picture from aljazeera.netRebiya Kaber is a Uighur Muslim who had been detained in a jail for seven years for involvement in a Uighur separitist group, and was considered a terrorist by the Chinese government. Kaber now lives in Washington DC. Since her arrival in the United States, Kaber feels that she has been given a warm welcome. She is very greatful that President Bush has tried to negotiate with the Chinese government to quit persecuting the Uighur minority, which has not won Bush any friends in the Chinese government. He has asked for equal treatment between the Uighus and the Chinese Han who have oppressed the Uighurs for a long time.
The dealings with the Uighurs and the Chinese government has led to contradictions because of the 17 Uighurs being held illegally at Guantanamo. All of the presidents since President Reagan, Democratic and Republican alike, have talked of change for China, but have not really done anything to help the Uighur population.
Hopefully the next president to be elected will find some way to accomplish achievement with the Chinese government. One way would be to raise the trade tarriffs between the US and China, which would not be wise. Another way (to encourage the Chinese to make a commitment for the Uighurs and keep their word) is to give support these seperatist groups in a covert way.
This would be the best in my opinion because many Chinese believe that this is already happening. However, as China begins to gain more economic power over the United States and other countries, an act like this could damage relations between the two countries and the US cannot afford to lose trade with China.
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