YEREVAN, OCTOBER 2, NOYAN TAPAN. The Founder of Heritage Party, member of the Heritage faction Raffi K. Hovannisian on September 30 issued a statement, announcing his decision to withdraw his resignation and resume his responsibilities as member of the RA National Assembly. The statement of Raffi K. Hovannisian read: "My Fellow Countrymen: Having humbly labored so many years for the international reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, recognition of the Karabagh Republic, and normalization of relations with our neighbors without any precondition, I felt betrayed by the actions of this administration in compromising these fundamental principles and therefore decided to lay down my parliamentary mandate in protest. 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. 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, which for the past two years has consistently demonstrated its commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, an end to illegal political persecution and imprisonment, and the dignity, integrity and security of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people worldwide". To recap, R. Hovannisian submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the National Assembly Hovik Abrahamian who announced this at the first sitting of the parliament's autumn session on September 15. H. Abrahamian also said that under the NA Rules of Procedure, a resignation is considered accepted, if the NA deputy does not withdraw it in writing within 15 days after the resignation's announcement.

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