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 do you think they where doing as they drafted that very Constitution?
They where committing treason.
Everyone who's read it....
Ain't that right, Luis?
No sir, I believe it is you that is misintrepretating what treason means. When someone violates their oath of office to protect their country enemies abroad, and might it also include as well as domestic they have indeed commited treason. It's not just limited to levying war alone. Levying war also implies, selling weapons to enemies abroad who have every intention of using those missle against your country in the future. Although the House of Un-American Activities became defunct due to the heightened McCarthy hearings, communists are STILL the sworn enemy of the U.S. of A. Those who aid, abet, and provide comfort to those enemies should be removed from public office immediately!
"That's the difficult part about being a conservative, you have to live by what you preach."
I do. Not only that but as one transformed from a communist sympathiziser to that of a conservative, I live to tell from experience.
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court."
"The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."
What part of what the Founders wrote can't you understand?
When the Libs use your tactic to attack the Second Amendment "this is what the Founders really meant", do you agree with them? Or do you demand that they read the Amendment verbatim?
I guess you believe that Chief Justice John Marshall was wrong then?
United States Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall
First, KNOW your enemy.
Second, NEVER compromise with your enemy!
Finally, NEVER underestimate your enemy!
So, do we not sell weapons to anyone?
Can we sell them to Germany?
How about France, England, Mexico?
Italy?
Japan?
Right now, insofar as the State Depertment is concerned, China is not an enemy.
They may bee someday, but they are not right now.
Then, there are those countries who have been our enemies in the past.
I am saying that the constitution means exactly what the Framers said, that "only" means only.
You are arguing that "only" meant "might it also include", and that "Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them" actually means "It's not just limited to levying war alone."
But I am the one subverting the meaning of the Constitution?
What is "is"?
You may have quit being a communist, but you sure still argue like one.
Please go to the law library and get the Blacks Law dictionary 6th Edition and look up treason.
You may have quit being a communist, but you sure still argue like one.
It is you that is arguing like one and I recognize the language you use that you SPEAK like one!
God bless you and have a nice day!
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