Tsang: some SAR people probably died in US terror attacks

Updated at 2.43pm: Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen said overnight (HK time) that some SAR citizens probably died or were seriously injured in Tuesday's fatal terrorist attacks in the US.

''I would not be surprised if there are some Hong Kong citizens who have been hurt or injured, or even suffered greater harm in this tragedy,'' Mr Tsang said in Washington after meeting US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

''This is a big, big tragedy in a premier international financial centre. Hong Kong people specialise in international finance,'' said Mr Tsang.

The SAR's economic and trade offices in Washington and New York did not receive requests for help. ''Those who have missed their loved ones, normally go to the Immigration Department in Hong Kong for help and here in the US they might wish to go to our embassy or consulates,'' he said.

Asked about speculation that Islamic terrorist Osama bin Laden may have previously used Hong Kong banks, Mr Tsang said: ''I have not heard specific things of this kind but we certainly have laws against money laundering.''

Mr Tsang said he met Mr Powell for 15 minutes. The two men discussed Hong Kong's implementation of ''one country two systems''.

He said Mr Powell also mentioned support the US received from Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

''[Mr] Powell hoped that some alliance would be built up to do something positive in response to what has happened,'' said Mr Tsang.

He said US officials were also optimistic about the SAR's economy.

The chief secretary said the terrorist attacks might ''galvanise the US'' into recovering faster economically.

''It may be the silver lining in this tragedy,'' he added.