Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/18/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232410
TITLE=REPUBLICANS-CHINA (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS ARE CALLING FOR AN INQUIRY INTO 
NEW CHARGES THAT CHINA SECRETLY FUNNELED MONEY TO PRESIDENT 
CLINTON'S PARTY.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE OPPOSITION 
LAWMAKERS WANT TO KNOW IF BEIJING RECEIVED ANY FAVORS IN RETURN.
TEXT: MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT VOWS THE SENATE WILL LOOK INTO 
THE LATEST ACCUSATIONS ABOUT CHINA, THE DEMOCRATS AND FOREIGN 
POLICY.  DEMOCRATIC FUNDRAISER JOHNNY CHUNG HAS REPORTEDLY TOLD 
AUTHORITIES HE GAVE THE PARTY MONEY COLLECTED FROM A CHINESE 
MILITARY OFFICER WHO ALSO WAS AN AEROSPACE EXECUTIVE.
SENATOR LOTT SUGGESTS THE MONEY MAY HAVE INFLUENCED A WHITE HOUSE
DECISION TO ALLOW U-S SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY EXPORTS TO CHINA.
                            // LOTT ACT //
         I THINK MORE SERIOUS THAN THAT IS THE QUESTION OF THE 
         DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE AND HOW THEY WERE MADE, AGAINST
         THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, TO TURN 
         THIS TECHNOLOGY OVER TO CHINA. BUT IT'S A VERY UNNERVING
         COMBINATION OF FACTS.
                            // END ACT //
MR. CLINTON DENIES ANY LINK BETWEEN THE SATELLITE DEAL AND THE 
ALLEGED CHINESE CONTRIBUTIONS.  THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY RETURNED ALL
MR. CHUNG'S DONATIONS AFTER THEY BECAME SUSPECT.
BUT THE CHARGES GIVE NEW AMMUNITION TO CRITICS OF THE PRESIDENT'S
CHINA POLICY.  REPUBLICAN SENATOR TIM HUTCHINSON IS CALLING ON 
MR. CLINTON TO PUT OFF NEXT MONTH'S SUMMIT IN BEIJING UNTIL THE 
MATTER IS RESOLVED. 
                         // HUTCHINSON ACT //
         AND THE PRESIDENT SHOULD DELAY AND POSTPONE HIS PLANNED 
         TRIP TO CHINA UNTIL THOSE ANSWERS ARE FORTHCOMING.  THE 
         AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TO HAVE THOSE ANSWERS.
                            // END ACT //
THE ALLEGATIONS HAVE REVIVED A CONTROVERSY THAT SEEMED TO HAVE 
FADED AFTER LAST YEAR'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE PROBE.  WHILE ANOTHER 
INVESTIGATION THAT SIZE APPEARS UNLIKELY, REPUBLICANS MAKE IT 
CLEAR THEY WILL NOT LET THE MATTER REST - AND IT COULD AFFECT 
OTHER ISSUES.  SENATOR LOTT SAYS THE CASE COULD CHANGE HIS OWN 
LONGSTANDING SUPPORT FOR CHINA'S MOST-FAVORED NATION TRADE 
STATUS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WFR
18-May-98 1:11 PM EDT (1711 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.