Washington, D.C. - On March 18th, Turks all over the world and their friends honor Turkish diplomats killed by Armenian terrorist groups ASALA and JCAG. Since 1973, Armenian terrorists have committed over 239 acts of terror, killing at least 70 (including 2 Americans), wounding more than 700 innocent people, and causing hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage throughout the world. Among the victims were 31 Turkish diplomats whose only fault was being Turkish and serving their country.
On American soil, the first Turkish diplomat was killed in California on January 27, 1973, by Gourgen Yanikian. On May 4, 1982, the first Turkish-American, Honorary Consul General of Boston, Orhan Gunduz, was slain in Massachusetts. According to the FBI, in the eighties, Armenian terrorism accounted for 24.1% of all terrorist incidents in the United States. Today, Armenian terrorists are in the business of selling weapons to Al Qaeda.
Every year on March 18, ATAA remembers and pays tribute to the courage of Turkish civil servants killed in the line of duty. As Turkish Americans we condemn all acts of terrorism and call on the American people to remember and honor Turkish and all victims of terrorism.
Assembly of Turkish American Associations
Washington, D.C.