RAFFI HOVHANNISYAN STEPS DOWN

A1+
07:57 pm | April 09, 2009

Politics

Leader of "Heritage" party Raffi Hovhannisyan has refused to represent
the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council
of Europe and NATO.

"Raffi Hovhannisyan’s steps are adequate and this step is directly
linked to the inconsistency of the PACE in following-up on the actions
being taken by Armenia to meet the demands. In some sense, this could
also be looked at as a sign of protest. It is a political step and the
continuation of his course of action," told "A1+" press speaker for
"Heritage" Hovsep Khurshudyan.

>From now on, "Heritage" faction deputy Zaruhi Postanjyan will
represent the Armenian delegation to the PACE, while Stepan Safaryan
will represent the Armenian delegation to NATO.

"Raffi Hovhannisyan is not setting himself apart from leadership or
the head of the faction. He is still in the game," told "A1+" Hovsep
Khurshudyan adding that he is simply showing that he must keep changes
in the party constant.

According to Khurshudyan, Hovhannisyan has always stated that
"Heritage" is the one that must insert any new political culture in
Armenia and this step goes to show that no political party leader
should always stay in the same position.

In response to our question regarding the possible drop of the mandate,
Hovsep Khurshudyan said that he has not considered that and would
not like to make any predictions.

Hovsep Khurshudyan also denied all rumors that Raffi Hovhannisyan is
planning to leave Armenia.