DATE=6/22/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CHINA PENTAGON BUILDING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263671
BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE
DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The United States is accusing the Chinese
government of ignoring American law by failing to
disclose plans to purchase a building close to the
Pentagon. The building would house offices of China's
state-run Xinhua news agency. Correspondent Nick
Simeone has details.
TEXT: The property in question is an apartment
complex within eyesight of the Pentagon. The State
Department says China knows is it required to seek
permission for such purchases but did not do so.
U-S officials consider Xinhua to be part of the
Chinese government. Because of that, some members of
Congress consider this a case of potential espionage.
That's certainly how Republican Congressman Dana
Rohrabacher, a member of the House Intelligence
Committee, see it.
/// Rohrabacher Act ///
Having an intelligence arm of the Beijing
government setting up an electronic spy nest
just in this position overseeing the Pentagon is
something that deserves our attention.
/// End Act ///
But a Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington says
Xinhua is a private company staffed by independent
journalists - not part of the Chinese Embassy - and
that therefore no laws were broken.
State Department spokesman Phil Reeker says the matter
is under discussion with the Chinese government.
/// Reeker Act ///
We had no record of them providing notification
of the plan to purchase this Virginia property.
The Xinhua news agency is considered tied to the
government of the Peoples' Republic of China and
therefore is under the relevant provisions of
this act in terms of the restrictions. They're
very aware of that.
/// End Act ///
Though there has been press speculation that the
building could be used for electronic eavesdropping on
the Pentagon, U-S officials say the Defense Department
uses an array of devises to counter such threats.
(SIGNED)
NEB/NJS/JP
22-Jun-2000 17:41 PM EDT (22-Jun-2000 2141 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
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