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Heritage Party Leader In Resignation U-Turn

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  • Heritage Party Leader In Resignation U-Turn

    HERITAGE PARTY LEADER IN RESIGNATION U-TURN

    http://www.asbarez.com/2009/09/30/heritage -party-leader-in-resignation-u-turn/
    Sep 30, 2009

    YEREVAN (RFE/RL)-In a last-minute U-turn, opposition leader Raffi
    Hovannisian said on Tuesday that he is withdrawing his unexpected
    resignation from Armenia's parliament which has sown discord within
    his Heritage party.

    The announcement came on the last day of a 15-day period set by
    Armenian law for the entry into force of resignations tendered
    by parliament deputies. They can reconsider their decision during
    that time.

    In a written statement, Hovannisian confirmed his associates' claims
    that he decided to quit the National Assembly in protest against
    President Serzh Sarkisian's conciliatory policy on Turkey. He said he
    "felt betrayed by the actions of this administration" relating to
    the normalization of Turkish-Armenian relations.

    "Since that moment, however, I have been urged by compatriots both in
    Armenia and in our broad Diaspora to take up the challenge and use the
    limited forum that the National Assembly offers to speak in the name of
    truth and justice no matter what the odds," added Hovannisian. "Hence,
    in deference to this strong groundswell of support and urgency, I am
    withdrawing my resignation and will resume my responsibilities as a
    member of the Heritage faction."

    Zaruhi Postanjian, another member of that faction, welcomed the move
    and confirmed reports that she and other senior Heritage members
    appealed to their leader not resign his parliament seat. "Our calls
    and pleas also played a role in Raffi Hovannisian's decision to
    withdraw his resignation," Postanjian told RFE/RL. "We believe that
    his presence in the National Assembly is a more effective means of
    struggle at this point."

    Hovannisian founded Heritage in 2002 and remains its de facto top
    leader despite holding no formal leadership positions in what is now
    a major opposition force. He has increasingly detached himself from
    the party's day-to-day affairs in recent years.

    His intention to give up his parliament mandate, revealed to the
    media on September 7, was followed by the expulsion from the party
    ranks of three senior Heritage figures, including a parliament deputy
    and a member of the Central Election Commission. The latter accused
    the party's nominal chairman, Armen Martirosian, of foul play and
    secret collaboration with the Armenian authorities. Martirosian and
    his allies, which dominate Heritage's decision-making board, have
    rejected the accusations.

    In a statement circulated last week, Hovannisian refrained from taking
    sides in the row, seemingly blaming both factions for the "mudslinging"
    and castigating unnamed individuals motivated by "petty personal
    interests." The U.S.-born politician is expected to explain his
    position in greater detail at a news conference scheduled for Friday.
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