YEREVAN, MARCH 24, ARMENPRESS:  The President of the Republic of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan made a statement for the press upon the events in Kessab in the Hague convention center.  The Department of Mass Media and Public Relations of the President’s staff of the Republic of Armenia informed Armenpress that the President expressed his deep concern over the events ongoing in Kessab. “All of us remember the history of Kessab very well, which during the last century was unfortunately rich in hellish realities of Armenians’ deportations,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

The President of the Republic recalled that the first severe plague for Kessab region was still in 1909 when the Turkish armed forces entered Kessab in April. The Armenians resided in Karadouran Mountains and the seacoast. After burning and plundering Kessab the Turks took direction on Karadouran, burnt and plundered the houses of the upper section. The Armenians were moved to Latakia by French transport ship. The migrants returned to Kessab after living in Latakia for about a year and reconstructed their houses.

 “Today the third deportation of Armenians in Kessab is a serious challenge thrown to the 21st century mechanisms of ethnic minorities defense. I believe that everyone should realize that the parallels coming by themselves should be sobering for all sides,” President Serzh Sargsyan underscored.

The President thanked the Syrian authorities for the steps taken in defense to the Armenians in Kessab in this heavy period.