On Siweiluozi’s blog, he translates an interview with Heyrat Niyaz (海莱特·尼亚孜), a Uyghur journalist, blogger, and AIDS activist in the Hong Kong newsweekly Yazhou Zhoukan:
HN:…Around 8 p.m. [on July 4], I called a friend of mine in the government and said, “Something is going to happen tomorrow. You should take some measures.” I gave him the URL of Rebiya’s speech so that they could listen for themselves. They said they would report to their superiors.
The next morning, I called again. At around 10 a.m., I went with a friend to see a high official in the regional government. I told him that as an ordinary person of conscience, I have an obligation to remind you that blood will certainly flow today. You should immediately take steps and mobilize emergency preparations. Then, I made three recommendations: First, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Chairman Nur Bekri must make a public speech before 12 noon. Second, notify Han merchants in predominantly ethnic neighborhoods to close shop early and go home. Third, mobilize as many troops as you can, cordon off ethnic neighborhoods and block and patrol crucial intersections. After the close of business, impose martial law.
At the time, the official said he would make a phone call to seek instructions. In the end, not a single one of these recommendations was taken. In fact, I was not even the first person to warn the relevant government agencies on July 4. Just after 6 p.m. on July 4 another person had provided a warning.
