DATE=5/25/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249802
TITLE=CONGRESS-CHINA (L-ONITER)
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON 
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

/// EDS: THE FIRST HEARING ON THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE'S REPORT
ABOUT CHINESE ESPIONAGE WILL BEGIN AT 10 A.M. EDT / 1400 UTC ///

INTRO:  MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WILL GET A CHANCE WEDNESDAY 
TO QUESTION THE TWO MEN WHO LED THE HOUSE INVESTIGATION INTO 
ALLEGATIONS OF CHINESE ESPIONAGE AT AMERICAN NUCLEAR-WEAPONS 
LABORATORIES.  V-O-A'S PAULA WOLFSON REPORTS REPUBLICAN 
CHRISTOPHER COX AND DEMOCRAT NORMAN DICKS WILL PRESENT THEIR 
FINDINGS AT A SERIES OF CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS.

TEXT:  FOR MONTHS, THE HOUSE INQUIRY INTO CHINESE SPYING TOOK 
PLACE BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.  NOW, THE LEADERS OF THE INVESTIGATION
ARE TAKING THEIR FINDINGS PUBLIC.

THEY WILL TAKE QUESTIONS FROM HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES THAT 
MAY BE INVOLVED IN DRAFTING LEGISLATION DESIGNED TO CUT THE 
RISKOF CHINESE ESPIONAGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE TWO CONGRESSMEN ARE SPEAKING OUT ONE DAY AFTER RELEASE OF 
THEIR FINAL REPORT ON CHINESE SPYING -- A REPORT THAT RANG ALARM 
BELLS ACROSS CAPITOL HILL.

THE REPORT DETAILS A SYSTEMATIC EFFORT BY THE CHINESE 
GOVERNMENTTO OBTAIN INFORMATION ON U-S NUCLEAR WARHEADS AND 
MISSILES.  CONGRESSMAN COX CHAIRED THE INQUIRY.

                         /// COX ACT ///

         THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA HAS STOLEN CLASSIFIED 
         INFORMATION ON EVERY CURRENTLY-DEPLOYED WARHEAD IN THE 
         U-S BALLISTIC MISSILE ARSENAL.

                         /// END ACT ///

BUT CONGRESSMAN DICKS -- THE TOP DEMOCRAT ON THE INVESTIGATORY 
PANEL -- SAYS  NONE  OF THE INFORMATION STOLEN BY THE CHINESE HAS
RESULTED IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF NEW NUCLEAR WEAPONS.  AND HE 
CAUTIONS LAWMAKERS TO THINK TWICE BEFORE TAKING ACTION THAT COULD
DO SEVERE HARM TO U-S RELATIONS WITH BEIJING.

                        /// DICKS ACT ///

         I HOPE WE WILL STILL CONTINUE A POLICY OF ENGAGEMENT 
         WITH OUR EYES OPEN.

                         /// END ACT ///

MANY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE CONGRESSIONAL 
INVESTIGATORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN EMBRACED BY THE CLINTON 
ADMINISTRATION.   ENERGY SECRETARY BILL RICHARDSON, WHO OVERSEES 
THE WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT'S NUCLEAR-WEAPONS LABORATORIES, TRIED 
TO REASSURE THE PUBLIC AND THE CONGRESS.

                     /// RICHARDSON ACT ///

         WE HAVE TAKEN ENORMOUSLY AGGRESSIVE ACTION TO DEAL WITH 
         THE PROBLEM.  WE ARE FIXING THE PROBLEM.

                         /// END ACT ///

BUT SOME REPUBLICANS ARE CALLING FOR MORE, INCLUDING THE 
RESIGNATION OF SOME TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.  SENATE 
MAJORITY PARTY LEADER TRENT LOTT SAYS THEIR CONCERNS MUST BE 
HEARD.

                        /// LOTT ACT ///

         WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS IT, BOTH IN TERMS OF HOW
         DID THIS HAPPEN, AND WHO WAS TO BLAME.

                         /// END ACT ///

ALL THIS COMES AT A TENSE TIME IN SINO-AMERICAN RELATIONS.  
CONGRESS IS PREPARING FOR ITS ANNUAL DEBATE ON CHINA'S 
MOST-FAVORED-NATION TRADE STATUS, WHICH GIVES BEIJING THE SAME 
TARIFF TREATMENT AS MOST OTHER U-S TRADING PARTNERS.  AND THE TOP
DEMOCRAT IN THE SENATE, TOM DASCHLE, SAYS THE SPY CONTROVERSY 
COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON LEGISLATION NEEDED TO CLEAR THE WAY FOR 
CHINA TO JOIN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION.

                       /// DASCHLE ACT ///

         I THINK IT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL IF THIS WILL AFFECT 
         TRADE VOTES OR  NOT.  OBVIOUSLY, THIS DOESN'T HELP IT.

                         /// END ACT ///

THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED THE SPY CHARGES.  OFFICIALS 
IN BEIJING SAY THE ALLEGATIONS AMOUNT TO SLANDER AGAINST CHINA.  
(SIGNED)

NEB/PW/PHW/WTW

25-May-99 6:57 PM EDT (2257 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.