NEW YORK–The AGBU Central Board of Directors responded to the lawsuit filed by Archbishop Mesrob Mutafyan against the New York-based organization on January 13. The suit was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California–addressing the formal announcement made by the AGBU in March 2004 that it would be closing the Melkonian Educational Institution in Nicosia–Cyprus at the end of the 2005 school year.
In a statement released on January 28–the AGBU Board of Directors expressed that Archbishop Mutafyan "has not been fully informed of the true position with regard to AGBU’s operation of the Melkonian Educational Institute."
The statement continues to stress AGBU’s committment "to serve and pursue the best interests of the Armenian nation and not the particular interests of the few–no matter how vocal."
"The decision to close the Melkonian Educational Institute was carefully considered and is fully permitted under the terms of the unconditional grant made to AGBU. In addition–contrary to the allegations made–through the years AGBU has paid to the Patriarchate of Constantinople–pursuant to Garabed Melkonian’s wishes–all sums provided for by him and much more–as evidenced by receipts and other documen’s," it concludes.
