Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=7/14/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235455
TITLE=SENATE-CHINA SATELLITES (L-UPDATE)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SHARPLY REJECTED THE LATEST 
REPUBLICAN CHARGES THAT THE PRESIDENT ALLOWED CHINA TO ACQUIRE 
SENSITIVE, MILITARILY USEFUL TECHNOLOGY.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN 
REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.
TEXT:  MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT TOUCHED OFF A PARTISAN FLARE-UP
WITH HIS COMMENTS ON SATELLITE EXPORTS AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS. 
THOUGH HE CALLED IT AN INTERIM REPORT ON A SENATE INVESTIGATION 
OF THE MATTER, HIS STATEMENT LEVELED SPECIFIC, SERIOUS CHARGES.
MR. LOTT SAYS CHINA HAS OBTAINED TECHNOLOGY THAT COULD MAKE ITS 
NUCLEAR MISSILES MORE ACCURATE, THAT EXPORT CONTROLS FAILED, AND 
THAT THE WHITE HOUSE IGNORED WARNINGS OF TROUBLE.
                         // LOTT ACT //
         FINALLY, NEW INFORMATION HAS COME TO LIGHT ABOUT CHINA'S
         EFFORTS TO INFLUENCE THE AMERICAN POLITICAL PROCESS.  
         THIS INFORMATION SHOULD REMOVE ALL RESISTANCE TO NAMING 
         AN INDEPENDENT COUNSEL TO INVESTIGATE THE EVIDENCE AND 
         THE ALLEGATIONS.
                          // END ACT //
BOTH SENATE AND HOUSE COMMITTEES ARE ALREADY TAKING TESTIMONY AND
SIFTING THROUGH EVIDENCE ABOUT SATELLITES.  LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING 
TO FIND OUT IF NATIONAL SECURITY WAS COMPROMISED BY CONTACTS 
BETWEEN U-S AND CHINESE AEROSPACE COMPANIES, WHICH THE WHITE 
HOUSE APPROVED.  THIS INCLUDES AMERICAN SATELLITE LAUNCHES ON 
"LONG MARCH" ROCKETS AND THE ANALYSIS OF A FAILED BLASTOFF IN 
1996.  ONE OF THE U-S FIRMS INVOLVED IS HEADED BY A MAJOR 
DEMOCRATIC PARTY DONOR.
THE ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES IN CONGRESS QUICKLY DISMISSED 
MR. LOTT'S ATTACKS.  // OPT // PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN MIKE 
MCCURRY SAYS MR. CLINTON'S POLICIES DID NOT HELP CHINA'S MISSILE 
PROGRAM.
                   // MCCURRY ACT - OPT //  //
         SENATOR LOTT TODAY TRIED TO CONNECT A LOT OF DOTS THAT 
         FRANKLY DON'T CONNECT. AND OUR JUDGMENT HERE IS THAT 
         THAT WAS NOT A SERIOUS STATEMENT BY A SERIOUS PERSON, IT
         WAS A POLITICAL ARGUMENT MADE BY A POLITICIAN FOR 
         POLITICAL BENEFIT.
                    // END ACT -- END OPT //
OTHER DEMOCRATS SAY MR. LOTT MISUSED CLASSIFIED INFORMATION IN 
SOME OF HIS REMARKS.  A FINAL REPORT ON THE SATELLITE CONTROVERSY
IS LIKELY IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/JO
14-Jul-98 4:44 PM EDT (2044 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.