U.S. and Hong Kong (2004)

State Department Noon Briefing, July 27

State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli briefed reporters July 27.

Following is the transcript of the State Department briefing:

(begin transcript)

U.S. Department of State
Daily Press Briefing
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
1:00 p.m. EDT

BRIEFER: Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

QUESTION: On Hong Kong. Do you have anything on the Hong Kong Government agency's raid on eight newspaper?

MR. ERELI: The question deals with actions taken against seven Hong Kong newspapers. Our position would be to urge the Hong Kong -- urge that Hong Kong civil liberties, including its press freedoms, be protected as guaranteed by the basic law. We note that Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption is conducting an investigation into the stories or activities of these papers.

We would urge that this investigation be conducted in a lawful and appropriate manner. We would also note that the people of Hong Kong who have been engaged in a serious debate and discussion about this incident are following the actions of the independent commission closely and belief and support for freedom of the press is strongly rooted in Hong Kong.

(The briefing ended at 1:25 p.m.)

(end transcript)