US missions to fly half-mast flags as gesture of condolence to nation

Flags at the United States Consulate in the SAR and its Beijing Embassy will fly at half-mast as a sign of condolence for the Chinese nation under an order from President Bill Clinton.

The consulate said the flags would be lowered for 24 hours following the arrival in Beijing this morning of a plane carrying the remains of the three mainland journalist victims killed in Belgrade.

Flags will also be lowered at the consulates-general in Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Shenyang.

The move came as a 2,000-strong demonstration - the largest yet - was staged yesterday afternoon outside the SAR consulate. The protesters demanded a full apology from the US and compensation.

Some demonstrators said Monday's apology by President Clinton for the bombing came too late and lacked sincerity.

The Liberal Party's Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee said: 'They only responded gradually after seeing the Chinese people were shocked by the incident.' The Yau Tsim Mong Federation of Associations demanded Nato halt all military action against Yugoslavia.