Wen Ho Lee Autographs His Book

About 200 people lined up at a Santa Fe bookstore to purchase "My Country Versus Me," a new memoir written by former Los Alamos scientist Wen Ho Lee.

Retired scientists and co-workers from the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Lee's daughter's fifth-grade teacher and even his former jailer were among those who showed up at Borders bookstore Tuesday.

Lee, wearing a black jacket over a dress shirt and tie, was gracious and personable to autograph seekers. Reporters present were not allowed to ask him questions.

One of Lee's attorneys said Tuesday was the first day of the book tour.

Lee, a Taiwanese-born naturalized citizen, was arrested in December 1999 and indicted on 59 felony counts alleging he transferred nuclear weapons information to portable computer tapes. He was held in solitary confinement for nine months, though never charged with spying.

As the government's case crumbled, Lee pleaded guilty to a felony count of downloading sensitive material, and was set free. The FBI's mishandling of the case was a major embarrassment for the bureau.

In the book published by Hyperion, Lee describes himself as a loyal "Cold Warrior" for the United States, yet says the FBI threatened him with execution if he did not confess to giving nuclear secrets to China.

By RICHARD BENKE
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