DATE=3/14/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246609
TITLE=U-S CHINA NUKE(L)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON'S POLICY TOWARD CHINA FACES A GROWING 
CHORUS OF CRITICISM FROM OPPOSITION REPUBLICANS IN THE WAKE OF 
BEIJING'S ALLEGED SPYING AT A NUCLEAR WEAPONS LAB.  MEANWHILE, 
THE ADMINISTRATION IS DEFENDING ITS HANDLING OF THE CASE.  
V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS.

TEXT:  IN A ROUND OF TALK-SHOW INTERVIEWS (SUNDAY) OFFICIALS 
SOUGHT TO JUSTIFY THEIR ACTIONS IN WHAT ALL SIDES AGREE IS A 
SERIOUS MATTER.  CHINA MAY HAVE LEARNED HOW TO MAKE SMALL NUCLEAR
DEVICES, WHICH COULD ALLOW THE CHINESE TO BUILD MULTIPLE-WARHEAD 
MISSILES, FROM INFORMATION STOLEN AT THE LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL 
LABORATORY.

ENERGY SECRETARY BILL RICHARDSON, SPEAKING ON A-B-C TELEVISION'S 
"THIS WEEK" PROGRAM, SAYS HE MOVED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AGAINST
THE PRIME SUSPECT, A TAIWANESE-BORN SCIENTIST (WEN HO LEE).

                      // RICHARDSON ACT //

         WE TOOK HIM AWAY FROM A NUMBER OF SENSITIVE SITES, MOVED
         HIM TO AREAS WHERE HE COULD DO NO DAMAGE, AND AFTER THE 
         F-B-I INTERVIEWED HIM EXTENSIVELY IN THE LAST FEW DAYS 
         AND THEY GAVE ME THE GREEN LIGHT (GO-AHEAD) TO TERMINATE
         HIM I DID SO.

                          // END ACT //

BUT MR. RICHARDSON COULD NOT SAY WHEN OR IF THE MAN MIGHT BE 
CHARGED WITH ESPIONAGE.  AND THOUGH THE SECRETARY SAYS HE HAS  
LAUNCHED A MAJOR COUNTER-INTELLIGENCE CAMPAIGN, REPUBLICANS SAY 
HIS DEPARTMENT AND THE GOVERNMENT REMAIN VULNERABLE.

THE CASE HAS ALSO FUELED FRESH ATTACKS ON THE PRESIDENT'S LARGER 
POLICY OF ENGAGING CHINA.  REPUBLICAN SENATOR RICHARD LUGAR, 
APPEARING ON N-B-C TELEVISION'S "MEET THE PRESS", URGED MR. 
CLINTON TO PRESS THE ISSUE WHEN CHINESE PRIME MINISTER ZHU RONGJI
VISITS WASHINGTON NEXT MONTH.

                         // LUGAR ACT //

         HE SHOULD DISCUSS THE ESPIONAGE IN THE CONTEXT THAT WE 
         NOW BELIEVE THE CHINESE HAVE INTENT TO HAVE A MISSILE 
         THAT COULD HIT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA -- NOT JUST 
         WITH ONE SHOT BUT WITH MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY VEHICLES 
         HITTING SEVERAL CITIES AT ONE TIME. AND WE NEED TO FIND 
         OUT WHAT THEIR INTENTIONS ARE.

                          // END ACT //

THE INCIDENT MAY BUTTRESS REPUBLICAN CALLS FOR A NATIONWIDE 
MISSILE DEFENSE NETWORK WHEN CONGRESS TAKES UP THAT ISSUE THIS 
WEEK.  CHINA HAS AGAIN DENIED WRONGDOING, DENOUNCING THE AFFAIR 
AS A FARCE AND A SMEAR CAMPAIGN.   (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/RAE

14-Mar-99 12:38 PM EST (1738 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.