The Chief Executive Mr. Tung Chee Hwa, met 17 pro-democracy legislators yesterday to exchange views over the Article 23 legislation and the timetable of the universal suffrage for the Chief Executive and for all seats in the legislature in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

 

The legislators said, after the 75-minute session, they were disappointed that the meeting was not genuine dialogue. Democratic Party vice-chairman Albert Ho Chun-yan said: We are disappointed that there was practically no concrete response from Mr. Tung. He was pretty evasive.

 

The group said Mr. Tung did not respond to their demands for immediate public consultation on universal suffrage for the chief executive and the legislature in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

 

Calls on Mr. Tung to ensure the consultation on national security laws would not be confined to the blue bill and its subsequent amendments also apparently went unanswered. "We think the prospect for Mr. Tung giving us more democracy is very dim. He has rejected the people's aspirations. The public have to fight for it themselves and be prepared to take to the streets again," Mr. Ho said.

 

Democratic Party legislator Fred Li Wah-ming said: We're very frustrated. It's like talking to thin air.

 

Legal sector lawmaker Margaret Ng echoed Li's view: "We have spent a lot of time persuading him to make a positive response on the issue of political reform. We have said it in 15 or 20 different ways and made so many attempts, but he still did not provide us with any concrete response,'' she said. "He's still very slow in every sense.''

 

Independent lawmaker Audrey Eu said: "It has been four weeks now since July 1. As the Chief Executive, he should have some response. But there wasn't any and I don't think he was listening to us.''

 

Emily Lau from the Frontier asked Mr. Tung to step down: "`I asked him if he has heard the call from other people too. He said he noted the loudest call was coming from me.'' Ms Lau said.

 

" We don't want the public to be misled that he has changed. We will have to take to the streets again. Democracy is not something that you will have by sitting in a room with a glass of water.'' she said.

 

Although he pledged to conduct comprehensive consultation on Article 23 and future constitutional reform, Mr. Tung disappointed the 17 assembled legislators by offering no specific timetables. Mr. Tung reportedly promised more regular meetings with the pro-democracy camp but refusing to confirm the extra dates for future meetings.

 

For the Government's response, please see enclosed.