Hong Kong: No Rush For Dis Park Hong Kong (ap) -- The Government Rejected Criticism That It Was...

"It's complete nonsense to say we are rushing through the environmental procedures to meet some kind of artificial deadline," Mike Rowse, commissioner for tourism, said at a Disney signing ceremony.

Environmentalists have accused Hong Kong of setting aside too little time to assess the environmental impact of the park to be built on outlying Lantau Island, while warning that an incomplete study could delay the opening.

The Disney park won't be built if officials fail to obtain all necessary environmental permits -- and neither Hong Kong nor the Walt Disney Co. would have to compensate the other under that scenario.

But Rowse said he is probably just as likely to win the lottery as see the Disney deal halted by regulators.

Hong Kong is banking on the Disney park to help its struggling economy, first by creating construction jobs in the short term and later by attracting more tourists.

Rowse said the government is expected to complete all the necessary environmental procedures by spring, with work to start in May. The park is slated to open in 2005.