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111243

MDHIAN 2169

COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES, AND MR BARRIE WIGGHAM ARE STEPPING DOWN FROM THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, AND THAT MRS ANSON CHAN, MR JOHN CHAN AND MR MICHAEL SZE WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE COUNCIL. ALL THESE NEW APPOINTMENTS WILL TAKE EFFECT FROM TODAY (7 OCTOBER).

AS I SHALL SAY IN IN MY ADDRESS TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THESE NEW MEMBERS OF EXCO WILL BE WIDELY SEEN IN HONG KONG AS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, WHO ARE RESPECTED AND DISTINGUISHED IN THEIR OWN WALKS OF LIFE, AND THAT I CAN LOOK TO THEM FOR SOUND, IMPARTIAL ADVICE ON THE WIDE RANGE OF ISSUES THAT COME BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATION WITHOUT THE CONFLICTING LOYALTIES OF DAY-TO-DAY POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT. YOU WILL NOTE THAT THEY INCLUDE, AS I SUGGESTED EARLIER, PEOPLE WHOM I BELIEVE THE CHINESE SIDE WILL ALSO WELCOME AS MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

ENDS

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