ANKARA - Ahmet Ersin of the Republican People's Party (CHP) asked the Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission to convene as soon as possible to discuss abduction of Turkish drivers in Iraq.
In a petition submitted to the president of the Commission, Ersin said, ''the Turkish public opinion is extremely uneasy about abduction and brutal massacre of Turkish drivers, who are employed by some firms working for the U.S. military in Iraq. These drivers were innocent people trying to earn a living for their families.''
''Our government has, unfortunately, failed to take necessary measures to assure security of our drivers in Iraq,'' he said
Describing abduction and killing of Turkish drivers in Iraq as a crime against humanity, Ersin added, ''the Parliamentary Human Rights Inquiry Commission should convene as soon as possible to discuss the issue.''
A number of Turks were kidnapped and several were killed, and at least seven Turkish companies have withdrawn from Iraq to secure the release of kidnapped staff since militants waging a violent insurgency in Iraq have increasingly turned to kidnapping foreigners in an effort to drive out coalition forces and contractors.
(UK-ULG) 22.09.2004