DATE=5/20/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249629
TITLE=CONGRESS/CHINA REPORT (L ONLY)
BYLINE=JIM MALONE
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE TOP REPUBLICAN IN THE U-S SENATE IS CALLING ON THE  
CLINTON ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DELAYING RELEASE OF A 
CONGRESSIONAL REPORT DETAILING ALLEGATIONS OF CHINESE ESPIONAGE 
AT U-S NUCLEAR WEAPONS RESEARCH LABORATORIES.  MORE ON THE STORY 
NOW FROM V-O-A CORRESPONDENT JIM MALONE.

TEXT:  THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY LEADER IN THE SENATE, TRENT LOTT  
(MISSISSIPPI), SAYS THE CLINTON WHITE HOUSE IS TRYING TO DELAY  
RELEASE OF WHAT HE CALLS A DEVASTATING CONGRESSIONAL REPORT ON  
ALLEGED CHINESE SPYING AND ACQUISITION OF SENSITIVE U-S MILITARY 
INFORMATION.

                        /// LOTT ACT ///

         MY FOCUS TODAY IS TO CALL ON THE ADMINISTRATION TO STOP 
         THE DELAYS AND RELEASE THIS REPORT.  AND NUMBER TWO, 
         STOP TRYING TO COVER UP WHAT HAPPENED.  WORK WITH US ON 
         FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED, TAKING NECESSARY ACTION TO 
         DEAL WITH THE PEOPLE WHO MADE THE MISTAKES HERE, WHO 
         MAYBE EVEN COMMITTED CRIMES, OR COMPANIES THAT COMMITTED
         CRIMES.

                         /// END ACT ///

ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS DENY THEY ARE DELIBERATELY HOLDING UP 
PUBLIC RELEASE OF THE REPORT FROM A SPECIAL CONGRESSIONAL 
COMMITTEE.  THE REPORT COVERS NOT ONLY THE ALLEGATIONS OF CHINESE
SPYING AT U-S WEAPONS LABS BUT ALSO REPUTED ATTEMPTS BY THE 
CHINESE TO OBTAIN SENSITIVE SATELLITE AND ROCKET TECHNOLOGY FROM 
AMERICAN COMPANIES.

/// OPT ///  OFFICIAL RELEASE OF THE REPORT COULD COME NEXT WEEK 
AFTER OFFICIALS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS DECIDE WHICH
PARTS OF THE 700-PAGE REPORT CAN BE MADE PUBLIC AND WHICH 
SECTIONS SHOULD REMAIN SECRET.  SOME OF THE REPORT HAS ALREADY 
BEEN LEAKED TO NEWS ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING PORTIONS CRITICAL OF 
SECURITY PROCEDURES AT NUCLEAR WEAPONS LABS AROUND THE COUNTRY. 
/// END OPT ///

U-S ENERGY SECRETARY BILL RICHARDSON SOUGHT TO REASSURE LAWMAKERS
THURSDAY THAT THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING STEPS TO 
BOLSTER SECURITY AT SENSITIVE WEAPONS RESEARCH SITES.  HE 
TESTIFIED BEFORE THE HOUSE SCIENCE COMMITTEE.

                     /// RICHARDSON ACT. ///

         I WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND I AM FIXING THE PROBLEM.  
         WHAT I NEED IS THE SUPPORT OF THIS COMMITTEE TO FIX A 
         PROBLEM WE ALL AGREE EXISTED.  WE HAVE ADDRESSED MANY OF
         THESE CONCERNS. I CHALLENGE SOMEBODY GOING INTO OUR LABS
         AND TRYING TO DEAL WITH THE SECURITY LAPSES THAT EXISTED
         BEFORE.  IT COULD NOT HAPPEN (NOW).  I BELIEVE WE HAVE 
         VERY STRONG MEASURES IN PLACE.

                        /// END ACT. ///

CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE DENIED ALLEGATIONS OF ESPIONAGE.  THEY  
DESCRIBE THE CHARGES AS RUMOR AND SPECULATION BORN OF WHAT THEY 
CALL A COLD WAR MENTALITY.  (SIGNED)

NEB/JBM/PHW/JO

20-May-99 4:54 PM EDT (2054 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.