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.
What is wrong is that there is no justice at Justice. Ashcroft disbanded the campaign finance task force which should have investigated this well as all the other criminal activties associated with Chinagate and the rest.
So, how much of an improvement is a change form obstructing justice, as Reno did, and ignoring justice as Ashcroft is doing?
Of course the "Bush....right or wrong, Bush" people don't like us to say anything about it, and they can jump through rhetorical hoops with a grace that doesn't match Clinton's but still isn't too bad when it comes to Janet Ashcroft doing a little obstructing of his own regarding the stuff Burton seeks.
This is worse than nothing. This fine is paid by the company, which means the stockholders. Meanwhile, the CEO and the criminals associated with this pay nothing.
No, the lid is still jarred open a crack. The Loral Shareholders case is STILL PENDING!
Help what am I missing here?
US Congress Subpoena Orders Ashcroft To Release Clinton Evidence on Sept. 11, 2001 - Re-Post
Will Ashcroft Obey House Subpoena Commanding Evidence by 11th or KeepProtecting Clinton?Thread 2 1/2
But, the Beginning of the End, for Chinagate investigations began here with the Ashcroft signing off on Raidy's slap on the wrist:
*** with the exception of - the Loral Shareholders case! ***
That won't help them. Some average Joe - will expose this treason - !!!
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