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A last-minute push by 25 pro-democracy
legislators to persuade the SAR government not to seek Beijing's interpretation
of the Basic Law to resolve the controversy over the term of office for the
next chief executive has been spurned.
The rejection came after they submitted a joint letter on Monday afternoon and
requested an evening face-to-face meeting with Acting Chief Executive Donald
Tsang.
With the SAR government tipped to call an extraordinary Executive Council
meeting today and to make a statement on its request for an interpretation at
tomorrow's Legislative Council meeting, the legislators expressed opposition to
any move to seek an interpretation.
The letter, entitled ``Give the Rule of Law a Chance,'' stated that if Beijing
delivers another interpretation to the Basic Law, it will distort the
provisions of the mini-constitution and undermine the rule of law in Hong Kong.
``On the present issue, we cannot see any reason why the SAR government cannot
be content to let the courts decide the length of term for the chief
executive,'' Ronny Tong, a barrister and legislator from the Article 45 Concern
Group, said.
``We find it even harder to comprehend why the government insists that the
arrangements for the elections of the chief executive on July 10 would be
affected should a judicial review be initiated on the term of the new chief
executive.''
His Legco colleague and fellow barrister Margaret Ng lamented the increased
uncertainty that the government brought to the Basic Law through seeking
interpretations.
``Basic Law interpretations are increasingly becoming a normal and ordinary
legal procedure,'' she said.
``Although Tsang said the government had no plans to seek an interpretation when
he met us last Friday, it is obvious that the government has already been
well-prepared for the move.''
Frontier convenor Emily Lau hoped the government will think twice before resorting
to an interpretation.
Though all 25 legislators were banking on Tsang sparing time for a meeting on
Monday night to discuss the issue, their request was immediately rejected by
the Chief Executive's Office.
A spokesman said the office has received the legislators' letter but that a
meeting could not be arranged. He refused to provide further reasons.
But the spokesman stressed that the government has not made any final decision
on inviting the National People's Congress Standing Committee to make an
interpretation.
``Before we make a decision, we will prudently consider the opinions they
raised,'' he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to move an urgent adjournment debate at
tomorrow's Legco meeting to let legislators debate the law interpretation issue
in detail.
Chairman Lee Wing-tat said he will submit his debate request to Legco president
Rita Fan today or early tomorrow.
``If the government is respectful and responsible, I hope they will not notify
the Legco secretariat about their statement at the very last minute, making us
unable to act accordingly with the rules of procedures of the legislature,'' he
said.
Tong said the pro-democracy camp is still considering further action should an
interpretation be sought.
michael.ng@singtaonewscorp.com
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