IN a drive to force a stronger American defence of Hong Kong's freedoms, Democratic Party leader Martin Lee Chu-ming has lobbied a figure tipped to play a key role should Al Gore become the next president.
Mr Lee met Vice-President Gore's national security adviser, Leon Fuerth, just before leaving Washington after a three-day mission to back a crucial China trade vote and voice concerns over the leadership of Tung Chee-hwa.
Mr Fuerth, who also met Mr Tung during his own lobbying mission last month, is expected to replace Sandy Berger as National Security Adviser should Mr Gore win the election in November.
The meeting capped a string of talks that Mr Lee held with the administration, including President Bill Clinton, his economic adviser Gene Sperling, Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
But he failed to see Senate majority leader Trent Lott or House of Representatives minority leader Dick Gephardt - both key figures in the trade vote in three weeks.
Mr Lee said he was still unsure whether the administration would take a tougher line on the defence of Hong Kong's rule of law and the need for more democracy.
He has called the generally upbeat State Department report on Hong Kong's transition a 'whitewash' for its lack of direct criticism.
