MOSCOW, October 12 (RIA Novosti) - Hong Kong’s chief executive Leung Chun-ying said Sunday said in an interview with local TV channel that the pro-democracy protesters had an “almost zero chance” of success in securing free elections, the Ireland’s RTE news reported.
"In achieving universal suffrage in 2017, if the prerequisite is to put down the Basic Law and the decision made by the National People's Congress Standing Committee, I believe we all know that the chance [of achieving full democracy] is almost zero," Leung was quoted as saying by RTE.
The activists oppose Beijing's decision in late August to rule out fully democratic elections for the city's leader in 2017.
Despite being questioned more than once during the interview on how the stalemate could end, Leung refrained from giving a specific answer.
"We've resorted to all kinds of persuasions, the way we resolve it in the end is being constantly reviewed,” he said.
"We absolutely would not prefer clearing the venue, but if one day the venue has to be cleared, I believe the police will use their professional judgment and training using minimum amount of force," Leung added, as reported by RTE.
The Occupy Central with Love and Peace protests began on September 27 with demonstrators speaking out against the Chinese government's plans to control the 2017 Hong Kong election. Protesters claim Beijing has gone back on its pledge to allow universal suffrage in Hong Kong, which was promised a high degree of autonomy when it was handed back to China by Britain in 1997.
The protesters also demand that Leung steps down from his post.
However, Leung confirmed that he would not resign adding that "constructive dialogue" was impossible if the protesters did not stop the campaigns.
Hundreds of protesters remain camped on Gloucester and Harcourt roads, blocking the key roads in Hong Kong Island's Central and Admiralty districts, according to a BBC report.
