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To: PaulM who wrote (44969)	11/23/1999 7:21:00 PM
From: Alex	Respond to of 116791

Retired Adm. Warns of China Attack By GEORGE GEDDA Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- Retired Adm. Thomas Moorer, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Tuesday that China is preparing to take over the Panama Canal once the United States relinquishes control. He warned of possible Chinese use of the area to launch a nuclear attack on America. Moorer said China plans to seize control through a Hong Kong company, Hutchinson Whampoa, which has won the right to operate ports on both sides of the canal. He contended that the firm has close links to the Chinese military. Moorer commented at a news conference sponsored by the John Birch Society, a rightist group opposed to the treaties. The treaties require the United States to surrender control of the canal and to remove all U.S. troops by Dec. 31. Administration officials have previously dismissed allegations of an eventual Chinese takeover of the canal as baseless. Moorer spoke as U.S. and Panamanian officials met to discuss canal security and other issues once the transfer to Panamanian control takes place. Heading the Panamanian delegation was Foreign Minister Jose Miguel Aleman, who conferred with U.S. officials on a draft Panamanian plan to ensure security over the waterway in the face threats from ``terrorism, insurgency and organized crime.' A statement issued by the Panamanian Embassy said the draft plan also will be shared with eight other countries, including Taiwan. China was not among the eight. Moorer, who served as Joint Chiefs chairman during the Nixon administration, said China's missiles can carry ``a nuclear payload or an explosive payload, and they can also be mounted on a truck and moved around -- and, therefore, very difficult to keep track of. ``And consequently, we have a situation where the Chinese are in a position today to secret these kinds of missiles into Panama and use Panama as a launching point for missiles to attack the United States,' he said. ``And no one seems to get exercised over that and the media doesn't ever mention that.' He said the Chinese threat ``is more difficult to handle' than the Cuban missile crisis was. Moorer also disputed the administration contention that the United States retains the right after surrendering the canal to use force to ensure free passage in the event of a takeover by hostile forces. He insisted that President Carter gave up that right in a secret agreement with Panama under which the United States would be allowed to use force only with Panamanian consent. A State Department official said he had not seen Moorer's comments and could not comment. AP-NY-11-23-99 1908EST Copyright ¸ Associated Press. All rights reserved. newsday.com