LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: Word came overnight that Chinese authorities have given U.S. officials permission to meet again with the U.S. crew members being detained in China. This breaking development: "The Associated Press" says that that meeting has begun. The U.S. diplomats are meeting with the 24 U.S. crew members. They had left their hotel earlier. We know that the meeting did not exactly start on time, but we are hearing from "The Associated Press" that the meeting is now underway. We can tell you that U.S. officials are taking all this as an encouraging sign. They want every opportunity to speak with those U.S. crew members. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
U.S. Diplomats Meeting With Crew Members of Plane Detained in China