Rather, it is to express her personal frustration - and that of some members of the public - at the stagnation in the movement for universal suffrage promised under the Basic Law.

And to further show she was not joining the march to antagonize Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, she said she had telephoned him Saturday to inform him of her decision.

Chan, who retired from the civil service in May 2001, surprised the territory when she joined the pro-democracy rally last December 4 to protest against the government's political reform package.

She said she was joining Saturday's rally as she had observed an increasing feeling of frustration and helplessness among the public over the universal suffrage timetable issue.

She said that even taxi drivers had expressed their frustration at the delay, having joined several rallies over the past two years.

"I feel saddened by these comments," Chan told a pan-democrats' press conference Sunday, adding that she also lamented the passive stance on the issue adopted by the Commission on Strategic Development.

Chan said she believed the central government would eventually honor its agreement to grant Hong Kong a high degree of autonomy, as stated in the Basic Law.

But, she added, neither the central nor the SAR government should have any qualms about the introduction of full democracy.

"Hong Kong people are very responsible and even if universal suffrage is introduced tomorrow, they will not do something radical," Chan said. "I hope the SAR government will show more courage and diligence to strive for full democracy for the local public."

Chan again denied her decision was, in any way, connected with a bid to stand for the chief executive election next March.

"I'm not looking for any honors. Nor do I have any intention to play a leading role [in the democratic movement]. I am just following what I believe in," she said.

Chan said she had, on several occasions, expressed her stance about the forthcoming elections and would reclarify her position at a more suitable moment.

"I want to wait and see before I decide on my next step, as even I don't know what will happen over the next few months," she said.

Chan would not disclose what Tsang said when she told him of her intention to join the rally, and she also insisted she would not actively seek a meeting with him to express her aspirations. But she admitted that she had kept open communications with the central government through different channels after attending the protest rally on December 4 last year.

Chan refused to elaborate on what had been discussed.

Veteran democrat Martin Lee Chu- ming welcomed Chan's pledge to join the rally.

"Two years ago, nobody could have expected that Donald Tsang would become our chief executive. Likewise, a year ago I would not have expected that Mrs Chan would join this press conference. I hope that a year later, Donald will also sit here with us to strive for Hong Kong's full democracy," he said.

Civil Party leader and legislator Andrey Eu Yuet-mee hoped the public would join the rally to express their unity and hopes for freedom and democracy.

A government spokesman did not offer any direct response to Chan's pledge, saying all citizens can choose their own ways to express what they want over democratic development. The government will listen to all opinions in a systematic manner before offering a conclusion on the mode of universal suffrage to be applied, he said.