LETTER TO GEORGE J. TENET FROM DIANNE FEINSTEIN RE REQUEST REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE BELGRADE CHINESE EMBASSY BOMBING INVESTIGATION

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001081715
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 17, 2009
• Case Number: F-2000-00007
• Publication Date: September 8, 1999

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APPROVED FOR
RELEASE^DATE:
14-Jul-2009
 SEP. 9.1999 2:44PM SEN DIANN FEINSTEIN
FAX from ...
Senator Dianne Feinstein
of-California
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
[phone]
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 SEP. 9.1999 2:44PM SEN DIANN FEINSTEIN NO. 036. P.2,3
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CIANNE FEINSTEIN
GLIFDRNIA
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WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0504
September 8, 1999
Mr. George J. Tenet
Director of Central Intelligence
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
Dear Director Tenet:
During my recent visit to the People's Republic of China, I had an opportunity to
discuss informally with Chinese President Jiang Zemin a range of issues affecting
U.S,-China relations. Unhappily, the United States' bombing of the Chinese Embassy in
Belgrade figured as one of the more sensitive topics in our discussions. This regrettable
incident not only damaged our bilateral relationship on the official level, it has
engendered among average Chinese citizens a growing distrust of America and suspicion
of American motives regarding China.
China is rife with rumors and conspiracy theories: the Belgrade Embassy was the
only site targeted by the Central Intelligence Agency; the bombing was done purposively
to test China's reactions and resolve; it was done to undermine pro-China groups in the
United States, perhaps even to embarrass the Administration. There are statements that
the Chinese Embassy site is clearly marked as a diplomatic mission on available
commercial maps and claims that American Defense Attaches had actually visited the
building before the bombing and, thus, knew what it was. Correct or not, such thinking
exists and, for many in China, the Belgrade bombing remains a source of anger. It is also
quite likely, in my view, that absent a credible investigation and a believable explanation,
the bombing will remain an impediment to improved U.S.-China relations for some time
to come. It is for this reason that I am writing to you today.
I feel strongly that it is the duty of the United States Government, and certainly of
your agency, to produce a clear and full accounting of the actions and decisions which
produced this tragedy. I am also confident that, as you recently stated for the record, you
also remain committed to discovering the truth concerning this incident.
To this end, I would appreciate receiving from you, in a timely manner, a progress
report on the investigation into the Belgrade bombing. I would be interested in knowing
not only the results that you have achieved to date, but also the truth concerning the
rumors mentioned earlier in this letter. Was the Chinese Embassy identifiable on
commercial maps? Had U.S. military officials actually visited the building? If there had
been any doubt about the target's actual identity, why wasn't the mission aborted and the
aircraft recalled?
 Letter to Director Tenet
Page 2
I understand that the Central Intelligence Agency is conducting a full investigation
into this matter and would like to know the nature of the investigation itself. is it being
conducted independently by an outside agency, by a task force organized within your
agency or by an Inspector General's office?
I appreciate the sensitive nature of this issue and am willing to make the
arrangements necessary to receive a classified, or an unclassified briefing, as would be
appropriate. I look forward to your early response,