XN000022-1995-05-24 — Page 3

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Governor: I hope there will be a meeting before the end of May and that is our hope. We keep on hearing from Chinese officials that they want to see progress made on the court, they want to see it set up before 1997. But, we are definitely in a position in Hong Kong where we want to see action and not just hear words.

Question: But if there is still no meeting in May, then how about the Government, will the Government put the Bill...

Governor: If there isn't any meeting in May, you'll have to ask Chinese officials why.

Question: PWC members said that their recommendations are... not equal to Chinese official position. Therefore it is inappropriate for the Government to amend the Bill according to PWC members.

Governor: They seemed to be rather confusing. Some of the time they scold us for not responding to what they say. Now we've responded very sincerely. They're saying, 'Oh, perhaps this isn't really our policy.' I think you better ask them to explain themselves. I have a difficult enough time without having to explain the minutiae of the PWC's operations.

Question: How could you resolve the differences between the PWC and the Chinese Government about the appointment of judges?

Governor: If there are differences between the PWC and the Chinese Government, those are for the PWC and the Chinese Government to resolve. They are not for me.

Question: I'm sorry, it's for the PWC and the UK side on the appointment of judges.

Governor: I think that we've responded extremely positively as I said earlier. There are two points which aren't in line with the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. So we haven't been able to respond on those. But anyway, they both affect the position after 1997. And, as you know I am only responsible for the position before 1997. Though like United Kingdom Government, I would continue to take an interest in the implementation of the Joint Declaration.

Question: But Mr Zhou Nan said that if the Government accepts all the proposals, the eight proposals, then the problems can be solved.

Governor: If the what?