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Hkk 383 Transcript of H. E.'s Press Conference on Friday, July 11, 1980 Sigmomantt
Gentlemen you might well ask why I am holding a Press Conference, The reason very simply I am going on leave and I haven't had a Press Conference for quite a time and it would be pleasant for me to listen
to any questions you may have and see if I could answer them.
Houo toss.
لجسمي
Layed any part in the setting up of the Commission of
Inquiry into Inspector John MacLennan?
RECEIVED INR @herdedsion was taken by the Governor-in-Council.
The,
22q1tr80u "happy with the way the case of his death has been handled?
DESK OFALI think the sole point of setting up this Commission is to hand over INDEX
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Action Takan
questions of that sort to a highly competent independent and fair minded indge 418
AW 19
been
antry as
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Q. There have calls for the Attorney General to resign because of his
handling of the case. In fact there was one call over the radio for
him to be fired. What is your view?
Binh
A. Of course not. He is a very brilliant lawyer and very highly thought
of by legal circles here. I think that answers your question.
Q. Did you see the Capo report before you recommended there be an inquiry?
At what time did you decide there should be an inquiry into the case? A. No, I did not. I felt there was such confusion with allegations and
comment on allegations being made and that the right way to deal with this was a Commission of Inquiry. There is another point; the allegations and comments were being made and because official investigations were going on it was impossible for the Police to put their side of the case in public; this was adding to the confusion
so quite clearly what was required was an entirely new approach by means of a distinguished and fair minded judge.
Q. Was there any particular point in development in figures speaking
out publicly which decided you that there should be an inquiry?
A. I don't think so, it just went on, people get more and more confused;
it was very noticeable particularly in the Chinese newspapers.
I got the feeling that having taken very little interest in this case for a long time they began to feel there was something that
needed investigation. Once that feeling is abroad I think one
should certainly respond to it. Mind you the question of a judicial
nquiry is one that one approaches with very great care.
It's an
extremely effectively procedure that has served Hong Kong very well but
one must not debase its currency by over use. I don't intend to
answer lot of questions about this case because they are now for
Judge Yang to answer.
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