Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/20/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232539
TITLE=SENATE-CHINA (S & L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO: THE (OPPOSITION) REPUBLICAN-LED U-S CONGRESS IS LAUNCHING 
A SECOND INQUIRY INTO REPORTS THAT CHINA ILLEGALLY ACQUIRED 
AMERICAN MISSILE TECHNOLOGY.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.
TEXT:  THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE AND A SPECIAL REPUBLICAN
TASK FORCE WILL PROBE THE LATEST ALLEGATIONS - THAT U-S DEFENSE 
FIRMS SHARED HIGHLY SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY WITH BEIJING.
CRITICS SAY THE WHITE HOUSE ALLOWED THE DEAL TO PROCEED BECAUSE 
THE HEAD OF ONE COMPANY (LORAL) GAVE LARGE DONATIONS TO THE 
DEMOCRATIC PARTY.  INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN RICHARD SHELBY
SAYS HE MAY WANT TO QUESTION PRESIDENT CLINTON HIMSELF ABOUT THE 
DECISION.
                       /// SHELBY ACT ///
         WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE HERE. 
         WE'RE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW IT
         AFFECTED, OR WILL AFFECT, NATIONAL SECURITY.
                         /// END ACT ///
THE HOUSE (OF REPRESENTATIVES) IS STARTING ITS OWN INVESTIGATION 
OF THE CHARGES - AND A REPORT THAT CHINA'S ARMY SECRETLY FUNNELED
CAMPAIGN MONEY TO DEMOCRATS.  THE ADMINISTRATION DENIES ANY 
WRONGDOING.
                      /// REST OPTIONAL ///
HOWEVER, SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY SAYS THE WHITE HOUSE WILL 
COOPERATE WITH THE LAWMAKERS.
                       /// MCCURRY ACT ///
         ITS IN OUR INTEREST TO COOPERATE BECAUSE IF THEY'RE 
         INTERESTED IN GETTING TO THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH WILL 
         DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION ACTED CONSISTENT 
         WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.  SO WE 
         WELCOME AN INQUIRY THAT'S LEGITIMATE.  
                         /// END ACT ///
THE SENATE'S LAST MAJOR INVESTIGATION OF THE WHITE HOUSE FAILED 
TO ATTRACT MUCH NOTICE OR PUBLIC SUPPORT.  REPUBLICANS ARGUE THIS
ONE SHOULD BE DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THE IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL 
SECURITY.(SIGNED)
NEB/DS/WDC/JO
20-May-98 5:14 PM EDT (2114 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.