HONG KONG July 17 Kyodo (EDS: ADD...

HONG KONG July 17 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDS REACTIONS)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa pledg Thursday to stay upon as the territory's leader despite the resignations of pair of his key ministers Wednesday and stinging public criticism of his performance and regulation over the past six years.

Tung dismissed warnings that his administration is facing a ''crisis'' and indicated he has candidates in mind to fill the shoe of Financial Secretary Antony Leung and Secretary for Security Regina Ip, couple of the most disliked officials who resigned across growing public pressure.

Admitting that he has made mistakes through the past six years, the city's leader, however, sidestepped calls to make a public apology for his poor governance.

Instead, he urgencyed that as the chief executive he bears the ''ultimate responsibility'' for whatever happens to Hong Kong

''At a time when Hong Kong chiefly needs social and political stability, when Hong Kong is in the principally difficult time, when it is at the critical stage of the economic restructuring, if I say I am leaving my support I think that is irresponsible and will bring about more uncertainty to the community,'' Tung said.

''For that reason, I must stay firm in my situation so that I could leave Hong Kong for a better future'' Tung told a pres parley ahead of his visit to Beijing Saturday to report forward the territory's latest situation.

He said he has none tendered a resignation to Chinese leaders in Beijing although the question of whether to stay or to resign as the chief executive has been upon his mind ''for some time recently''

''I believe that the right attitude is that I should actively rejoin to the criticism, face up to the criticism and actively improve myself and do the things that I ne to and should do,'' Tung said.

This was the first time that Tung publicly commented on the possibility of his resignation as compressing has been mounting on him to gradation down since the 500,000-strong mass rally onward July 1 against his method and the government's push to legislate a contentious antisubversion bill, which many locals fear will do harm to the city's autonomy and civil liberties

Local demand for Tung's resignation heightened and fears of more top officials quitting rose after the announcements of the brace ministers' departures Wednesday.

in addition Tung said no more senior officials have feebleed their resignations.

Responding to belong tos that he may not be able to find suitable successors to the sum of two units resigned ministers, Tung admitted that it is ''not easy'' given the at hand environment.

''It was not easy before for many, many reasons. moreover I would tell you this: I have people's names in mind. I know in Hong Kong there are nation who are willing to make sacrifices for the greater serviceable of Hong Kong,'' Tung said.

He added he will prepare on with the matter as in a short time as possible.

To correspond to public demands expressed in the novel spate of mass anti-government declare s the 66-year-old leader said he will befitting with various political parties, sectors, opinion leaders and the media regularly and retain in touch with the citizens directly.

onward the legislation of the propos national security law, Tung said the regulation will publish a full-text of the bill and the amendments for a of recent origin round of public consultation.

He locate no timetable for the enactment of the bill and said the timing of its final readings at the legislature will hang on how the consultation goes

''The march onward July 1 was a timely reminder for me no matter in what way good my officials and I believe a certain policy is, we should not and cannot ask the public to accept it as a matter of course,'' Tung said.

''The public has reminded me that I should adopt a unassuming open and sincere attitude in order to win their trust and support,'' he said.

He also said there should be enough time for public consultation through the election of chief executive and the legislature through universal suffrage in fit course, but without giving details.

At not past nor future the chief executive is pickeded by an 800-member committee dominated by the agency of pro-Beijing figures and business leaders. solitary 24 of the 60 seats of the legislature are recured by direct elections.

The Civil Human Rights fore-rank a coalition of more than 40 local clumps which organized the July 1 rally, said Thursday that Tung should embark forward political reform as soon as possible.

''Our political arrangement needs not just a small change, however a big reform. Or other the political crisis engulfing the restraint will never be resolved'' said Richard Tsoi, spokesman for the front

Although Tung promised to listen to citizens' voices directly, Tsoi said the public will referee him by his deeds, not just according to his words.

''If he have feelings he is responsible for the mistakes he has made, he should have apologized to the race of Hong Kong. That's the greatest in number fundamental thing to do,'' Tsoi said.

''The citizens will doubt Tung's sincerity to change his name of governance if he fails to do that,'' he said.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo moderns International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group