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.
. . .might make you feel better; but 'poor' no guarantee as protection from ethically challenged. . .no one is perfect; but Liberals definitely take the lead for this group.
Bump!
You tell 'em, Ms. Bunny!! Puttin' Loral's Schwartz in Federal Prison would send a very strong message that Equal Justice Fer All means EXACTLY THAT!! If a "little guy" had done as much damage to the National Security as Mr. Schwartz--and Der SchleekMeister--has, he'd be Executed Fer TREASON!! The Effete Elite can not be treated any differently if this Nation of Laws is to survive and THRIVE like I know it shall!!
"That vast differences of __________ have become a THIN RED LINE !!!!!! GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!"
Stay the Course, my good FRiend...Dubyuh/Ashcroft haven't accomplished anything vis a vis the Clinton Corruption Machine just yet, but the rumor's floatin' around that JUSTICE is gonna be a Major Issue in the 2002 mid-term elections...and that means the GOP's ready to defend--on the campaign stump--Ashcroft's actions when he and the DoJ go after Traitors to this Country like Terry McAuliffe, Bernie Schwartz, and William Jefferson Blythe Clinton!!
"Weird thing is I do not blame the RED Chinese, they are commies and doing what comes naturally, to be evil. I blame our Americans who let this happen and committed these Acts of Treason. The commies "IN THIS COUNTRY"!!!!!!"
Couldn't have said it better myself, my FRiend...MUD
(flamefront...this deserves it's own thread, will you do it-or shall I, thanks )
This is a MIGHTY WIN FOR THE RULE OF LAW!!!
This is a TREMONDOUS WIN FOR OUR COUNTRY!!!!!!!!
BIG BUMP! (just wait and see!)
BIG BUMP! (just wait and see!)
BIG BUMP! (just wait and see!)
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