XN000022-1996-11-07 — Page 2

Transcript of Governor's media session at CUHK

The following is the transcript of the media session given by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after attending the Congregation Ceremony at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall of the Chinese University in Sha Tin this (Thursday) afternoon:

Question: Mr Governor, I want to ask a newspaper reveals that the resignation of Laurence Leung, the reason is that he gave SAR passport to. would you like to comment on that?

H

Governor: I don't have anything to add to what the Secretary for the Civil Service has said already.

Question: Mr Patten ...?

Governor: Obviously, a small group of students felt very strongly about their role in this afternoon's proceeding. I think they were handled with maximum restraint, quite properly, very gently, and I offer them the opportunity of talking to me about it if they let people into the hall more rapidly. I think they are so overwhelmed by the occasion and by your attempt to .... by the drama that they wouldn't shift. But I don't think any body has lost their cool, which is a good thing, and you know what it is like. University students sometimes behalf more noisily.

Question: What do you think about their grievances?

Governor: I think I am told that the Vice-Chancellor had already agreed to meet them for discussion. So may be it would be better to proceed with those sort of channels and have a discussion with the Vice-Chancellor. I had exceptionally said that I would talk to them today if they wanted. But they turn it down. It's what they are entitled to do. Looking at them over there now, they seem to look very cheerful and obviously they had a rather tiring afternoon and ... quite a few presidents, and prime ministers and chief justices start off like that.

End