NEW YORK TIMES: ….The apparent concession — announced with a handshake between a protester who said the gesture was intended to pave the way for talks with the government and a police official who thanked him — appeared to ease the immediate risk of a confrontation. The police had been ordered to restore access to the building by the start of the workweek, according to two people with detailed knowledge of the official deliberations.
But it was not clear whether the partial withdrawal would be enough to prevent a showdown between the police and protesters, who have been unwilling to leave other sites they have occupied for over a week. Nor was it clear whether all of the protesters would go along with the pullback from one of the entrances to the government offices.
The police have been given leeway on how and when to enforce the orders, said the two people, both of whom insisted on anonymity because of the sensitivity of the discussions… (more)
EDITOR: We hope and pray for a peaceful resolution of the Hong Kong conflict. The West has so much to gain and so much to lose. The gradual but steady democratization of China is essential for future world peace.
