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SCMP Reporter

HONG KONG has initialled an agreement with the United States for the surrender of fugitives.

Although Chinese officials have not endorsed the treaty, it is seen as a boost to law enforcement confidence after 1997.

It is understood the agreement - by far the most significant criminal treaty between Hong Kong and another country - was reached late last year.

  Much of the territory's criminal traffic relates to the US, mainly drug-trafficking, money-laundering and fraud.

Last year, Hong Kong made one request for the surrender of a fugitive, but the US made 13 applications. In 1993, the US pushed formally for 22 separate extradition matters.

It is only the fifth such treaty to be confirmed.

 This underscores the relatively sluggish pace of international legal drafting aimed at stopping criminals exploiting the territory after 1997.

 Sources in the Legal Department said although negotiations in general were 'not completely satisfactory', the work was unprecedented, complex and required a good deal of delicate diplomacy.

 'We would say that we are going fairly well with this process,' a source said.

 'It is not completely satisfactory - but we're continually going forward.

 'It is very clear where our interests lie. It is important we have a number of these agreements in place before the change of sovereignty.'  It is understood Hong Kong officials now expect 12 agreements to be ratified before 1997.

 The Legal Department has identified only 20 out of 90 nations which now have agreements with Hong Kong by virtue of Britain or the Commonwealth as warranting extradition treaties.

 In the next few weeks, the South China Morning Post has learned, a formal agreement will be signed with the Philippines.

 That is likely to be followed by India, Singapore and Thailand.

 A draft bill enabling extradition documents to be legally recognised in Hong Kong is expected to be tabled soon in the Legislative Council.

 In these agreements, the chief executive of the Special Administrative Region (SAR) has a discretionary right.

 However, the Joint Liaison Group has not yet resolved a formal process to cover the return of fugitives to the territory after 1997.

 Legislator Simon Ip Sik-on agreed all existing agreements did not have to be replicated after 1997.

 But he urged a faster pace in negotiations on the legal transfer of criminals between China and the SAR.

 Mr Ip said he feared potential abuses would arise in the absence of such an agreement.

 'This is of much greater concern,' Mr Ip said. 'Whether China or the SAR has jurisdiction in the future and what arrangements will be in place is a pressing issue.' 



Deal with US over fugitives