Iraqi cultural heritage another casualty of war
Wu Yixue  Updated: 2004-08-05 08:51

For most Iraqis, the tangible changes brought by the US-led war are the deposition of former President Saddam Hussein and the continuing deterioration of economic, social and security conditions.

But something worse is happening in the Middle East country.

While destroying Saddam's military framework, the US-led coalition forces, during and after the war, have also devastated many of the country's precious cultural relics, which even Saddam honoured.

According to Mofeed al-Jazaeri, Iraqi Culture Minister, foreign forces stationed in his country have caused serious damage to its ancient sites, including Babylon, one of the world's most renowned archaeological treasures.

On Sunday the minister said Polish-led forces based at Babylon, 100 kilometres south of Baghdad, have caused irreparable damage to the ancient city because of their use of heavy equipment, helicopters and other machinery.

Poland is an active supporter of the US postwar reconstruction work in Iraq.

The minister called on the forces to leave the city, capital of ancient Babylonia, an early civilization that existed from around 1,800 BC to 600 BC, to avoid further destruction.

Built by Nebuchadnezzar II, Babylon is home to the famous hanging gardens, one of the seven wonders of ancient world.

Destruction of Iraq's ancient cultural relics has become an almost daily occurrence since the US-led "liberators" arrived.

Iraqi officials cited Babylon's damage in a June meeting with former US civil administrator in Iraq Paul Bremer and former coalition commander Ricardo Sanchez, requesting they take immediate action to end the activities.

But the damage continues.

The site of ancient Babylon is a precious heritage of Iraq and the world, and its destruction underlines the enormous spiritual losses Iraqis have suffered from the US-led war - losses which they may never recover.

It is immoral for the United States to destroy Iraq's culture while trying to rebuild the country economically and politically.

The self-proclaimed "liberators" cannot escape worldwide criticism at a time when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is launching a strong campaign across the world to protect endangered cultural heritages.

(China Daily)

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