U.S. and Hong Kong (2002)

State Department Noon Briefing, January 7, 2002

Following is the State Department transcript:

(begin transcript)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAILY PRESS BRIEFING

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2002 -- 12:55 P.M.
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: Did you hear anything back about the Hong Kong (inaudible)? Not just the team, but (inaudible) and their evil cult indictment in China?

MR. BOUCHER: No, we have not heard back at this point from the Chinese. We certainly have been in touch with other people about the situation. We have heard from members of the church; it's called the "Local Church," I think is what they call themselves. So we understand a little more about the situation today -- we're still concerned about the situation, both for the individual, and more generally, about religious persecution in China. It's something we will continue to follow closely.

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

(end transcript)