[WyoDutch]

The Bush administration has approved the export of sensitive equipment and expertise to China's military and police forces to bolster security at the Beijing Olympics, according to a number of private and public interviews and documents.

The support includes security and military equipment that is restricted for export under the Export Administration Act, prompting some critics of the policy to question its legality.

The FBI and other U.S. security agencies also are helping China to develop sensitive counterterrorism coordination techniques, such as creating joint security operations and intelligence centers, according to Bush administration defense and national security officials.

The officials said U.S. support to the Beijing Olympics is modeled on the security plan and federal assistance used for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The techniques can be used for surveillance of protesters, including Tibetans, they said.

The support is unprecedented for an administration that came to office voicing distrust of China, especially after a 2001 crisis involving the midair collision of a U.S. surveillance plane and Chinese jet interceptor.

It has raised concerns among human rights groups that some of the gear may be used to repress internal dissent, and has angered some in Washington who regard China as a long-term security threat.

[pup55]

Follow the money.

Who makes these gadgets, and what were the levels of campaign contributions to the responsible parties?

What are the levels of PAC contributions?

Which congressional districts are these gadgets made in, and who are the congresspeople pushing this idea?

[Denny]

Personally, I am looking forward to seeing embarrassment after embarssment for China at the Olympics. I don't want to see violence though.

We should hope that the kind of special equipment they get is not used for surveillance, in a way that that could be used to suppress legitimate dissent.

[Dreamtwister]

Interesting...

When Clinton did it, it was bad. But when Bush does it, it's good.

[Denny]

Personally, I am looking forward to seeing embarrassment after embarssment for China at the Olympics. I don't want to see violence though.

We should hope that the kind of special equipment they get is not used for surveillance, in a way that that could be used to suppress legitimate dissent.

[mercurygirl]

Got a link?

I'm relatively certain that the "special equipment" will benefit us in some way other than financially.