[CPProt.net] FW: Final part of Ethiopia obelisk arrives from Italy

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

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From: shlomo at eastafricaforum.net [mailto:shlomo at eastafricaforum.net] 
Sent: 25 April 2005 13:09
To: shlomo at eastafricaforum.net
Subject: Final part of Ethiopia obelisk arrives from Italy


http://www.reuters.co.za/locales/c_newsArticle.jsp?type=topNews&localeKey=en
_ZA&storyID=8279883
 
Final part of Ethiopia obelisk arrives from Italy	
 <http://www.reuters.co.za/locales/images/clear.gif> 	
Mon April 25, 2005

AXUM, Ethiopia (Reuters) - Thousands of Ethiopians cheered the return of the
final section of the Axum obelisk from Italy on Monday, completing the
handover of the treasure plundered by fascists 68 years ago. 

Trucks began hauling the three sections of the 24-metre (78 feet) monument
from Axum airport for reassembly at its original site in the ancient city,
which has for years watched arguments and logistical problems delay the
obelisk's return. 

Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi praised Italy's government for helping
to return the obelisk, the first section of which arrived on April 19, which
was plundered by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. 

"Had it not been for the goodwill and determination of Prime Minister Silvio
Berlusconi and his cabinet the return of the obelisk may have been delayed,"
Meles told a handover ceremony in Axum. 

The obelisk is expected to take several months to reassemble.