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Journal of Turkish Weekly
Sept 21 2012
Davutoglu Inaugurates Monument for Martyred Turkish Diplomats in Canada
Friday, 21 September 2012
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday said that the
Turkish nation will never forget its diplomats assassinated by
Armenian terrorists while on duty.
Davutoglu inaugurated a Monument for Martyred Turkish Diplomats and
the late Turkish Military Attache Colonel Atilla Altikat who was
killed by the Armenian terror organization ASALA in 1982 in Ottowa.
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird was also present during the
inauguration of the monument.
Speaking at the monument, Davutoglu said that the monument was made in
memory of all Turkish diplomats who became victims of terror.
"During the days the monument was getting completed, the U.S.
Ambassador in Tripoli lost his life. August 27, the day when Colonel
Altikat was assassinated, is a day when the Canadian nation met with
international terror for the first time," Davutoglu stressed.
"This monument here is one that condemns terror. We thank all those
who made this monument possible," Davutoglu said.
Addressing Colonel Altikat's spouse Ayla Altikat and children Goker
and Zeynep, Davutoglu said he wished his deep condolences to the
Altikat family.
"I do hope that God's mercy is with Colonel Altikat. Martyrs never die
in our culture. I am sure that Colonel Altikat's spirit is with us. I
would like to thank you for letting us share your pain. On behalf of
the Turkish nation, I would like to thank you for your strong posture
throughout the years. Our martyrs, who have lost lives in different
corners of the world, will never be forgotten," Davutoglu underlined.
Minister Baird, in his part, said that the assassination of Colonel
Atilla Altikat was a very sad incident.
The Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) is an
Armenian terrorist organization which killed 46 Turkish citizens and
other nationals, including Turkish diplomats and their family members,
since the mid-1970s. The stated intention of ASALA was "to compel the
Turkish Government to acknowledge publicly its responsibility for the
incidents in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an Armenian
homeland".
Memorial at Turkish Embassy
Proceeding to the Turkish Embassy following the inauguration of the
monument, Ahmet Davutoglu attended a memorial to remember Colonel
Altikat.
The memorial began with the Turkish national anthem. Verses from the
Holy Koran were read and prayers made for all martyrs of Turkey.
Davutoglu had a chance to speak with representatives of the Turkish
community in Canada at the Turkish Embassy.
Following the memorial, Davutoglu met with his Canadian counterpart
Baird over a working meal.
Davutoglu and Baird discussed the issues of Syria and Iran and took a
decision to boost bilateral relations, including commercial ones.
Davutoglu and his delegation later proceeded to New York from Canada.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Anadolu Agency
From: A. Papazian
Sept 21 2012
Davutoglu Inaugurates Monument for Martyred Turkish Diplomats in Canada
Friday, 21 September 2012
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday said that the
Turkish nation will never forget its diplomats assassinated by
Armenian terrorists while on duty.
Davutoglu inaugurated a Monument for Martyred Turkish Diplomats and
the late Turkish Military Attache Colonel Atilla Altikat who was
killed by the Armenian terror organization ASALA in 1982 in Ottowa.
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird was also present during the
inauguration of the monument.
Speaking at the monument, Davutoglu said that the monument was made in
memory of all Turkish diplomats who became victims of terror.
"During the days the monument was getting completed, the U.S.
Ambassador in Tripoli lost his life. August 27, the day when Colonel
Altikat was assassinated, is a day when the Canadian nation met with
international terror for the first time," Davutoglu stressed.
"This monument here is one that condemns terror. We thank all those
who made this monument possible," Davutoglu said.
Addressing Colonel Altikat's spouse Ayla Altikat and children Goker
and Zeynep, Davutoglu said he wished his deep condolences to the
Altikat family.
"I do hope that God's mercy is with Colonel Altikat. Martyrs never die
in our culture. I am sure that Colonel Altikat's spirit is with us. I
would like to thank you for letting us share your pain. On behalf of
the Turkish nation, I would like to thank you for your strong posture
throughout the years. Our martyrs, who have lost lives in different
corners of the world, will never be forgotten," Davutoglu underlined.
Minister Baird, in his part, said that the assassination of Colonel
Atilla Altikat was a very sad incident.
The Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) is an
Armenian terrorist organization which killed 46 Turkish citizens and
other nationals, including Turkish diplomats and their family members,
since the mid-1970s. The stated intention of ASALA was "to compel the
Turkish Government to acknowledge publicly its responsibility for the
incidents in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an Armenian
homeland".
Memorial at Turkish Embassy
Proceeding to the Turkish Embassy following the inauguration of the
monument, Ahmet Davutoglu attended a memorial to remember Colonel
Altikat.
The memorial began with the Turkish national anthem. Verses from the
Holy Koran were read and prayers made for all martyrs of Turkey.
Davutoglu had a chance to speak with representatives of the Turkish
community in Canada at the Turkish Embassy.
Following the memorial, Davutoglu met with his Canadian counterpart
Baird over a working meal.
Davutoglu and Baird discussed the issues of Syria and Iran and took a
decision to boost bilateral relations, including commercial ones.
Davutoglu and his delegation later proceeded to New York from Canada.
Friday, 21 September 2012
Anadolu Agency
From: A. Papazian