**********************************
Following are the opening remarks by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at a media session before a meeting of the Executive Council today (November 5):
Since my formal meeting with President Aquino at the margin of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bali a month ago to start the official dialogue on the Manila Hostage-taking incident, the Hong Kong SAR Government has held official discussions with the Philippine Government and the representative of the City of Manila separately. The objective is to work out a satisfactory response to the four demands of the victims and their families. We have seen some progress but we still have a long way to go. I fully understand the disappointment among the victims and the families, which is shared by the community at large.
My Government will carry on with the talks and I would urge the Philippine Government and/or the City of Manila to take, to make a concrete and timely response. Otherwise the incident will continue to stand in the way between the two governments and the peoples.
Motions for sanctions against the Philippines have been moved by several Legislative Council members. The debate will take place tomorrow. While we appreciate efforts on the part of the Philippine Government and the City of Manila, and while we are committed to continuing our talks with both, I now announce that the Hong Kong Government would take necessary actions, unless substantial progress is made within one month.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the opening remarks.)
Ends/Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:02
NNNN