-Caveat Lector-
XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX THURSDAY, MAY 06, 1999 23:41:38 UTC XXXXX
WEN HO LEE ANSWERS SPY CHARGES: I AM A LOYAL AMERICAN
In a stunning public response to allegations that he passed America's
nuclear secrets to China, Los Alamos Lab worker Wen Ho Lee says through his
lawyer that he is a "loyal American" who once even carried out a secret
mission for the FBI in an effort to bust
another suspected Chinese spy!
Lee's Los Angeles attorney, Mark Holscher, issued a six-page statement late
Thursday evening.
Both the LOS ANGELES TIMES and the WASHINGTON POST are planning Page One
coverage of the Lee response, according to publishing sources in
Washington. As this transmits, the NY TIMES is reportedly rushing to pull
a story together for inside its A section.
The former Los Alamos National Laboratory computer expert strongly denies
that has "given classified computer files to any unauthorized person,"
according to the statement.
"Dr. Lee will not be a scapegoat for alleged security problems at our
country's nuclear laboratories."
Lee has not been charged, but the TIMES' Bob Drogin is set to report that
investigators are "very optimistic" that a prosecution is likely in the
case.
Holscher says of Lee: "His work, much of which is classified, has led
directly to the increased safety and national security of all Americans,
and he is responsible for helping this country simulate nuclear tests."
X X X X X
GORE AIDE BULLIED AOL AND MICROSOFT
**Exclusive**
Vice President Al Gore's senior domestic advisor on technology,
telecommunications and Internet policies, Jim Kohlenberger, bullied
representatives of AMERICA ONLINE and MICROSOFT during a conference call
initiated by the White House earlier this week.
The DRUDGE REPORT first reported details of episode in a Wednesday night
flash.
More has now been learned.
Representatives from YAHOO, DISNEY/ABC, MICROSOFT and several public
interest groups participated in the Tuesday call that was made to win
support for a press conference held the next day announcing Gore's new
post-Colorado shooting internet initiative.
"Kohlenberger wanted to make sure that we would be there," one participant
told the DRUDGE REPORT. "But when he was asked if this was going to be a
bipartisan event, the tone of the call turned aggressive."
Reps from AMERICA ONLINE and MICROSOFT were first to question the political
nature of the press conference.
One executive involved in the conference call expressed concern that the
Congressional Internet Caucus was not going to get credit during the White
House event for its push to protect children online.
According to three participants involved in the call, the Gore advisor
hinted of retaliation to those who would not show support.
"You guys can show up tomorrow or not. The Vice President has a long
memory and your presence or absence at the event will be duly noted,"
Kohlenberger told the group.
"It was pretty clear he was threatening us," said one source.
All sources spoke to the DRUDGE REPORT on condition of anonymity.
"If my name gets out, I will be punished for exposing this... It was wrong
for the White House to pressure anyone in the private sector this way,
simply to win political points during a shooting at a high school."
Kohlenberger did not respond to voice messages left on his White House
answering machine.
X X X X X
60 MINUTES PLANNING HIT PIECE ON BIBI
60 MINUTES is planning a critical look at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu, who is up for re-election later this month..
The report, to be hosted by CBS NEWS airstar Ed Bradley, has been locked in
for Sunday.
"BIBI. The nickname most Israelis know him by may sound endearing, but he's
anything but that to many who consider him a tough and arrogant
politician," CBS NEWS spokesman Kevin Tedesco writes in a press release
announcing the segment.
X X X X X
STAR WARS HYPE BLOWUP?
"THIS TIME AROUND, THE FORCE MAY NOT BE WITH IT" -- declares Friday's NEW
YORK TIMES.
"I think it could actually get to $200 million by the end of Memorial Day
Weekend!" says CINEMARK film buyer John Ludin after a screening of the new
STAR WARS.
$TAR WAR$ $NEAKED FOR EXHIBITOR$
20TH CENTURY FOX rolled out the new Lucas for exhibitors at eight locations
on Tuesday night: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago,
Toronto, Washington and Boston.
Reaction is mixed for the new episode that opens on May 19.
DAILY VARIETY: "Overall audience response to the long-awaited sequel was
less than enthusiastic at industry-heavy screenings in New York and L.A.,
according to sources who attended the shows."
The trade continues: "According to several people who attended the 7 p.m.
LOEWS ASTOR screening in New York, the audience was ready to embrace the
film, but never did."
"There was polite applause, kind of tepid not the sort of whooping and
cheering you'd expect," one source tells DAILY VARIETY.
[The trade says the reaction may have due in part to a dysfunctional air
conditioning system that turned the theater into a virtual steam bath.]
The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER was more upbeat.
"I saw it with my 13-year-old nephew who said he'd see it at least four
times, probably more," MANN THEATRES marketing exec Sandy Baker tells the
REPORTER.
LOEWS senior vp marketing Mark Pascucci: "The film really delivers. The
special effects are incredible, there's a lot of stuff we haven't seen
before."
But what way does Wilshire Boulevard Godfather Bernie Weinraub tilt?
In Friday's NEW YORK TIMES, Weinraub writes: "Perish the thought! Will the
new STAR WARS prove to be a bit of a disappointment?"
Weinraub heavily quotes from posts he found on the Ain't It Cool News Web
site (www.aint-it-cool-news.com).
"In fairness, studio executives said, expectations for the film are so
extraordinary that it is bound to disappoint."
"The response has been fantastic," Tom Sherak, chair of FOX's Domestic Film
Group, tells Weibraub. "As for the criticism. You can take the Gettysburg
Address and find holes in it."
"This nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that
government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish
from the earth.
...Unless STAR WARS does not reach $400 million by July 4.
------------------------------------------------------
Filed by Matt Drudge
Reports are moved when circumstances warrant
http://www.drudgereport.com for steaks and breaks
(c)DRUDGE REPORT 1999
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