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DATE=7/15/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-235522
TITLE=U-S / RUSSIA (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 
INTRO:  THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS WELCOMING NEW STEPS 
ANNOUNCED BY MOSCOW TO CRACKDOWN ON RUSSIAN FIRMS THAT ARE 
BELIEVED TO HAVE EXPORTED MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO IRAN.  U-S 
OFFICIALS HOPE MOSCOW'S ACTION WILL PERSUADE U-S LAWMAKERS NOT TO
OVERRIDE A PRESIDENTIAL VETO OF A BILL IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON 
RUSSIA.  V-O-A'S DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.                           
TEXT:  WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN MIKE MCCURRY WEDNESDAY TOOK NOTE OF 
RUSSIA'S DECISION TO INVESTIGATE NINE ENTERPRISES THAT ARE 
BELIEVED TO HAVE EXPORTED MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO IRAN -- SAYING IT
REFLECTS THE SERIOUSNESS TO WHICH RUSSIA HAS TAKEN U-S CONCERN 
ABOUT THE ISSUE.
                         // MCCURRY ACTUALITY //
         THOSE STEPS CERTAINLY SUPPORT THE RUSSIAN COMMITMENT TO 
         STOP THE FLOW OF SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND DEMONSTRATE 
         THE GROWING EFFECTIVENESS OF THE COOPERATION WE HAVE 
         WITH RUSSIA WHEN IT COMES TO HALTING PROLIFERATION OF 
         DANGEROUS WEAPONS TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS.
                                    // END ACT //                
MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE RUSSIAN MOVE MAY PROMPT THE UNITED STATES TO
TAKE ACTION AGAINST THOSE FIRMS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
                         // MCCURRY ACTUALITY //
         THEY INVOLVE A LOT OF THE PREMIER RUSSIAN ENTERPRISES 
         THAT HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS THAT 
         COULD BE VERY SIGNIFICANT, IN FACT, SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH 
         THAT WHEN WE'VE GOT OUR OWN ASSESSMENT THAT IS 
         CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE RUSSIANS HAVE CONCLUDED, WE 
         MIGHT BE IN A POSITION TO SUSPEND SOME OF OUR OWN 
         GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE TO SOME OF THOSE SAME
         ENTITIES.
                            // END ACT //     
THE ADMINISTRATION HOPES THE DEVELOPMENT WILL CONVINCE U-S 
LAWMAKERS TO ABANDON THEIR SUPPORT FOR IMPOSING SANCTIONS ON 
RUSSIA BECAUSE OF EXPORT CONTROL VIOLATIONS.
BUT THAT REMAINS DOUBTFUL.
EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE HOUSE AND SENATE EACH APPROVED SANCTIONS 
LEGISLATION, WHICH WAS VETOED BY MR. CLINTON LAST MONTH.  BUT THE
MEASURE PASSED BOTH CHAMBERS BY MORE THAN THE TWO-THIRDS VOTE  
NECESSARY TO OVERRIDE THE VETO.  THE HOUSE HAS SCHEDULED AN 
OVERRIDE VOTE LATER THIS WEEK, AND THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO 
FOLLOW SUIT.
THE PRESIDENT BELIEVES THE SANCTIONS BILL WOULD HURT HIS EFFORTS 
TO WORK WITH THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT TO HALT TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS.
MR. MCCURRY SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA WILL CONTINUE JOINT
EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN TECHNOLOGY EXPORT CONTROLS, AND SAID THE 
MATTER WOULD BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA DURING VICE PRESIDENT AL 
GORE'S VISIT TO RUSSIA LATER THIS MONTH, AND MR. CLINTON'S TRIP 
THERE IN SEPTEMBER. (SIGNED)
NEB/DAT
15-Jul-98 5:25 PM EDT (2125 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.