In a flurry of diplomatic moves, the White House yesterday said Clinton met China's ambassador to the United States and told him the results of an investigation into the bombing which killed three Chinese journalists, would be conveyed to China.

Clinton, who has apologised to the Chinese for the May 7 bombing in public and in a private letter to Chinese president Jiang Zemin, also signed a condolence book brought to the White House by the ambassdor, Li Zhaoxing.

White House spokesman David Leavy said Clinton spent about five minutes with Li and wrote the following message in the book: ``With profound grief and sincere condolence to the victims, their families and the people of China.''

Li, in turn, told Clinton that Jiang was willing to speak to him by telephone after refusing totake call over the weekend. Leavy said the two were likely to speak within the next day or so but could not specify a time.

``The President also noted that a full investigation of the chain of events that produced this tragic accident is underway and that the results would be convened to the Chinese people,'' Leavy added.

The White House meeting appeared to suggest that China's official fury at the bombing, which NATO has called a tragic mistake caused by outdated maps has begun to abate.