XN000022-1997-01-21 — Page 2

1

Transcript of Governor's media session

The following is a transcript of the media session given by the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, after today's (Tuesday) ExCo meeting:

Governor: Good morning. Among other things, we discussed in the Executive Council this morning the extremely disturbing announcement made on Sunday by the Preparatory Committee "Legal" - I think that is how they describe themselves - Sub- committee. We very much share the widespread concern throughout the community about the proposals which have been made by this group of people. I hope they will have noticed just how deep the anxieties in the community are. I think those concerns focus on three things.

First of all, these proposals would undermine the rule of law, and it is the rule of law which is fundamental to Hong Kong's decency and prosperity. They are, to be honest, legal nonsense and they would raise serious question-marks over the early days and weeks and months of the SAR Government.

Secondly, these proposals undermine the promise that Hong Kong people themselves will run Hong Kong. These are decisions about the protection of civil liberty which should be taken in Hong Kong of course in line with the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law and the International Covenants which are applied through the Basic Law to Hong Kong.

-

Thirdly, I am afraid these proposals send a very powerful and disturbing message to this community and to the international community about China's view of human rights in Hong Kong. It is a disturbing message and I hope the damage which has been done can be corrected as rapidly as possible.

Question: What concrete steps will the British and Hong Kong Governments be taking now?

Governor: We are discussing with London the diplomatic steps that we will now take. That will include, of course, raising our very deep concerns through the Joint Liaison Group machinery but we will be going further than that and as soon as we have an announcement we will make one.

Question: Mr Patten, now that China insists that the covenants appeared to contradict with the Basic Law, and if Britain doesn't agree with this will it suggest to take the case to the International Court?