DATE=5/23/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249697
TITLE=U-S / CHINA SPYING (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=COLIN LOVETT
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-S CONGRESS IS PREPARING TO RELEASE A DECLASSIFIED 
REPORT ON ALLEGATIONS THAT CHINA STOLE U-S NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
SECRETS.  AS V-O-A'S COLIN LOVETT REPORTS, CLINTON ADMINISTRATION
OFFICIALS AND U-S LAWMAKERS SAID SUNDAY THAT THE POTENTIAL DAMAGE
FROM THE ALLEGED ESPIONAGE IS SIGNIFICANT.  

TEXT:  AUTHORITIES IN WASHINGTON SAY THEY ARE CONVINCED THAT 
CHINA OBTAINED SECRET INFORMATION FROM AMERICA'S NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
LABS.

REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN CHRISTOPHER COX -- WHOSE COMMITTEE 
PREPARED THE SOON-TO-BE RELEASED REPORT ON CHINESE ESPIONAGE --  
SAYS THE SPYING HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SOME DECADES.

ON THE N-B-C TELEVISION NEWS PROGRAM "MEET THE PRESS" (SUNDAY),  
THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN DISMISSED CHINA'S DENIAL OF THE SPYING 
ACCUSATIONS, CALLING IT A DECEPTION CAMPAIGN THAT IS PART OF THE 
ESPIONAGE ITSELF.  

MR. COX ADDED THAT WHILE IT IS TOO LATE TO GET THE STOLEN 
INFORMATION BACK, WASHINGTON MUST LEARN FROM THIS EPISODE TO 
PREVENT A RECURRENCE.

                          // COX ACT //

         IT IS UP TO THE UNITED STATES NOW, KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW,
         TO TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO IMPROVE OUR COUNTER 
         INTELLIGENCE SO THAT THIS CAN  NOT  HAPPEN TO US AGAIN. 
         AND OF COURSE, IN A CERTAIN SENSE, THIS CAN  NOT  HAPPEN
         TO US AGAIN BECAUSE THE HORSES ARE OUT OF THE BARN DOOR.
         BUT WE CAN NOW DENY THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA AND 
         THE PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY AT LEAST SOME OF THE TOOLS 
         THEY NEED TO PERFECT WHAT THEY STOLE.

                          // END ACT //

MR. COX ADDED THAT HE HAS ASKED ENERGY SECRETARY BILL RICHARDSON 
ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCELERATING THE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT 
BETTER ANTI-SPYING PROCEDURES.

MR. RICHARDSON AGREES THAT THE ESPIONAGE IS SERIOUS AND SAYS HIS 
DEPARTMENT IS CORRECTING THE PROBLEM OF LAX SECURITY AT NUCLEAR 
WEAPONS LABORATORIES.  

APPEARING ON THE A-B-C TELEVISION PROGRAM "THIS WEEK", MR. 
RICHARDSON ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE STOLEN INFORMATION HAS PROBABLY 
ACCELERATED CHINA'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM -- BUT HE ALSO SAID CHINA'S 
NUCLEAR WEAPONRY STILL LAGS FAR BEHIND THAT OF THE UNITED STATES.

                      // RICHARDSON ACT //

         WE HAVE TO PUT THIS ISSUE INTO PERSPECTIVE.  WE HAVE 
         SIX-THOUSAND STRATEGIC WARHEADS.  THE CHINESE HAVE CLOSE
         TO 23.  NOW, THIS DOES  NOT  MEAN WE ARE OVERLOOKING THE
         DAMAGE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED.  BUT TO SAY RIGHT NOW 
         THAT THIS IS ENORMOUSLY DAMAGING, WE DON'T KNOW.  IT IS 
         BAD AND I HAVE ASSUMED THE WORST CASE SCENARIO.  

                          // END ACT //

THE CONGRESSIONAL REPORT ON CHINA'S ALLEGED NUCLEAR ESPIONAGE 
WILL BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC ON TUESDAY.  (SIGNED)

NEB/CBL/WFR

23-May-99 5:12 PM EDT (2112 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.