- 9
[essentially
a reasonable basis to
probable cause test,
believe] and the prima facie test revealed that the tests
did not impose significantly different standards. What
emerged however was that the principal concern of the US
was to the nature of the evidence required.
considered that the
The US
requesting country should be entitled
to submit one comprehensive affidavit detailing the
available evidence rather than individual affidavits.
Edwards explained that such an approach would involve the
submission of hearsay evidence which is contrary to Hong
Kong's existing law and policy and would not be a desirable
precedent for rendition.
It was agreed that the matter
should be looked at further.
(13) Provisional arrest requests : USG prefers use of the
diplomatic channel only
Discussion
on
this item centred on the real U.S.
concern which was
channels of
communication.
Surena
advised that the U.S. would wish to transmit their own
requests through their consulate in Hong Kong. Edwards
explained that Hong Kong had agreed with the Dutch that the
consulate in Hong Kong could transit all requests
Dutch
[from
Holland and Hong Kong].
Surena indicated that if