Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=5/3/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUMSFELD / CHINA (L)

NUMBER=2-275640

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: THIS REPORT INCLUDES ELEMENTS FROM TWO SHORT REPORTS: CR 2-275632, PENTAGON / CHINA TIES, AND CR 2-275633, U-S / CHINA / PLANE, BOTH BY BELIDA ///

INTRO: The U-S Defense Department is evaluating military contacts with China but has not ordered their total suspension. V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida reports on some confusing twists and turns in U-S defense policy toward China.

TEXT: The Pentagon spokesman, Rear Admiral Craig Quigley, denies that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld views China as an enemy. Admiral Quigley also rejects suggestions that Mr. Rumsfeld is fundamentally opposed to military-to-military contacts between the United States and China.

Still, the spokesman says Mr. Rumsfeld favors a cautious, prudent, and deliberative approach to future defense contacts. That is why the Defense Secretary has called for a case-by-case review of proposed future contacts.

/// QUIGLEY ACTUALITY 1 ///

China is real. It's there. You don't hide your head in the sand and ignore that it exists. On the other hand, the relationship needs to be appropriate and proper in his (Rumsfeld's) view and for the mil-to-mil program he feels this is the appropriate way to thoughtfully consider the proposals for a military-to-military program.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Rumsfeld has long had a reputation for having hawkish views on China.

Given recent strains over the collision between a Chinese fighter and a U-S Navy surveillance plane, and the Bush administration's decision to boost arms sales to Taiwan, no one doubted the legitimacy of a memo issued this week saying Mr. Rumsfeld was suspending all U-S/Chinese military ties.

But the Pentagon now says it was a misunderstanding. Spokesman Quigley says an aide misinterpreted Mr. Rumsfeld's desires. What the defense secretary wants is not a total suspension, just a review of all future contacts.

/// QUIGLEY ACTUALITY 2 ///

This was an honest misinterpretation. Nothing more. Nothing less.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Still it came at a potentially tricky time. A five-member U-S assessment team is currently in China to evaluate the damaged E-P-3 surveillance plane on Hainan Island - to see if it can be flown off or will have to be dismantled.

But the team has not received the technical support it needs from China to power up the aircraft's electrical and other systems to see how well they work. The team has also been barred from using its own communications equipment.

Spokesman Quigley says negotiations are under way to resolve the problems.

/// REST OPTIONAL ///

In the meantime, the Pentagon has disclosed it is looking into the Defense Department's acquisition of all Chinese manufactured products.

The move follows the earlier announcement that the U-S Army will not use black berets made in China.

China ended up making several hundred thousand when Pentagon procurement officials decided foreign producers were needed to meet the Army's deadline for issuing black berets to all soldiers - not just elite troops as in the past.

But officials decided it was not appropriate to use the Chinese-made headgear in light of current strains in relations. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/JWH