The FBI admits the trail of evidence is cold. China now has America's most advanced nuclear warhead design. But the CIA thinks it may have developed the design on its own or had help from Russia. Mitchell concluded by making the case against conservatives who want to alter Clinton's policy toward China. The White House says very secure.
Congressional critics disagree, want to punish China.
That, says a leading Republican, would be a big mistake. Supposedly so, but not so far on the China espionage scandal where the supposedly leery media in Washington are willing to give Clinton's team the benefit of the doubt about the suggestion that campaign contributions from China may have impacted policy decisions. Berger was first briefed on this story in the Spring of 1996 around the same time that Al Gore had his infamous fundraising luncheon at a Buddhist temple. Later that year was when the first revelations were made about a Chinese arms dealer visiting the White House. And then of course came the charges that China had been making surreptitious contributions to the Clinton-Gore campaign.