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In earÂly 1999, the headÂlines were filled with stoÂries of ChiÂnese espiÂonage and alleged theft of senÂsiÂtive inforÂmaÂtion about nuclear weapons. This proÂgram reprisÂes part of MisÂcelÂlaÂneous Archives #35 and sets forth alleÂgaÂtions of the supÂposÂedÂly delibÂerÂate attempt to sell senÂsiÂtive strateÂgic mateÂriÂals to the PeoÂple’s RepubÂlic in the earÂly 1980s. (The espiÂonage episode that was revealed in 1999 began in 1985.) This attempt was allegedÂly hatched by then Vice-PresÂiÂdent George Bush (forÂmer direcÂtor of the CIA). These alleÂgaÂtions were made by a forÂmer ReaÂgan White House staffer named Roger HefÂferÂan. AccordÂing to HefÂferÂan, the techÂnolÂoÂgy sale was intendÂed to give ChiÂna techÂniÂcal nuclear supeÂriÂorÂiÂty over the SoviÂet Union. This would have left the SoviÂets facÂing the choice of either acceptÂing ChiÂnese strateÂgic supeÂriÂorÂiÂty or launchÂing a pre-empÂtive nuclear strike. AccordÂing to HefÂferÂan, the goal of the sale was to preÂcipÂiÂtate just such an outÂcome. HefÂferÂan worked sucÂcessÂfulÂly to frusÂtrate the sale and said that his life was in danÂger because of it. HefÂferÂan had corÂrobÂoÂratÂing docÂuÂments, which appeared genÂuine. HefÂferÂan claimed that George Bush was basiÂcalÂly runÂning the UnitÂed States. In effect, he said that ReaÂgan was litÂtle more than a figÂureÂhead. (RecordÂed on 3/14/99.)
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