XN000022-1997-01-21 — Page 3

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Governor: Nobody agrees with this. There will be lawyers, I hope, making the position absolutely plain to the Legislative Council later this week. There is no attempt whatsoever to justify these decisions by pointing out exactly how some of these Bill of Rights provisions infringe the Basic Law, no attempt to do that at all. There aren't legal arguments insofar as legal issues are raised, and what is proposed is complete nonsense.

Question: How far can the British and Hong Kong Governments go? What makes you think that you can take any sort of action that will result in some sort of reversal? It didn't seem to work with the creation of the provisional legislature. What makes you think that any steps you take now will have any effect at all?

Governor: We are looking at what more we can do. But clearly, we are concerned about what appears to be the reckless disregard which some Chinese officials seem to show for the impression created about Hong Kong, about its future, about its freedom, about its success and stability. China must learn to trust Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a moderate and responsible place. Look out there, this isn't a community which is on the edge of social chaos. It is not necessary to do these things which China is talking about. Chinese officials have got to learn to trust this community which is sophisticated, stable and successful. And it has got to leave these decisions to the SAR Government. Thank you very much.

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Government House spokesman on Indian group's press statement

In response to enquiries about a claim made in a press release issued by the Indian Resources Group that Government House has strictly specified that no press be allowed at an Indian Association luncheon attended by the Governor tomorrow, a Government House spokesman said Government House has never made that request.

"In fact, Government House has made it clear to the Indian Association that we are happy to have the presence of the news media, but they have decided that they wish the event to be private.

"We respect their wish. The speech that the Governor will be delivering will be released to the press afterwards," the spokesman said.

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