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Following is the transcript (English portion) of the remarks made to the media at the Main Wing lobby of the Central Government Offices today (July 8) by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, on the London terrorist attack :


Reporter: How do you feel about the terrorist attack? What follow-up...?

Secretary for Security: We are shocked by the terrorist attack that occurred in London yesterday. We condemn this kind of irresponsible and atrocious act causing people's death and injury. London, in fact, the United Kingdom is a favourable tourist destination for Hong Kong people and is also the home to many Hong Kong immigrants. There are also tens of thousands of Hong Kong students studying in the United Kingdom. Therefore, we are very very concerned. We have already contacted our embassy in London and asked the embassy staff to provide all kinds of help to Hong Kong residents now staying in the United Kingdom. But up to now, we have not received any reports that any Hong Kong residents are injured or killed in this incident. Up to 9 o'clock this morning, we have received 64 requests for assistance from Hong Kong families, a majority of these requests are asking us to locate the whereabouts of their relatives in the United Kingdom. Up to now, 27 of these families have already contacted their relatives and for the rest, we are still liaising with the embassy people to try to locate them. I can assure the Hong Kong community that Hong Kong remains one of the safest cities in the world. Our assessment of the possibility of terrorist attack on Hong Kong is moderate. But having said that, we cannot be complacent. We will remain vigilant.

Reporter: ...WTO meeting at the end of this year...?

Secretary for Security: Hong Kong is honoured to have this opportunity to host the WTO Ministerial Meeting. We know there are many delegates, non-government organisations (NGOs) and reporters coming to Hong Kong. This is quite a challenge for our Police department. But I have full confidence in the capability and experience of our police officers. And I think they can handle the situation well. I am pretty confident that the WTO meeting will be held successfully in Hong Kong.

Ends/Friday, July 8, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:02

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