Report: direct HK vote nixed

[dArKeR]

AP , HONG KONG
Sunday, Apr 25, 2004,Page 5

Beijing will "very likely" rule out demands for full democracy in Hong Kong by 2007, a newspaper reported yesterday.

China has informed the Hong Kong government that the mainland's most powerful legislative committee will "very likely" not allow the territory to hold direct elections by 2007, the Apple Daily tabloid said, quoting unidentified lawmakers who were reportedly briefed by Hong Kong officials.

Many here are demanding the right to choose their leader by 2007 and all their lawmakers by 2008. This former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997, has a separate administration, and its mini-constitution sets full democracy as an eventual goal.

Beijing, however, has insisted that any political reforms must be gradual. The central government will likely point out that having direct elections within three years goes against that principle, the newspaper reported.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/04/25/2003138016

Is Arie Fleisher working in Bejing now for the Bejing Bush Crime Family? What political refoms? Hong Kong is far advanced in government than the Bush Commi's in Bejing. Why should Hong Kong have to wait for something they've already achieved? What benefit for Hong Kong is a gradual indepenence?