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CLINTON ADMINISTRATION'S CHINA POLICY THREATENS INTERNATIONAL SECURITY -- HON. MAC COLLINS (Extension of Remarks - May 14, 1998)

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HON. MAC COLLINS

in the House of Representatives

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 1998

  • Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, increased regional tension and instability resulting from this week's nuclear test detonations in India have heightened concerns over the Administration's policy toward Communist China. China's targeting of thirteen CSS-4 missiles at the continental United States and its unwillingness to abide by existing non-proliferation agreements prove that China is a threat to peace, in general, and American interests, in particular. In light of these critical concerns, I urge the President not to agree to any future dual-use technology transfers to China at this time, including those in the Administration's proposed space agreement. Furthermore, I strongly urge the President and all Members of Congress to oppose maintaining China's Most-Favored Nation (MFN) trade status.

  • Since President Clinton's election in 1992, China has violated non-proliferation agreements at least twenty times. On a number of occasions, China has transferred military technologies directly to nations hostile to American interests, including Pakistan, Iran and Libya. Additionally, China continues to refuse to join the Missile Technology Control Regime to prevent the future spread of these dangerous technologies. In spite of a clear record of Chinese unreliability and irresponsibility, the Clinton Administration has continued to support waivers allowing additional missile technologies to be transferred from American corporations to the Chinese government. Of particular concern to me is the recent waiver granted by the President to Loral Space and communications, a company currently under investigation by the Justice Department for making allegedly illegal transfers of sensitive missile technologies to Communist China. As the editors of the New York Times noted in April, this waiver `could open the door to discussions about the same kind of guidance system expertise under investigation in the 1996 case, effectively undermining the Justice Department investigation' of Loral.

  • In the interest of justice and international security, I urge the President to withdraw his support for Most-Favored Nation status for China and to end American dual-use technology transfers to China. Only after it ceases to deploy missiles capable of attacking the United States mainland, ends its transfers of military technology to nations such as Pakistan, Iran and Libya, and agrees to the terms of the Missile Technology Control Regime should China become eligible to receive military technologies from the U.S. and be considered a candidate for Most-Favored Nation status.

  • I further urge that the President refuse to accept so-called `detargeting agreements' as progress toward any national security goal. As most Members are aware, retargeting can occur with a single keystroke in today's computer age. As long as China maintains offensive missile capabilities against the United States, American policy should seek to render these weapons unreliable and ineffective. Denial of technology transfers could prove a valuable tool in achieving this objective.

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