Loral fined $14m over China missiles claim{Treason is cheap these days…}

ft.com ^ | By Edward Alden and Peter Spiegel

[expose]

Loral fined $14m over China missiles claim

By Edward Alden and Peter Spiegel in Washington

Loral, the US satellite company, said it would pay $14m to the US State Department to settle a claim that it improperly gave technical information to China that may have aided that country's nuclear missile programme.

Loral also said the Justice Department had ended its investigation of the company and would not pursue any criminal charges.

The fine marks the last chapter in a bitter political battle in Washington in which Republicans alleged that during the Clinton administration the US had turned a blind eye to actions by Loral and other satellite makers that may have threatened national security.

Loral agreed to the fine, which will be spread out over seven years, without admitting or denying the government's charges.

The investigation arose out of the 1996 explosion of a Chinese rocket carrying one of Loral's Intelsat satellites. Loral subsequently took part in a technical investigation of the launch failure, which it inadvertently shared with the Chinese. The US Defence Department found that the technical data given to China may have helped the Chinese improve the accuracy of their military rockets and missiles, which use similar technology. Experts have since questioned whether anything of military value was given to China.

Bernard Schwartz, Loral chief executive, said on Wednesday the data were mistakenly sent to China by a Loral employee without approval by the US government, and expressed regret. He said the company had since greatly improved its oversight.

The Loral incident led to a detailed congressional investigation, which concluded China had been stealing an array of US military secrets. It resulted in severe restrictions on US satellite exports imposed in 1999.

The Justice Department had also been investigating a separate incident involving Hughes Electronics, another US satellite maker. Richard Dore, a Hughes spokesman, said on Wednesday the company had also been informed by Justice that no criminal charges would be filed.

But Hughes lawyers will meet State Department officials this month to discuss their own settlement of the matter and whether a fine will be necessary. "We've contended all along that we followed the government guidelines," said Mr Dore.

Hughes was accused of helping improve Chinese rocket and missile technology while investigating launch failures. The satellite-building unit of Hughes, Hughes Space and Communications, was sold to Boeing in 2000, but Hughes retained liability for the technology transfer investigation.

Lockheed Martin also agreed to pay $13m in 2000 after a company it acquired was accused of helping a Hong Kong company with ties to Beijing. <P.

[Republic]

This is the first time I have been truly disappointed in the Bush Dept of Justice. This is wrong. Battles must be chosen wisely, and this a battle that should have been fought because our national security was and still is threatened by the filthy dealings of the clinton commerce dept, the DNC and Loral. All for profit, at the risk of harming our nation. This is a mistake. FOURTEEN MILLION? That is NOTHING! Not even a slap on the wrist. Even Jesse Jackson, a genuine extortionist is able to garner seven hundred million by simply flipping his finger at Toyota, yet our own government cannot find jail terms for men in the prior administration and within Loral who conspired to HURT OUR NATION BY GREEDILY EXCHANGING MIRV TECH FOR BUCKS? What kind of a message does this send to our nation, and worse, maybe, what kind of message does this send to other companies who may be tempted to do what it takes to get the big bucks.....I am so bummed. And I really hate the Loral company.

[ChaseR]

bttt

[ChaseR]

"This is the first time I have been truly disappointed in the Bush Dept of Justice......
Not even a slap on the wrist.....
jail terms for men in the prior administration and within Loral.....
who conspired to HURT OUR NATION BY GREEDILY EXCHANGING MIRV TECH FOR BUCKS?

What kind of a message does this send to our nation"

[ChaseR]

"What kind of a message does this send to our nation""

I tell ya one God Damn thing for sure - and that's the fact that "our nation" - will SOON BE GETTING - A HUGE MESSAGE!!

[ChaseR]

Good morning Luis. Will you be discussing this Judicial Watch victory on the radio? I can't wait till you break this on the radio!
I know that you'll do well with this latest win for our country - this Judicial Watch victory scores a victory for the Rule of Law. I'll be listening Luis - Thanks.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Simply stated "no", Larry's got his own show, and his own definition of "victory".

[Luis Gonzalez]

"I tell ya one God Damn thing for sure - and that's the fact that "our nation" - will SOON BE GETTING - A HUGE MESSAGE!!"

Oh my God! It's Jeanne Dixon!

[ChaseR]

"Oh my God! It's Jeanne Dixon!"

cute....
...but you know something sir, when I first heard you speak on the radio a couple weeks ago....
(I posted in your thread, remember)(and I was quite elated that evening that you might soon get to the Chinagate matter that evening)(and I posted about Chinagate and the Loral Shareholders case, remember) -
- - - - I thought to myself...
"Now, here's a man I've have found that I can respect and admire - here's a brave man -on the radio who'll take a firm stand - who is - taking a firm stand!" ...."now here's a man who is definitely for the Rule of Law in these United States." and I further thought, "here's a man we can all trust to lead us with his integrity!"
Luis, I was so very delighted to hear you speak the way you spoke that first night I heard you. - - - But, now, I'm truly saddened - to see the stance you've taken. I'm very truly saddened and very disapppointed Luis. I was anticipating and looking forward for a long time here at FR - to find someone like you that I could look up to. Someone we could all turn to - to speak out for the Rule of Law in our country.
I'm now saddened/disappointed Luis (and I'll bet that many readers here at FR are now feeling these same thoughts) - to see the road you're taking on this JW victory that will, in the end, expose to the Am. public - more about Chinagate:

*****

"Ms. Stewart made headlines when she testified in Judicial Watch's Chinagate case
against the Commerce Department that the Clinton White House and Commerce Department officials conspired
to withhold improperly documents concerning the sale of the trade mission seats in exchange for campaign contributions."

[BeAChooser]

Good morning Luis. Will you be discussing this Judicial Watch victory on the radio?

Don't be ridiculous ChaseR. Luis is too busy RUNNING from the facts in the Ron Brown case and other Clinton administration crimes to spend any time on this. Notice who ALWAYS show up to support him ... who he shows up to support? Other MOVE-ON'ERS. Other Stealth democRATS.

[ChaseR]

...awaiting your reply

[ChaseR]

"Notice who ALWAYS show up to support him ... who he shows up to support? Other MOVE-ON'ERS."

That's O. K. - in this post and my previous post, I've pinged close to 400 different FR posters; these folks have now been notified of what's about to commence. This coming debate between Mr 'Mover-On' Gonzalez and myself will be begin soon.
Mr 'Mover-On' Gonzalez, you'll now be debating with me (and any others who share my position and may want to join us) on this grave this Chinagate matter. Get your thoughts together; I'll be reviewing Alamo-Girls Chinagate material that she has compiled over the years. Ping me when your ready to get started.

[wienerdog.com]

Thanks for the ping. I am going to lurk this thread and see how much I can learn.

[ArGee]

Thanks for the ping.

I don't want Loral fined or sued. I want their headquarters programmed into the first missile China launches. The second missile should be targeted at the home of their CEO. Then we'll see if they think they made a mistake.

Shalom.

[ChaseR]

(Mr 'Mover-On' Gonzalez, it is only fair that you see the list of FR posters I've pinged in my two posts above. Most of them I know, however I chose some of these folks at random (I won't be pinging this full list again and to any of you who wish I hadn't pinged you - I'm sorry. Everyone else, please join us in this important Chinagate debate as I'm sure Luis and I will be starting soon:

BeAChooser; Luis Gozalez; Alamo-Girl; goldilucky; ALOHA RONNIE; Snow Bunny; Black Jade; abigail2; Ragtime Cowgirl; dennisw; RedBloodedAmerican; newzjunkey; lent; plastic; grlfrnd; vrwc54; onyx; Alouette; dennisw; Noxxus; Benf; nachum; NorthernRight; Sabramerican; VinnyTex; MadIvan; hsszionist; libertarian; NYCGOPChick; Miss Marple; mountaineer; Pericles; Poohbah; BeAChooser; Miss Marple; GretchenEE; Mia T; katykelly; eastsider; Bigg Red; christine11; chaser; sarcasm; B. A. Conservative; proud patriot; prognostigaator; Ironsoldier; t-shirt; Defender2 ; DONTX, PGalt, Leper Messiah, Syncro; mrustow, Texbob; newblood; Dream Weaver; Kirk&Burke; HAMMERDOWN; CounterCounterCulture; t-shirt; flamefront; sonsofliberty2000; freedomnews; amom; Native American Female Vet; VAAdvogado; TwoStep; des; dandelion; ratcat; michigander; Twodees; Howie; hoot33; Geezerette; Old Lady; lawgirl; speed_demon, rdavis84, gcraig, mil-vet, TigersEye, Luis Gonzalez, Navy_Air; Publius6961; chriservative; epluribus; snopercod; John Jorsett; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Angelique; *bang_list; Free the USA; LurkerNoMore; BellStar; Lady in Blue; Lady in Red; davidosborne; bvw; AmericanInTokyo; Bella_Bru; Pokey78; ElkGroveDan; Dog Gone; Dog; Demidog; trank; boston_liberty; B4Ranch; FormerLib; Unbeliever; Slyfox; ArGee; Truthandlife; Thorondir; Thanatos; sheik yerbouty; b4its2late; Slip18; Byron_the_Aussie; dougfromupland; kristinn; The Duke; sheik yerbouty; tallhappy; eastforker; SAMWolf; GrampaDave; Twodees; tberry; WhiskeyPapa; shuckmaster; Republican_Strategist; StarFan; GalvestonGal; nutmeg; Destructor; Fighting Falcons; davidosborne; Rebelbase; constitutiongirl; Colosis; MJY1288; NorseWood; dighton; RikaStrom; Iwentsouth; CyberLiberty; anymouse; dead; Brookhaven; Don Joe; Ace2U; wwjdn; CPT Clay; weikel; sneakypete; khepera; fogarty; semper_libertas; j_accuse; NYCGOPChick; VinnyTex; TomServo; seamole; Gabz; dignan3; proudpatriot; Don Myers; shuckmaster; cricket; Lucky2; GrandMoM; research99; wbill; LeeMcCoy; pubmom; innocentbystander; Shannon; Beenliedto; golindseygo; *Enron_List; isthisnickcool; Orual; ladylawyer; SMEDLEYBUTLER; TopQuark; TransOxus; KDD; Scott from the Left Coast; concerned about politics; wienerdog.com; KC_Conspirator; NittanyLion; thucydides; putupon; JeanS; sandydipper; eureka; kattracks; Chi-townChief; sweetliberty; Mahone; Arkle; AStack75; xsmommy; dubyaismypresident; RikaStrom; the_second_moon; billbears; LeeMcCoy; PogySailor; Dakmar; 1 FELLOW FREEPER; PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain; alancarp; chainsaw; Wphile; Logophile; Billie; 68-69 TonkinGulfYatchClub; Victoria Delsoul; Libertina; cook; katherineisgreat; WSGilcrest; susangirl; OWK; Sabertooth; Dan from Michigan; ICE-FLYER; Seruzawa; Deep_6; Joe Brower; Rodney King; TheOtherOne; B-bone; steve50; hobbes1; thucydides; Byron_the_Aussie; Redleg Duke; Cultural Jihad; Native New Yorker; VMI70; dcam; Gordian Blade; wardaddy; hobblemaster; mikrofon; OBAFGKM; Vade Retro; Registered; Republic; CatoRenasci; gulfcoast6; katykelly; Chairman_December_19th_Society; Valin; KC_Conspirator; Republican Wildcat; Randjuke; Jefferson Adams; Liberal Classic; massadvj; CheneyChick; Billie; Goetz_von_Berlichingen; A.Pole; Travis McGee; daisyscarlett; The Shootist; JenB; Wanker; JamesParmelee; Always Right; Ridin' Shotgun; toupsie; smith288; JudyB1938; ArGee; ValerieUSA; goldstategop; Campion; kd5cts; LBKQ; exodus; expose; ATOMIC_PUNK; Stand Watch Listen; Cagey; snopercod; joanie-f; mommadooo3; brityank; Khepera; PLK; AmishDude; montag813; michigander; Starmaker; staytrue; dubyaismypresident; massadvj; SJackson; Hugh Akston; Freedom'sWorthIt; JeanS; LSJohn; golitely; rightwing2; dyed_in_the_wool; Corporate Law; Incorrigible; Roebucks; Gabz; Lance Romance; bray; SuziQ; blam; RANGERAIRBORNE; WIMom; WindMinstrel; FreeTally; Mr Lucky; OneidaM; Arthur McGowan; Hugh Akston; cruiserman; conserv13; null and void; ValerieUSA; Catpuppy; Aristophanes; GMMAC; Old Lady; discostu; freeeee; TwakeIDFins; GoodyBrown; Prodigal Son; Radioheart; DeaconBenjamin; I_be_tc; Hillary's Lovely Legs; Texaggie79; WALLACE212; TaxPayer2000; codebreaker; Clara Lou; sultan88; M. Thatcher; jla; HappyGal; veronica; B Knotts; monkeyshine; abandon; RCW2001; filterfish; Tymesup; angelo; lowbridge; BeHoldAPaleHorse; dead; RottiBiz; WarPaint; LibertarianLiz; steve-b; Wm Bach; Retired Army; Destructor; 2sheep; doug from upland; Alamo-Girl; Uncle George; beckett; VadeRetro; Palo Verde; Lurking Libertarian; montag813; elephantlips; Polonius; Gabz; ThomasMore; SJackson; forthedeclaration; the_doc; Jerry_M; OrthodoxPresbyterian; RnMomof7; Matchett-PI ; CCWoody; al_c; Barnacle; Outraged; LegoZ81; badfreeper; GSWarrior; tacticalogic; Moonman62; VadeRetro; Lizavetta; The Truth Will Make You Free; cake_crumb; Yehuda; VA Voter; Nachum; BenF; Alouette; ganesha; Deep_6; Patrick_K; boston_liberty; babylonian; Kevin Curry; The Documentary Lady; Catspaw; texson66; Roger_W_Isom; abwehr; Dr. Frank; the bottle let me down; James Parmelee; ignatz_q; Old Hickory; rdavis84; My2Cents; tdadams; Paleo Conservative; hchutch; Red Jones; alcuin; Lizavetta; scratchgolfer; Mercuria; Teacup; NewDestiny; ex-Texan; jjbrouwer; Kiwigal; Scally Wag; Carry_Okie; homeschool mama; Harrison Bergeron; SAMWolf; daisyscarlett; MeeknMing; SuziQ; scooby321; New Horizon; sixmil; soozla; Sparkvark; Vision; LukeFReeman; OldGlory; Matchett-PI; Reagan Man; JohnGalt; Sean Hannity; Rush Limbaugh; My Favorite Headache; Jack Black; P-Marlowe

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

Hmmmmmm.....maybe Ashcroft IS corrupt.

Or is he just a cowardly RUBE as I still suspect.

[ChaseR]

(I know that this long list I just posted (above) took up valuable bandwidth but perhaps it will draw plenty of participants. Also, in regards to that email I sent you on the 1st of this month, I'll now be mailing by certified mail, my ck for not only the amount I pledged, but also another check for $50 - to cover my bandwidth usage today. (you did not ask for this amt of $50, but I want to mail it, I insist.) No reply necessary. Thank you,ChaseR)

[shuckmaster]

please remove me from this ping list

[1 FELLOW FREEPER]

Ping me at your pleasure.

[Arkle]

Please remove me from your egomaniac spam list.

[Native American Female Vet]

"This coming debate between Mr 'Mover-On' Gonzalez and myself will be begin soon."

Oh boy...this is gonna be good!