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**Seilehogshell** · 07-07-2009, 12:45 PM

'Foreign plot'.

That's always the first claim repressive governments make no matter what the truth is. Iran: "Our people aren't pissed off that we rigged elections and instead it is all a foreign plot!" China: "The Uighers aren't upset at our repressive policies towards them and that we promote han colonization of their lands so this must all be a foreign plot!"

You forgot to mention "Saddam and bin Laden as allies" and "Iraq's WMDs justify a war". If tremulous political excuses are a hallmark of modern government, then those two nations are just studying from the American example.

Back on topic: The Chinese gov't is rapidly running out of options here. The true equitable solution would be to institute longterm policies that would ensure better economic treatment of Uighurs. But the fact that they've been shipping large numbers of Han Chinese to the area suggests a strong element of bad faith and an intent to rule by majority demographics-packing.

Now the fat's in the fire and Uighur patience for a peaceful solution seems exhausted. Much will depend on whether it's a vocal minority of Uighurs who led the violence, or the majority sentiment. If it's just a minority, Beijing may be able to reassert some modicum of peaceful coexistence through an immediate review of the controversial socioeconomic policies. If it's a majority of the Uighur who are intractably opposed, then diplomacy's time has passed.

Nothing the American government hasn't done, of course. The only problem here is that the Chinese are two centuries too late, when partitioning ethnic minorities and sticking them in reservations has gone out of vogue. Maybe they can give them some blankets infected with SARS, like in that South Park episode.

07-07-2009, 12:45 PM	#5
Seilehogshell Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 466 Senior Member	'Foreign plot'. That's always the first claim repressive governments make no matter what the truth is. Iran: "Our people aren't pissed off that we rigged elections and instead it is all a foreign plot!" China: "The Uighers aren't upset at our repressive policies towards them and that we promote han colonization of their lands so this must all be a foreign plot!" You forgot to mention "Saddam and bin Laden as allies" and "Iraq's WMDs justify a war". If tremulous political excuses are a hallmark of modern government, then those two nations are just studying from the American example. Back on topic: The Chinese gov't is rapidly running out of options here. The true equitable solution would be to institute longterm policies that would ensure better economic treatment of Uighurs. But the fact that they've been shipping large numbers of Han Chinese to the area suggests a strong element of bad faith and an intent to rule by majority demographics-packing. Now the fat's in the fire and Uighur patience for a peaceful solution seems exhausted. Much will depend on whether it's a vocal minority of Uighurs who led the violence, or the majority sentiment. If it's just a minority, Beijing may be able to reassert some modicum of peaceful coexistence through an immediate review of the controversial socioeconomic policies. If it's a majority of the Uighur who are intractably opposed, then diplomacy's time has passed. Nothing the American government hasn't done, of course. The only problem here is that the Chinese are two centuries too late, when partitioning ethnic minorities and sticking them in reservations has gone out of vogue. Maybe they can give them some blankets infected with SARS, like in that South Park episode.
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