HK Backtracks on Security Law

[Ribes cynosbati]

Hongkong Chief Executive Tung Che-hwa has announced he has postponed
indefinitely the introduction of a controversial anti-subversion law,
also known as "Article 23".

"We will consult the public again and before that we will not
legislate," Tung told a press conference on Friday.

Read
http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/east/09/05/hk.law/index.html
for CNN coverage on this news. Read
http://www.news.gov.hk/en/category/lawandorder/030905/html/030905en08004.htm
for Hongkong SAR press release on this announcement.

Read
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200309/05/0905169.htm
for the complete text (Chinese Big5) regarding what Tung said during
the press conference. The English text can be read in
http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200309/05/0905155.htm

[Ribes cynosbati]

Post by Ribes cynosbati
Hongkong Chief Executive Tung Che-hwa has announced he has postponed
indefinitely the introduction of a controversial anti-subversion law,
also known as "Article 23".
"We will consult the public again and before that we will not
legislate," Tung told a press conference on Friday.
(snip)

Read U.S. Dept. of State Spokesman Richard Boucher commenting on this development in
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2003/23850.htm

as he answered:

QUESTION: On Hong Kong. Yesterday, the Executive Chief
in Hong Kong announced that they would withdraw the
proposed Article 23 deal? And there's no timetable
set for that. Do you have any comment on that?

MR. BOUCHER: Yes, first general and then specific. The
United States has always strongly supported dialogue
between the Hong Kong Government and the Hong Kong
public on issues of importance, including democracy
and national security legislation. We welcome the
government's decision to conduct open and public
consultations on Article 23 legislation. We also
welcome the government's attention to secure the approval
of the community before enacting any new security laws.