situationistGaren

the Deed of 1925, which you can read in English Translation at www.SaveMelkonian.org does not give property rights to AGBU. But in 1986 they sold half of the Melkonian land and they kept it down so that there is no question about legality. Today they claim that their actions are all legal, but we have made the Deed of Assignment available to all to read... so read it yourself and see. http://www.savemelkonian.org/docs/Will/index.htm This time we must not let the AGBU to get away with its daytime robery and so the lawsuit may begin very soon and thus we are collecting funds (A) for the lawsuit ( to establish a fund great enough to run the school thereafter. That is why we are asking EVERY Armenian to spen in to prevent this injustice http://www.savemelkonian.org/fund/index.htm all the information about Melkoniantsi International Fund and its constitution can be found at http://www.savemelkonian.org/fund/fund.htm The Deed of Assignment is in French because the AGBU Centre at that time was in Lausane and the Melkonian Fund (whatever remains of it) is still there. As to legality and justice, let me remind everyone that it does not come for granted... one must fight and struggle in order to obtain it. IF Armenians let things go, the AGBU will sell that school with no obstacles and put most of the money in their pockets, just as they did with the enourmous wealth of Melkonian Fund. Please go to www.SaveMelkonian.org and read there - all these questions you are asking me are there in detail This is a crucial point... we must put our efforts together!!!

Dear Arpa and Armat, Few lines of disagreement - if you may. To all “historian” connoisseurs who claim to have enough knowledge of history so as to preach it to others: what is History if not merely a monologue of interpretation. What IS History? Is it not a select of specific events, selected over a multitude of other events in view of specific comprehension of causality. And WHO is it that takes upon himself the task of INTERPRETING history – are/were these individuals classless? Do they have no interest? These are just a few questions before asking “why did Armenian move not eastwards, but westwards?” If I was there and then, maybe I would be better equipped to answer your question, dear Arpa, but one thing that I would not do is to draw one-dimentional parallels or trajectories through historical occurances. As regards to Melkonian Educational Institute, it is not just a school, but a cultural stronghold that is important for Europe, Middle East and Africa. It is not a day-school to serve the Cypriot Armenian community, but a Boarding school that caters for children from over 40 countries. Please do not think that your proposals to sell Melkonian and invest it in Armenia are somewhat original – in fact that is what the AGBU’s vague plans are. But does the public in Armenia want that? So far they have said a big and bold “NO”. They would rather see an institution like Melkonian to continue its existence in Cyprus then to see Hanging Gardens built in Yerevan. The Armenian Government too sees existence of Melkonian as an important matter as far as its foreign policy is concerned. Furthermore, Garabed Melkonian left $1.5 billion worth (in today’s money) so that “Melkonian Fund” is established and so that ONLY the annual interest from that fund go toward Melkonian school and Yerevan State University. He made specific arrangements to see Melkonian exist forever. What remains today of “Melkonian Fund” is only $5.5 million and AGBU refuses to publish reports as to what on earth happened to all that wealth. More, Melkonian Brothers did not give property rights over Melkonian school to AGBU. All the rights that the AGBU has are the rights of administering the “Melkonian Fund”. The Deed of 1925 clearly states that this is the case. But AGBU, in fact, did sell a large chunk of Melkonian lands in 1986. The AGBU has no legal right to close the school, but if nobody stops them they will !!! The Deed also clearly states that if AGBU goes bankrupt, or if it finds itself unable to carry the mission of Melkonian, the rights to administration of Melkonian Fund and of MEI will pass on to Echmiadzine. So you can see that nobody has the right to close that school or sell any of its parts. And there were very clear arrangements to insure that the Melkonian Fund remains untouched and that Melkonian school exists forever. Now, which pockets did all that wealth of $1.5 billion go to? As for me, you may stay assured that I’m not a Cypriot and I am not a member of any political party. I am, in fact, from Armenia. And, Yes, my concern for Melkonian is inspired by passion and as any matter of blatant injustice inspires passion in a politicised being. The more you read into the subject matter the more you will realise how rotten and corrupt the AGBU’s actions are. That is why this is not only about “just one school in Cyprus”, but it is a tip of the iceberg – an injustice that exists within our communities and we allow its perpetuation. If people want, they can go to www.SaveMelkonian.org and read all about it and donate securely there. We have issued an Open Letter to ALL Armenian persons, please download it there, read it and forward it to all Armenians that you know. Thank you Garen

All the basic details of the issue are explained in the Open Letter A more comprehensive information is given on the website www.SaveMelkonian.org Obviously "they" the AGBU CB want to discontinue the school as it costs money and as it is on a hot property. Melkoniantsis are collecting money in hope to raise a fund big enough in order to step in before June 2005 , which is the proposed date of closure I hope this claries it. Read the Open Letter and read Articles and Diary at www.SaveMelkonian.org all the best

Dear Armenians, Please help us save the most important school that Armenians have in the world. On 16/03/04 AGBU CB has announced its decision to discontinue the Melkonian Educational Institute in June 2005, despite thousands of objections and petitions from Armenians and many Armenian organisations. But the decision of the AGBU means nothing - at the moment the odds are even and the resistance is quite powerful. We need need the support of every Armenian person!!! This is a school for ALL Armenians and the issue is so complex that it reaches very important issues of justice and transparency within our own communities. The closure of Melkonian is a Pan-Armenian issue and it concerns every Armenian household and every Armenian person old and young, rich and poor. If every Armenian person would contribute £10 or $10 or 10Euros... or whatever one can... we could save the school. Please visit SaveMelkonian.org You can read all about it there in the Documents and Diary sections. Watch TV broadcasts, listen to Radio Broadcasts. You can contribute online through PayPal Donate securely through PayPal Please help us spread this issue read and forward our Open Letter to ALL Armenians hthe Open Letter from Melkoniantsi International to ALL Armenians Please make cories and forward to ALL of your Armenian relatives and Friends ... all Aremenians that you know. Every little contribution counts and every little effort will help us keep the most unique Armenian school - MELKONIAN open forever. Please help!!! Take Action NOW