SEP 05 '86 15:08 TIBCOOU) HK GOVT
Sunday, August 31: The media gave extensive coverage to the report by Legco's nuclear fact-finding missions which was released yesterday. The media highlighted "observations" for safety measures at Daya Bay as mentioned in the report.
Reaction to Legco's report was mixed. The Financial Secretary said some of the report's suggestions were feasible and would allay people's fears on the nuclear plant. He described the report as useful and said Government hoped to give detailed comments early next week.
He noted the Government was already working on some of the report's recommendations including contingency planning and public education.
A Government spokesman welcomed the report and said suggestions would be carefully studied.
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The Chief Secretary told Tin Tin Daily News that he believed the Government would accept most suggestions."
Legco members Dr Chiu Hin-kwong and Ho Sai-chu believed China understood HK people's anxiety and would accept most suggestions. They thought China would allow HK people joining a proposed independent monitoring body on the safe operation of the plant. Dr Chiu stressed the need for assurance that nuclear energy would be cheaper. Additional costs for safety facilities at Daya Bay should not be passed on to HK people.
Helmut Sohmen said the JVC should review the plant's economic viability. HK Government should not interfere with commercial firms' arrangements. An independent monitoring body comprising HK people could reduce public fears. But he felt that a special debate would not solve problems.
Rita Fan said the report was objective. The plant's safety would be enhanced if suggestions implemented.
Wong Po-yan was satisfied with the report. She supported a proposed independent body to monitor the plant's operation. She said there was no need for a special Legco debate.
Stephen Cheong said the report would allay public fears.
Richard Lai felt that the report was not comprehensive and failed to consider the economic factor, He wanted a special Legco debate. Szeto Wah thought that the report was not objective and was compiled under an assumption that the plant would be built. It made no mention on what to do if the suggestions were not accepted by China.
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