The families of the 24 crew members detained in China got their first glimpse of their loved ones in this photo e-mailed them by the Navy. Meanwhile, John Warner, R-Va., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced the two sides were drafting a letter to establish a framework for resolving their dispute, to be followed by the release of the crew. He said a third meeting is scheduled for Saturday, with ongoing access promised after that. The framework being proposed to both sides would involve meetings at which experts from both sides could establish and agree on the facts behind the incident, Warner said. In this way, the United States and China could air their positions on the operation of the surveillance plane.
China says the plane violated Chinese air space and sovereignty.
The United States denies the allegations. A senior U.S. official told The Associated Press the two sides would likely make their cases at a special meeting of a joint maritime commission set up three years ago to enhance safety on the seas. Warner said there would be no U.S. apology in the letter. I believe the ambassador and others expressed regret for loss of life. Behind the scenes, military lawyers have argued strongly against an apology fearing it would establish precedent.