Engnews November 2015

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RFA Breaking News: Chinese Authorities Kill 17 Suspects in Xinjiang Attack, Including Seven Women and Children

by Paul Eckert

Chinese Authorities Kill 17 Suspects in Xinjiang Attack, Including Seven Women and Children Nov. 11, 2015 - Authorities in northwest China’s troubled Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region have killed 17 suspects from three families, including women and children, they accused of carrying out an attack that left 50 people dead and injured 50 others at a coal mine, according to the government and local sources. “All terrorists were killed on the 56th day of a ‘pursue and attack’ operation” in the region, China’s Ministry of Public Security announced in a Nov. 14 statement published on its website, referring to the action as a “great victory in the War on Terror.” While the announcement, which was removed shortly after it was posted, did not link the “terrorists” to a specific act, the length of the operation it referred to suggested it had been launched in the aftermath of a Sept. 18 attack at the Sogan Colliery in Aksu (in Chinese, Akesu) prefecture’s Bay (Baicheng) county. The attack, which was not reported in Chinese media, occurred when a group of knife-wielding suspects set upon security guards at the gate of the mine in Terek township before targeting the owner’s residence and a dormitory for workers. When police arrived at the mine to control the situation, the attackers rammed their vehicles using trucks loaded down with coal, sources told RFA at the time, adding that at least five officers were killed in the incident, including a local police chief. In the aftermath of the attack, authorities launched a manhunt for 17 suspects, consisting of the three men believed to have been behind the incident—Tursun Jume, 46, Musa Toxtiniyaz, 47, and Memet Eysa, 60, from Chokatal Meadow, in Bay’s Kanchi township—and their family members. Four of the suspects were women and three are children. On Tuesday, police officers from Bay county confirmed to RFA’s Uyghur Service that “all of the terrorists,” including the seven women and children, had been killed in a raid. “Yes, I received a notice from my superiors informing us that all of the terrorists have been killed and warning us to remain vigilant against a possible revenge attack,” said Exmet Abliz, police chief of Bay’s Qeyir township, adding that a large number of officers had been kept on duty following the raid. “We were also warned not to hold any kind of celebration to mark the victory, and even not to talk much about it until the operation has officially been made public.” Ghalip Memet, a police officer in Terek township, told RFA that authorities had set off an explosion to kill the suspects where they lay in hiding. “I heard from colleagues who participated in the operation that the military blew up the cave where the suspects were hiding,” he said. “That is why we were able to kill all of them with zero victims [from our side]. Seventeen corpses were gathered after the explosion.” Classes resume Ekber, the director of the Terek township middle school, which had been used as a base of operations for the manhunt, said teachers and staff had finally returned to classes on Tuesday after nearly two months. “I received a call from the chief of the Bay county education department, who told me that the war had ended with a great victory—that all the terrorists had been killed and that we could return to the middle school,” he said. “But I still have not received an official written notice, and the authorities have probably not decided yet whether to keep the raid secret or to disclose it.” According to Ekber, authorities had only informed the public that they were to assist in the manhunt and to maintain a lookout for the suspects since the attack on the mine, and residents of the county were forbidden from discussing the incident. “That is why I could only tell the teachers and students in my school, ‘The operation was completed, so we can resume work and study as usual,’ but I was unable to answer their questions about what happened to the women and children in the group, which was a particularly sensitive topic,” he said. “Based on the warrant list, we found out that the 17 suspects included four women and three children, one of which—nine-year-old Munire [Memet, the adopted granddaughter of Memet Eysa]—was one of our second grade students.” In addition to Memet, an unidentified six-year-old boy and an unidentified one-year-old boy—both from Tursun Jume’s family—were also killed in the raid, according to information about the suspects provided to RFA by local officials last month. The four women suspects killed by authorities were Memet Eysa’s wife, 55-year-old Zorem Mamut; his daughter-in-law, 28-year-old Reyhan Musa; another daughter-in-law, 30-year-old Ayimnisa Rozi; and Tursun Jume’s wife, 44-year-old Meryem Abdurehim. The other 10 suspects killed in the raid included Tursun Jume, Musa Toxtiniyaz and Memet Eysa, as well as their sons and one nephew. A local official who provided the names of the suspects to RFA in October said at the time that neither the women nor the children had been involved in the Sogan Colliery attack and had only followed the other suspects when they fled from Kanchi township. Ekber said that not only the students and teachers, but “all the people of Bay county” were wondering about the fate of the women and children on the suspect list. “At this point, I don’t know what the decision on publishing news of the victory will be,” he said. “It’s tough. The suspects [are believed to have] carried out the attack, but publishing details of the incident—including the death toll and what happened at the coal mine attack—could deepen hatred between the ethnic [majority] Hans and [minority] Uyghurs.” ‘Can’t convince the world’ A teacher from the Terek township middle school, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, said the Ministry of Public Security would not have published information about the raid if the terrorist attack in Paris had not taken place a day earlier. “The central government authorities wouldn’t have disclosed the killing of 17 so-called ‘terrorists’ on their website if the Paris attack had not occurred—the quick removal of the post also suggests this is true,” the teacher said. China's tightly controlled state media has covered the Paris attacks in detail, including commentary calling on the international community to avoid "double standards" and take Beijing's anti-terror campaign at face value. French President Francois Hollande on Monday vowed to eradicate terrorism, saying that "France is at war," following the attacks, for which the Islamic State has claimed responsibility and that left at least 129 dead and 352 wounded. The teacher questioned how China could convince the international community that the four women and three children were terrorists, how it could validate the detention of more than 1,000 people as part of raids following the September attack, and how authorities could claim that forcing farmers to take part in the manhunt had been part of professional police methodology. “The authorities can force us to believe their claims through the power they wield, but they can’t convince the rest of the world,” he said. “That is why they dare not disclose the details of the incident.” The ‘three evils’ China has vowed to crack down on the "three evils" of terrorism, separatism, and religious extremism in Xinjiang, but experts outside China say Beijing has exaggerated the threat from Uyghur "separatists" and that domestic policies are responsible for an upsurge in violence that has left hundreds dead since 2012. Uyghur groups in exile say such attacks are likely expressions of resistance to Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang, where Uyghurs complain of pervasive ethnic discrimination, religious repression, and cultural suppression by China’s communist government. Rights groups accuse the Chinese authorities of heavy-handed rule in Xinjiang, including violent police raids on Uyghur households, restrictions on Islamic practices, and curbs on the culture and language of the Uyghur people. Reported by Shohret Hoshur for RFA’s Uyghur Service. Translated by Shohret Hoshur. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. View this s tory online at: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/uyghur/suspects-11172015175006.html Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news , information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA ’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors. If you no longer wish to receive RFA news releases, send an e-mail to engnews-leave(a)rfanews.org . To add your name to our mailing list, send an e-mail to engnews-join(a)rfanews.org . ##### All media inquiries may be sent to Rohit Mahajan at mahajanr(a)rfa.org .

8 years, 9 months

RFA Breaking News: Interview: ‘No Confrontation With an NLD-Led Government’

by Paul Eckert

Interview: ‘No Confrontation With an NLD-Led Government’ Nov. 12, 2015 - In an interview with reporter Kyaw Kyaw Aung of RFA’s Myanmar Service, Ashin Wirathu of the Committee for the Protection of Nationality and Religion (Ma Ba Tha) congratulates Aung San Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) on its expected victory in Myanmar’s general election and says his Buddhist nationalist group will accept a government formed by her party. RFA: How do you view the NLD’s expected victory at the polls? ASHIN WIRATHU: We monks, the sons of Buddha, rejoice for the winners and express compassion for the losers. We welcome the NLD’s victory. RFA: People who desire change are excited by the prospect of development in Myanmar. What is your opinion on change? ASHIN WIRATHU: It is through politics that our country is going to develop. We have concerns about the stability of parliamentary politics, national security, and safeguarding religion and the national identity. RFA: What are your concerns regarding religion and the national identity? ASHIN WIRATHU: For the most part, those who are pushing for “human rights and equality,” and those who are referred to as “minorities,” depend too much on the NLD. The NLD frequently uses these terms when it speaks with international organizations. We are concerned about whether [a government formed by] the party will make demands and push forward on these issues. RFA: How should the NLD act to reduce your concerns? ASHIN WIRATHU: We don’t want the NLD to be remove laws on race and religion, and think it should protect them. The NLD has said it will amend the 1982 [law on citizenship] and we don’t want that. There should be no negotiations on [the citizenship status of the ethnic Muslim Rohingya], and the NLD should stand by the country’s religion and national identity. RFA: The international community has accused Myanmar’s government of violating human rights during President Thein Sein’s term. Do you think there will be less human rights violations and more development under an NLD government? ASHIN WIRATHU: As a person who had to lead a crippled country out of a troubled era [during the former military regime], of course [Thein Sein] experienced some difficulties. We are sympathetic towards Thein Sein. He has built a foundation in these five years. We pray that [the new government] can now build a roof and walls. RFA: There are concerns about how power will transfer from President Thein Sein’s government to a new one. What is your opinion? ASHIN WIRATHU: I believe that the power transfer will be smooth. RFA: Do you have any suggestions for a would-be NLD government? ASHIN WIRATHU: My suggestion to an NLD government is to consider advice and suggestions from everyone. RFA: Some people have expressed concern that there could be a confrontation between Ma Ba Tha and the NLD in the future. Do you want to respond to this? ASHIN WIRATHU: These concerns are from people who don’t understand how a democracy works. In fact, all of our members who are nationalists understand democratic rules and follow them. We will accept any government that is chosen by the people and welcome it. We will have no confrontation with an NLD-led government. We work only in the interest of religion and national identity. Reported by Kyaw Kyaw Aung for RFA’s Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. View this s tory online at: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/confrontation-11122015123339.html Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news , information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA ’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors. If you no longer wish to receive RFA news releases, send an e-mail to engnews-leave(a)rfanews.org . To add your name to our mailing list, send an e-mail to engnews-join(a)rfanews.org . ##### All media inquiries may be sent to Rohit Mahajan at mahajanr(a)rfa.org .

8 years, 9 months

RFA Breaking News: Interview: Aung San Suu Kyi Says 'It's Not Finished Yet'

by Parameswaran Ponnudurai

Interview: Aung San Suu Kyi Says 'It's Not Finished Yet' November 11, 2015 : As Myanmar's ongoing vote count pointed to a landslide victory for the opposition National League for Democracy, NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi told RFA's Myanmar Service in an interview in Yangon on Wednesday that she was not ready to declare "a winning moment yet" and that victory in the Nov. 8 national elections marked only the first step toward the goals of her supporters. The 70-year-old Nobel laureate told RFA's Khin Maung Soe that popular suspicion that the country's dominant military would refuse to honor the results were understandable, but that she believed that the nation "cannot be caught in the bond of suspicion." RFA: Can you tell me roughly what percentage of the votes you have won so far? Aung San Suu Kyi: More than 70% I should say. RFA: Did you expect that much beforehand? Aung San Suu Kyi: We could expect that much in advance because the NLD is close to the people. The NLD knows the people and their needs and so we could guess what they wanted. RFA: How free and fair do you think the elections were? Aung San Suu Kyi: We have made many complaints regarding violations. We made these complaints not because we want to stir up problems. Our people need to believe that these elections are really free and fair. And that’s why we had to submit official complaints against actions which are not in accord with the rules and regulations. Some cases have to be reported to the police, some to the electoral commission. And we cannot say such cases are very few. RFA: How are you going to solve the problem of advance votes that came in after the polling stations closed? Aung San Suu Kyi: These are not in accord with the rules and regulations. The rules are very clear. Advance votes within the country cannot be brought in after the 6 a.m. opening of the polling booths. And advance votes from overseas cannot come in later than 4 p.m. RFA: Some USDP candidates conceded defeat and congratulated their respective NLD rivals who won the polls. What do you think of that? Aung San Suu Kyi: Those kinds of actions are politically honorable and I respect these actions. I’d like to say I truly thank them. RFA: NLD won the majority of seats they contended. What factors do you think make it possible to win in such a big margin? Aung San Suu Kyi: That’s because the NLD is close to the people. The NLD was born of the people, and NLD members are from the people. We cannot be differentiated from them. Our hearts beat on the same note. We struggled together, we suffered together, and we had hopes together. We dreamed together for nearly 30 years. The NLD and the people are colleagues, comrades-in-arms. I think that’s the reason they supported us. RFA: What are your feelings at this winning moment? Aung San Suu Kyi: We do not definitely have a winning moment yet. I don’t see it that NLD has won the elections yet. It’s because of people’s qualities. Political awareness of the people is very heartening. I respect them, love them. I can see that the goal people wanted is still far ahead and this is only the first step. Only after reaching there I might be able to tell you my feelings. There are so many things to be done. Right now, I’m thinking only what I should do. RFA: Some people are still suspicious of the military. They are not sure the military will totally honor the results. Can you comment on this? Aung San Suu Kyi: It’s natural they have suspicions. But we cannot be caught in the bond of suspicion. We have to carry out what we should be doing with a firm determination and everyone is expecting these tasks to be done in proper manner. A people’s army should be hand in glove with the people. Military representatives in the Hluttaw (parliament) have told me more than once that they also want to be with the people. RFA: You have requested to meet the president, commander in chief and the lower house speaker. Do you mean meeting them individually or together? Aung San Suu Kyi: I can meet then individually or I can meet them together. I will meet whoever accepted my request. RFA: People have accepted your slogan "time for real change". What are you going to do in the first place? Aung San Suu Kyi: Well, the first thing is to bring about a change of administration. This will be carrying out the main task of the election result in respect to the people’s wishes. This will be the first major change. RFA: How many educated people will you have in the government? Aung San Suu Kyi: What do you mean by "educated?" We must contemplate what the meaning of being "educated" is. Some people think a person with plenty of degrees is an educated one. But I believe a person who can judge a situation correctly and make timely decisions is more important. It’s not that we must not value these graduates. I myself value them and respect them. We have only about four percent of the people in our country who are (college) graduates. So can we not value the majority? No, we must. If we just value the graduates, then does that mean our people are not valuable? I don’t believe that. What is important is we need right people in right positions. RFA: People are left with three legacies since the military takeover in 1962: selfishness, mistrust of others and fear of everyone. Because of fear, people dare not go into the public and they lose their self-esteem. So what will you do to get rid of these three? Aung San Suu Kyi: You said selfishness first, and then mistrust and fear. Actually, it is the other way round. It starts with fear. When fear sets in, you don’t trust others and when you don’t trust anyone then you become selfish. I cannot trust anyone, I must do it myself, and I cannot depend on anyone. What you said was the opposite of that. To abolish fear correctly is to nurture law and order. I have said this again and again. People need security of the mind. Why do they want democracy? Because it can give them freedom and security in a balanced way. People must have freedom and at the same time they must have security. They must not be using freedom to fight with each other. When they have security of the mind, their fears will subside, and their mistrust of others will also decline. There will be no need to worry that somebody will be looking at you with jealousy. They won't have to worry that someone will report some lies to their superiors and get them into trouble. This fear of being unjustly punished would disappear and I believe confidence and trust will mount and people will have more love and respect towards one another. RFA: I notice you always care about young people. What do you think of young people in our country smoking and using drugs and the entire population physically stunted due to malnutrition? What will you do to bring them back to be physically on par with others? Aung San Suu Kyi: This has something to do with the economy. I’ve always said that the most important thing is job creation. Jobs will earn them money and build self-confidence. Jobless people will have no self-confidence. And they feel they are worthless because when you don’t have a job you have to rely on someone. After so many years of malnutrition the bodies of our young are stunted. There’s a certain age when your height stops growing and you cannot change that. This sort of body growth cannot be fixed. But there are many things that can be changed. You might have a small body structure but there are opportunities to make yourself very fit and healthy. So we’ll have to work hard in many aspects. The problem of young people smoking and drinking is not a problem only for our country; It’s happening in many countries. But with regard to drug abuse, effective deterrents should be laid down to stop the problem. Young people drift away from society because, in many cases, they have no hope or goals. So, hope will have to be given to the young. The participation of young people in this week’s elections was so terrific, so admirable. They have objectives and goals like winning the elections. Because they have aims and goals to bring out their desires rightfully, our youth worked so hard to such an unbelievable extent. RFA: When will the changes become noticeable? Aung San Suu Kyi: First we must be able to form a government. After that, we’d have to lay out, as a duty, in front of the people what we will do during a certain time frame. The NLD has such plans to carry out. Not vague statements like we’ll give you a better economy or a better health sector. It has to be clear and precise. But we will need to become a government first. RFA: What will you do to form a government then? Aung San Suu Kyi: Well, we just can’t do it ourselves. The present government will have to cooperate. The Union Electoral Commission must finish its work first. RFA: Can you explain about foreign investment and utilization of natural resources? Aung San Suu Kyi: Of course we need foreign investment and at the same time we have to use the natural resources to a certain extent. There will be projects where we need foreign investment. The important thing is for our people to enjoy some of the benefits. Foreign investors will not come and do things without any returns for themselves. And we don’t expect them to come work for us free. But the local population should benefit rightfully. The locals should benefit just a little more than the companies. RFA: Can you tell us about foreign policy? Aung San Suu Kyi: The non-aligned policy which had been in practice since independence has been very successful. Not joining any groups. We played well with our neighbors India as well as the People’s Republic of China. We had good ties with other SE Asian nations too. We had no animosity towards anyone. RFA: What have you in mind about the release of detained students and political prisoners? Aung San Suu Kyi: We would have to work within the bounds of the law. There should be no political prisoners in a democratic country. RFA: What about laws restricting freedoms? Aung San Suu Kyi: Laws restricting freedoms like Article 5, Article 10, etc must be changed. We will have to change these kinds of laws. We tried to do that in the Hluttaw but we didn’t succeed as we were a minority. RFA: I want you to say something for the people in this first IV after the elections. Aung San Suu Kyi: I would just like to thank all the people. I am encouraged, and I appreciate and value the support of the people. But it’s not finished yet and I’d like to caution all to look out for instigation. In the next few weeks, couple of months, people must be able to control themselves, beware of instigation aimed at creating riots and disturbances. There might be provocations from the sidelines when you are walking your own path but these can be overcome by trust and understanding of each other and it is important to calmly move towards the goal. And I believe you all can do it. In one word, thank you all very much. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. View this story online at: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-assk-11112015165922.html Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news, information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors. If you no longer wish to receive RFA news releases, send an e-mail to <mailto:engnews-leave@rfanews.org> engnews-leave(a)rfanews.org. To add your name to our mailing list, send an e-mail to <mailto:engnews-join@rfanews.org> engnews-join(a)rfanews.org . ##### All media inquiries may be sent to Rohit Mahajan at <mailto:mahajanr@rfa.org> mahajanr(a)rfa.org.

8 years, 9 months

RFA Breaking News: Interview: 'Aung San Suu Kyi will start working for reconciliation first'

by Paul Eckert

Nov. 10, 2015 - Tin Oo, 88, co-founder of the National League for Democracy (NLD), spent almost seven years in prison and under house arrest under the military junta that ran the country before 2011, when military rule was replaced by a quasi-civilian government. In an interview with reporter Khin Maung Soe of RFA’s Myanmar Service, the retired general, former commander in chief of Myanmar's armed forces and trusted patron of NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi offers his views on how the country's political situation will play out after the NLD's expected landslide election victory. RFA: How much do you know so far about the election results? Tin Oo: As far as we know, the NLD won an average of 80% although we haven’t learned the complete official result yet. RFA: With this 80%, how will parliament be made up? Tin Oo: It will be better than before to work in the parliament with 80%, but we still need more because the military MPs in parliament will sound the same. If we can collaborate with ethnic MPs who are willing to work with NLD, it will be much better. RFA: How will the NLD’s relationship with military be? Tin Oo: The military will not like being asked to move out from the parliament. They (people from military) have to say something to people, as they understand what democracy is. They already said they will reduce their force from the country’s political sector. By now, the s enior general would have understood the true determination of the people. All citizens would be happy if he says the military will no longer demand 25% of parliamentary seats. This will give him dignity and lead the military to resume its status as people's military. RFA: What do you think is the reason why the NLD won? Tin Oo: This time is the General Aung San’s 100-year anniversary and his daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi, is leading NLD. She has had enough political experience and people really want to change. That’s why. Especially, we won because of the people’s power. RFA: So what will the NLD do? Tin Oo: I think Aung San Suu Kyi will start working for reconciliation first. She also cares about rules and laws and we still need to amend the 2008 constitution. Ethnic problems are very important, too. As long as we don’t have trust from ethnic people and we are not united with them, we will face difficulties in moving on. The country will change anyway. Her influence on people is unbelievable. People listen to whatever she asks of them. RFA: Do you believe that Aung San Suu Kyi will become president? Tin Oo: I do. That’s why I am helping and working for her. Reported by Khin Maung Soe for RFA’s Myanmar Service. Translated by Khet Mar. View this s tory online at: http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-tinoo-11102015153733.html Radio Free Asia is a private, nonprofit corporation broadcasting and publishing online news , information, and commentary in nine East Asian languages to listeners who do not have access to full and free news media. RFA ’s broadcasts seek to promote the rights of freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to “seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” RFA is funded by an annual grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors. If you no longer wish to receive RFA news releases, send an e-mail to engnews-leave(a)rfanews.org . To add your name to our mailing list, send an e-mail to engnews-join(a)rfanews.org . ##### All media inquiries may be sent to Rohit Mahajan at mahajanr(a)rfa.org .

8 years, 10 months

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Engnews November 2015