Informed Sources

U.S. Supercomputers May Be Headed for China

Washington -- The Clinton Administration has persuaded Japan to agree to a dramatic loosening of controls on Supercomputer sales to China and former Warsaw Pact nations. Since 1987, Japan and the U.S. have had a pact to restrict sales of supercomputers because of their value in nuclear-weapons programs. The policy shift could be worth $5 billion to U.S. firms.

Martha's Vineyard with Palm Trees

Miami -- The White House is considering Fisher Island, a luxurious resort off Miami Beach, as a winter vacation spot for the Clintons, but The First Family won't be heading there this Christmas. To smooth his initially rocky relations with the Secret Service, Clinton will stay in Washington, giving his protectors a chance to spend the holiday with their families.

Chavez, Rollins and the Rejected Vote Scheme

Washington -- Last week there were reports that Reagan civil rights official Linda Chavez had accused Ed Rollins of suggesting voter suppression when she ran for a U.S. Senate seat from Maryland in 1986. But Chavez told Time that she was actually referring to a secret proposal from Maryland's former Democratic Governor Marvin Mandel to use G.O.P. funds to support Chavez instead of Democratic candidate Barbara Mikulski. "I felt I was being hustled," says Chavez, who turned down the "bizarre" offer. Mandel says he has "absolutely no recollection" of the incident.