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Anonymous - Oregon
I appreciated the heart in this story. As an American who
has taught in Northwestern China, I have Chinese and Uighur
friends. I visited Xinjiang twice and loved it. The Uighur
people are amazingly genuine and fun loving. However, I
too was saddened to hear stories of how the Uighur people
are in discreet ways being persecuted and treated unjustly.
China is subtly attempting to assimilate Uighurs into its
own culture (by not allowing the Uighur language to be taught
in schools, for example). I read another response to this
story from an American in California who taught last summer
in a school in Urumqi and who mentioned there were Uighur
children at a very prestigious English school. While I was
in Xinjiang, I noticed that educational opportunities for
Uighurs to "get ahead" came at the great cost of losing
much of their culture and language; it's almost as if the
Chinese are saying "It's OK to be Uighur by blood, as long
as you speak and think Chinese." To me, this is deeply disturbing,
and could lead to a dying culture.
Rachel Rodriguez - Washington, D. C.
I want to thank Serene for her courage to present this story.
I was very moved by Dilkex's story and think it's important
more stories like this are produced. Today, reporters are
often criticized for taking the initiative to "get the story."
In this case, Serene has given a voice to a community that
would otherwise have none, and she is to be commended. Until
I saw this program, I was unaware of the conditions the
Uighur people were living under. I hope you will update
Dilkex's story. My thoughts have been with him since I saw
the story. Keep up the good work!
Intizar
Thanks to Ms.Fang for her great work and revealing the true
facts about Uyghurs and how they are treated under Chinese
Communist Regime. You should never feel sorry for what you
have done. The people, as you see and will see, are very
grateful for your courageous job.
Anonymous - Europe
First I thank Ms. Fang who reported the real aspect of our
region; I just came from there to Europe for studying and
I know very clearly how is our life in there, just life
of dog; but even here I can't speak out because we have
many Chinese here, I am afraid of that there's someone who
works espionage. I don't know how to do, how to help my
people.
Nancy Renick - Louisville, Kentucky
The program from the journalists reporting from difficult
places was terrific. I had never heard of the Uighers and
have since started to learn more. I wondered if there was
any update on the man imprisoned in China for talking to
the reporter.
FRONTLINE/World responds:
Thank you for your interest. So far we have not been able
to learn more about the fate of Dilkex Tilivaldi. Uighur
groups are urging concerned people to contact the Chinese
embassy in Washington, or the Chinese consulate in their
city, to request information about Mr. Tilivaldi.
The address for the Chinese Ambassador
to the United States:
Ambassador Yang Jiechi
Chinese Embassy
2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20008
Kuresh - Midwest
I personally believe that Serene Fang has done a very good
job. The story is simple but it is the vivid description
of the Uyghur people's lives in China...I blame the Chinese
government because of its repressive policy. As one of the
Uyghur people, I believe that every reporter or media should
bring the truth about the Uyghur people if they can and
let the Uyghurs voice to be heard. We want our voice to
be heard and we want the international community to take
an action.
I appreciate Frontline, especially,
Ms. Fang as she took a risk to cover the story of the Uyghur
people. We want more and more people to take an interest
in the Uyghur matter. I do not only feel a pain for Dilkex
but I also feel the pain for thousands of Uyghur people
who are innocently arrested and executed by the Chinese
government. In fact, Ms. Fang did not only point out the
Chinese discrimination against the Uyghur people but she
pointed out a very important issue. She said the government
would only repeat these words, "terrorists" "separtists".
Thank you, Ms. Fang and Frontline.
Do not ever regret about your report!
Anonymous - Stanford, California
I think she [Serene] could have been more careful. But what's
happened has happened, we can only try our best to get this
guy out.
Anonymous - Beijing, China
Hindsight, of course, is 20/20 but I also wonder if the
Frontline World editors gave every consideration to protecting
Dikex Tilivaldi. Though the Frontline audience, and perhaps
even its editors, may be unfamiliar with the situation in
Xinjiang, many journalists and experts working in China
are. I am one of them. One only need to look at China's
recent treatment of journalists and restrictions on speech
to realize that Frontline World was playing with fire when
they sent Serene Fang to Xinjiang to conduct clandestine
interviews with the Uighur population. It seems especially
naŒve that there was any surprise about the reporter being
so closely monitored by Chinese police. There are risks
we take as journalists in telling the story. There also
is the ethical dilemma we face when we put sources at risk
for a story. But it seems that when it comes down to a choice
between endangering the life of another person to get the
story or not getting a story at all, we will always opt
for the former and deal with the consequences as them come.
It is easy to hide behind the reason: It is our job to report.
But there are other reasons: a reporter's ambition, competition
in the news industry. It shouldn't mean that we don't take
every precaution in protecting our sources, rather than
simply using them for the sake of a story. This is the job
of editors. More could have been done to protect your source.
Your reporter mentions that Dikex Tilivaldi was getting
ready to leave for Turkey. Couldn't the interview have been
conducted there, or in a safer environment? The reporter
knew that she was being monitored (the checkpoint at the
Kazakhstan border). She knew that Dikex was preparing to
leave the country because it had become unsafe for him.
She knew he had doubts about the interview location. And
he was terrified. Perhaps it is a measure of the reporter's
inexperience in these conditions that the interview went
ahead. (A graduate degree and knowledge of Cantonese, spoken
in Hong Kong, in my opinion, is not enough.-And it seems
that all of your reporters are fresh from Berkeley.) Hindsight
is indeed 20/20. It is the role of journalism to build awareness,
but I wonder if a story on the Uighur issue could have been
accomplished without endangering the life of a man. There
are other sources, after all. And although the story may
have succeeded in changing the perceptions of some American
viewers, it will not change the situation in China. Of course
Uighurs deserve the right to speak freely, so does the rest
of the Chinese population and the native journalists who
are continually persecuted here. But did the life of a man
have to be endangered to make that point? Was it worth the
risk?
FRONTLINE/World responds:
We have addressed most of your questions elsewhere in
these Reacts, but we take these issues very seriously,
so let us elaborate, especially since you write us from
Beijing. The important thing to keep in mind is that Mr.
Dilkex Tilivaldi agreed to be interviewed and went to
considerable effort to make certain that the interview
took place, at his request, in Xinjiang. He obviously
wanted to speak and he had every right to do so. We took
precautions. We were well aware of the risks. But we also
made an editorial decision not to ignore this story. To
have turned away from the Uighur story would have been
to ignore our duty as journalists. As editors we have
made similar decisions in covering neglected, hard-to-report
stories in Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Philippines,
to name a few very risky countries where we have done
stories. We can assure you that "reporter's ambition,"
as you put it, had absolutely nothing to do with our collaborative
decision to go forward with the story. Furthermore, when
Mr. Tilivaldi arrived that second time for the on camera
interview he seemed confident and eager to talk. He had
made his decision.
Of course, we are constantly weighing
the risks to our sources and our own reporters, and we
will continue to agonize about the decisions we make.
And unlike more traditional news organizations, we are
willing to be more transparent about our process of reporting
and the dilemmas we face. Finally, we are very proud of
our reporters who have come out of UC Berkeley's Graduate
School of Journalism, including Ms. Fang who had visited
Xinjiang previously and had reported from China before.
We will continue to feature their student work on our
Web site in our Fellows program and to occasionally broadcast
their truly exceptional work on our television series.
But for your information, most of the producers for the
FRONTLINE/World television series are seasoned
veterans, and most of the reporters we work with are from
the New York Times, the BBC, NPR, Public Radio International,
CNN, the CBC, the New Yorker, the Center for Investigative
Reporting, and Frontline itself.
Walter - Honolulu, Hawaii
Ms. Fang is a brave reporter...
Tim Allen - New York, New York
In China people don't have the luxury of speaking freely
on sensitive topics. Since you know China forbids independent
reporting, you should not have conducted such reporting,
simply for the safety of someone else. It is your responsibility
to obey the local regulations when you travel around, don't
assume American standard is the standard of the world!
Anonymous - Antioch, California
We spent the month of July 04 teaching American English
in an up-scale middle school in Urumqi, Xinjiang. All Han
Chinese students and a few lucky Uigher students. However,
we did notice that the two groups got along quite well.
One Uigher boy (about 14 years old) explicitly told me that
"I'm a Uigher boy" right in the front of the class. I smiled
and said that your English is quite good. Politics have
not yet affected the young Han Chinese and apparently, young
Uighers are proud of their standing in a Chinese society.
Almas Wala - Hilsinke, Tapire,
Finland
After I read this story I cannot control myself and feel
very sad. It is difficult to be a Uyghur.
Andrew Spurrier
This is a very informative piece of reportage. More important
than expressions of opinion about the plight of the Uighurs,
however, is the situation of the man who was arrested. What
efforts have been made to press the Chinese authorities
for information about his whereabouts and condition? What
can we who have seen the video do to help? This matter should
not be allowed to rest.
FRONTLINE/World responds:
Many viewers have expressed concern about the fate of Sitiwaldi
"Dilkex" Tilivaldi, who was arrested after doing an interview
with our reporter Serene Fang, and asked what they might
do to help him. We share your concern. In her interview
on this Web site, Ms. Fang describes what she has been doing
on behalf of Mr. Tilivaldi. As soon as Chinese authorities
released her, she immediately contacted the U.S. embassy
in Beijing. She has spoken with the U.S. State Department
and pursued a number of official and unofficial contacts
in China seeking to find out where Mr. Tilivaldi is being
held and on what charges. She has also contacted human rights
organizations, including Human Rights Watch, Human Rights
in China, the Laogai Research Foundation and the Dui Hua
Foundation.
"Initially, I thought it was best
to try quiet diplomacy," says Ms. Fang. "To make requests
through government agencies and foundations, to let the
Chinese authorities know that Dilkex would not be forgotten
and that people in the international community care about
his well-being."
Uighur groups have told Ms. Fang
that if people want to help, they can write a letter or
phone the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., to express
their concern about Dilkex Tilivaldi's welfare and to
request information about his status. Or people can contact
members of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and request
that a letter be sent to the Chinese Embassy on Dilkex's
behalf.
Mara Pemberton - Eureka, California
Thank you for the story on the Uighur people in China. Until
Frontline /World brings such a story on strife for freedom
and human rights, [we] in America [would not know about
it]. ... Were it not for the attack on 9/11/200l, I don't
think the world would have been told about the conflicts
in the Muslim world and how many Arab and Muslim countries
suppress the plight of their people.
Thanks for the Frontline/World.
Eunice Koch - Ventura, California
I, too, was saddened by this story. What was gained by devulging
his name in the end? Is trying to get information a worthy
cause when the party is thus endangered?
FRONTLINE/World responds:
As reporter Serene Fang says in the story, by publishing
his name -- Sitiwaldi "Dilkex" Tilivaldi -- she hopes to
bring attention to his case. The Chinese government has
not responded to private inquiries. We believe his case
needs to be made public. We also believe it was important
to tell the story of the Uighur people and raise the vital
human rights issues involved. Mr. Tilivaldi made a deliberate
effort to tell his story to us. We think he had every right
to do so.
Anonymous - Indianapolis, Indiana
Serene Fang's story is grossly one-sided. The other side
was not given a chance to speak. Serene Fang herself became
part of the story as well, how could she report the story
impartially? Impossible! It looks more like propaganda than
objective journalism. I hope that PBS doesn't turn to another
Fox News.
Uyghur - Midwest, United States
First, I would like to thank Serene Fang and PBS. As a Uyghur
person, I encourage more and more journalists and media
should do as much reports as they can about East Turkistan
and the current lives of the Uyghur people. At the same
time, Serene, you should not regret about what you have
done and feel sorry about it. Yes, it is very said to see
the tragedy about Dilkex Tilivaldi and he chose to pay that
price as he cares about his people's situation. The story
was short and does not really go into depths but it is a
very vivid image of the current situation of the Uyghur
people in East Turkistan the oppressive policy of the Chinese
government. There are millions and millions of Uyghurs who
live in fear and who live under the terroristic and horrifying
government and yet no one is speaking out about it. Why?
Because they know that they would end up at the horrible
Chinese gutters (prisons). As I was watching the story,
I could not hold myself crying and I was not only crying
for Dilkex and I am crying for every Uyghur person who living
in that terrible situation. So far, I mostly blamed the
Chinese government and try to not hate the Chinese people.
But can you do that really? Is there any chance? Not really.
Why? As you can see in the video the Chinese taxi driver
who used to be in the army insulted the Uyghur people in
the video. He said," the Uyghurs do not eat pork because
their ancestors are pigs!" ... That is not first time I
have heard. I have heard many Chinese were saying the same
thing and that is the way to insult the Uyghur people.
JC Paylasop - McClean, Virgina
Thanks for producing such good report on Uighur. I would
like to comment that story you reported just one of the
thousands of unheard stories of Uighur. Arrest, torture,
persecution happen daily.
Uighurs living in America carried
a heavy psychological burden in their life by hearing their
relatives, their freinds or a story like this. We pray GOD
every day to put an end to this darkness in Uighurs life.
Anonymous - New York, New York
I'm in favor of more autonomy and a sincere government reaction
to ease tensions between the two ethnic groups. I believe
the benefits of the region should not go to one side. Since
Uighurs are citizens of the PRC, the government should ensure
the same just treatment among all persons in the country.
However, that is easier said then done. China is still
a relatively poor nation that is still, (no matter what
anyone says) deeply rooted in the predominantly Han culture
and traditions.
Even the U.S. needed a hard-fought civil rights movement
in the 50s and 60s. China may go through the same in the
future. I do see some more violence in the future, but that
is hardly avoidable.
Amaneuallah Azad - Ashburn,
Virginia
I see that you are a person who favors autonomy and also
you kinda compared Uygur and Chinese problems to civil
right movement in America. However, before you start anything,
or compare Uygur and Chinese problems please understand
what Uygurs want or need and what is their rights. One
thing is Eastern Turkistan was a country not part of China
since ancient time or live in harmony with them. The land
is Uygur by law of nature and law of UN, so I don't think
you should say Chinese should benefit from it equally
as Uygurs.
Stephen Thornton-Taylor - Austin, Texas
I watched this piece last night with amazement. Amazed at
the way china continues to equate these people with terrorism.
The Uighurs, even by U.S. standards, and that's saying a
lot in these times, are known to be involved in a struggle
of self-determination. If we consider our own, U.S. independence,
proof enough for determining our own future, then the same
should be considered for the Uighur people.
Anonymous - Chicago, IL
First of all, thank PBS and journalist Ms. Fang's hard work
for bringing us such a good story. I'm a Han Chinese, but
I have great sympathy for the man in the report who as arrested
for meeting with an American journalist. However, I don't
totally blame what Chinese government is trying to do. The
Chinese government is trying to stop those separatists from
separating Xinjiang from China. Xinjiang has been part of
China for many centuries. I think Chinese government should
have dealt with the situation in a more humanity way, a
way which respects all human rights of each individual regardless
what they have done. On the other hand, more things could
have been done by Chinese government to improve the situation,
for example, improve their economic situation, do more to
preserve their language, culture and etc. Finally, once
again I thank you for this story. Even though one report
won't be able to change the whole situation, more and more
such report will change the world in the future. Keep up
the good work!
Sue W. - Munster, Indiana
The comments made by the person from Chicago are not surprising.
What is your opinion about the situation between China
& Tibet? Tibetans is NOT Chinese! The culture, language,
etc. are different! If a group desires to become a new
country (& they are different from the 'ruling elite'
who have ruled over them for centuries, why not let them?
The Han Chinese rulers are too focused on control & not
justice.
We should not have any dealings with ANY Communist country.
Why should the US help China's trade by importing the
cheap junk that is sent here from that country? Why does
China have a valued trading partner status in the first
place? Politics! Does anyone really care about the people?
Anonymous
By reading all of the responses that were made it makes
one think can a leopard ever loose its spots. All Han
Chinese where ever they maybe in the world always will
discreetly support mother land China whether its actions
can be justified or not. East Turkistan might be a terminology
created in recent times well so is Xinjiang its people
may not have united under one country title but they did
have sovereign states in that land for hundreds even thousands
of years they are people with their own culture and language
and many other things a civilisation has, they have had
until the Chinese started to oppress these peaceful and
laid back people. One other comment that was made, Xinjiang
has been apart of china for centuries Uygurs should not
try to separate the country etc. But history shows us
that places like Hong Kong and Macau etc. were under British
rule for a very long time how is it you wanted your land
back after a such a long time. Hans you should know we
are a small number of people but a people determined to
see its land free from oppression and robbery of its wealth...
Amaneuallah Azad - Ashburn, Virginia
To the Han Chinese person without the name: Just question,
how do you prove that Eastern Turkistan was part of China
since ancient time.
In addition to that, Eastern Turkistan was a democratic
country during the 30s until 49. They did have relations
with the Soviet, United States, England, Sweden, Turkey
and sometimes even with China.
Pat Turley - Hyattsville, Maryland
Serene Fang did not have to travel to China to find human
rights abuse. She should report the FBI abuse of U.S. citizens,
like Patrick Knowlton. If she is so outraged that China
jails terrorist suspects for 3-5 years, why is there no
outrage for the U.S. jailing their terror suspects indefinitely,
when they do not have enough evidence to bring charges.
Reporter Fang's story about Chinese human rights abuse distracts
attention away from human rights abuse by the U.S. government
against U.S. citizens. Who does Fang serve, the common people
or the powers that abuse them?
Uyghur Oghli
As an ethnic Uighur living in the United States, I am so
grateful to Frontline for producing such an excellent story
on Uighurs. I have been a fan of the Frontline for your
insightful stories of the people all around the world, however,
seeing the story on my people really touched my heart. It
is realistic portrait of Uighur life in East Turkestan under
Chinese rule. Thanks so very much for Frontline for producing
such a touching story on one of the forgotten peoples in
the world!
Anonymous - Normal, Illinois
I believe the silencing of individuals who disagree with
China's governmental policy is probably one of the main
things that prevent China from being one of the greatest
nations in the world. Instead, China is one of the most
repressive nations in the world. I pray that changes soon.
Anonymous - Valencia, Pennsylvania
The price for this story was paid by the reporter, the man
who was arrested and his family. I hope the payback will
come in the form of freedom to all who are oppressed by
the Chinese government. The quick payback is knowledge of
the oppression. Perhaps some who would do business with
China might at least express some concern for those who
are being oppressed and exploited.
June Rogers - Kansas City, Missouri
Serene, I feel your pain. Dilkex and his family will remain
in my prayers. Your strength to pursue rightousness for
him, for all of his people and their future freedom. It's
people like you who make a difference in this world. God
bless. P. S. you should be careful!
Jeanmarie Brucia - Montpelier, Vermont
Serene Fang's piece hardly contained material for a story,
but then it resulted in tragedy for her "informer". For
an educated woman, she exhibited extraordinarily poor judgment
and no common sense. But the real responsibility for the
horror that occurred as a result of her interview lands
squarely in the lap of her supervisor. Lapses in judgment
are overlooked in the young and inexperienced, which Ms
Fang obviously is. Lapses in judgment on the part of her
supervisors is unforgivable and warrants someone losing
their job for their irresponsibility. A man and his family
have had their lives changed forever by this supervisor's
lack of professional leadership. The "writing" was clearly
"on the wall" concerning the danger this story presented,
both to Ms Fang and to anyone she might talk to. Most professions
have internships during which young professionals learn
to put theory into practice within a supervised environment...the
point of this supervised experience is not simply for experience's
sake, but t o learn how to put professional standards of
practice into day-to-day practice. Doctors, lawyers, accountants,
medical personnel, electricians, plumbers, and many other
professions require supervised internships so the public
is not hurt by poor judgments made by inexperienced young
professionals. Ms Fang did not have this leadership and
her interviewee and his family are now paying a life changing
consequence for it. It isn't enough that Ms Fang feels badly;
let every journalism class in the free world learn from
her experience!
FRONTLINE/World responds:
Thank you for your letter. We take
these issues very seriously.
We do not agree that our report
about the Uighurs "hardly contained material for a story."
As other viewers have commented, China's treatment of
its Muslim population is an important and underreported
story. It's exactly the kind of story we try to bring
to the attention of our viewers. If you have not already
done so, we urge you to view
the longer version of our story on this Web site,
read the in-depth interview
with Serene Fang, and explore the background information
(facts,
links)
about the growing tensions between the Chinese government
and the 8 million Sufi Muslim Uighurs.
Since China forbids independent
reporting in Xinjiang province, it is obviously a difficult
story to report. There were two risks we as editors had
to consider: the risk to our reporter working in a country
that doesn't have or value a free press, and the risk
to those willing to speak out and get their story heard.
In this case, a Uighur man came forward, after much consideration,
and decided to tell his story, knowing he was taking a
personal risk. In such cases, we are constantly balancing
our desire to protect our reporter and her sources against
our obligation to learn more about a little-known story
involving important human rights issues.
We never tackle a story like this
without serious editorial consideration. Before undertaking
this story, we consulted widely with American and Chinese
scholars and journalists who cover China regularly. We
would never send an inexperienced, untrained journalist
into a place like Xinjiang. Serene Fang is a talented
professional. Though she is young, Serene Fang is a graduate
of the University
of California at Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism.
She now works for NBC News. She speaks fluent Cantonese
and had previously traveled to Xinjiang province. She
has reported and produced other stories in China. She
is very knowledgeable about the particular circumstances
in the Uighur area, having researched her story with a
range of experts before making her trip.
Journalists covering sensitive
stories in repressive regions or countries often meet
privately with sources. They take precautions, but there
are never any guarantees of safety. Regular viewers of
FRONTLINE/World will recall our story last January,
"Forbidden
Iran," in which our reporter Jane
Kokan put herself at risk by interviewing Iranian
dissidents clandestinely inside Iran. These dissidents,
of course, were also risking their lives. In order to
tell this important story, Kokan
also chose to enter Iran disguised as a tourist and to
film secretly. Kokan was re-tracing the steps of Canadian
journalist Zahra Kazemi who was tortured and murdered
by Iranian security agents after she attempted to report
on the growing opposition movement in Iran. This was an
extremely high-risk story, but again we felt, after much
debate and discussion, that it was a story which demanded
our attention and could not be told unless we took these
calculated risks.
At FRONTLINE/World we also
try to be more transparent about the actual process of
reporting. We tell viewers when we are filming clandestinely,
and why we are doing so. In this case, Ms. Fang also revealed
her own anguish about what happened to her source, Sitiwaldi
"Dilkex" Tilivaldi.
We appreciate and share your concern
about the fate of Mr. Tilivaldi, which is why we ultimately
decided to name him and bring attention to his case. Mr.
Tilivaldi clearly went to great effort to tell his story
to us. We believe he had every right to speak, as do other
Muslims in China who have been silenced, persecuted and
imprisoned. We deeply regret that Chinese authorities
chose to arrest him, simply for speaking to a reporter,
but we do not regret our decision to produce and broadcast
this story.
Steven Norris - South Pasadena,
California
Please forward my compliments and admiration to Serene Fang
for her well-done and touching piece on Uighur nationalists.
I was moved by her admission that she regretted her decision
to interview the Uighur man who was arrested by the Chinese
police. As someone who once spent a summer in Eastern Europe
supporting persecuted Christians prior to the fall of the
Iron Curtain, I understand the risk she took and the cost
to the man she interviewed. My prayer is that this piece,
now aired on national television in the U.S. will pressure
the Chinese government to release Sitiwaldi (Dilkex) Tilivaldi.
May his broadcast name bring him release, and may the tide
of freedom rise in China. Serene, thank you!
Anonymous - Vancouver, Canada
Before Fang's story I had a high regard for frontline's
unbiased reporting trademark. Fang's story is one-sided,
and she is certainly not conversant with Xinjing, Muslim,
Islam, and Chinese history.
Anonymous - Dallas, Texas
To: Serene Fang
Your story was moving and necessary.
Don't blame yourself for this man's imprisonment. Until
we see the Light, humankind is bound to suffer at the hands
of those in government who abuse their rank and power. Without
stories like yours, without people speaking out, how else
will progress come about? I know Dilkex wants change, so
keep trying to raise his story....
We cry with you....
Frank Shea - Bellevue, Washington
Frontline showed a confusing story to the viewers. Post
9/11, Frontline aired a program with a video footage about
a simultaneous bus bombing carried out by the so-called
East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) during Urumqi's rush
hours in Xinjiang province. Then members of the East Turkestan
were caught in Afghanistan fighting alongside Taliban. United
States therefore listed the ETIM as a terrorist group. Tonight,
Frontline failed to draw the line, and reporter Serene Fang
did a very lousy job.
The following are responses to the moderator question,
"Are Uighur nationalists 'terrorists'?"
Marlene Cornick - Baltimore, Maryland
place this one after anonymous from boston (2nd one under
responses to moderator question) First of all, this was
a program about journalists with global assignments, namely
Iraq, Sudan and China. Second, Ms. Fang may tell this story
along with other stories. She is not distracting anyone
by sharing her experiences. Your anger is directed at the
wrong person.
Memet Tohti - Mississauga, Canada
Uyghurs are most pro-Western Muslims on earth today. They
could never be terrorist. Never ever. Long Uyghur history
is the history of tolerance and mutual respect since Uyghurs
has been a bridge of religious and cultural exchange since
beginning of silk road culture. Uyghurs them self have been
Buddist, Nestorian Christians, and Muslims during various
time frame before they accepted Islam in 10th century. Uyghurs,
Kazaks, Kyrgyzs and Mongols with other different ethnic
groups are living side by side with respect and accept of
their values and believes each other since the long time
of the history. Communist China destroyed all.
Now they are trying to create anti-American feeling among
the Muslim Uyghurs by using the war on terror to justify
their own crackdown on them for their peaceful opposition
against China's rule. China is the root of evil. Prof. Dru
Gladney says, "Since 2001 there is no single incident happened
in East Turkistan, but Government sentenced more than 50
Uyghurs to death in last year alone. by contrast there are
more than 3000 real terror incidents happened in mainland
China, Government even did not categorize them as terror
activities. Uyghurs are not terrorists as China Claimed.
They are peaceful people and they are the real victims of
Chinese state terrorism.
Anonymous - Boston, Massachusetts
Certainly there are Uyghur terrorists, just like there are
terrorists from every nation. China sent Uyghurs into Afghanistan
during the war to thwart Soviet ambitions. The US would
not be looking for a third country for the Guantanamo Uyghurs
if they thought they were a threat to the US...so they're
going to Finland or wherever.
With such a high level of oppression,
you can't expect otherwise. It's actually a tribute to Uyghurs
that despite the high level of oppression the separatist
movement is generally peaceful. and moderate in their Islam...believe
it or not, there is more violence in Tibet. But the Uyghurs
are Muslim, so the label sticks.
Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs is
exhibited perfectly by the cab driver's comment "The Uyghurs
come from pigs." That's truly what most Han think, sadly,
and so that's how they treat them. What do you do with unfit
or disruptive animals? you don't negotiate, etc., you slaughter
them.
The U.S. isn't perfect, and neither
is its system of handling people who the go v believes are
terrorists, but these people a) have access to courts and
b) weren't arrested for talking to reporters. there are
just too many cases of nonviolent Uyghurs being arrested
on "terrorism." Rebiya Kadeer is a good example, read about
her from Amnesty International.
Serene Fang knew the risks, and
so did her American contact who put her in touch with Dilkex
In China. Dilkex certainly knew the risks, and we cannot
blame Serene for giving him an opportunity. He wanted to
get the truth out, and was willing to take the risk. Bravo
to him.
However, I didn't really like the
post-modern take on this story. Personally, I don't care
how Serene feels about the story. I would have rather heard
more about the Uyghurs, China, and human rights abuses.
Uyghur - Midwest, United States
No. The Uyghurs are not terrorists and the police who arrested
the innocent man are the terrorists! The Chinese government
that illegally seized land and occupied from the Uyghurs
about 5o years ago is the real terrorists. The world must
hear about the Chinese government's state sponsored terrorist
activities in East Turkistan and in Tibet and it the responsibility
of every citizen of the world to protect the rights of everyone
including the Uyghurs. The Uyghurs should be free to speak
and express their ideas.
Efran Castillo - Texas City, Texas
No, I don't think Uighurs are "terrorists". I think they
would like to be what they can be and do what they would
like to do. Overall, I don't think people or any gov't should
control other people or countries.
Nathan Tucker - New York, New York
The real "terrorists" are the communist leaders in Beijing
and Urumchi.
Xioameng Yu - Houston, Texas
Are Uighurs terrorists? How about ask an American the question:
are Arabians terrorists? I am afraid the fact that this
question is asked is essentially wrong: how could an ethnic
group be equal to a group of people that perform certain
actions? on the other hand, it is equally wrong to neglect
the fact that a small number of Arabians had landed two
airplanes intentionally into a building which caused thousands
to die, and so did a small number of Uighurs: they bombed
Beijing years ago and might hold responsibility for several
other terrorism actions in other cities in china.
8 millions! How many 8 millions
are there in the United States? If the Chinese government
thinks Uighurs are terrorists, how could there still be
8 million walking around alive in Xinjiang, let alone the
other provinces in china? If Uighurs are so unanimously
determined on independency, how could they still have not
yet, with 8 million in that one province and somewhat 20
to one ratio over Hans? And finally, how can one tell which
is better for the people as well as the world, that for
the Uighurs to stay in china or join the militant Islamics?
And why 8 million people is "feeble"? Please, with all due
respect, interviewing those political refugees does not
make any sense: they deserted their "own people" and stay
here because they say what Americans are used to hearing.
And for one thing, since when Xinjiang was considered grabbed
by the communism party? Xinjiang was a province of the Qing
Dynasty since at least three hundred years ago.
There are issues, tons of them,
in china. However, sometimes I do wonder when I listen to
or watch news, if china was "capitalism" or "democratic"
as the rest of the world CLAIM so, would there still be
so many negative reports of this already much troubled and
injured old nation? Thank you.
Steve Hebert - Eugene, Oregon
To the question, are these peoples "terrorists"? The story
does not discuss the matter...reviewing the additional text
and the various links at this website, while somewhat helpful,
are inconclusive...my sense is that the Chinese government
believes that some of them are, from its '50-year' historical
perspective; and, what da ya know, this "belief" supports
the concept which 'allows' this government to exploit the
natural resources of the region...viewed from the histories
of these peoples, they appear to have been bullied for most
of the past 2,000 years...viewed from the Eurocentric construct
of the United States, these people have been treated far
better than the indigenous inhabitants of this North American
land have been!! Tis a shame that apparent racism raises
its head almost everywhere, and "the other", when weaker
than the majority, are so easily dismissed...what a shame...what
a loss to all of us... I wonder why this "journalist" put
all of these people as such risk? Especially the individuals
who assisted her through out her journeys...hopefully, there
will be a "happy" ending....
This was a vivid presentation -- thank you for airing
it.
Leif Palmer - Kamuela, Hawaii
The real terrorists are the police who serve the dictatorship
in the People's Republic of China. To arrest a person for
speaking to a foreigner after the land was seized and occupied
fifty years ago is the height of arrogance and injustice.
The Chinese government needs to hear from the international
community and understand that they have given themselves
a HUGE black eye with this action. And it won't go away
until Sitiwaldi (Dilkex) Tilivaldi is released. What makes
a dictatorship like this qualified to host an Olympics?
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