Remarks upon arrival at UNHQ, - on US/China relations (unofficial transcript)

SG: I think I am relieved and happy that this crisis has been brought to a happy ending. I had the opportunity to send a message to the Chinese President regarding the disappearance of the Chinese pilot.

I'm extremely happy that this issue has been resolved because we were all concerned that the longer it got drawn out, the more likelihood, the possibility, that positions would have hardened in both countries and complicated and perhaps harmed the relationship that has taken so long to put together. And now that it is over, I hope we can go back to business.

I will be in touch with the Chinese leadership. I have already been in touch with the White House and the Secretary of State Colin Powell to congratulate President Bush and his foreign policy team, particularly Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Q: Is there anything the United Nations or its organizations do in establishing standards or rules that would define the rules of planes flying close to borders and to eliminate this kind of conflict in the future?

SG: I think there are rules that govern navigation, and the UN-associated agency, ICAO [International Civil Aviation Organization] does quite a bit of work on this. And there are other international practices and norms that govern aviation. And of course from time to time things do go wrong, but I think the rules that exist are adequate.*****