DATE=6/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-250447
TITLE=CONGRESS-DEFENSE-CHINA (L ONLY)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IS IN THE MIDST OF A
BIG DEFENSE DEBATE. HOUSE MEMBERS ARE WORKING ON A BILL THAT
ESTABLISHES POLICY GUIDELINES FOR THE NEXT TWO YEARS. AS V-O-A'S
PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS, THE SPY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST CHINA AND THE
PROSPECTS FOR PEACE IN THE BALKANS ARE DOMINATING THEIR
DELIBERATIONS.
TEXT: EARLY IN THE DEBATE, THE HOUSE WENT ON RECORD ON THE
CHINA SPY ISSUE. BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE, HOUSE MEMBERS ENDORSED THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE SET UP TO STUDY TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFERS TO CHINA. THEY APPROVED THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF
REFORM MEASURES DESIGNED TO CUT THE RISK OF ESPIONAGE AT THE
NATION'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS LABORATORIES.
CONGRESSMAN NORMAN DICKS OF WASHINGTON STATE WAS THE TOP DEMOCRAT
ON THE CHINA PANEL.
//////DICKS ACT////
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN IMPLEMENTING OUR BIPARTISAN
REPORT.
//////END ACT//////
THE MEASURES APPROVED BY THE HOUSE INCLUDE A MORATORIUM ON
FOREIGN VISITORS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, UNTIL A NEW SECURITY PLAN IS
IN PLACE AT THE LABS. SOME CONSERVATIVES TRIED AND FAILED TO
CONVINCE THE HOUSE TO EXTEND THE BAN. KANSAS REPUBLICAN JIM
RYUN SAID ALL EXCHANGES INVOLVING VISITORS FROM CERTAIN SENSITIVE
COUNTRIES - -INCLUDING CHINA AND RUSSIA - - SHOULD BE BARRED FOR
TWO YEARS.
///// RYUN ACT ///////
PUTTING THESE SECURITY PROVISIONS IN PLACE CAN NOT BE
ACHIEVED OVERNIGHT. UNTIL A COMPREHENSIVE
COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING AT EACH
LABORATORY, ACCESS MUST BE LIMITED TO ENSURE ENHANCED
SECURITY IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY.
///// END ACT /////
MR. RYUN'S PROPOSAL FAILED BY A FAIRLY WIDE MARGIN. BUT
REPUBLICANS STOOD TOGETHER AND PUSHED THROUGH LANGUAGE BANNING
MOST MILITARY-TO-MILITARY EXCHANGES WITH THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION
ARMY. THE MEASURE WAS THE WORK OF TEXAS CONGRESSMAN TOM DELAY.
//////DELAY ACT///////
THE ROLE OF OUR MILITARY IS TO DEFEND AMERICA FROM
HOSTILE FOREIGN POWERS, NOT TO TRAIN THEM.
//////END ACT///////
MILITARY EXCHANGES WERE CUT OFF FOLLOWING THE 1989 CHINESE
GOVERNMENT CRACKDOWN ON THE PRO-DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT IN TIANANMEN
SQUARE, AND THEN GRADUALLY RESTORED.. THE BAN IS NOT INCLUDED
IN THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL, AND THERE IS A CHANCE IT
COULD BE DROPPED BEFORE THE LEGISLATION GOES TO PRESIDENT
CLINTON FOR HIS SIGNATURE.
MR CLINTON'S POSITION WAS PUT FORWARD DURING THE DEBATE BY
DEMOCRAT IKE SKELTON OF MISSOURI. HE SAID THESE EXCHANGES TAKE
PLACE UNDER STRICT GUIDELINES, AND THE BAN IS UNECESSARY.
//////SKELTON ACT////
THE TRUTH IS MILITARY-TO-MILITARY CONTACTS ARE MORE
BENEFICIAL TO THE U-S THAN THE P-L-A. OUR MILITARY
OPERATES EVERY DAY IN AN OPEN DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. THE
P-L-A OPERATES IN CHINA'S CLOSED SOCIETY. WITH MILITARY
TO MILITARY CONTACTS, WE GAIN INSIGHT INTO THE P-L-A'S
STRUCTURE, ITS CULTURE, ITS MODE OF OPERATION, AND ITS
INFLUENCE ON CHINESE INTERNAL POLITICS AND FOREIGN
POLICY.
//////END ACT//////
THE DEBATE RESUMES FRIDAY WITH A FOCUS ON KOSOVO. THE BILL WAS
DRAFTED AT THE HEIGHT OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN, AND INCLUDES A
PROVISION CUTTING OFF FUNDING FOR THE OPERATION AGAINST
YUGOSLAVIA AFTER SEPTEMBER 30TH. NOW THAT AN AGREEMENT HAS BEEN
SIGNED BETWEEN NATO AND THE YUGOSLAV GOVERNMENT, HOUSE MEMBERS
ARE LIKELY TO SHIFT COURSE AND TALK ABOUT AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT IN
A PEACEKEEPING FORCE FOR KOSOVO. (SIGNED)
NEB/PT
09-Jun-99 9:34 PM EDT (0134 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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