THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1993
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LAWYERS BACK LEGITIMACY OF ELECTION PACKAGE
LAWYERS GIVING EVIDENCE AT YESTERDAY'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS SELECT COMMITTEE MEETING HAD DISMISSED ALLEGATIONS THAT THE UK ELECTION PROPOSALS WERE BREACHING THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE SINO-BRITISH UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS.
THIS WAS STATED BY THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, IN REPLY TO QUESTIONS FROM REPORTERS AFTER OPENING A FORUM ON PLASTIC BAGS THIS (THURSDAY) MORNING.
"IT'S INSTRUCTIVE TO
SEE HOW COMPREHENSIVELY THE LAWYERS, INDEPENDENT LAWYERS WHO WERE QUESTIONED ON THE ISSUE YESTERDAY DISMISSED THOSE ALLEGATIONS.
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"THEY REGARDED THEM AS BEING COMPLETELY UNTRUE.
"THEY REGARDED EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE SO FAR AS BEING ENTIRELY LINE WITH THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES," MR PATTEN SAID.
MORE, ONE OR TWO OF THE LAWYERS WERE RATHER CRITICAL ABOUT SOMETHING THAT CHINESE OFFICIALS HAVE SAID OR DONE, HE ADDED.
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THE COMMITTEE HELD THE MEETING IN LONDON TO TAKE EVIDENCE FROM ONLY GOVERNMENT LAWYERS BUT ALSO INDEPENDENT LAWYERS ABOUT THE SINO-BRITISH ELECTION TALKS AND WHETHER THE UK PROPOSALS ARE IN BREACH OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE BASIC LAW AND THE UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA.
MR PATTEN HOPES THE TALKS WILL LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION.
"BUT THERE IS STILL, I AM AFRAID, SOME WAY TO GO, HE SAID.
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GOVERNOR'S STATEMENT ON AIRPLANE CRASH
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A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY} THAT THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WAS INFORMED IMMEDIATELY OF THE ACCIDENT AT KAI TAK AIRPORT.
HE WAS KEPT INFORMED AS THE RESCUE OPERATION PROGRESSED. THE GOVERNOR CONGRATULATED EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE RESCUE OPERATION, HE SAID:
"THE EMERGENCY SERVICES HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB. THEIR DETERMINATION AND PROFESSIONALISM HAVE SAVED MANY LIVES. I CONGRATULATE EVERYONE WHO TOOK PART IN THE RESCUE. I HOPE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED MAKE A QUICK RECOVERY.'
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