FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7 , 2002
|
Contact:
Mike Clem
301.682.6302
|
Americans Fear Chinese Takeover of Panama Canal
American Defense Council survey finds 93% want the Senate to hold hearings into Chinas growing influence over the strategic waterway
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Americans surveyed by mail
by the American Defense Council are deeply concerned that the People's
Republic of China has too much control over the Panama Canal and
that the U.S. Senate needs to investigate the extent of this foreign
influence on the strategic waterway.
In an American Defense Council survey released today,
94 percent agreed that the Chinese-controlled Hutchison Whampoa,
Ltd.’s growing presence in Panama "poses a threat to
the national security of the United States."
Hutchison Whampoa is owned by Chinese mogul Li Ka-shing,
who has close ties to Communist China’s leadership, armed
forces and intelligence agencies. The company operates the ports
at each end of the canal and has rights to former U.S. military
bases in Panama.
The poll also found that 93 percent of the 8,642 citizens who responded
to the survey since June want the Senate to hold hearings to probe
the depth of China's role as gatekeeper following the United States’
withdrawal in December 1999.
"Our survey results indicate Americans are far more concerned
about the Panama Canal than official Washington or the media appear
to be," said Dan Perrin, president of the American Defense
Council. "A large majority, ninety-three percent, fear China
could use its foothold just 900 miles from our border to launch
a preemptive missile strike against the U.S."
Perrin added that his organization has been working to get Capitol
Hill’s attention on the issue and to get Congress to take
back the canal in the face of China’s threat, as permitted
under the terms of the 1977 treaty that gave away the American-built
marvel to the Panamanian government.
People who want to participate in the survey can go to the group’s
web site at www.americandefensecouncil.com and submit it on line.
With 79,864 members, the American Defense Council is one of the
fastest growing grassroots citizens groups in the country. It conducts
independent research vital to the military, intelligence, political,
economic and sovereign interests of the United States and disseminates
this information to policymakers and the American people with the
goal of improving U.S. national security.
-30-
|
