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Following is a transcript (English portion) of the meet-the-media session by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao at CGO, Central today (March 13):
Reporter: Could you give a gist/update of the KCRC incident?
SETW: I must first emphasize that we are very concerned because it is a matter of public interest. As far as the train service is concerned, as it is the most important thing to the public, services must be maintained despite all the arguments. I had spent the last two days trying to find out more about what had happened. And this morning, I had a meeting with the Chief Executive and he had asked the Managing Board to come up with recommendations in three days as to how to deal with the incident.
Reporter: Is the Chief Executive going to accept the Chairman・s resignation?
SETW: I wouldn't draw any conclusion at this moment.
Reporter: What will come next... will it work out with the Management and Chairman?
SETW: We are waiting for the Board to decide (the next step).
Reporter: Experts said it・s a rare move for a public corporation management to force the Chairman...?
SETW: It・s certainly a rather unusual move in public corporation especially. However, there is no foregone conclusion at this point in time.
Reporter: Some comments said that if the Government accepts the chairman・s resignation, it would have bad implications for other public bodies...?
SETW: I would not like to comment on this point at this moment. And it・s beyond my portfolio.
Reporter: Is government intention to ask the management or the Chairman to stay or not...?
SETW: As I said just now, it is not a foregone conclusion.
Reporter: ...(inaudible)?
SETW: It・s a very long question and I don・t think I am in a position to answer that.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Monday, March 13, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:07
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