Posted on 01/11/2002 2:08:31 PM PST by 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.
To all: This poster is entitled to say what he/she wants, but take note - all along, year after year here at FR, I've readily admited, that I, personally, am irrelevant.
(but my knowledge about Asian affairs - and this Clinton/Gore treason is - not irrelevant.)
I am impressed so far.
Exactly!
(now I've got both my teenagers behind me - badgering me/hurrying)
Steve, here is an interesting/damning url, let me give these kids of mine some time on our computer and hopefully I'll be back this evening, but they do homework on this puter ....so I might not be back till tomorrow morning)
(Mr Gonzalez, as you've just read, kids swarmming me - so stand by - and maintain your cool - till we can hook-up, perhaps as early as later this evening but possibly tomorrow morning, thanks.)
Report: -RIADY- Walks after Day/Night in LA Court
"Can't handle the fact that other people have different opinions than yours on a subject?"
Either you're not reading (or you're not comprehending) my above Mr Gonzalez. All folks are entitled to their own opinions. Absolutely. Now, while I'm gone and letting my kids use this computer, spend some time reviewing all of my above posts. I'm simply inviting you to debate Chinagate and the good work of Judicial Watch. Now, please maintain your composure Mr Gonzalez and I'll be back asap.
ROTFL!!!
You are bullying, demanding. predicting, and even making an ass out of yourself, but not "inviting" me to anything by any stretch of the imagination.
Here's some advice, get your own show, and quit trying to catch a ride on my coat tails.
LOL! Talk about spin!
This is what actually happened:
Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit on behalf of Sonya Stewart, a Commerce Department employee. The complaint alleged sexual harassment and retaliation in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The complaint also alleged a 4th Amendment violation involving an illegal search. The District Court threw out the case at the pleading stage for failure to state a claim. The Court of Appeals agreed with the dismissal of the sexual harassment and retaliation claims, but let the case proceed on the 4th Amendment claim.
Only in the bizarro Clintonian universe where sex isn't "sex" and is isn't "is" can someone classify this as a victory. Judicial Watch had two out of three counts thrown out of court. Their one remaining count still has to be proven in court. This is the legal equivalent of getting knocked out in the first round in two fights and claiming victory when you are saved by the bell in fight #3.
"We reverse the judg- ment of the district court dismissing Stewart's Fourth Amendment claim, and remand that aspect of the case to the district court for further proceedings."
Sounds to me like they got a good punch in right before the round ended WW, a reversal is noteworthy. You know you would be dancing in the streets if Elian was afforded a similar ruling. All depends how much one hates Klayman I guess.
America sold out for only $14 million,pocket change and a ride on the Ferris wheel for the brass ring.
OH nooo the brass ring was also made in China.Do tell!!!!!!!
Hi goldilucky, good to see you.
Sounds to me like you were watching a different fight. The Court upheld the outright dismissal of two-thirds of Larry's case. The remaining count is at best a long shot. To characterize this as a victory is patently ludicrous, but typical of Judicial Watch.
BTW I don't hate Klayman. I do think he's a clown and a charlatan, but he hasn't done anything to me personally.
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