[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 83 (Monday, June 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1237-E1238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


              ``LET'S KEEP CHINESE SPYING IN PERSPECTIVE''

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. PHILIP M. CRANE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 14, 1999

  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, as evidenced by the debate in the House, all 
of us have serious concerns about the espionage activities that 
resulted in the theft of U.S. military secrets. On a daily basis, as 
Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, I discuss, and 
contemplate, the complex but critically important issues involving the 
United States and the People's Republic of China. In my discussions, I 
try to articulate what I believe should be our response to the 
situation in which we find ourselves. However, I had not found a 
written piece that provided a reasoned and concise response to the 
allegations of spying until I read an opinion written by former 
President Jimmy Carter in the May 28th edition of USA Today. I 
completely agree with his views and I strongly urge my colleagues to 
read his comments which I have included for the Record.

                   [From the USA Today, May 28, 1999]

                Let's Keep Chinese Spying in Perspective

                           (By Jimmy Carter)

       Recent revelations about Chinese espionage are a 
     justifiable cause for alarm among all those who are concerned 
     about the protection of America's military secrets. But it is 
     also important to keep this issue in perspective as it 
     affects already strained U.S.-Sino relations and to remember 
     how nations traditionally react to security breaches.
       The bipartisan report of the House select committee, which 
     seems to be thorough and accurate, warrants immediate 
     corrective action and, as a secondary priority, an effort to 
     affix blame on those who may have violated the law or been 
     derelict in their duties. However, the revelations have also 
     aroused reactions that are ill-advised, counterproductive

[[Page E1238]]

     and could subvert the potential benefits of the committee's 
     good work. There are unfounded allegations by both Democrats 
     and Republicans against each other, obviously designed for 
     partisan advantage. Some other American leaders, who have 
     habitually demonstrated animosity toward the People's 
     Republic of China, have attempted to drive a deeper wedge 
     between our two countries at what is already a troubled time.


                     A confused policy toward China

       At best, U.S. policy toward China is very confusing, at 
     least to the Chinese, both because of uncertainties within 
     the administration and because of highly publicized 
     differences between the White House and Congress on how to 
     address the issues of Taiwan, human rights, trade and the 
     sharing of political responsibilities in Asia. The bombing of 
     the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, has further 
     exacerbated the troubled relationship. This regrettable 
     incident also has injected China, as a permanent member of 
     the U.N. Security Council, into the potential role of 
     negotiating a peaceful resolution of the Kosovo crisis.
       It is clear that much is at stake--for both U.S.-China and 
     global relations. So let's consider some facts about 
     espionage. There are few, if any, nations that would not take 
     advantage of opportunities to learn withheld secrets that 
     could contribute to their military, political or economic 
     advantage. In fact, although the select committee's attention 
     was focused exclusively on China, it would be surprising if 
     Russia and other nations have not also benefited from the lax 
     policies at our nuclear research laboratories.
       The United States certainly seeks to learn what other 
     nations are doing, and we use surreptitious means, if 
     necessary, to glean this information. Only recently, the 
     celebrated case of Jonathan Pollard has proved this premise. 
     Pollard was found guilty of delivering, over a period of 
     years, some of our most valuable secrets to Israel, our 
     strongest and most reliable ally in the Middle East.
       The standard reaction to cases of this kind is to arrest 
     and punish severely American citizens who have committed such 
     treasonous acts, but not to impose penalties on the country 
     that benefited from them. If a foreign spy is caught in our 
     nation, the response is to expel the guilty person and 
     perhaps to include others who are suspect or diplomatically 
     sensitive. When I was president, we even swapped guilty 
     Soviet spies for the freedom of some human-rights heroes who 
     were incarcerated in Siberia.
       In addition to spying among nations, a major field of 
     espionage is in the commercial world, where France and other 
     advanced nations avidly seek secret information from American 
     business firms--and vice versa.


                  Handle guilty parties as in the past

       In the current case, no one has been arrested for 
     espionage, and there is no indication that such arrests are 
     imminent. If guilty parties are revealed, they should be 
     handled in the time-honored way.
       This still leaves the question of China's improper use of 
     the secret information, either to threaten us directly or to 
     channel advanced weapons to others who might attack the 
     United States. The House committee leaders make clear that 
     the Chinese have not tested or deployed missiles or warheads 
     that include the most advanced technology. In fact, the 
     People's Republic of China has committed itself to complying 
     with the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and any testing of warheads 
     would be considered a serious violation of international law.
       Revelations of spying should lead to legal action against 
     any convicted American spies and to the treatment of 
     international relations in a customary and historical manner. 
     The past 20 years of diplomatic relations have been extremely 
     valuable to both our nations and to peace, stability and 
     economic progress in Asia. These advantages must not be 
     endangered as we correct the mistakes that have been made by 
     both Democratic and Republican administrations.
       My hope is that our government can exhibit as much wisdom, 
     judgment, effectiveness and bipartisan cooperation as has 
     been demonstrated by the select committee.

     

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