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Following is the statement by the Chief secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan, this (Friday) afternoon:

Independent team to examine airport operations

I wish to announce that the Chief Executive has decided to appoint an independent team to investigate the operations of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok.

The team will be headed by a leading member of the Hong Kong community and will include two international experts. It will carry out its work with the co-operation of the Airport Authority, its franchisees and business partners. This team will establish what went wrong and where the responsibility lies and will report its findings and recommendations to the Chief Executive.

Membership of the team and its terms of reference will be announced separately once the details and personnel have been finalised.

But our first priority is to address the problems that have already been identified so that service standards can be improved as soon as possible.

We share the community's disappointment with the performance of the new airport and we are rendering every possible assistance to the Airport Authority to put things right.

I note that some improvements have already been made but much still needs to be done. But I can state categorically that the safety standards of the new airport have not been compromised and will not be compromised.

One of our greatest concerns has been with the problems surrounding the operation of the air cargo terminal operated by HACTL. We are providing every assistance to facilitate their land and sea movements to enable them to transfer the stranded cargo from Chek Lap Kok to Kai Tak. We have also provided customs clearance facilities expeditiously.

I do not wish to underestimate the problems we are facing at Chek Lap Kok but I do wish to put in a special plea on behalf of the staff involved. I know that the Airport Authority, HACTL and Government staff have been working around the clock to address these problems. They need the support and understanding of the community to keep up their morale during this difficult period.

End/Friday, July 10, 1998

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