NEW YORK
A commemoration ceremony was held for Turkish diplomats who were martyred by Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA), an Armenian terrorist organization in the US.
The Turkish Consulate General in New York organized the commemoration ceremony. The documentary by Turkish state-run tv, TRT about ASALA was showed during the event. The film explained the organization's facilities in English language and stressed their relation with the PKK terror organization.
In total 42 Turkish diplomats lost their lives since the murder of the Los Angeles Turkish Consul General Mehmet Baydar and Vice Consul Bahadir Demir in January 1973 which were committed by Gourgen Yanikian, an ASALA member.
The murders of Baydar and Demir were the beginning of the killing activities of ASALA organization.
Speaking at the ceremony which was held in Turkish House in New York, Turkey's current Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Halit Cevik stressed, "Turkish diplomacy has suffered a lot because of terrorism over the years."
Moreover, current Turkish Consul General of New York, Levent Bilgen has said, in 28 acts since 1973, 42 Turkish diplomats were killed.
One day before the ceremony in New York, Turkey's Washington Embassy held a commemoration ceremony for murdered Turkish diplomats too.
