RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 1906
OF 171213Z JULY 92
INFO ROUTINE WASHINGTON
RESTRICTED
HKA 380/2
8
TOP COPY Q DIST?
032615 MDLIAN 9878
Separate acter.
ORGANISED CRIME: ENQUIRY BY US SENATE PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS
1. SECURITY BRANCH HAS RECEIVED AN INVITATION BY THE US SENATE PERMANENT SUBCOMMITTEE ON INVESTIGATIONS TO ATTEND A PUBLIC HEARING ON 4 AUGUST TO GIVE TESTIMONY ON HKG EFFORTS TO COMBAT ORGANISED CRIME. THE SUBCOMMITTEE HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY HOPE TO COVER THE MEASURES WE ARE TAKING TO FIGHT CRIME HERE AND OUR VIEWS ON CURRENT INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CO-OPERATION.
2. MEMBERS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE VISITED HONG KONG IN JANUARY AND MET INFORMALLY REPRESENTATIVES OF THE POLICE AND SECURITY BRANCH WHO BRIEFED THEM ON THE CRIME SITUATION IN HONG KONG AND MEASURES WE ARE TAKING TO TACKLE IT. WE SPECIFICALLY COVERED THE PROVISIONS INCLUDED IN THE ORGANISED AND SERIOUS CRIMES BILL NOW
BEFORE LEGCO.
3. WE ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO GIVE US OFFICIALS AND CONGRESSIONAL BODIES BRIEFINGS AND INFORMATION ALONG THE INFORMAL LINES OF OUR JANUARY DISCUSSIONS, BUT AS SEEN FROM HERE WE SHOULD NOT/NOT AGREE TO GIVE TESTIMONY TO A CONGRESSIONAL BODY ON THIS SUBJECT. NOR DO WE BELIEVE THAT AS A MATTER OF POLICY IT IS RIGHT FOR HONG KONG GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO GIVE FORMAL TESTIMONY TO ANY FOREIGN LEGISLATIVE BODY IN THIS WAY. SUBJECT TO YOUR AND WASHINGTON'S VIEWS, WE ARE INCLINED TO REFUSE THE INVITATION TO ATTEND ON 4 AUGUST. IN DOING SO WE WOULD ASSURE THE SUBCOMMITTEE THAT WE ARE HAPPY TO CONTINUE TO GIVE INFORMATION INFORMALLY AS WE DID DURING
THEIR VISIT IN JANUARY.
PATTEN
YYYY
1
PAGE
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.