South China Morning Post, 6/26/97

Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS, July 1, 1997

STAFF REPORTERS Beijing has moved dozens of "troublemakers" jailed in Xinjiang and Tibet to the capital in an apparent attempt to prevent instability during the handover period. Those transferred included alleged ringleaders in ethnic disturbances in the two autonomous regions since the beginning of the year, security sources said yesterday.

They also contained "anti-government elements" about to stand trial but who have not been convicted.

"This extraordinary measure is a warning to separatists who want to take advantage of July 1 to stir up trouble," a source said.

"Some splittists had earlier thought security in Tibet and Xinjiang would become lax when the top leaders went to Hong Kong."

Beijing had asked troops and People's Armed Police units in the two trouble spots to be on alert until mid-July, the source added.

At the same time, ideological and political education classes will be stepped up in all provinces and districts with concentrations of ethnic minorities.

The leadership has also decided courts should postpone politically sensitive hearings.

Such cases include those involving dissidents as well as anti-government activities.