Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

      DATE=05/27/98
      TYPE=U-S EDITORIAL DIGEST
    NUMBER=6-10734
     TITLE=WEDNESDAY'S EDITORIALS         
    BYLINE=ANDREW N. GUTHRIE
 TELEPHONE=619-3335
  DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
INTRO:  AMERICA'S NEWSPAPERS ARE CONTINUING TO EXPRESS CONCERN 
ABOUT THE TRANSFER OF SENSITIVE MILITARY INFORMATION ON ROCKET 
GUIDANCE TO CHINA, AND THE PART THAT CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS BY 
CHINESE OFFICIALS TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN MAY
HAVE PLAYED IN THE TRANSFER.
..............
HERE NOW IS ____________________ WITH A CLOSER LOOK AND SOME 
QUOTES IN TODAY'S EDITORIAL DIGEST.  
TEXT:  THERE IS A MOVE IN CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE PERMISSION 
GRANTED BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO LAUNCH PRIVATE, U-S 
COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITES ON CHINESE ROCKETS, AND THE LATER 
PERMISSION TO ALLOW THE PRIVATE COMPANIES TO SHARE U-S 
INFORMATION ON ROCKET GUIDANCE.  WHAT MAKES THE ISSUE ESPECIALLY 
CONTROVERSIAL IS THE RECENT REPORT OF A 100-THOUSAND-DOLLAR 
CONTRIBUTION TO MR. CLINTON'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN FROM A CHINESE
MILITARY AND AEROSPACE OFFICER.  THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER MR. 
CLINTON MAY HAVE BEEN INFLUENCED BY THE CONTRIBUTION TO GIVE 
VALUABLE ROCKET GUIDANCE INFORMATION TO THE CHINESE.  TODAY'S 
"PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER" SAYS THE MATTER NEEDS CLOSE SCRUTINY.
VOICE:   /// OPT /// AS PRESIDENT CLINTON SCROUNGED [SOUGHT] FOR 
         MILLIONS TO WIN REELECTION, DID HE LOWER AMERICA'S GUARD
         AGAINST CHINA'S MILITARY?  /// END OPT /// THIS GRAVE 
         CHARGE CALLS FOR A FULL PROBE BY INVESTIGATORS DEDICATED
         TO GETTING THE FACTS, NOT FIGHTING POLITICAL WARS OR 
         COVERING THE BOSS' BACK. [MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE 
         PRESIDENT THAT WOULD PROTECT HIM FROM THE CHARGES]  ....
         AND WHY MIGHT THE CHINESE MILITARY DO SUCH A THING? 
         [MAKE THE CONTRIBUTION]  PERHAPS TO COAX U-S OFFICIALS 
         TO KEEP RELAXING RESTRICTIONS AGAINST AMERICAN COMPANIES
         ASKING CHINA TO LAUNCH THEIR SATELLITES.  /// OPT /// 
         ..... AT THIS POINT, THIS IS SUSPICION, NOT FACT ...... 
         [BUT IT] SHOULD BE A HIGH PRIORITY FOR INVESTIGATION BY 
         ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO OR, IF NEED BE, AN 
         INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. /// END OPT ///
TEXT: "THE MIAMI HERALD" SAYS SINCE SEVERAL PRESIDENTS HAVE 
AUTHORIZED U-S SATELLITE LAUNCHES ON CHINESE ROCKETS, DUE TO A 
SHORTAGE OF U-S LAUNCH VEHICLES,  SOME PERSPECTIVE NEEDS TO BE 
APPLIED TO THESE LATEST ALLEGATIONS. THE PAPER SUGGESTS PARTISAN 
POLITICS HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE CURRENT CONGRESSIONAL 
PROTESTS. 
VOICE:   ...... HERE ARE TWO READILY DISCERNIBLE ISSUES: NATIONAL
         SECURITY, WHICH WARRANTS CONGRESSIONAL SCRUTINY, AND 
         CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM.  CONGRESS HAS DEMONSTRATED THE 
         THE LATTER IS A SCANDAL DEMANDING ACTION.  RATHER THAN 
         PRESSURE PRESIDENT CLINTON TO CANCEL HIS CHINA TRIP, 
         CONGRESS OUGHT TO SEND HIM OFF WITH A SHIELD THAT GUARDS
         AGAINST BAD POLICY **AND** [ITALICS FOR EMPHASIS] 
         INFLUENCE PEDDLING: CAMPAIGN-FINANCE REFORM THAT 
         INCLUDES A BAN ON 'SOFT MONEY' FROM EVERY SOURCE.  
         AMERICANS COULD THEN REST EASIER.
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NEB/ANG/KL
27-May-98 11:40 AM EDT (1540 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
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