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A memorial ceremony was held in Madrid to commemorate the victims of an Armenian terrorist attack that occurred 47 years ago, which killed the wife of Türkiye's Madrid ambassador, a retired ambassador, and a Spanish embassy driver.
The ceremony at the Yunus Emre Institute in Madrid honored Necla Kuneralp, wife of then-Turkish Ambassador Zeki Kuneralp, retired Ambassador Besir Balcioglu, and Spanish Embassy driver Antonio Torres Olmedo, who were killed in the June 2, 1978, attack by the Armenian terrorist organization JCAG.
The memorial ceremony was attended by Turkish Ambassador Nuket Kucukel Ezberci, military attaches serving in Madrid, diplomats, and other embassy staff. Following a minute of silence and the playing of the Turkish national anthem, a wreath was laid at the site where the assassination took place.
The 1978 attack occurred when JCAG terrorists opened crossfire on a vehicle at Monte Esquinza 48, where the Turkish Embassy building was located at the time.
Turkish Ambassador to Madrid Nuket Kucukel Ezberci spoke at the ceremony, stating, "No Foreign Ministry in the world has been tested with such difficulty, has had such a dark past. What falls to us today is not to forget this period, to keep the memory of our martyrs alive, and to look forward by learning from our elders who maintained their resistance even in this painful period."
Ambassador Ezberci emphasized Türkiye's continued commitment to regional peace despite historical challenges. "Despite all difficulties, Turkish diplomacy has never stepped back from its commitment to establish and maintain peace in our region and beyond," she said.
In order to compel the Turkish government "to acknowledge publicly its responsibility for the so-called Armenian genocide in 1915, pay reparations, and cede territory for an ‘Armenian homeland’," ASALA killed Turkish diplomats in numerous terrorist attacks.
The ambassador highlighted Türkiye's principled approach to regional relations, stating, "We have always continued our effort to establish good relations with our neighbors in a principled and determined manner. Following Atatürk's principle of Peace at Home, Peace in the World, we have worked for peace and stability to be permanent in our country and around us."
Ezberci noted recent developments in regional security, saying, "Fortunately, thanks to our principled stance, political, military and economic strength, terrorist organizations targeting our country are losing power one by one today."
The ambassador referenced recent developments regarding the PKK terrorist organization, stating, "The PKK terrorist organization, which started its activities in 1984 when Armenian terrorist organizations' assassinations ended and caused the death of more than 40,000 people in 40 years, recently announced that it had liquidated itself and laid down its weapons. All our institutions are working with all their strength for the welfare and prosperity of our people within the framework of the terrorist-free Türkiye goal."
1 min read
According to historical records, between 1970 and 1984, terrorist groups, including ASALA, JCAG, ARA, and Nov. 17, conducted attacks that killed 42 people, including 31 Turkish diplomats.
The suspects in the Madrid terrorist attack were never found and brought to justice, and like many murders committed by Armenian terrorists, this assassination remained unsolved.
The memorial ceremony reflects ongoing efforts to remember the victims of terrorist attacks against Turkish diplomatic personnel during a period when Turkish diplomats faced systematic targeting by various terrorist organizations.
5 min read
