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China scoffs at illegal arms deal claim
AFP, BEIJING
Wednesday, Feb 15, 2006, Page 3
China said yesterday that US accusations it had tried to illegally import sophisticated missiles and aircraft engines from the US through two agents were "groundless."
"This kind of accusation is groundless," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao (¼B«Ø¶W) told a regular press conference. "Chinese military importers will not buy any products from a client who has no lawful documents."
US authorities in Florida last week charged two men, one Taiwanese and the other French, with illegally attempting to buy and export sophisticated missiles and aircraft engines to China.
Bill Moo, who also goes by the name Moo Ko-suen (¼}¥iµÏ), and Maurice Serge Voros sought to obtain for Beijing 70 Blackhawk helicopter engines and an engine for the F-16 fighter jet, according to the Miami federal attorney.
They also allegedly approached US sellers about buying cruise missiles and air-to-air missiles to ship to China.
Moo had allegedly said the deal would be routed through a company acting on behalf of Beijing in order to keep China's name off the contracts, the indictment said.
"This case highlights the national security threat posed when agents of a foreign government seek to illegally acquire and export American military weaponry," US Attorney Alexander Acosta said last week.
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