Produced by the Eastern Turkistan Information Center

5 April 1997

5 April, Vienna Der Standard p 4 (03/21/97)

5 April 1994, Urumqi Xinjiang Ribao (March 23, 1997)

4 April 1997, Eastern Turkistan Information Center

3 April 1997, RFE/RL NEWSLINE, No. 3, Part I, 3

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(1) 'NO FERTILE GROUND' FOR ISLAMISTS

5 April, Vienna Der Standard p 4 (03/21/97)

(The following is provided to WUNN by Bill Mitchell)

Report on interview with Kazakh Foreign Minister Qasymzhomart Toqayev by Gudrun Harrer in Vienna.

"No Chance for Islamists"

Vienna -- As a huge, sparsely populated, multi-ethnic and multi confessional country without major urban concentrations, Kazakhstan offers no fertile ground for Islamist extremists for merely sociological reasons, Qasymzhomart Toqayev has said.

During a visit to Vienna, the Kazakh foreign minister emphasized that the secular constitution lays down the equality of all nationalities in Kazakhstan (some sources speak of approximately 100 -- the editors).

It is true that since the country became independent after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, a wave of emigration of non-Kazakhs, notably Russians, has been observable, but many of them return again, Toqayev noted.

In Kazakhstan, there are also Uighurs. Asked to what extent Kazakhstan was affected by the events in the Asian countries and Russia was held that warned the Taliban against trying to extend their influence beyond the borders of Afghanistan. "They would have to expect very severe counter-measures," Toqayev noted.

At the same time, Almaty is banking on pragmatism, Toqayev said: "Seventy-five percent of Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban, and this will not easily be changed." Therefore, the most reasonable thing would be to set up a "government of national reconciliation" involving all groups. For Almaty it is also decisive that Afghanistan's territorial integrity is maintained. Toqayev still regards Afghanistan as a plaything of foreign powers and argues that the conflict is being kept alive only through money that is pumped into the country from outside.

Regarding the internal situation in Russia, the minister underlined the satisfaction of his government about the recent cabinet reshuffle in Moscow, notably the return of reformer Anatoliy Chubays. "We need Yeltsin; only he can provide the necessary impulses to reform." The restorative forces in Russia are strong, but Almaty is banking on the others, Toqayev concluded.

(2) XINJIANG PEOPLE'S CONGRESS OPENS

5 April 1994, Urumqi Xinjiang Ribao (March 23, 1997)

Report by staff reporter Kang Ping

On the morning of 25 January, more than 500 representatives of the people of various nationalities from areas north and south of Tianshan Mountain gathered at the Xinjiang Hall of the People, where the fifth Session of the eighth regional people's congress ceremoniously opened. Amudun Niyaz, executive chairman of the session presidium, chaired the session. Other executive chairmen of the session presidium who were also seated in the front row on the rostrum were Jie Fuping, Yusufu Muhamode, Turbayim, Xu Peng, Ma Cunliang, Hujihan Hakemohu, Amina Apaer, Hadesi, and Maimaiti Simayi.

Wang Lequan, Abdulahat Abdurixit, Janabil, Kwyum Bawudun, Zhang Wenyue, Aisihaiti Kelimubai, Zhou Yongshun, Wang Chuanyou, Jin Yunhui, Hailiqiemu Silamu, Li Fengzi, Abudureyimu Amiti, Chen Demin, Wu Dunfu, and other leaders took their seats on the rostrum.

At 1030, Amudun Niyaz declared the session open, and the majestic strains of the national anthem rang in the heart of each and every deputy to the regional people's congress. Then, Abdulahat Abdurixit, chairman of the regional government, walked with rigorous strides toward the platform and began to report on government work on behalf of the regional government.

In his report, Abdulahat Abdurixit said:

"1996 was a year in which our region seized a historic opportunity to maintain sound economic development after overcoming exceptionally serious natural disasters. It was also a year in which we made fresh progress in the building of spiritual civilization.

Under the correct leadership of the party Central Committee, the State Council, and the regional party committee, we had well in hand the overall situation in "seizing the opportunity, deepening reform, opening up wider, promoting development, and maintaining stability" over the past year. As a result, the region's economy developed, social stability and the unity of nationalities were maintained, and the people's living standards was improved. We made a good beginning in the first year of implementing the Ninth Five-Year Plan."

In his report, Abdulahat Abdurixit comprehensively reviewed the following 11 aspects of economic and social changes that took place in the past year:

"A bumper harvest was reaped in a year of serious natural disasters, and the rural economy developed in an all-round way;

The growth of industrial and communication production was maintained after surmounting difficulties;

More funds were invested in fixed assets, and the construction of key projects proceeded smoothly;

The rate of price rises noticeably dropped, urban and rural markets were brisk;

Development momentum was maintained in opening to the outside world, and progress was made in foreign economic relations and foreign trade;

Efforts were made to increase revenues and reduce expenditures, and the financial situation remained stable;

Persistent efforts were made to do practical work for the people, and the living conditions for the people were improved;

Successes were achieved in fighting natural disasters and providing disaster relief;

Results were achieved in the building of spiritual civilization, and all-round progress was made in developing various social undertakings;

Comprehensively implementing the central authorities' important instructions on maintaining the stability of Xinjiang resulted in consolidating and developing the political situation characterized by stability and unity;

And the production and construction corps' economic construction and other undertakings developed steadily."

He said:

"The people of various nationalities worked hard together with one heart and one mind and basically accomplished the tasks set by the fourth session of the eighth regional people's congress."

While affirming our achievements, Abdulahat Abdurixit pointed out:

"We should soberly note that some deep-rooted contradictions in the economic life of the region have yet to be alleviated, that no substantial progress has been made in bringing about the two fundamental shifts, and that there are still many exposed and potential problems, some of which are rather obvious.

Their main manifestations are:

The agricultural foundation is very weak;

Some state-owned enterprises are faced with difficulties in operation, their production speed is low, their economic efficiency has dropped, they have sustained more losses, and the number of enterprises with exceptionally serious difficulties has increased, and workers and staff members of such enterprises live a hard life;

The difficult financial situation has not been radically changed; many negative and corrupt phenomena exist in social life, and public order and the general mood of society in some localities are not good enough;

The tasks in combating ethnic separatism and illegal religious activities and in maintaining social stability are still very arduous;

And there are still problems in the daily life of the masses, such as the shortage of doctors and medicines in the vast rural and pastoral areas, the slow growth of peasants' and herdsmen's incomes, and urban residents having difficulty in getting medical care, housing, and employment.

In our future work, we must make vigorous efforts to overcome or solve such problems."

In his report, Abdulahat Abdurixit said:

"The general guiding principles for the work of the region in 1997 are to adhere to Deng Xiaoping's theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics and the party's basic line and basic principles;

Thoroughly implement the guidelines laid down at the Fifth and Sixth Plenary Sessions of the party's 14th Central Committee and the central authorities' important instructions on maintaining the stability of Xinjiang;

Correctly handle the relationship among reform, development, and stability;

Effectively promote the two fundamental shifts;

Strengthen and improve macroeconomic regulation and control;

Conscientiously carry out the strategy of vitalizing Xinjiang through science and education and the strategy of turning favorable conditions in natural resources into favorable economic conditions;

Strengthen agriculture as the foundation of the economy;

Deepen the reform of state-owned enterprises;

Step up the structural readjustment;

Strengthen infrastructure construction;

Develop and strengthen pillar industries;

Develop new points of economic growth;

Further lower the rate of price rises; vigorously open up new markets;

Open wider to the outside world;

Effectively raise the quality and efficiency of economic growth;

And promote sustained, rapid, and healthy economic development and all-round social progress."

After making detained arrangements for this year's work in his report, Abdulahat Abdurixit pointed out: "This is an unusual year in the history of our country and an important year for our region to make efforts to implement the Ninth Five-Year Plan and to achieve our strategic targets at the end of the century. All people in the region should grasp the overall situation, advance from strength to strength, be of one heart and one mind, forge ahead in a pioneering spirit and greet the return of Hong Kong and the successful convening of the 15th national party congress with outstanding achievements made in various fields of our work."

Attending the session and seated on the rostrum were Wufuer Abudula, Li Donghui, Zhang Heng, Mijiti Nasier, Yusufu Ausha, Wang Huaiyu, Dalielihan Mamihan, Wang Yousan, Yibulayin Rouzi, Mao Dehua, Diyaer Kumashi, Wang Shizhen, Han Youwen, Wu Jiahe, Mijiti Kuerban, Sulaiyiman, Sha Ming, Paxia Yixia, Li Shoushan, Zhang Sixue, Pan Zhaomin, Guo Gang, Mayinuer Hasimu, Hedeerbai, Liu Shuangquan, Rouzi Wushouer, Chen Zhong, Simayi Tieliwaerdi, Simayi Maihesuti, and Li Chi.

(3) EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

4 April 1997, Eastern Turkistan Information Center

STRASBOURG - European Parliament on its evening joint session on April 10, 1997, adopted a resolution condemning China for the suppressions of its ethnic minorities and the violations of their human rights. The proposition for the resolution was submitted to the European Parliament by the European Christians Group's member Mr. Karl Habsburg-Lothriengen (Austria) and the Radical Union's member Mr. Olivier Dupuis (Italy).

The resolution condemns China for the arbitrary arrests and executions of the Uyghurs; Destruction of the Uyghur culture; Suppression of the Islamic faith and restriction of the free travel rights. The resolution urged the Chinese government to stop repression against the Uyghurs and for the release of prisoners accused of rioting, and to allow access to Eastern Turkistan of human rights monitors and journalists. [Abduljelil Karkash, Munich]

(4) UYGHURS CALL FOR COORDINATED ACTION.

3 April 1997, RFE/RL NEWSLINE, No. 3, Part I, 3

Representatives of the Uyghur Diaspora in Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Turkey, and Uzbekistan, have called for concerted action to oppose China's policy toward the Xinjiang/Uyghur Autonomous Republic, ITAR-TASS reported. The call was made at a recent meeting in Moscow of Uyghurs, a Turkic group of Muslims. Uyghurs and ethnic Chinese have recently clashed in several cities in Xinjiang. China's Uyghurs are seeking their own independent state.

Prepared by:

Abdulrakhim Aitbayev (rakhim@lochbrandy.mines.edu)

WUNN newsletter index

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The World Uyghur Network News electronic newsletter is produced by the Eastern Turkistan Information Center (ETIC) in cooperation with the Taklamakan Uighur Human Rights Association (USA), and is devoted to the current political, cultural and economic developments in Eastern Turkistan and to the Uyghur people related issues.

Eastern Turkistan (Sherqiy Turkistan in Uyghur) is a name used by the indigenous people of the region for their motherland located in what is at present the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic China.

The World Uyghur Network News brings information on situation in Eastern Turkistan from the Uyghur and other sources to the attention of the international community.

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