11 Jul 19:34

WASHINGTON, July 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The following is a transcript of a July 11 background briefing on meeting with the Chief Executive of Hong Kong:

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Q: What did he say to reassure the White House -- that basically he'll leave Falun Gong alone?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He indicated that there was no likely change in the law, and that their existing practices -- which as he pointed out in some detail -- permit a wide variety of beliefs and religions to be practiced, would continue. There was no particular comment about -- certainly not with the President -- about the future of the Falun Gong, in general.

Q: Does the President mention specifically about the Falun Gong, or just in general, about religious freedom?

SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL: He talked about both in general, and he mentioned Falun Gong specifically as something that had generated a great deal of concern among many people in the U.S.

[...]