,就如何避免將來再發生此類撞擊事件提出可能的建議,制定一個早日歸還EP-3型飛機的計劃以及其他相關事宜。我們已了解到到貴國政府在會上提出美國在中國附近進行偵察任務的問題的意圖。
此致敬禮!
約瑟夫 W 普裏赫
英文
Dear Mr Minister,
On behalf of the United States Government, I now outline steps to resolve this issue.
Both President Bush and Secretary of State Powell have expressed their sincere regret over your missing pilot and aircraft. Please convey to the Chinese people and to the family of pilot Wang Wei that we are very sorry for their loss.
Although the full picture of what transpired is still unclear, according to our information, our severely crippled aircraft made an emergency landing after following international emergency procedures. We are very sorry the entering of China's airspace and the landing did not have verbal clearance, but very pleased the crew landed safely.
We appreciate China's efforts to see to the well-being of our crew.
In view of the tragic incident and based on my discussions with your epresentatives, we have agreed to the following actions:
Both sides agree to hold a meeting to discuss the incident. My government understands and expects that our air crew will be permitted to depart China as soon as possible.
The meeting would be April 18, 2001.
The meeting agenda would include discussions of the causes of the incident, possible recommendations whereby such collisions could be avoided in the future, development of a plan for prompt return of the EP-3 aircraft, and other related issues. We acknowledge your government's intention to raise U.S. reconnaissance missions near China in the meeting.
Sincerely
Joseph W. Prueher
中國新聞社 2001年4月12日