Text: Rep. Skelton Introduces Measure on Return of U.S. Navy Plane
(Skelton warns China's interception tactics could hurt ties)The ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives that calls for the immediate release of the U.S. Navy EP-3 aircraft China is holding and warns that continued aggressive interception tactics by Chinese aircraft could damage U.S.-China relations.
Representative Ike Skelton (Democrat of Missouri) introduced House Concurrent Resolution 106 (H. Con. Res. 106) April 25, which calls for the immediate return of the Navy EP-3 aircraft to the United States and warns that "continued interception and aggressive tactics by Chinese pilots toward lawful United States reconnaissance and surveillance flights may undermine important relationships between the United States and People's Republic of China."
In the resolution, Skelton says that on April 1 one of the Chinese F-8 fighters "flew dangerously close to the EP-3 aircraft and collided with it, resulting in structural damage to the EP-3 aircraft and loss of altitude and control."
H. Con. Res. 106 adds that there have been "other incidents of Chinese military pilots being overly aggressive in intercepting United States reconnaissance aircraft operating in international airspace."
The proposed resolution states that the incident involving the U.S. reconnaissance aircraft and the Chinese jet fighter should not be "the basis for a reduction in, or cessation of, lawful reconnaissance and surveillance flights in that area by United States Armed Forces aircraft."
The measure was referred to the House Armed Services Committee. Following is the text of House Concurrent Resolution 106, as introduced by Representative Ike Skelton on April 25, from the Congressional Record:
(begin text)
107th CONGRESS
1st SessionH. CON. RES. 106
Commending the crew of the United States Navy EP-3 Aries II reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, while flying in international airspace off the coast of China, was involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter aircraft for their outstanding performance of duty and exemplary conduct and expressing the sense of Congress concerning continued United States reconnaissance and surveillance flights in the area.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 25, 2001
Mr. SKELTON submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Commending the crew of the United States Navy EP-3 Aries II reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, while flying in international airspace off the coast of China, was involved in a mid-air collision with a Chinese fighter aircraft for their outstanding performance of duty and exemplary conduct and expressing the sense of Congress concerning continued United States reconnaissance and surveillance flights in the area.
Whereas on April 1, 2001, a United States Navy EP-3 Aries II reconnaissance aircraft on a routine reconnaissance and surveillance mission in international airspace off the coast of China was intercepted by two F-8 fighter jet aircraft of the People's Republic of China;
Whereas one of the F-8 fighters flew dangerously close to the EP-3 aircraft and collided with it, resulting in structural damage to the EP-3 aircraft and loss of altitude and control;
Whereas there have been other incidents of Chinese military pilots being overly aggressive in intercepting United States reconnaissance aircraft operating in international airspace;
Whereas the crew of the United States aircraft transmitted a series of `Mayday' distress calls and, despite severe damage to the aircraft, was able to successfully land at the nearest airfield, the Lingshui military airfield on Hainan Island, China;
Whereas the entire EP-3 crew conducted themselves in an exemplary manner, both in safely landing the aircraft notwithstanding the severe structural damage sustained and in following prescribed procedures for minimizing the compromise of sensitive national security information;
Whereas the 24 members of the EP-3 crew were detained against their will for 11 days before being released; and
Whereas after the landing, personnel of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China boarded the EP-3 aircraft, notwithstanding its status under international law as property of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That (a) Congress commends the 24 members of the crew of the United States Navy EP-3 Aries II reconnaissance aircraft that on April 1, 2001, was struck by a F-8 fighter aircraft of the People's Republic of China in a mid-air collision and in particular--
(1) commends the crew for the conduct of their reconnaissance and surveillance mission in international airspace in accordance with international law and prescribed United States Navy flight procedures, notwithstanding the dangerous actions of the Chinese aircraft;
(2) commends the pilot and other members of the crew responsible for operation of the aircraft for their outstanding performance following the collision with the Chinese aircraft, first in regaining control of the aircraft and then in successfully landing the aircraft;
(3) commends the crew for their actions in adhering to prescribed procedures for minimizing the compromise of sensitive national security information; and
(4) commends the entire crew for their personal conduct while being detained by the People's Republic of China during the 11-day period following their landing on Hainan Island, China.
(b) It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the April 1, 2001, incident described in subsection (a) should not be the basis for a reduction in, or cessation of, lawful reconnaissance and surveillance flights in that area by United States Armed Forces aircraft;
(2) the United States Navy EP-3 aircraft now sitting on a military airfield on Hainan Island, China, should be immediately returned to the United States; and
(3) continued interception and aggressive tactics by Chinese pilots toward lawful United States reconnaissance and surveillance flights may undermine important relationships between the United States and People's Republic of China.
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