Taha Carım (1914-1977) was a Turkish diplomat who held several high-ranking posts in Turkish foreign service and was assassinated by Armenian gunmen from Justice Commandos of the Armenian Genocide.

Taha Carım
Carım sometime before his death
Ambassador of Republic of Turkey to Vatican
In office
1973 – 9 June 1977
PresidentFahri Korutürk
Personal details
Born(1914-02-21)February 21, 1914
Geneva, Switzerland
DiedJune 9, 1977(1977-06-09) (aged 63)
Rome, Italy
Manner of deathAssassination
Alma materGalatasaray High School, University of Toulouse
ProfessionDiplomat

Biography edit

Carım was born in 1914 in Geneva in a family of a diplomat. After completion of his studies at Galatasaray High School, he went on to study in France, eventually graduating from University of Toulouse. During the World War II on 29 October 1941, Carım joined the foreign service and would continue working at the ministry for 36 years until his death. He started his service at the General Secretariat Department and was soon sent to Trade Department where he rose to the rank of 3rd secretary. In 1948, Carım was sent to work at the Turkish Consulate in Athens. In 1952, after receiving the first rank, he was sent to lead the embassy in Alexandria and the same year he started representing Turkey in NATO. In 1957, Carım was appointed Ambassador of Turkey to Caracas, representing Turkey in Venezuela, Haiti, Ecuador and Colombia. In 1960–1961, he served as an Ambassador in Karachi, in 1961–1965 in Ottawa and in 1965–1976 in Beirut. In 1971, during the conference on Armenian issues at the Academy of Foreign Affairs, he delivered a speech about centuries old tradition of coexistence of Turkish and Armenian people.[1]

Assassination edit

On 9 June 1977, Taha Carım was returning to his residence and was ambushed by two Armenian gunmen from front and back. He was shot and killed instantly.[2][unreliable source?] The responsibility was claimed by JCAG.[3][unreliable source?]

In 2016, the papacy finally condemned of the 1977 assassination of Taha Carım in order to resolve a dispute with Turkey about the Armenian genocide. [4]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Taha Carim (1914–1977)". Retrieved 1 November 2010.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "TURKISH DIPLOMATS KILLED BY THE ARMENIAN TERRORISTS DURING THEIR DUTY". Archived from the original on 30 December 2010. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
  3. ^ TAHA CARIM 9 Haziran 1977
  4. ^ Turkey sends back recalled Vatican ambassador