ROHRABACHER SPEAKS OUT AGAINST NASA CHIEF'S CHINA VISIT

WASHINGTON, DC. September 26, 2006 - Yesterday Congressman Rohrabacher (R-CA), a senior member of the Science Committee and former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, criticized NASA Administrator Michael Griffin's current visit to China as an ill-timed effort to increase Sino-American space cooperation. Rohrabacher referred to recent reports of the Chinese testing firing high powered lasers with the ability to blind U.S. spy satellites as "another example of why China should be considered an enemy instead of a partner."

"It is unfathomable this Administration has decided to engage China on space policy or any other technological endeavor. China's commitment to build-up its military to threaten the United States and world peace is clear. This latest revelation of the Chinese firing ground-based lasers to blind our reconnaissance satellites while high level officials from NASA are participating in an alleged exploratory visit is the highest level of contradiction."

"The last time we sought space cooperation with Beijing during the Clinton Administration resulted in a technology transfer that turned into a national security disaster. China's burgeoning anti-satellite capabilities are further evidence of their desire for strategic positioning to threaten U.S. military strength."

Until there is recognizable democratic reform in China, nothing should be done to increase China's technological power. Whether it's NASA's Chief or American CEO's, cooperative space agreements with a Communist ruled China are not in America's interest.