Toshiba Tied to East Bloc Sales

Japan’s Toshiba Corp. sold machines for making computer parts to Czechoslovakia and East Germany but broke off a third deal last summer after it was discovered by U.S. officials, the Washington Times reported today.

A Pentagon spokesman denied that the deals had occurred, but several members of Congress said intelligence analysts have prepared reports that the illegal technology transfers did take place. “Toshiba has been involved over the last seven years in enhancing the microchip capability of the Warsaw Pact nations,” said an aide to Rep. Duncan L. Hunter (R-Coronado).