Why did Chinese intelligence want Clinton reelected?

Human Events, May 28, 1999 by Park, Scott, D'Agostino, Joseph A

Here Is the Democratic Party's Idea of a Joke

On May I1, Clinton fundraiser Johnny Chung said in sworn testimony before the House Govemment Reform an Oversight Committee that the chief of Chinese military intelligence told him he wanted President Clinton reelected and gave him $300,000 that Chung could contribute to the Clinton campaign or the Democratic Party. (See HUMAN EVENTS cover story last week.)

Why did Chinese military intelligence prefer Clinton to Dole'? Why did a militaristic Communist regime believe it had a vested interest in Clinton's reelection?

On May 19, we went to Capitol Hill and asked IS congressmen this question: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

For those who were apparently unaware of Chung's testimony, we explained that Chung, a protected FBI witness, had claimed that Gen. Ji, director of military intelligence for the People's Liberation Army, told him in 1996, "We really like your President. We really hope he will be reelected. I will give you 300,000 il.S. dollars. You can give it to your President and Democrat Party."

An FBI investigation showed that the $300,000 was indeed transferred to Chung, and that Chung then made contributions to the Democratic National Committee. During the 1996 election cycle, Chung also visited the White House at least 49 times, delivered a $50,000 campaign contribution to Hillary Clinton's White House office, and even introduced the President to the wife and daughter of China's top spymaster-at a Hollywood fundraiser.

Republicans generally responded to our question with the caustic disdain you might expect to find on the Hill for the only elected President ever impeached. But none of the Democrats we spoke with seemed the least bit concerned about the allegation that the intelligence apparatus of a Communist regime had tried to tamper with an American presidential election. Most, in fact, tried to make it a joke.

Rep. Tom Barrett (D.-Wis.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Barrett: He thinks the President is doing a good job. Don't you? . . . Well the economy is doing well. Unemployment is at a six-year low, more people are working than ever before. Stock market's doing well.

Q: Some people would say that Congress had more to do with that than the President.

Barrett: Some people would say that, but I think there's enough credit to go around and I'm happy because we've got good economic times.

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D.-Ore.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Blumenauer: I don't know that he did.

Q: Johnny Chung testified under oath in the House last week that he did.

Blumenauer: So?

Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R.-Idaho)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Chenoweth: Well, it did help him didn't it? You're talking about Gen. Ji? I think that we just need to apply the duck test there: When the money flows into the presidential campaign, technological secrets for intercontinental ballistic missiles flow out of this country, it's pretty clear what the quid pro quo was.

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D.-Md.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Cummings: I have no earthly idea.

Q: What do you think of President Clinton's policy toward China?

Cummings: I voted against Most Favored Nation status because of human rights violations and other things.

Rep. Harold Ford, Jr. (D.-Tenn.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Ford:. I would have no idea You probably ought to ask him.

Rep. Vito Fossella (R.-N.Y.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Fossella: Looking for a place to stay at the Lincoln bedroom?

Rep. Ben Gilman (R.-N.Y.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Gilman: I have no idea what his thinking is, but I would assume that it's probably because the President has been a good friend of China.

Rep. Steny Hoyer (D.-Md.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Hoyer: No idea

Rep. Frank Pallone (D.-N.J.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligence said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Pallone: I haven't followed it. I guess I'd have to think about it. I'm sorry but I'm not really prepared to answer your question.

Rep. Ron Paul (R.-Tex.)

Q: Why do you think the head of Chinese military intelligenc said he wanted President Clinton to be reelected?

Paul: I guess they did [want him reelected]. You know, several of us signed on to Bob Barr's impeachment bill before Monica Lewinsky because of China and other matters.