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As China's Military Power Grows, U.S. Eases Restrictions on Strategic Exports to Beijing
Geostrategy-Direct.com ^ | 8 Jul 05 | Geostrategy-Direct.com

Posted on 07/08/2005 8:26:59 PM PDT by datura

The Bush administration acknowledges a major increase in the sale of U.S. components and technology that could bolster China's military. Sources said the administration has reduced export restrictions on numerous high-technology items required by China's military. They cited computer hardware, general-purpose microprocessors and equipment to manufacture semiconductors.

The boom in sales of dual-use technology comes at a time when the Pentagon is sounding the alarm on the rapid growth of China's military and when the U.S. has pressed Israel to significantly reduce military exports to Beijing.

In 2004, U.S.-China trade rose by more than 22 percent and included advanced dual-use components. Officials said the U.S. Commerce Department has approved virtually all applications for export licenses to China.

"Export controls are not impeding overall U.S.-China bilateral trade," said Commerce Undersecretary Peter Lichtenbaum. "The great majority of U.S. exports to China do not require a license, and the great majority of licenses are approved."

In testimony to the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Lichtenbaum said the U.S. has been exporting sensitive technologies and commodities to China that could be used for military purposes. The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security regulates the export of dual-use technologies and goods, identified on the Commerce Control List.

Lichtenbaum told the commission — mandated by Congress to assess the national security implications of U.S.-Chinese trade — that in 2004 his department approved such controlled items as aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, chemicals, chemical manufacturing equipment and high-performance computers. He said the decisions were based on assessments that China could purchase these products from other countries.

"For example, building state-of-the-art semiconductor plants could increase China's ability to apply this technology and equipment in military programs," Lichtenbaum said on June 23. "Advanced telecommunications equipment — if illegally diverted to military end-users — could provide the Chinese missile, nuclear weapons and other military programs with the means to enhance performance capabilities in military radar applications."

The commission hearing took place as the administration pressed Israel for a memorandum of understanding that would block all military and dual-use exports to China. Officials acknowledged that the administration intends to prevent Israel from selling dual-use equipment approved for U.S. export.

"Currently, our export regime is far more transparent than those of the Israelis," an official said. "We know what we are exporting and we know the end user."

On June 28, an Israeli delegation concluded two days of talks with the Defense Department regarding the proposed MoU. Officials said the two sides did not reach agreement and planned to meet in July in Washington.

Officials said Israel would be asked to commit to the terms of the Wassenaar Arrangement, which regulates the export of dual-use technology and equipment. They said the administration would work with Israel and Wassenaar partners to update arms export control lists and coordinate licensing practices and policies.

Lichtenbaum said U.S. export controls have not significantly affected trade with China. The total value of denied export license applications for China in 2004 was $10.8 million, he said.

Last year, the United States exported $34.7 billion to China, less than 2 percent of which was licensed by the Commerce Department.

Officials said the Pentagon has recommended controls on such U.S. exports to China as munitions power sources, biotechnology and parachutes.

So far, the administration has denied export licenses for dual-use items and technology that could bolster Chinese capabilities in electronic and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, air power and the production of missiles having a range of 300 kilometers or more.

The administration has also sought to sell nuclear reactors to China in a move opposed by Congress. On June 28, the House, in a 313-114, passed an amendment that would prevent the U.S. Export-Import Bank to loan $5 billion to Westinghouse Electric Company to construct nuclear power plants in China.

"It is not only absurd, but it is dangerous for the taxpayers of this country to be subsidizing the construction of nuclear power plants in China," said Rep. Bernard Sanders, At-Large congressman from Vermont, who sponsored the amendment. "Is it really in the best interest of the United States of America to provide advanced nuclear technology to China?"

The Commerce Department plans to propose what Lichtenbaum termed a new "catch-all" regulation that would require a license for uncontrolled exports that could enhance the Chinese military. At the same time, he warned against any expansion in export controls.

"We should be cautious regarding such an expansion of U.S. export controls, and only consider such an approach when a U.S. industry is both critical to national defense and is threatened specifically by Chinese competition," Lichtenbaum said.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: china; impeachdubya; unitedstates
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To: familyop

This one comes from Bill Gertz. His reputation is above most - if not all - of the subscription sites.


21 posted on 07/08/2005 9:31:49 PM PDT by datura (Molon Labe)
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To: endthematrix
"'Currently, our export regime is far more transparent than those of the Israelis," an official said. "We know what we are exporting and we know the end user' . . . The U.S. Department of Commerce reached an agreement with the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China on procedures..."

So it is part of the Vespasian lobby. ...ugly stuff. We need to get them out of influence. If not, those self-described "paleo-cons" and their contacts in our Defense will usher us into eventual nuke exchanges.

I had one of those "end users" (Chinese national) as an English Comp. instructor during President Reagan's watch. She told us that she was a PLA captain at that time. She worked here for a short while and went back to serve in China.

Hopefully, the Chinese will nuke Rome, Mecca and Moscow before it gets to us.
22 posted on 07/08/2005 9:42:20 PM PDT by familyop ("Let us try" sounds better, don't you think? "Essayons" is so...Latin.)
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To: datura
"This one comes from Bill Gertz. His reputation is above most - if not all - of the subscription sites."

That's true, and thanks. So it appears that we are helping to build an antagonistic group overseas (Russia, China, Iran, North Korea and others). Loosely connected domestic fascist groups and individuals in government jobs are using our money to do it.
23 posted on 07/08/2005 9:48:11 PM PDT by familyop ("Let us try" sounds better, don't you think? "Essayons" is so...Latin.)
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To: Texas_Jarhead

This has been going on for five years. Clinton's policies on transfers of military technology to China have remained in place - and even been loosened. Two years ago, this administration allowed the plant that manufactures smart-bombs to be transferred to China. The scum corporate owners made the usual empty promises not to allow the technology to fall into Chinese hand. Just like Bernie Schwartz and Loral did, once again proving Marx's sole truthful comment: There are plenty of businessmen who will sell you the rope today that will be used to hang them tomorrow. Useful idiots.

Heaven knows what else has been sold off. Once upon a time, this kind of activity was known as treason. The Republicans have to be in on the scam. That's why they let Clinton skate when they should have impeached him and tried him on charges of treason - a charge that's just a tad more serious than perjuring yourself about having interns give you blow jobs. More "compassionate conservatism" in action - compassionate to the bank accounts of treasonous corporate crooks, thugocracies, and third-world kleptocrats worldwide, with money freshly picked from taxpayer pockets. It's really horrible, and I'm sure we don't even know the half of it.


24 posted on 07/08/2005 9:52:33 PM PDT by Bogolyubski
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To: familyop
I don't know of any particular agenda, but in browins the Commerce Department website, I found this (dated 2002) policy:

"The U.S. Government stands firm in its policy of opposing restrictive trade practices or boycotts against Israel," Juster said. "The Commerce Department is committed to using all of its resources to oppose economic boycotts against Israel and corporations that do business with Israel."

Commerce Official Urges Compliance with Regulations Opposing Boycott of Israel

25 posted on 07/08/2005 9:52:48 PM PDT by endthematrix ("an ominous vacancy" fills this space)
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To: datura

Bookmark


26 posted on 07/08/2005 10:16:34 PM PDT by RATkiller (I'm not communist, socialist, Democrat nor Republican so don't call me names)
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To: datura

Just out of curiosity, was there any single thing that caused you to see reality? I'll admit that Bush has a real talent for coming off as sincere, honest, and truthful. He and the Republican spin doctors have done an incredible con job upon folks who are genuinely patriotic, decent, and hard-working - lots of them Evangelical Christians. I can really understand how one can fall for it - I almost did myself.

This is not to imply that there is anyone in Democrat ranks who is better. They are simply rabid leftists and outright Marxists whose chief ambition is to utterly destroy the country. We are still headed towards destruction because we are still being ruled by liberals - sometimes even leftists - in the name of conservatism, and liberals see no real enemies to their left. (lLeftists take a different view, which is why they hate Bush with such passion.)

Bush's angry attack this week upon anyone who dared to oppose the positions of his good friend Alberto Gonzales, a third-rate racial preference apparatchik, who supports abortion, racial preferences, siezure of private property, opposes the 2nd amendment, and sits on the board of an openly racist organization has been more ferocious than any remark he's made about the Dem obstructionists in Congress. It's yet another exmaple of the hard truth - Bush is an LBJ liberal to the core, and evidently corrupt to boot. Thus we keep on dancing ever leftward - the Hegelian Mambo - towards the yawning abyss. That which was moderately liberal 25 years ago (enforcing immigration laws, for example) is now "extremist right-wing racist fanaticism" - even according to self-styled "conservatives." I wonder who our next conservative hero will be, Leon Trotsky?


27 posted on 07/08/2005 10:30:32 PM PDT by Bogolyubski
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To: endthematrix

A page of information on business, religious and government offices boycotting Israel is a good idea. I'll get on it.


28 posted on 07/08/2005 10:47:25 PM PDT by familyop ("Let us try" sounds better, don't you think? "Essayons" is so...Latin.)
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To: SJackson
SJackson, check this out. It's a Bill Gertz piece.

From the article:
The boom in sales of dual-use technology comes at a time when the Pentagon is sounding the alarm on the rapid growth of China's military and when the U.S. has pressed Israel to significantly reduce military exports to Beijing.
[...]

The commission hearing took place as the administration pressed Israel for a memorandum of understanding that would block all military and dual-use exports to China. Officials acknowledged that the administration intends to prevent Israel from selling dual-use equipment approved for U.S. export.

"Currently, our export regime is far more transparent than those of the Israelis," an official said. "We know what we are exporting and we know the end user."

29 posted on 07/08/2005 10:57:05 PM PDT by familyop ("Let us try" sounds better, don't you think? "Essayons" is so...Latin.)
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To: datura


I used to be one of the "Bushbots" in the forum. In fact, I even used to say
that Bush would turn out to be as great a president as President Reagan.
No matter what the decision, I would come out in favor of the
administration's position, finding some silver lining somewhere.

And then, something snapped. I started seeing the full depth of what was
coming out of DC. That feeling of solid earth beneath my feet went away.
It felt like Clinton's third term. Like "We the People" had been sold out
AGAIN. And we have.<<<<<<<

It appears most of the left agrees with you.

To save your asking, no, I d0 not know what the perfect answer is, but when it agrees with the left side of America I have to disagree, therefore will continue to support Bush..

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=%22We%20the%20People%22%20had%0D%0Abeen%20sold%20out%20AGAIN


30 posted on 07/09/2005 4:07:05 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny (http://bernie.house.gov/pc/members.asp Meet YOUR Communist party members in Congress)
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To: datura; DAVEY CROCKETT; MamaDearest; Donna Lee Nardo; WestCoastGal

This was all news to me, turns out there has been a lot posted on it already, interesting googles, I am not up to looking at the groups.

Note, I have only the questions, not the answers....


http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=U.S.-China%20Working%0D%0AGroup

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=U.S.-China%20Working%0D%0AGroup%2C%20which%20has%20the%20support%20of%20the%20Chinese%20government

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=Congressional%20China%20Caucus

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=Congress%20focus%20on%20China%20

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=focus%20on%20the%0D%0Agrowing%20power%20of%20China

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=The%20caucus%20will%20%22take%20a%20critical%20look%22%20at%20Chinese%20military%20issues


31 posted on 07/09/2005 4:23:20 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny (http://bernie.house.gov/pc/members.asp Meet YOUR Communist party members in Congress)
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To: datura

Well, he's blowing it with China, let's see if he blows the Supreme Court appointments.


32 posted on 07/09/2005 4:30:37 AM PDT by RightWinger
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To: familyop; DAVEY CROCKETT; MamaDearest

When one becomes aware of the communists now holding elected offices, it is not difficult to understand that there is a group voting to defeat the United States, my sig line does not contain all of them, but we do pay with our taxes to show this many........


http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=%20build%20an%0D%0Aantagonistic%20group%20overseas%20%28Russia%2C%20China%2C%20Iran%2C%20North%20Korea%20and%0D%0Aothers

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=%20Loosely%20connected%20domestic%20fascist%20groups%20and%20individuals%20in%0D%0A%20government%20jobs%20are%20using%20our%20money%20to%20do%20it.


33 posted on 07/09/2005 4:40:38 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny (http://bernie.house.gov/pc/members.asp Meet YOUR Communist party members in Congress)
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To: nw_arizona_granny
"Note, I have only the questions, not the answers...."

You are not the only one.

34 posted on 07/09/2005 5:08:21 AM PDT by Donna Lee Nardo
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To: DAVEY CROCKETT; MamaDearest


I don't have the answers to why Bush has continued following any of the clinton policies, but I do notice that when Bush speaks in public the last few days, it is a rough speech, as tho he does not want to be there, talking about whatever he is.......but has many more important things on his mind.

It has crossed my thoughts that Bush is being blackmailed by our enemies, to do certain things or they will attack.

Maybe far out thinking on my part, but still worth keeping an eye on.

http://www.google.com/search?client=googlet&q=Clinton%27s%20policies%20on%20transfers%20of%0D%0Amilitary%20technology%20to%20China

http://www.google.com/search?q=+administration+allowed+the+plant+that%0D%0A+manufactures+smart-bombs+to+be+transferred+to+China&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&start=10&sa=N

http://www.google.com/search?q=%22compassionate+conservatism%22+in+action&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&client=googlet&start=10&sa=N


35 posted on 07/09/2005 5:29:24 AM PDT by nw_arizona_granny (http://bernie.house.gov/pc/members.asp Meet YOUR Communist party members in Congress)
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To: datura
What's it going to take to get an administration that the ChiComs can't buy?

Break the Democrat-Republican monopoly!

36 posted on 07/09/2005 6:11:41 AM PDT by varon (Allegiance to the constitution, always. Allegiance to a political party, never.)
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To: datura

After they buy our oil company...do they get the refineries
that go with it?...

If so will they let us have any of the gas or diesel produced
at the expense of OUR air and water quality?...

And if they do let us have it?...how much will it cost us?...

Which oilmen/businessmen who call themselves Americans will gain from this
sell out?


37 posted on 07/09/2005 9:20:56 AM PDT by joesnuffy (Does the Red Crescent have falafel dollies?)
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To: Aquakat

The only way to make any sense of all of this is to figure out that this countrys policy's are being controlled by something more powerful than partys. Something much bigger.


38 posted on 07/09/2005 10:05:19 AM PDT by Revel
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To: nw_arizona_granny; datura
It appears most of the left agrees with you.

To save your asking, no, I d0 not know what the perfect answer is, but when it agrees with the left side of America I have to disagree, therefore will continue to support Bush..

I have to agree with you on one thing “I don’t have the perfect answer” hell I don’t have any answer much less perfect.

Just because “most (more like some) of the left agrees….” does not make any position right or wrong.. The left is not all wrong nor is the right all correct.. In fact the left has some (I cant think of any right now LOL) good ideas.

Your logic leaves much to be desired. Actually your position puts you squarely into the same logic camp as those on the left who take the view of ABB (anybody but Bush). You basically are saying NBB (nobody but Bust). Both positions are identical, albeit on opposite sides of the argument that is basically hyperbole..

This issue is not one of Bush or ideological persuasions; it is now about the long-term survival of the USA and our way of life. It does not matter what the left does or say it matters what you or I and those on our side believe and do. We need core values/beliefs and apply them to the issues and let the cards where they may.

My beliefs/values are that of limited government at all levels, strong defense, the Constitution as written, capitalism (econ. definition) and belief in the individual.

Ergo; the cards are not looking good. Hell, Bush has succeeded in growing government to the level that even toon only dreamed of doing. Now this issue which is the thrust of this thread. I sure don’t want to go into a poker game with this hand.

39 posted on 07/09/2005 12:46:36 PM PDT by Aquakat (exterminate the vermin)
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To: Revel
The only way to make any sense of all of this is to figure out that this countrys policy's are being controlled by something more powerful than partys. Something much bigger.

I think I am going to regret this, but, ok I bite who/what?

40 posted on 07/09/2005 12:50:47 PM PDT by Aquakat (exterminate the vermin)
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