U.S. and Hong Kong (2002)

State Department Briefing Transcript

Following is the transcript:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Daily Press Briefing
BRIEFER: Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman
Thursday, August 15, 2002
(ON THE RECORD UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED)

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: It's about the Hong Kong trial again.

MR. REEKER: Yes.

QUESTION: You may have heard that the final verdict has been delivered by the judge yesterday, and it's convicted all the defendants of obstruction of public traffic. So what's the State Department's view on this verdict?

MR. REEKER: Well, first of all, we have been following that very closely, as have you. As we have said before, Hong Kong is a society obviously governed by the rule of law, and we note that the defendants received due process in a public proceeding.

The verdict, which went against the defendants, has been announced and it is our understanding that the defendants may appeal that verdict, so it would be improper for us to comment on an ongoing legal process.

We continue to stress the importance of Hong Kong's preserving its civil liberties and free society, human rights and rule of law. These are necessary components that make Hong Kong a distinctive international city.

QUESTION: Do you think that justice has been served in this case?

MR. REEKER: The verdict has been announced and it's our understanding that the defendants may appeal, so it's an ongoing legal matter and I would defer any comment on that legal process.

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