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NOTE: Please read this file through the end, and save it for future reference, since by joining UIGHUR-L every subscriber acknowledges and fully agrees to follow the below rules and procedures in the present and future.

INTRODUCTION
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Uighur-L is an open, unmoderated mailing list dedicated to the discussions on Eastern Turkestan (this region is also known as Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of PRC), the Uighur people and related topics, as outlined below. This introductory message provides general information on the purpose, scope and guidelines of the list, which will be helpful to the new subscribers and to those pondering/continuing a subscription. Please read it carefully and do not hesitate to contact the list administrator(s) listed below if you have any further questions.

HISTORY
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UIGHUR-L was created in March of 1997 to serve as a communications tool for the Uighur/Eastern Turkestan community by the International Taklamakan Uighur Human Rights Association. Uighur-L is the only listproc mailing list focused on the discussion of Eastern Turkestan.
Within two weeks of opening, subscription to Uighur-L from the People's Republic of China has been prevented. Even before a public announcement was made concerning opening of Uighur-L, it was banned.

THE LIST AND ITS GUIDELINES
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UIGHUR-L is a open, unmoderated listserv and anyone interested may join it (except if you are in the People's republic of China). The opinions expressed in the UIGHUR-L by its owners and members/subscribers do not necessarily reflect the official point of view of the International Taklamakan Uighur Human Rights Assocation or it's members. The opinions expressed here are of their respective authors/writers.

Sec II.
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UIGHUR-L is a medium for discussing Eastern Turkestan(i)-related (views and opinions on) culture and arts (literature, culinary, music, dances, songs, poetry, paintings); history, religion; economics and business; politics, humanitarian aid and refugees; education, science and research; travel, tourism and geography; sports and entertainment; and of course, the topic of high importance: organizing and coordinating Eastern Turkestani/Uighur support activities.
Meanwhile, UIGHUR-L is not for sending digests of posts, chain letters, personal or Web site advertisements, i.e. posts not related or contributing to Eastern Turkestan and the list. If unsure, please contact the list administrators.

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The official languages of UIGHUR-L are primarily English and Uighur (Turkish is also used). Famous quotes and expressions in other languages are also allowed (Russian, French, etc.), but must be kept to the minimum in order to make the postings understandable to the other members. Remember, the list is for everyone and is about Eastern Turkestan!

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The UIGHUR-L list members are of many ethnicities, religious, political and other beliefs. But we obviously have one thing in common: _We are All Sincerely and Positively interested in Eastern Turkestan and its future._ The purpose of UIGHUR-L is to provide a medium for all to discuss these interests, and be beneficial to our community and Eastern Turkestan at large.

Sec V.
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Despite the non-moderation of this list, these rules must be *strictly* followed to ensure high quality discussions. The subscription to the list may be revoked, with or without notice, if any of the rules is broken (especially during the first months of existence of the list. As time passes by, we will gradually revise all the guidelines):

1. Posts must be related to the purposes of UIGHUR-L as outlined above;
   
2. No excessively polemical postings; obscene plagiarism and academic dishonesty, including the deliberate misattribution of quotations from historical documents and figures;
   
3. No posts containing profanity or excessive rudeness; posts that lack appropriate civility. While well-placed heckles are acceptable, flamewars are not. No posts containing personal abuse, slander or libel;
   
4. Propagation of national, religious, racial, sexual, or ethnic hostility or animosity -- including posts openly justifying violence, war crimes, or ethnic cleansing;
   
5. Binary files are NOT permitted, even if they are related to Eastern Turkestan. However, pointers to a Web site, USENET Newsgroup or other mailing list or archive may be used.
   
6. Upon removal from the list only one appeal in a single e-mail message will be accepted. No appeals on behalf of others, nor collective appeals will be taken into consideration. Owners of the list must reply within three (3) weeks after the appeal is made, upholding or reversing the removal decision. A removal decision is made and administered by the list owners, mainly by taking into consideration complaints from other list members.

THINGS TO KNOW
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1. Only list members can post to this list, i.e. non-members wishing to post anything must mail it to one of the members to be forwarded to the list.
2. To SUBscribe, or UNSubscribe, e-mail directly to the ListServer at: (majordomo@taklamakan.org) with appropriate command(s) described below. No complaints other than ones connected with technical problems of the ListProc and/or abuse of the list by members will be taken into consideration.
   IT'S UP TO YOU TO LEARN/REMEMBER THESE BASIC COMMANDS
3. The panel of owners can be extended only with consent of current owners, and is not subject to discussion. Moderation of the list might be applied if deemed necessary anytime.
   
4. DO NOT give out the e-mail addresses of the members, as well as don't use the "CC:" line to send a message intended to the list to a non-member of UIGHUR-L. However it's fine if the receiver knows about UIGHUR-L, i.e. used to be a member. UIGHUR-L and CENASIA-L are two different lists, they should not have cross-posted messages.
5. Owner(s) of the list have the last word in potential disputes/problems.

BASIC COMMANDS OF THE LIST
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In order to subscribe/unsubscribe you will need to write the following in the _body_ of your mail addressed to (majordomo@taklamakan.org):
SUBscribe UIGHUR-L
UNSubscribe UIGHUR-L
***DON'T include your name and/or e-mail address when UNSubscribing.*** NOTE: If you need more information on specific commands for using majordomo please send a message to (majordomo@taklamakan.org) with "HELP" command in the body.
To post to the UIGHUR-L mailing list, send e-mail to (UIGHUR-L@taklamakan.org) which then will distribute it to all the members.
Your message will be posted immediately or depending on the Internet "traffic." ***************
If your mail bounces repeatedly, you may be removed from the list with or without notification. In that event, it is up to you to re-subscribe once your mail system becomes operational. ***************
COPYRIGHT issues: Everything written in UIGHUR-L Eastern Turkestan Discussions List is protected under International and US copyright laws. The law does not require to append the copyright notice to the end of the work, although to enhance the importance of the subject, it is advised to do so. NO DISCUSSION TOPICS, CONTENTS OR LETTERS ARE TO BE POSTED, DISCUSSED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY WAY IN OTHER MEDIUMS WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE OWNER (THE WRITER). FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN SUSPENSION FROM THE LIST(S).

RECOMMENDATIONS
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As noted above, because the UIGHUR-L list is unmoderated, you are urged to think carefully about what you post. At the same time, participation in these discussions, especially by new list members, is strongly encouraged. Remember, this is a discussion list, which consists of your opinions.
It is recommended that new members spend a few days just listening to the discussions on the list, to get the "hang of" the discussion process, and to get to know the individuals involved. Then they are encouraged to jump in with quality postings and debate. It is up to all members to see that the list gets used, that discussions are constructive, conducted with mutual courtesy and due respect, etc.
It is also helpful, if the first message of the new member would be a brief introduction to let the subscribers know about her/him some more.
Currently there are no FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) or a Web Page for this list. (But this will be one of the first actions of this list)
Also, you will eventually get to know some of the people. The list is worldwide and includes Eastern Turkestanis (and other ethnicities) from all corners of the world. They are drawn from a variety of different cultural/religious/political/linguistic backgrounds. This is your opportunity to meet Eastern Turkestanis from numerous diverse backgrounds and communicate with them. In this respect, it is a very unique medium.
At UIGHUR-L, we try to continue our tradition of mutual courtesy and understanding, and "Respect in Every Aspect!" In order to maintain high signal to noise ratio or simply in everyone's best interest, we urge everyone to follow these simple guidelines.

Thank you for subscribing!
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List Administrators
UIGHUR-L List: UIGHUR-L@taklamakan.org
Mehmet Tutuncu (sota@taklamakan.org)
Jack Churchward (trinley@taklamakan.org)