Chiang Kai-Shek: A sonofabitch, but he's our sonofabitch (2/28 incident 60 yr ago)

[eppur_se_muova]

Anniversary of deadly Taiwan riot
By Caroline Gluck
BBC News, Taipei

Commemorative events are being held throughout the week as Taiwan marks the 60th anniversary of what is known as the "2/28 incident".

The event was an uprising that began on 28 February 1947, sparked by the beating of a female vendor by authorities for selling untaxed cigarettes.

Between 18,000 and 28,000 people are said to have been killed in riots and a subsequent crackdown.

Chiang Kai-shek, leader of the Kuomintang, or Chinese Nationalists - then based in mainland China - ordered his troops to Taiwan to quell the riots.
***
One of the aims of the event, which is expected to attract around 20,000 fans, is to push for the idea of "transitional justice" - an academic term which refers to efforts by democratic governments through special legislation to right the wrongs committed by earlier authoritarian regimes.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6400879.stm

Transitional Justice: remember that term. We're going to hear a lot about it in the next couple of decades, I believe.