[CPProt.net] STATEMENT BY THE WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONGRESS

[Steve Angelo]

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Steven V. Angelo,CFE,SEM
Security Manager
Guggenheim Museums
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Las Vegas, NV.  89109
702.414.2109
SAngelo at Guggenheim.Org


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Subject: [CPProt.net] STATEMENT BY THE WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONGRESS




STATEMENT BY THE WORLD ARCHAEOLOGICAL CONGRESS



The World Archaeological Congress* (WAC) notes with alarm and extreme
concern
the unfolding situation in Iraq where, alongside the increasingly
distressing
humanitarian situation, there appears to be a significant increase in
damage
to and looting of archaeological museums including, apparently, those of
Basra, Baghdad, and Mosul. Damage and loss of material in the museum in
Baghdad would be of particular concern given the huge importance of the
collections held there for all humanity. WAC urges all in Iraq to use
every
means possible to protect the irreplaceable cultural heritage of the
country
held in museums and archaeological sites.


WAC's Statutes acknowledge and endorse the pivotal roles of the UN and
UNESCO
and emphasis the primacy role of local communities in the control of
their
cultural heritage. WAC particularly reiterates this latter principle in
emphasising the key role that Iraqi archaeologists must play in the
protection
of the cultural heritage of Iraq. However it is clear that Iraqi
professionals
cannot at present alone solve all of the problems facing the Iraqi
cultural
heritage. WAC therefore


. offers the expertise of its members and in particular its ability to
act as
an independent arbitrator and facilitator in the protection and
conservation
of the Iraqi cultural heritage
. endorses the pivotal role of the UN and UNESCO and their Conventions
in the
protection and conservation of the cultural heritage
. calls for the Coalition forces to take a far more proactive stance in
the
protection of cultural heritage than it appears has happened so far
. urges the Coalition forces to identify, liaise with, and support key
Iraqi
individuals within the Ministry of Culture and Department of
Antiquities.



Professor Martin Hall
President
World Archaeological Congress
Friday 11 April 2003





*For further information concerning the World Archaeological Congress
please
see http://www.wac.uct.ac.za/