You will have heard and read much about the AGBU Central Board's (CB) plans for the Melkonian Educational Institute (MEI), following the publication of their decision on the future of MEI and the supporting Position Paper.

We would like to assure you that the London AGBU Executive appreciates that the future
of the MEI is an important issue for all Armenians in Cyprus and elsewhere and that we have been actively consulting with the Central Board to:

        1) Clarify and understand in more detail the underlying reasons for  their decision so as to express our views in a constructive manner as members of the AGBU family;

2) Ensure that we are kept fully informed of progress.

Having considered the information we have at our disposal and the more  detailed discussion that followed, the London AGBU Executive accepts in good faith that the Central Board proposals will best meet the future educational needs of many more young Armenians worldwide, who have undoubtedly varied educational needs. The Executive also accepts that the CB has the right to make decisions, with the expectation that future developments will bear their position out.

As members of the London AGBU Executive Committee, we are therefore writing to you to summarise clearly the proposals outlined in the CB's Position Paper and to update you with progress based on the latest information we have received from the CB:

1. The CB's decision is to convert the MEI boarding school into a day school and to re-invest in new educational institutions in Cyprus and Armenia to serve the wider Armenian community worldwide.

2. The proposal for a Melkonian day school for the resident community in Cyprus has been on the table from the outset.

3.Work is currently in progress on the feasibility of establishing a Melkonian Centre for Armenian Studies and Research, together with a Centre for European and Ethnic Studies in Cyprus. The intention is to retain and house these institutions in the current two MEI buildings. Talks with Cypriot institutions on establishing these centres are in progress.

4. Work is also in progress to site a large, new Melkonian Education Centre in Armenia to serve Armenians worldwide. Negotiations with Armenian authorities and institutions have already begun and a search for a site has already started.

Proposals to change the status quo have brought an aggressive response against the AGBU generally from some quarters. However, whatever you view on the proposals, please remember that we have every reason to be proud members of the AGBU family worldwide. Over 90 years, the AGBU has made, and continues to make, significant contributions to the education of young Armenians worldwide in schools, universities, education centres and through organising and supporting social and cultural centres and activities.

We in London AGBU alone, achieved the following in 2003:

•   Awarded grants and interest free loans to 31 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying in accredited UK universities;

•   Continued to award an annual grant to the K Tahta London Armenian Community Sunday School and also to fund the children's out of
school weekly sporting activity at the Reynolds Sports Centre;

•   Continued support for the Saturday Armenian School - a submission from the school is awaited;

•   Sponsored UK cultural activities including the Aram Khatchadurian Centenary Conceit at the Royal Festival Hall, the Hover Choir at St Yeghishe Cultural Centre, the Tata Band at the Scala and the annual  Spring Genocide Remembrance Concert at the Wigmore Hall;

•   Sponsored and hosted an art exhibition by a partially paralysed ex-student of Veratsnund Art School for the 1988 earthquake survivors in Spitak, and raised badly needed funds for the school to continue supporting art projects for the disabled in the Spitak Community;

•   Supported with a grant a group of 18 UK young volunteers, organised by Diaspora Armenia-Connection UK, to travel and run a 3-week summer school for children in Armenia.

•   Continued to award an annual grant to Meghri Kindergarten located in the southernmost region of Armenia, to supply daily milk and pastries to everyone of its young children throughout the school year;

•   Sponsored archaeological excavations in Azokh Cave, Karabagh, by
an international team, that included students and scientists from
Armenia and Karabagh, lead by Dr Tania King of the Natural History
Museum of London;                                                                                                              

•   Brought together members of the London Armenian community at fundraising events for the AGBU Centennial Norashen Project to help rebuild war-torn border villages and communities in Karabagh. The London AGBU has matched the donations made by the UK
community to bring the total raised to £25,000;                                                  •      ;

•   Awarded numerous grants to UK community organisations and charities.

On a broader note, you may also be interested to know that in 2002 the AGBU received a four star rating, the highest possible, from an independent American charity watchdog Charity Navigator, for exceeding industry standards and outperforming some of the biggest charities including Amnesty International, Save the Children and the American Red Cross.

We will obviously keep you updated with progress on the Melkonian issue on a regular basis as we receive updates from the Central Board.

Please do not hesitate to contact the London Branch Secretary with your views and comments, as we must surely continue to work together with the UK Armenian Community in pursuing the mission and goals of the AGBU with its humanitarian, cultural and educational programmes.

Also, please feel free to pass on the information contained in this letter to any interested member of the UK Armenian community.

With every good wish,

AGBU London Branch Executive

May 2004