Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said yesterday that sincerity can help close the communication gap between the central government and the democrats.

He made the remark after meeting with the Democratic Party and the Article 45 Concern Group.

Describing his meetings with the "pro-democracy" camp in the past two days as very useful, Tung pledged to hold regular meetings with the democrats and other political party members with a view to strengthening communications.

During separate meetings with the Article 45 Concern Group and the Democratic Party yesterday, Tung discussed with them the issue of constitutional development.

"I told them to look forward after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC) had made interpretations of the Basic Law and a decision on electoral arrangements in 2007/08," he said at a press conference.

Noting that universal suffrage is the community's ultimate goal, Tung asked the democrats to play an active role in the government's constitutional consultation work.

The chief executive said Hong Kong needs harmony, stability and mutual understanding and he invited every political party to work in this direction.

Tung also discussed Hong Kong's core values with the concern group and reaffirmed the government's determination to safeguard them as Hong Kong's lifeline.

Lau Chin-shek, a democratic legislator whom Tung met on Thursday, and the Democratic Party earlier called for Tung to help them obtain home entry permits so that they could visit the mainland.

They also wanted Tung to play an active role in boosting communications between the democrats and the central government.

"My response to them was positive. But since 'three-feet-thick ice does not come into being after one cold day', the longstanding problem may not be resolved instantly," Tung said, citing a Chinese proverb.

"But if we show sincerity to create favourable conditions, I believe it will bear fruition," he said.

Democratic Party Chairman Yeung Sum said it is necessary for his party to communicate with the central government.

But he admitted the democrats did not harbour high expectations about getting home-entry permits although "Tung's attitude is more positive than before".

Concern group member Audrey Eu said it was not enough for the SAR government to say it supported the core values without solid action. She suggested a declaration and guidelines for government departments shall be drafted to reflect the core values.

(HK Edition 06/19/2004 page2)