Netherlands: House Wants Turkish National Service Abolished for Dutch Citizens

We have a request for the Dutch government:  When you’re finished with Turkish conscription, could you abolish American draft registration?  Thanks!--Editor /

THE HAGUE, 05/10/07 - The Lower House wants Turkey to abolish national service for young Turks with dual Dutch and Turkish nationality.
Almost all young Turks in the Netherlands have both a Turkish and a Dutch passport, meaning they are subject to the laws of both countries. Under Turkish law, they must serve in the Turkish army. Turkey does not accept it if Dutch Turks, to get out of it, want to give up their Turkish passports.
The Dutch Turks can buy themselves out of the obligatory service for 5,500 euros, but they can then still be called up. They also then have to undergo service for a shortened period of around four weeks. They can receive paid leave for this if they work for the Dutch government.
The House fears that Turkey wants to continue to influence the young Turks ideologically via the national service. A majority wants Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen to put pressure on Turkey.
The Lower House also wants clarification about Turkish-Dutch soldiers who might not dare to go to Turkey because they had not fulfilled their national service. They would as a result not be able to carry out their duties for the Dutch army.
Christian democratic (CDA) MP Karien van Gennip said that during the attack on Iraq a few years ago, Dutch soldiers of Turkish origin did not go to Turkey to man Patriot air defence missiles that the Netherlands had sent there. The other parties were surprised and first wanted to know whether this was true before the debate could go further.