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Transcript of remarks by Chief Executive
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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, at Conference Hall, 1/F, Central Government Offices New Annexe, Central today (December 22):
Reporter: When you organised the trip by lawmakers to Guangdong Province a couple of months ago you seemed to be trying to serve as an intermediary between the democrats and Beijing. Do you plan to continue to try to serve some kind of an intermediary role, and if so, how, and what do you think is the relationship now between the democrats and Beijing and can you work with
it?
Chief Executive: Well I have to take stock of what has happened over the last few months in the context of the efforts I've made in cultivating a better understanding, a mutual understanding between, certain elements who have been frequently opposing government views and Central Government's views, and the Central Government leaders. I will have to take stock of what has
happened now and consider the next step forward. But my wish maintains and my intention and in fact my analysis remain the same. In order to reach universal suffrage we need to build trust - trust between the Hong Kong democrats and make them understand what is happening on the Mainland and make sure there is direct contact between the mainland leaders and our politicians
in Hong Kong, and those efforts must continue. But whether we are able to do that, that's a matter that time will tell and as I have said, I will have to take stock of what has happened over the last few weeks.
Reporter: A few minutes ago the Chief Secretary said that Bishop Zen and Martin Lee were responsible for this standstill. Do you share the view that the Bishop and one of his parishioners are responsible for what happened tonight?
Chief Executive: Well there are a few people who have spoken up. I always respect the views of my Chief Secretary. He is a very wise man. But what has happened is clear to every Hong Kong people. We have got a proposal which is good, which takes us further forward in democracy, but it has been stopped in the Legislative Council last evening, and it was a decision of 24
members of the Legislative Council. That was the most important thing. I think these 24 people are far more important than, in my view, Bishop Zen and others in this.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2005
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