990-10-08
19:29
G.I.S
18:00
P.02
SECRETARIAT PRESS OFFICE
+852 868 5212
P.33
E
The consortium feeling
PS. The consultants toeling inserire7 ungocure? No, there wax no suggestion made to me by anyone that people were feeling insccure about this project.
Q. Well, would you consider it's a last minute twist in the Government's decision to decide against privatisation?
FS: No. I don't think it sc. The option of our financing it ourselves has always been there.
0. Are you saying that it is because the international sceno is 8 much different one from the one in october?
18: No. Mies. I vaen't here when the decision was made and I haven't been briefed an to the reasons why the decision was made. All I do kpow, and all I have advised is that our doing it ourselves hag always been an option.
0.
than you weren't comeulted on thie?
FO: Autually I advised that doing it ourgelves was an option that we should seriously consider.
FO:
7.
But you weren't included in the final decision?
I wasn't hore. And Exco took place while I was away.
Is there any impact on Hong Kong when the pound joins the exchange rete mechanism?
No.
Whink not.
tax has to go up
(andistimet) for the option?
FS: 1 can't make any announcement this afternoon about how we'l】 deal with our taxes. Much depends on our overall financial position. That ancludes everything, not just the airport.
Q. Whele is the money woing to come from? It's only a billion dollar surplus this year and deficit for the next three years. Where's the Money going to come from for the Fixed Crossing?
FO: TE i has Co come from Government fundo, then Ji. comes from general revenue. it it's not coming from the private sector, it has SO CON from general
revenue.
Q. TR SE A bit odd that poing the Financial Secretary you are not involved in the final decision (indistinct)?
Ps: Well. it's a very important part of the Financial Secretary'o job that he goes to Washington and New York and talks to various very important people who can be of help to Hong Kong. O kay. So I can't De everywhere all the time. Do you agree?
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