From the front page of today's New York Times (italicized portions are direct quotes)

According to Secretary of State Colin Powell, "[t]he whole environment is at risk right now." The non-sequitor was issued in response to a question concerning the situtation in China.

In a related development, ~President bush added muscle to the US diplomatic effort, saying each day the crew is held would "increase the potential that our relations with China could be damaged." -- Brick production is believed to have reached record levels in the karsis of The Forbidden City.