Posted on 01/15/2009 9:03:29 PM PST by nickcarraway
Before I go any further, are you saying that everywhere else in the world where there are Turkic speaking people groups, they have their own independent country? You realize they exist in Russia and elsewhere throughout the Central Asian region don't you? I've never heard of a North or South or Central Turkistan? Please educate me.
Heard of the rest of the Central 'stans that became independent of the Soviet Union? Those are the rest of the Turkic states.
The Uighurs have mainly attacked government employees. The most well-known attack was when two guys killed 16 Chinese paramilitary men. They are now on trial. To my knowledge, no Uighur Muslim has ever killed an American. Muslims from Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, et al, have all gone after American civilians. No Uighur Muslim has ever done so.
In no way is it in the interest of the USA to even question the status of, much less condone, Uighyer terrorists, regardless of what you may think of the Chinese Govt.
The Uighurs obtained their training from the only people who would train them. Getting training from al Qaeda doesn't automatically make them terrorists, any more than us allying with the Soviets during WWII made us communists. The Chinese government considers all freedom fighters inside China terrorists. This includes Tibetans, Mongols, Uighurs and other minorities.
I've heard of them. Just so we understand each other, I want to clarify: You are talking about the Turkic people groups (in which the Uyghurs are part of), correct?
From what I've read, these Turkic people groups are in Russia, Iran, Bulgaria, Afghanistan, etc. So are you suggesting that it is only in China that they should form their own country? If you are suggesting that, shouldn't they also take parts of Russia, Iran, Afghanistan as well?
And if they don't get their way, they should take a page from the Palestinian Liberation Organization and NOT be call terrorists when they set off bombs?
Which of those Turkic peoples are in armed rebellion against the governments in question? The fact is that they seem relatively satisfied being part of those other countries, each of which is more democratic than China.
And if they don't get their way, they should take a page from the Palestinian Liberation Organization and NOT be call terrorists when they set off bombs?
The Chinese government doesn't consider Palestinian groups that attack civilians terrorists. In Chinese eyes, however, Uighur rebels are terrorists by definition.
Iran is democratic? Afghanistan? And being in armed rebellion; well, the PLA are in armed rebellion, should we assume that Israel is entirely guilty because the Palestinians are in armed rebellion. And do we assume that just because Arabs in Israel are in armed rebellion are being mistreated whereas Arabs in Iran have been treated fairly? Maybe it's because the consequences of rebellion in Israel would not be nearly as severe as in other parts of the world.
The Chinese government doesn't consider Palestinian groups that attack civilians terrorists.
You really believe that? Has China granted anyone in the PLA asylum? Do they provide financial and political support the way many in the West provide financial and political support to the Uyghurs? Even campaigning for the Uyghurs?
If you feel you have a right and duty to support the Uyghurs, then shouldn't others in the West openly support the Palestinians. And shouldn't Chinese be allowed to support the PLA?
Many in the West turned a blind eye when Russians dropped bombs on Chechnya killing 150,000 civilians. Shouldn't the West at least understand when China execute a handful of terrorists.
Unless your definition of democratic is the form of government that prevails in China, Afghanistan is democratic. Iran is also a democracy of sorts - Ahmedinejad was elected (the candidates up for election were pre-screened by mullahs, but the Chinese don't even get Iranian-style elections). Imagine what would happen if Hu Jintao had to run against Wen Jiabao - Wen would win hands down.
Many in the West turned a blind eye when Russians dropped bombs on Chechnya killing 150,000 civilians. Shouldn't the West at least understand when China execute a handful of terrorists
Turned a blind eye to Russian atrocities? The West ended up sheltering thousands of people the Russians labeled terrorists and almost imposing sanctions on Russia. The West still supports the Chechens, and there is no question of Chechen rebels being repatriated to Russia unless they are involved in attacks on Western troops or civilians.
So, in your opinion, Iran and Afghanistan's ruling government is a better reflection of the will of the people than China? And do you feel that if Iran and Afghanistan had the economic and military influence of China instead of the Chinese, you would feel safer? If an American company had investments in Iran, Afghanistan, and China, you'd feel the least safest in the China office? The most oppressed and harassed?
Turned a blind eye to Russian atrocities?
Yes, given what happened, there hasn't been much uproar in the West about Chechyna. Police action in China gets alot more attention in the West than outright military assault by the Russians.
The West ended up sheltering thousands of people the Russians labeled terrorists and almost imposing sanctions on Russia.
Almost imposing sanctions is sort of like being almost pregnant.
The West still supports the Chechens,...
C'mon, you really believe that? I'm up for a good discussion and all, but honestly, is the OFFICIAL US government position on Chechyna that we whole heartedly support them? My understanding is that the official US position on Chechyna, is that it is an internal Russian problem.
The Aussies didn’t want them but for 20 million dollars each Palau took these savages...and the people there are not too happy about it.
Is it too late to trade them for people that were subpoened to testify about the Clinton’s fund raising that fled to China and disappeared before the hearings?
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