HERITAGE PARTY LEADER IN RESIGNATION U-TURN

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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.