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Following is the transcript (English portion) of a media session by the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, after the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Commission on Strategic Development at the Main Wing lobby of Central Government Offices today (November 28):
Reporter: What was the outcome of the meeting?
Chief Executive: Well, we have been discussing various topics. Members have raised certain topics which are important to them, selecting from a menu of topics we have raised in our discussion papers and you have the contents of the papers already. My job is to analyse these points, these suggestions, separate them into current issues that have been tackled by our bureaux already and those which should be tackled as long-term issues by the CSD. Then I would see whether or not these issues should be tackled by other committees rather than ours. If there are those remaining issues should be tackled by ourselves, I would prioritise them, bring them in the proper order and bring them for discussion at our next meeting to be convened in February. But we can convene more meetings if necessary. Meanwhile we are exchanging views through emails and other means.
Reporter: Can you also give a reaction to today's Legislative Council (Public Accounts Committee) meeting in which Mr Leung has refused to answer members' questions?
Chief Executive: Well, I understand. But I was at another meeting. You are more familiar with what happened at LegCo today. I understand that he has sought a judicial review of what the Director of Audit has said against him and on that grounds he has refused to answer questions, decline to answer questions at LegCo. How that should be tackled is a matter for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). They have rights and privileges well beyond what I have myself. This is a matter which I am sure PAC will find the right course of action. As far as the Government is concerned we have already directed Mr Leung to appear before PAC and that is the limit of our authority in this regard. You may ask whether or not he will co-operate in our enquiry and I hope he will. And in this matter, since he has taken that position in LegCo I am seeking legal advice what I should do in case Mr Leung declines to answer questions as well in my commission enquiry.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, November 28, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:31
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