XN000022-1995-05-03 — Page 6

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Governor: I think that the important thing for us to do is to get on with the expert talks on the CFA. We had a meeting last week. We asked for an early follow-up meeting. We wanted another meeting this week. I very much hoped that it will be possible to hold another meeting as soon as possible and to try to resolve the issues which are being discussed. What surprises us, I repeat, is that we believe and the whole community believes that an agreement was reached - a clear and explicit agreement - in 1991. The whole community also believes that both sides wish to continue to work within the terms of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. That's certainly the position of Hong Kong and it's certainly the position of Britain. And I assume and hope that it's the position of China too.

Question: Are you saying that Britain is determined to stop China from doing so through those talks?

Governor: What I am saying is that I cannot conceive of us under any circumstances agreeing to something in talks which was against the letter and spirit of the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. I repeat, they are absolutely clearly about the independent judicial authority of Hong Kong, about the final jurisdiction in Hong Kong courts and absolutely clear as well about the continuance of the Common Law. The rule of law doesn't mean, just in case anybody should ever suggest it, that if you don't like what judges say, you have a second or third or fourth or fifth referee until you get the decision you want.

Question: We know the time is running short...

Governor: Yes, it is.

Question: But if the experts meeting has no result, will the government put the bill to the Legco before the end of the Legco year?

Governor: We want, which is why we've been so patient, we want to proceed if we possibly can with agreement all round. We've worked for as broad a measure of support within the community as possible. That is why we've taken our time. We've given the Chinese side a year, repeat, a year to look at the Bill. It takes quite a long time to draft a bill as complicated as the one that's been put forward. It shouldn't take a year to read bill.

Question: Do you

think there is a deadline for both sides to talk about the CFA

again?