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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made to the media by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose SK Lee, after the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Drug InfoCentre this afternoon (June 21):

Reporter: Mr Lee, how concerned are you about the trend of intimidation ... ?

Secretary for Security: The Government is obviously concerned about any cases of intimidation or threats. We will discourage any act of violence or any sort of intimidation. I must reiterate. Hong Kong is a safe and lawful place. So, we encourage people to express their views in a peaceful manner and not resort to intimidation or threats.

Reporter: ... Are you stepping up investigation?

Secretary for Security: Well, the Police is obviously very concerned and they will investigate the matter very seriously. But as you know in every election campaign, like the District Council election last time, there were obviously cases of damage to property like the posters being torn down, this sort of thing. We do not encourage this kind of intimidation, but there were incidents where these cases tended to increase during election campaigns.

Reporter: Mr Lee, any preventive measures being stepped up ... ?

Secretary for Security: I must reiterate. Hong Kong is a very, very safe place.

Reporter: ... Are you concerned about the incidents getting more violent ... ?

Secretary for Security: We are concerned about any incidents of threats or intimidation and the Police is investigating the matter very seriously.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

Ends/Monday, June 21, 2004

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