Photographs Showing Torture Of U.S. Soldiers To Iraqi Prisoners Have A Negative Impact In World

WASHINGTON - Photographs showing U.S. soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners had a negative impact not only in Turkey but also in the entire world, Turkish-U.S. Interparliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Egemen Bagis said on Monday.
Bagis, who is in Washington to increase dialogue between Turkish and U.S. parliaments, delivered a speech on Turkish-U.S. relations, NATO, Great Middle East Project in the Washington Institute.
Egemen Bagis said that the best thing that the United States could do about those photographs was to punish those who were responsible.
Bagis pointed out that Turkey wanted to see stability in Iraq as soon as possible.
Iraq was an important issue for Turkey, Bagis said and noted that photographs showing U.S. soldiers torturing Iraqi prisoners had a negative impact not only in Turkey but also in the entire world.
Bagis stated that U.S. leadership's clearly expressing that it did not find behavior of U.S. soldiers pleasant deserved appreciation.
The best way for the United States to cope with that issue was to share photographs of those who were responsible in the prison with the world, Bagis said.
Bagis pointed out that governments should be ready for change against new threats the world was facing.
Turkey and the United States had relations strong enough to fight against new threats, Bagis said.
Bagis stated that further improvement of U.S.-Turkish relations was for the interests of two countries.
Touching on Greater Middle East Project, Bagis said that things would become more difficult in the Middle East if things did not go well in Iraq.
Bagis pointed to importance of NATO summit to be held in Istanbul in June.
Stating that NATO's existence should be protected, Bagis said that NATO was uniting two continents and creating a better atmosphere of understanding with its new members.
Stressing importance of improvement of economic relations with the United States, Bagis said that economic relations had a determinant role on political relations.
Bagis noted that taking steps in qualified industrial zones was important.
Turkey appreciated the support of the United States to its European Union (EU) membership process, Bagis said.
Bagis noted that Turkey had made necessary reforms on the road to the EU and put them into practice.
Cyprus issue was no more a problem put forth Turkey on its road to EU, Bagis said.
Bagis stated that Turkey would continue to put into practice new reforms even though the EU took a negative decision on whether to open entry talks with Turkey in December 2004.
Touching on Cyprus issue, Bagis said that the world had started to see the realities and stated that it was time to lift some pressure on Turkish Cypriots.
Asked if Turkey could recognize the Greek Cypriot side, Bagis said that his speech reflected only his personal views.
Bagis stated that the prior issue was to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots not recognition of the Greek Cypriot side.
Egemen Bagis added that the United States was a good ally of Turkey and had always been beside Turkey in its economic crisis and road to EU membership.
Bagis, accompanied by Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies Ziyaeddin Akbulut, Abdullah Torun, Atilla Koc, and Republican People's Party (CHP) deputies Damla Gurel and Sukru Elekdag will hold meetings in Washington and New York during this week.
(BRC) 10.05.2004