DATE=5/26/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249845
TITLE=CONGRESS-CHINA NUKE (L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO : CONTROVERSY CONTINUES IN WASHINGTON OVER THE ALLEGED
CHINESE SPYING CAMPAIGN DESCRIBED BY A LENGTHY CONGRESSIONAL
REPORT. THE SENATE IS CONSIDERING HOW TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY AND
TIGHTEN CONTROLS OVER EXPORTS - AND THE ENTIRE DEBATE IS TAKING
ON A MORE PARTISAN TONE. V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS.
TEXT: WITH THE REPORT NOW PUBLIC, CONGRESS MUST DECIDE WHAT TO
DO ABOUT ITS CONCLUSIONS - THAT CHINA PILFERED AND PUT TO USE
MANY OF THE NATION'S MOST VALUABLE MILITARY SECRETS.
IN TESTIMONY TO HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES (WEDNESDAY), THE
LAWMAKERS WHO INVESTIGATED THE MATTER SPOKE OF WIDE-RANGING
ESPIONAGE AND SECURITY BREACHES. THE HEAD OF THE INVESTIGATING
PANEL, REPUBLICAN CHRISTOPHER COX, SAYS THERE WAS LITTLE SECURITY
FOR AMERICAN SATELLITE LAUNCHES ON CHINESE ROCKETS.
// COX ACT //
THESE PINKERTON (COMPANY) PRIVATE SECURITY GUARDS WOULD
SHOW UP FOR WORK DRUNK, THEY WOULD SHOW UP FOR NIGHT
DUTY WITH SLEEPING BAGS, AND THEY WERE MORE INTERESTED
IN SPENDING TIME WITH PROSTITUTES - PROVIDED FOR THEM BY
THE PRC GOVERNMENT NO DOUBT -THAN IN DOING THEIR JOBS.
// END ACT //
IN RESPONSE, SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE CALLING FOR STRONGER CONTROLS
ON EXPORTS OF SATELLITES OR OTHER SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY. THE PLAN
WOULD ALSO BOLSTER COUNTERINTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY CHECKS AT
NUCLEAR WEAPONS LABS, WHERE THE REPORT SAYS CHINA STOLE DESIGN
INFORMATION ON ALL AMERICA'S WARHEADS.
MAJORITY LEADER TRENTLOTT ARGUES THESE ARE MODEST STEPS WHICH
SHOULD BE TAKEN QUICKLY.
// LOTT ACT //
THESE ARE PIECES THAT I THINK SENATORS COULD AGREE ON
ACROSS THE BOARD. THEY ARE TARGETED AT DEALING WITH THE
PROBLEM, NOT TRYING TO FIX BLAME, NOT CLAIMING THAT THIS
IS GOING TO SOLVE ALL THE PROBLEMS. BUT THESE ARE SOME
THINGS WE CAN DO NOW.
// END ACT //
THOUGH THE REPORT IS A BIPARTISAN PRODUCT, THE REACTION HAS
FALLEN MAINLY ALONG PARTY LINES. REPUBLICANS SAY THE LOSS OF
SECRETS MAY BE THE WORST IN HISTORY AND HIGH-RANKING PRESIDENTIAL
AIDES SHOULD BE FIRED. DEMOCRATS, LIKE SENATE MINORITY LEADER
TOM DASCHLE, SAY THESE CHARGES ARE EXAGGERATED.
// DASCHLE ACT //
I THINK ITS HYPERBOLE AT ITS WORST. AND I'M NOT
SURPRISED THAT REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE TAKEN A SHELLACKING
IN RECENT WEEKS ON AN ARRAY OF ISSUES ARE TRYING TO FIND
ONE FOR THEMSELVES.
// END ACT //
THE ADMINISTRATION IS HOPING THE FALLOUT WILL NOT SPILL OVER TOO
FAR INTO THE BROADER RELATIONSHIP WITH CHINA. BUT SOME MEMBERSOF
CONGRESS ARGUE THE TIES ARE ALREADY BADLY STRAINED.
IN A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT, FOUR LAWMAKERS URGE HIM TO SUSPEND
NEGOTIATIONS FOR CHINA'S ENTRY INTO THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.
THE GROUP, INCLUDING THE CHAIRMEN OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE
FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEES, SAY THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE
WELL-SERVED BY A "TIME-OUT." (SIGNED)
NEB/DS/PT
26-May-99 7:27 PM EDT (2327 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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