On this day...

March 9, 1983 - Belgrade, Yugoslavia: Two Armenian gunmen assassinate the Turkish
Ambassador to Yugoslavia, Galip Balkar, and seriously wound his chauffeur, Necati
Kayar, in central Belgrade. One of the gunmen, Antranig Boghosian (a.k.a. Harutiun
Levonian), also opens fire on and seriously wounds a Yugoslav Colonel, and is then
shot and apprehended by a member of the Yugoslav Secret Service. Boghossian is paralyzed
from his injuries. As the other gunman, Raffi Elbekian, flees from the scene, Belgrade
citizens pursue him. Elbekian opens fire on the civilians, killing a young male
student and wounding a young girl. JCAG claims responsibility for the assassination.
Boghosian and Elbekian area convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years. Both
were released in 1987, after serving only four years. They then lived underground
in Greece, South Cyprus, and Lebanon until 1995, at which time they entered Armenia.
Boghosian lives in Yerevan, Armenia, and is said to reside with Alec Yenikomshian
of ASALA, who was convicted in Switzerland for the attempted murder of the Turkish
Ambassador.

March 12, 1981 - Teheran, Iran: An Armenian gunman kills two security officers in
a failed attempt to take over the Turkish Embassy. The gunman, Yeghia Keshishian,
is apprehended, tried, convicted, and executed by the Iranian government. ASALA
claims responsibility for the attack.

ATAA condemns these acts of violence against innocent individuals and remembers
these tragedies with great sorrow.

About ATAA
The objective of the Assembly is to coordinate the activities of member Turkish
American associations and individual members of the Assembly for the purpose of
presenting a more balanced view of Turkey and of the Turkish people, and emphasizing
the importance of enhanced understanding between Turkey and the United States.

ATAA is a fast-growing umbrella organization of Turkish American associations throughout
the United States, Canada and Turkey, dedicated to pursuing the interests of Turkish
Americans and friends of Turkey in Washington and beyond.