Ottawa Sun, Canada
Aug 29 2005
Turks meet to mark diplomat’s murder
By MEGAN GILLIS, Ottawa Sun
Turkish-Canadians gathered yesterday at the spot where a diplomat
from their homeland was murdered 23 years ago.
Atilla Altikat’s killers are still free although the Justice
Commandos of the Armenian Genocide claimed responsibility.
“We hope the murderers will be found and their supporters, who we
believe are in Canada, will be brought to justice,” said organizer
Kevser Taymaz.
“The bigger picture is that Armenian-Canadians will realize other
citizens of the Ottoman Empire lost their lives and we will remember
our losses together — in a Canadian way.”
Dozens of people from Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto gathered on Island
Park Dr. for Muslim prayers and speeches.
They handed out leaflets showing Altikat’s bloodied body.
1.5 MILLION KILLED
Generations of Turks and Armenians have battled over what Armenians
call the genocide of 1.5 million civilians almost a century ago; the
Turks say they were the casualties of civil war.
Parliament has since voted to recognize the genocide.
In Ottawa in the 1980s, militants also wounded another diplomat and
stormed the Turkish embassy, killing a Canadian.