U.S. and Hong Kong (1985-1997)

ALBRIGHT ON LEHRER "NEWSHOUR" 3/6/97

Discusses recent first overseas trip as SecState

Following is the transcript provided by the State Department:

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Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
Interview with Jim Lehrer, PBS-TV "NEWSHOUR"
Washington, D.C., March 6, 1997
As released by the Office of the Spokesman
U.S. Department of State

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MR. LEHRER: After Deng Xiaoping's death, we had a discussion on this program -- two former colleagues of yours, Zbigniew Brzezinski and Winston Lord -- and they both agreed that the first task of the post-Deng relationship, or the post-Deng era in China, is how they handle Hong Kong. Would you agree with that?

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I think it's a very important issue, and we talked about Hong Kong. What I thought was interesting was that they used the same vocabulary that we use, which is the necessity of preserving the way of life of Hong Kong and making sure that Hong Kong can go forward as it has.

The test will be whether they have the same meanings for the vocabulary that we do, and we are obviously going to be watching that very carefully between now and the time that it goes back to China, which is in July.

MR. LEHRER: But as a practical matter, what could you say to them about how, "Hey, if you don't handle this well, what's going to happen." I mean, what kind of consequences can the United States deliver if things don't go right from their point of view?

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: I think that what they know is that the world is watching how this is working, how it is going to work; that it is important to the international community and the financial people within various countries that this go forward smoothly. Frankly, Jim, from their own perspective they need to have Hong Kong continue the way it is.

MR. LEHRER: Did they say that to you?

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT: They said that they understood the importance of Hong Kong. Now again, I can't say that their meaning of the words is exactly the same, but this is clearly an issue that is front and center. We have discussed it with our allies. When I was in Great Britain, we talked about it, and everybody is going to be watching very carefully to make sure that the way of life of Hong Kong is preserved, and for us specifically, that some bilateral issues such as ship visits and consulates general can go forward. It is an important moment in terms of relationships, yes.

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