DATE=3/9/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246429
TITLE=U-S CHINA NUCLEAR (S-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO: THE U-S GOVERNMENT HAS FIRED A SCIENTIST SUSPECTED OF 
PASSING NUCLEAR SECRETS TO CHINA MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.  V-O-A'S
DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT: THE MAN, IDENTIFIED AS TAIWANESE-AMERICAN WEN HO LEE, 
WORKED AT THE NUCLEAR WEAPONS LAB IN LOS ALAMOS, NEW MEXICO.  THE
ENERGY DEPARTMENT SAYS HE WAS DISMISSED FOR FAILING TO SAFEGUARD 
CLASSIFIED MATERIAL AND FOR BEING IN CONTACT WITH PEOPLE FROM A 
SENSITIVE COUNTRY.

SO FAR NO ONE IS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES.  HOWEVER, OFFICIALS 
FEAR SOMEONE GAVE AWAY SECRET TECHNOLOGY ALLOWING BEIJING TO 
BUILD MINIATURE NUCLEAR WARHEADS AND MULTIPLE-WARHEAD MISSILES.  
THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT IS TAKING PRECAUTIONS AGAINST CHINESE 
ESPIONAGE.  REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS HAVE DOUBTS, INCLUDING SENATE
MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT.

                         // LOTT ACT //

         NOW WE FIND THIS LAX SECURITY.  WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS 
         WHAT ACTIONS ARE WE GOING TO TAKE TO STOP THIS KIND OF 
         MISCONDUCT AND THIS KIND OF LOSING INTELLIGENCE OR 
         TECHNOLOGY.

                          // END ACT //

THE SENATE WILL HOLD CLOSED-DOOR HEARINGS ON THE MATTER NEXT 
WEEK.  THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS DISMISSED THE ALLEGATIONS AS 
UNFOUNDED RUMORS. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/JO

09-Mar-99 4:18 PM EST (2118 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.