SCMP Tuesday, September 12, 2000

US praises election
NAIKEI WONG
Updated at 7.20pm:
Hong Kong's recent Legco election was conducted in a fair, open manner and marked the SAR's progress as a democracy, the US State Department said on Tuesday.
Spokesman Richard Boucher said on the department's Web site that democracy and free elections were important in ensuring Hong Kong's prosperity and social freedom.
''Despite substantial constitutional limitations on the power of the legislature, more than 43 per cent of Hong Kong's registered voters from all sectors of Hong Kong society, turned out to vote, underscoring the people's commitment to democratic development,''he said
He praised the Basic Law for its commitment to universal suffrage in the SAR.
Mr Boucher added that the US looked forward to increased ''democratisation'' in Hong Kong.