Joel Hefley: “this New York Times headline says it all: ``China Stole Nuclear Secrets for Bombs, U.S. Aides Say: Espionage Case at New…”

“this New York Times headline says it all: ``China Stole Nuclear Secrets for Bombs, U.S. Aides Say: Espionage Case at New Mexico Lab is Said to be Minimized by the White House.'' Why would a case that intelligence experts consider to be worse than Aldrich Ames be minimized by the White House? The reason is clear to all those who have followed the campaign finance scandal of 1996. It would also be clear to all those who followed the administration's China policy. First, when this scandal came to light in 1995, and then more conclusively in April of 1996, the White House was under fire for taking campaign cash from the Communist Chinese army. Second, this stunning revelation of nuclear espionage would have threatened the administration's policy of what they call engagement with Communist China. That is why the White House would have a clear incentive to avoid notification of Congress and to reject the clear evidence that our most sensitive nuclear secrets have been stolen.”