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Prospects of a US-China spy plane deal improving

Intense diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the China - US spy drama.

American officials are hoping to have a third meeting with the plane's crews later this evening. .

And both countries are drafting a joint letter on the incident, designed to bring the crisis to a close.

China correspondent Tom O'Byrne filed this report. .

The likelihood of a breakthrough, while not imminent, is improving say Chinese and American officials, because the two sides are now -- as one put it -- heavily engaged on several fronts. In the southern Chinese city of Haiko, consular access to the 24 downed American crew men and women is set to resume later today, following a brief meeting overnight where all were reported to be well. Diplomats in Washington and Beijing meanwhile are believed to be working on a joint communique that sets out broadly where both sides agree and suggest the issue be dealt with by a joint maritime commission set up three-years ago to enhance safety at sea. If agreed to by the presidents of China and the United States, one official said the American crew maybe released as early as this weekend. Tom O'Byrne, Beijing. Dur: 0:48

7/04/01 19:11:23 | ABC Radio Australia News

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