Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS October 9, 1997

Urumqi Xinjiang Ribao, 09/04/97, by Zhu Tong

On the afternoon of 3 September, the autonomous regional CPC committee held a meeting at the Yingbin Guesthouse attended by cadres at or above department level. Tomur Dawamat, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, delivered an important speech on issues such as the current situation and stability and development in Xinjiang. Wang Lequan, secretary of the autonomous regional CPC committee, presided over the meeting. Leaders of the autonomous regional CPC committee, autonomous regional people's congress, the

autonomous regional committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the autonomous regional commission for discipline inspection, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, including Abdulahat Abdurixit, Janabil, Zhou Shengtao, Aisihaiti Kelimubai, Wang Chuanyou, Zhang Yunchuan, Chen Demin, Wu Dunfu, and Hu Jiayan attended the meeting.

In his speech, Tomur Dawamat said: China has achieved tremendous results in its reform, opening, and modernization drive since the 14th Party Congress by holding high the great banner of Deng Xiaoping Theory of building socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Jiang Zemin at the core. Xinjiang, like any other place in the country, has also witnessed a good situation. At present, Xinjiang enjoys political stability, economic growth, ethnic unity, and strong border defenses, and an

invigorating and prosperous situation everywhere. Such a promising situation results from the great job done by the broad masses of cadres of the party committees and government at all levels, by people of all nationalities, by peasants and workers under the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, by officers and soldiers of the People's Liberation Army and armed police, and by public security cadres and police in the region. We also owe our achievements to the great support and assistance provided by the state and other provinces and

cities.

Tomur Dawamat said: Safeguarding social stability and maintaining a political situation characteristic of stability and unity are a basic prerequisite for the smooth progress of reform, opening, economic development, and various other undertakings. Xinjiang -- a region located on the western border with one sixth of the area of the country -- is a very important place strategically. Stability in Xinjiang bears on the whole situation because it is of particular importance to the overall stability of the country. Over the past years, the autonomous regional CPC Committee and people's government have persisted in the principle of "promoting both material and spiritual civilizations." They have always focused on the maintenance of the unification of the motherland and the social and political stability of the whole region. They have carried out continuous struggles against separatist and illegal religious activities by unifying and relying on cadres and people of all nationalities. As a result, they have mainta

ined a stable situation in Xinjiang.

Particularly since last year when the central authorities issued an important order to maintain Xinjiang's stability and the subsequent campaign to improve social order which was launched this year, the autonomous regional CPC Committee and people's government have followed the central authorities' decision by adopting resolute measures to crack down on key separatist elements, violent and terrorist criminal elements, and major religious extremists. As a result, they have maintained overall stability in Xinjiang, thus making contributions to

the state.

He said: Hostile elements at home and abroad are not willing to see a unified and strong socialist China; neither are they willing to see a Xinjiang that enjoys unity, stability, prosperity, and economic development. They have never stopped for a moment their infiltration, subversion, separatist, and sabotage activities in Xinjiang. Thanks to our resolute and effective efforts at crackdown, the enemy have failed in their evil attempt. But our struggle against separatist elements has never stopped because it is a long-term effort. Many facts have proved that our struggle against separatist and religious extremist

elements is not a religious issue, nor a national issue. Our struggle aims at safeguarding the unification of the motherland and unity among all nationalities. It is a struggle against an attempt to disrupt the unification of the motherland and sabotage unity among all nationalities, a struggle that allows no compromise, concession, or reconciliation.

Tomur Dawamat stated emphatically: The party committees and governments at all levels, particularly major leading comrades of the party committees and governments, should see things from a strategic viewpoint and try their best to promote reform, development, and stability in Xinjiang. They should make resolute efforts to overcome their lack of vigilance. We should firmly foster a guiding thinking that the major danger affecting Xinjiang's stability comes from

separatist and illegal religious activities. They should adopt a firm political position, maintain a high degree of vigilance, and have a clear-cut stand in fighting against separatist and religious extremist elements in a bid to ensure an overall stable social and political situation in Xinjiang. More efforts should be made to mobilize the people, strengthen propaganda education, and fully trust and rely on the cadres and people of all nationalities so as to involve the masses in the prevention and treatment of the situation. In this way, we can isolate and crack down on a small number of separatist elements to the greatest extent. Facts have proved that the cadres and people of all

nationalities in Xinjiang are a major force for safeguarding the unification of the motherland and fighting against the separatism. We must firmly trust and rely on the great masses of cadres and people and try our best to unite all that can be united to form the most extensive united front for safeguarding the unification of the motherland and fighting against the separatism.

He said: We must raise high the great banner of national unity in our effort to safeguard social stability. We must unswervingly carry out a propaganda education campaign to promote the Marxist theory on nationality and the party's policy concerning nationality and religion. More efforts should be made to consolidate and develop a socialist ethnic relationship, which is based on equality, unity, and mutual assistance, in a bid continuously to push forward the cause of national unity and progress. Secretary Wang Lequan urged all units

conscientiously to convey the spirit of Comrade Tomur Dawamat's speech. He also urged them to usher in the 15th Party Congress by doing a good job in promoting economy and social stability.