Dear Melkoniantsi Brothers & Sisters,

I have today "fax"ed the following letter to Mr Setrakian, with e-mail CC to AGBU Central Board Members.  The original hard copy will be mailed later on. I Know that some of you have already written or are in the process of writing similar letters to the AGBU Central Board.  One thing is clear, the more letters and appeals are sent to Mr Setrakian and The Central Board, the more effectively our voice will be heard.  I would like to urge each and every Melkonian Alumni  to send a letter,  on behalf of of their Alumni members.  Additionally, every Melkoniantsi should consider it a duty-call and and send a letter too! Let's raise our voice! Let's make it happen!  We are running out of time.   Sincerely,

GARO KASSABIAN, California Melkonian Alumni

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Mr Berge   Setrakian,                                  November 26,2003.
President,
AGBU Central Board of Directors,
55, East 59th Street,
New York, NY 10022-1112,
U.S.A.

Dear Mr Setrakian,

I acknowledge receipt and thank you for your letter dated November 11, 2003, regarding the "Melkonian" issue.
As confirmed in your letter, we are pleased to note that the MEI operating budget deficit is not of primary concern and that all reports of the School property's sale in recent newspaper articles or other communications are completely false.
The recent information released by the Central Board of the AGBU, regarding Melkonian Educational Institute somehow eased the situation. It is a great relief for all Melkonian Alumni members around the world to know that current references about the proposed sale of the Melkonian property are unfounded and false.
We have to admit, however, that with the persistent and disturbing rumors about the phasing-out of the Boarding School and closure of MEI, feelings are still running high. There is a general concern among all the Melkonian Alumni members everywhere, that "we are not out of the woods yet", and that closure of MEI is looming large.
We trust that various ideas the Central Board is considering implementing as part of its program in furtherance of its mission for the preservation and perpetuation of our national heritage, should not be at the expense of the MEI, jeopardizing its existence.
We believe that Melkonian Educational Institute, at this juncture of its existence has not exhausted all prospects of becoming viable, and that it will be a grave and irreversible mistake to disrupt its existence and mission. Removing MEI from the Armenian Diaspora scene will create an enormous void in AGBU's endeavour for "azkabahbanoum". MEI as an Armenian center for higher education in Cyprus SHOULD, and, with proper management and restructuring, COULD become attractive and indispensable, offering quality boarding and education for the vast Armenian communities in the Middle East, Russia and other European countries.
Moreover, we understand that the Cyprus Governement appreciates the merits of keeping MEI intact, and is willing to extend a helping hand, morally and financially.
As much as we are concerned about the fate of MEI, we would also urge you, Mr Setrakian, to consider the irreparable damage that any decision to close down Melkonian Institute might cause to the AGBU. We all believe that AGBU's greatest asset is the faith and confidence of its donors, benefactors and the Armenian people. Any move to close down MEI or phase-out the Boarding-School status, contravening the "Will" of the Melkonian Brothers, undoubtedly will shake that faith and confidence of the entire Armenian nation, and intimidate any prospective benefactors.
On behalf of the AGBU California Melkonian Alumni, I would like to take this opportunity to once again express our appreciation, trust and confidence in the leadership of AGBU, our greatest organization, and to appeal to the Central Board of the AGBU:

(a) to preclude any plans to close down MEI or phase-out the Boarding School;

(b) to come up with a further, much more explicit declaration that Melkonian Educational Institute will perpetuate as a Boarding School, as long as AGBU exists. And,

(c) to support and maintain the recruitment of new students for the academic year 2003-2004, as an ongoing process.

Sincerely,
GARO KASSABIAN
Chairman,
AGBU California Melkonian Alumni

Copy to:

Arshavir Gundjian: gundj@yahoo,com
Benon Sevan: sevan@un,org
Carol Aslanian: carolaslanian@aol.com
Edouard Jakhian: jth@janson-baugniet.be
Judge Dickran Tevrizian: Dicran-Tevrizian@cacd.uscourts.gov
Joseph Basralian: jbasralian@winnebantalaw.com
Louise M. Simone: agbuny@agbu.org
Michael Ansour: ansour@marchpartners.com
Richard Manoogian: LIL-DULLINGER@MASCOHQ.com
Sam Simonian: sam.simonian@epygi.com
Sarkis Demirdjian: sarkis@demcosteel.com
Sinan Sinanian: sinan@sinanian.com
Karnig Yacoubian: missing
Leon Kebabdjian: leon.kebabdjian@free.fr