Ehrlich on Washington column, June 4, 1999

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Lutherville, Maryland 21093 Washington, D.C. 20515 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of June 4, 1999 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. THE COX REPORT- EXPOSING REASONS FOR CONCERN When monumental events happen, I often remember exactly where I was when I heard the news, or I remember watching the situation unfold on television. I am sure many of you can recall just ten years ago, when tanks were sent to disperse students in Tiananmen Square for demanding democracy reforms in the Peoples Republic of China (China). We all watched in horror the stark images and unforgettable scene as it unfolded that day. My fear is that May 25, 1999, will become another monumental day forever imbedded in our memories, a day when the American people realized how vulnerable they actually are. On May 25, 1999, the Select Committee on U.S. National Security and Military/Commercial Concerns with the Peoples Republic of China released a startling declassified report on the impact of Chinese espionage on our national security. This bipartisan committee found that China has stolen design information on America’s most advanced thermal nuclear warheads. Equally important, the committee discovered that the espionage actually dates back to the 1970s. This repeated infiltration of U.S. security almost certainly continues today. Incredibly, it appears the Clinton Administration was informed three years ago of the security breaches and, did nothing to address the crisis. This foot dragging has allowed China to continue to steal missile and space technology from U.S. weapons labs, thereby further improving its military and intelligence capabilities and permitting Chinese nuclear weapons targeting of U.S. cities.