Radio Free Asia 12/15/2005

There is much unrest in China, no matter how they try to spin it. There is much happening with North Korea and outside of that country.

Activists Call for End to North Korean Abuses

In a declaration at the end of the conference on Saturday, participants called for more engagement from Seoul on the human rights issue, an end to Pyonyang's concentration camps and executions, and the return of South Koreans and Japanese who were abducted by the North. They also agreed to meet every year around Dec. 10, which is International Human Rights Day.

Hopefully the press will report these meetings and all the other atrocities that take place inside that closed communist country.

U.S. Fears Spread of Deadly Weapons by North Korea, Official Says

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes Stuart Levey told RFA’s Korean service that a number of North Korean entities have already been designated as weapons proliferators.

As I stated in a prior article, the North Korean government has built a mint into a mountain to produce $100 dollar bills. Be careful to check for counterfeits when handling them.

Chinese Township Under News Clampdown Following Clashes

Around a dozen families of those who died or who are still missing from the violence of Dec. 6 in Dongzhou Township are being closely monitored by local officials, residents told RFA.

“There are village officials sitting watching the homes of those who lost relatives, keeping an eye on their comings and goings,” one Dongzhou resident told RFA’s Mandarin service.

I sincerely do not believe anyone who thinks communism is great would be willing to withstand this treatment. THIS is what communism is, and this is on a good day.

Mob Attacks Home of Vietnamese Dissident, Family

“About 50 people, maybe more, maybe less, gathered in front of our house,” former Communist Party intellectual Hoang Minh Chinh said. “They encircled me and harassed me. They shouted, ‘You bastard, what did you do? You went abroad and said bad things about the government.'"

Born on Nov. 16, 1922 in the northern province of Nam Dinh, Chinh is a former Secretary General of the Vietnam Democratic Party and also a former director of the Vietnam Institute of Philosophy.

In Sept. 29 testimony to the Committee on International Relations of the U.S. House of Representatives, Chinh recounted a litany of rights abuses against religious groups, pro-democracy politicians, and prisoners of conscience.

The Dec. 1 attack lasted around three hours, during which the house was pelted with rotten eggs and tomatoes, and further threats were hurled, while four uniformed security agents looked on, Chinh said.

He was accused of talking badly about the government. If there was nothing bad to report, why be so afraid of what he may have said?

Thai Police Arrest 29 Lao Hmong, Plan To Deport Them

Landlords were threatened with imprisonment or fines up to U.S. $1,200 for sheltering the Hmong, whom Bangkok regards as illegal economic migrants.

The charges against them are illegal entry into Thailand and “wandering out of the confined area,” a Lao source said, adding, “They had to go out for work and food. They range in age from 10 to 25 years."

Hmm. I am not quite sure what the Laos government will do to people who dare to improve their lives, but Bangkok appears to have a better illegal alien and immigration policy in place than we do.

Response to China Toxic Spill Shows 'Lack of Good Governance,' Expert Says

A Nov. 13 explosion at the Jilin Petroleum and Chemical Co. plant dumped tons of cancer-causing benzene and other chemicals into the Songhua River, contaminating the water supply of the nearby city of Harbin.

Why have there been no outcries about this?! These poor people not only may, but will, drink this water. Where is the outrage? Is America the only country who tries to make sure everything is okay for everyone and that is why we get blasted? Because we cannot be perfect? Well EXCUSE ME! I don't want to hear it. Take care of these people who really need your voice.

Veteran Chinese Dissident Liu Binyan Dies at 80

WASHINGTON—The veteran Chinese journalist and U.S-based dissident Liu Binyan has died at a New Jersey hospital after a prolonged battle with colon cancer. He was 80.

He died December 5, 2005. His daughter, Liu Xiaoyan, was at his side as he passed shortly after midnight.

Liu Binyan's Widow Wants His Ashes Returned To China

“I am a Chinese. I am willing to return. I hope to be able to return. When I have finished taking care of things, I will go to the Chinese consulate to apply for a visa. I will find out then whether they will allow me to return or not,” Zhu Hong said from her home in East Windsor, New Jersey.

I hope she is able to have her wish granted.