DATE=9/14/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RENO / WEN HO LEE (S)

NUMBER=2-266508

BYLINE=NICO COLOMBANT

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:





INTRO:  U-S Attorney General Janet Reno refuses to 

apologize for the government's prosecution of Wen Ho 

Lee.  The Taiwan born nuclear scientist was released 

from jail Wednesday, after pleading guilty to 

mishandling nuclear secrets, one of the 59 charges 

brought against him.  V-O-A's Nico Colombant has the 

details.



TEXT:  Attorney General Reno told reporters Thursday 

that Mr. Lee should have told government investigators 

what he did with missing computer tapes containing U-S 

nuclear secrets.



/// INSERT RENO ACTUALITY ///



Dr. Lee had the opportunity from the beginning to 

resolve this matter and he chose not to and I think 

he must look to himself.



			/// END RENO ACTUALITY ///



Mr. Lee was freed from jail Wednesday after pleading 

guilty to one felony count of mishandling information. 

The government dropped 58 other charges relating to 

national security.



A federal judge said government officials had 

embarrassed the entire nation with their handling of 

the case.



Mr. Lee, a naturalized U-S citizen, was fired from the 

Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico amid unproven 

allegations he was spying for China. (signed)



NEB/NC/KBK/FC







14-Sep-2000 12:14 PM EDT (14-Sep-2000 1614 UTC)

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Source: Voice of America

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