After months of calling for the Cox Report to be released, it has finally seen the light of day. The report by Representative Christopher Cox and his committee has sent shock waves through Washington, as well it should. No wonder the Clinton administration has tried to do everything it can to prevent its release. And remember that about 30 percent of the report is still classified.
The report documents that China systematically stole significant American nuclear design secrets, enabling Beijing to accelerate its weapons program so that it now possesses thermonuclear weapons design information on a par with the United States.
The report documents that U.S. nuclear-weapons labs do not even meet "minimum" security standards and will not be able to do so until next year. This revelation is especially of concern in light of the ongoing investigation into Chinese espionage surrounding Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee.
Frankly I don't think anyone can underestimate the political impact of this report. Senate majority leader Trent Lott said after a special briefing last week that "the hair on the back of my neck stood up because it's scary." He went on to say, "I haven't seen anything like it before in my 26 years in Congress."
Political fallout will be significant. Articles in the New York Times have seriously questioned the White House's version of events surrounding briefings about Chinese espionage causing many to question the president's truthfulness. Members of Congress are calling for the resignation of Attorney General Janet Reno, while others are calling for the dismissal of National Security Advisor Sandy Berger.
Chinese espionage has been taking place for years, and the current administration appears to have done little when it came to light. This may be one of the most serious breaches of security in the history of this nation. Only time will tell how devastating it might be for national security.
I'm Kerby Anderson of Probe Ministries, and that's my opinion.