WJPBR Email News List [EMAIL PROTECTED] Peace at any cost is a Prelude to War! Thompson Action Threatens China Trade Bill Monday, September 11, 2000 By Rita Cosby WASHINGTON — Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., Monday introduced an amendment to a bill calling for permanent normal trade relations with China, setting up a potential barrier to easing trade relations with the Communist nation of 1.3 billion. The amendment calls for an annual review of proliferation activities and for imposing sanctions if there were ever evidence that China is exporting certain types of prohibited weapons. "It is inconceivable to me that, while we discuss trade issues and a new relationship with China, that we will not address what China is doing to endanger our country," Thompson said upon introducing his amendment. In 1997, Thompson headed a special investigation into illegal campaign contributions by Chinese donors to the 1996 Clinton-Gore campaign, and later issued a special report on alleged illegal nuclear technology transfers by Los Alamos Nuclear Lab scientist Wen Ho Lee. The ranking member on his committee is vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman, D-Conn. Some Senate leaders say Thompson's measure poses the most significant threat to passage of the China trade bill, which cleared the House in a close vote in May, and was expected to sail through the Senate. Any amendment attached to the bill means it has to go back for House approval. Those opposed to PNTR are endorsing the amendment and blasting the Clinton Administration for supporting it. "The current administration has coupled its willingness to subordinate non-proliferation concerns to trade with an alarming disregard for the law," said Jesse Helms, R-N.C., one of the most ardent opponents of expanding relations with China. The most animated exchange during Monday's Senate debate came when Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., an avid supporter of PNTR, used the word "nutty" to describe Thompson's amendment. "Sometimes you walk out on the floor and wonder where some of these things come from," Baucus said, adding that there are already "enough laws on the books" to handle any situation that might arise with respect to proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. "A positive vote on this amendment is a vote to kill PNTR. Every senator must understand this," Baucus said. Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., suggested the Senate has a more important role than to simply "rubber stamp" the House-passed bill. To pass the bill "exactly as it passed in the House... is to abdicate our responsibility," Kyl said. "I think that's wrong." Last week, President Clinton met with China's leader in New York to assure him that the Senate will grant PNTR. But political observers say in this election year, the stakes are very high since so much attention has been given to alleged Chinese campaign finance abuses, the case against Wen Ho Lee, and concerns over securing organized labor's vote. All these factors have staunch conservatives and staunch liberals becoming unlikely allies. "The traditional left is objecting to Chinese products because of the threat to American workers, and the right is objecting because of the human rights abuses by a communist regime," David Gergen, a former Clinton adviser, told Fox News. Thompson's amendment, and about a dozen others, are expected on the Senate floor in the coming days. Some senators have expressed support for the Thompson measure, but Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., says he remains, "skeptical but confident" it will be defeated *COPYRIGHT NOTICE** In accordance with Title 17 U. S. C. Section 107, any copyrighted work in this message is distributed under fair use without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for nonprofit research and educational purposes only.[Ref. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml ] Want to be on our lists? Write at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for a menu of our lists! ****************************************************************************** ******************* A vote for Bush or Gore is a vote to continue Clinton policies! A vote for Buchanan is a vote to continue America! Therefore a vote for Gore or Bush is a wasted vote for America! Don't waste your vote! Vote for Patrick Buchanan! Today, candor compels us to admit that our vaunted two-party system is a snare and a delusion, a fraud upon the nation. Our two parties have become nothing but two wings of the same bird of prey... 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