Clarifying comments on office

YOUR article ''SAR panel to tackle financing'' (South China Morning Post, July 19) paraphrases me saying that I ''welcomed the idea of a liaison office in Hongkong''.

This is not accurate, so I would like to clarify. I did not say I ''welcomed'' the entity to reporters on Sunday at our party launching ceremony.

I explained that, since the office will be established, I hoped it would countenance public opinions, whatever the source. I believe it would be good for China to know what our community wants and needs. My acceptance that the founding of a liaison office for the SAR Preparatory Committee is by now inevitable cannot be construed as an explicit endorsement.

ALLEN LEE Chairman of the Liberal Party Legislative Councillor