Bush says U.S.-China relations could suffer

WASHINGTON President Bush said today that "diplomacy takes time,"but cautioned China that relations with the United States will sufferunless the 24 crew members of a U.S. spy plane are released soon.

"Every day that goes by increases the potential that our relationswith China will be damaged," Bush said during a Cabinet meeting todiscuss his budget proposal.

Bush, who issued his first such warning to China nearly a weekago, intended to signal conservative Republicans on Capitol Hill andthe American public that a conclusion may not come quickly, U.S.officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"We're working behind the scenes. We've got every …