Deleted User
05-20-1999, 05:25 AM
<b><font size=5>Cox panel findings frighten senators</b></font>
<p>
By Nancy E. Roman<br>
THE WASHINGTON TIMES<br><br>
May 20, 1999 <p>
<p>
A House special committee and the Clinton administration
have resolved most of their differences over release of a
long-awaited report on technology transfers to China, clearing
the way for it to be released to the public within the next few
days.
<p>
"The report will be amply illuminating," said Rep.
Christopher Cox, California Republican, chairman of the
U.S.-Chinese national security committee that put together the
report. "No nation has succeeded in stealing so much."
Mr. Cox said that disputes over what material to "redact,"
or censor, have been winnowed from the hundreds to "just a
handful," and that the public will see only 70 percent of the
committee's findings. The rest will remain classified to avoid
revealing damaging information about U.S. intelligence
methods. Some Republicans have said the White House also
wants to eliminate language that would be politically damaging
as well.<br>
But 70 percent will be enough, Mr. Cox said. Sen. Conrad
Burns, Montana Republican and one of 15 senators who were
briefed on the report by Mr. Cox, emerged with a one-word
description of it: "Scary."<br>
Mr. Cox said that news accounts of what is in the report --
based on information "leaked by others" --have
-- Continued from Front Page --
made headlines that merely tease.<br>
"The report will explain the story behind the headlines," he
said. The document will be posted on the Internet at the
address <A HREF="http://www.house.gov">www.House.gov</a>.<br>
Most of the information that has leaked out has related to
nuclear warheads and China's nuclear capability. Mr. Cox said
the report, which is divided into 11 chapters, also includes
sections on:
<p>
<li>Supercomputer technology.
<li>Stealth technology.
<li>The manufacture of stealth airplanes.
<li>China's acquisition of U.S. technology.
<p>
Mr. Cox met last night with Rep. Norm Dicks, ranking
Democrat on the committee, to discuss the few remaining
disputes over what sections of the report to censor.<br>
The committee has wrangled with the White House since
Jan. 1 over which sections to release. The White House argued
that most of the report was too sensitive to make public.<br>
Members of the committee have said most of the findings
should be released to the public.<br>
Congress set up the special committee last fall after reports
circulated suggesting the Clinton administration was granting
waivers for the transfer of technology that could enhance
China's nuclear capability.<br>
Loral Space & Communications Ltd. requested a waiver in
February 1998 to transfer satellite technology to China. The
Justice Department recommended against it, saying Loral
already had transferred technology to improve the accuracy of
intercontinental ballistic missiles that could be targeting the
United States.<br>
But the administration approved the waiver anyway.<br>
Mr. Cox said his committee will look at the Justice, State
and Commerce departments and the positions they took on the
proposed transfer. He said then that the committee would also
examine reported political contributions from Lt. Col. Liu
Chaoying, vice president of the Beijing-backed China
Aerospace International Holdings Ltd.<br>
Democratic fund-raiser Johnny Chung has said he received
$300,000 from Col. Liu, a lieutenant colonel in the Chinese
military and the daughter of a member of the Politburo. She has
denied making the contribution.<br>
Members of Congress who are eager to trade with China
fear that Chinese espionage and the findings of what China has
managed to acquire through legal technology transfers might
dampen enthusiasm for trade with Beijing.<br>
A struggle erupts annually in Congress over whether to
extend favorable trading conditions. The United States is also
negotiating with China over its admission to the World Trade
Organization (WTO).<br>
Mr. Cox does not expect negotiations over WTO
membership to be affected by the findings of the report -- at
least "not directly."<br>
But he said the committee recommends that the bilateral
relationship "be made more sturdy."
<p>
By Nancy E. Roman<br>
THE WASHINGTON TIMES<br><br>
May 20, 1999 <p>
<p>
A House special committee and the Clinton administration
have resolved most of their differences over release of a
long-awaited report on technology transfers to China, clearing
the way for it to be released to the public within the next few
days.
<p>
"The report will be amply illuminating," said Rep.
Christopher Cox, California Republican, chairman of the
U.S.-Chinese national security committee that put together the
report. "No nation has succeeded in stealing so much."
Mr. Cox said that disputes over what material to "redact,"
or censor, have been winnowed from the hundreds to "just a
handful," and that the public will see only 70 percent of the
committee's findings. The rest will remain classified to avoid
revealing damaging information about U.S. intelligence
methods. Some Republicans have said the White House also
wants to eliminate language that would be politically damaging
as well.<br>
But 70 percent will be enough, Mr. Cox said. Sen. Conrad
Burns, Montana Republican and one of 15 senators who were
briefed on the report by Mr. Cox, emerged with a one-word
description of it: "Scary."<br>
Mr. Cox said that news accounts of what is in the report --
based on information "leaked by others" --have
-- Continued from Front Page --
made headlines that merely tease.<br>
"The report will explain the story behind the headlines," he
said. The document will be posted on the Internet at the
address <A HREF="http://www.house.gov">www.House.gov</a>.<br>
Most of the information that has leaked out has related to
nuclear warheads and China's nuclear capability. Mr. Cox said
the report, which is divided into 11 chapters, also includes
sections on:
<p>
<li>Supercomputer technology.
<li>Stealth technology.
<li>The manufacture of stealth airplanes.
<li>China's acquisition of U.S. technology.
<p>
Mr. Cox met last night with Rep. Norm Dicks, ranking
Democrat on the committee, to discuss the few remaining
disputes over what sections of the report to censor.<br>
The committee has wrangled with the White House since
Jan. 1 over which sections to release. The White House argued
that most of the report was too sensitive to make public.<br>
Members of the committee have said most of the findings
should be released to the public.<br>
Congress set up the special committee last fall after reports
circulated suggesting the Clinton administration was granting
waivers for the transfer of technology that could enhance
China's nuclear capability.<br>
Loral Space & Communications Ltd. requested a waiver in
February 1998 to transfer satellite technology to China. The
Justice Department recommended against it, saying Loral
already had transferred technology to improve the accuracy of
intercontinental ballistic missiles that could be targeting the
United States.<br>
But the administration approved the waiver anyway.<br>
Mr. Cox said his committee will look at the Justice, State
and Commerce departments and the positions they took on the
proposed transfer. He said then that the committee would also
examine reported political contributions from Lt. Col. Liu
Chaoying, vice president of the Beijing-backed China
Aerospace International Holdings Ltd.<br>
Democratic fund-raiser Johnny Chung has said he received
$300,000 from Col. Liu, a lieutenant colonel in the Chinese
military and the daughter of a member of the Politburo. She has
denied making the contribution.<br>
Members of Congress who are eager to trade with China
fear that Chinese espionage and the findings of what China has
managed to acquire through legal technology transfers might
dampen enthusiasm for trade with Beijing.<br>
A struggle erupts annually in Congress over whether to
extend favorable trading conditions. The United States is also
negotiating with China over its admission to the World Trade
Organization (WTO).<br>
Mr. Cox does not expect negotiations over WTO
membership to be affected by the findings of the report -- at
least "not directly."<br>
But he said the committee recommends that the bilateral
relationship "be made more sturdy."