FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                         DOJ
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1997                             (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888

               STATEMENT OF THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

     In 1995, the FBI became aware of possible Chinese plans
regarding efforts to influence the legislative branch of the United
States government.  The FBI provided copies of an internal FBI
cable on this matter to staff-level offices at the CIA and the
State Department.

     As is often the case with cables designated by the FBI for
"Routine" transmission, the Justice Department did not receive a
copy at that time.  Nor is there evidence that the cable was
provided to the White House, or the House and Senate Intelligence
Committees.  The FBI did not provide any briefings regarding the
contents of this cable until May, 1996, after it acquired
additional information.

     The 1995 cable did not mention any members of Congress by
name, nor did it contain information regarding any plans to
influence the executive branch.

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97-114