i found this a bit late in the day, but nice to know the taliban keeps
their word:


ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) and ICOM (International
Council of Museums) learned with great shock of the new decree issued by the
Taliban leadership of Mullah Mohammad Omar ordering the systematic destruction
of all statues in the country. This decision breaks the commitment made by the
Taliban leadership in 1999 to protect all cultural heritage in Afghanistan and
in particular the giant Buddha figures at Bamiyan.


Adding to the dishonour of breaking a commitment to preserve the ancient and
diverse heritage of Afghanistan as part of that of the whole of mankind, such an
act of destruction would be a total cultural catastrophe. It would remain
written in the pages of history next to the most infamous acts of barbarity.


For many years, ICOM has alerted the world on illicit trade in cultural objects
from Afghanistan. ICOMOS, in its 2000 World Report on monuments and sites in
danger (see http:// www.international.icomos.org/risk/afgha_2000.htm ), pointed
out in detail the dangers to cultural heritage in Afghanistan, in particular the
pre-islamic figures of the Buddha in Bamiyan. This decree of Mollah Mohammad
Omar confirms the imminence of this danger.


As world-wide non-governmental organisations, ICOMOS and ICOM call on all
people, governments, International Organisations and associations to take
immediate action to prevent this cultural catastrophe from happening. A dialogue
should be established with the Taliban leaders to ensure adequate protection of
all Afghan heritage, whether pre-islamic or islamic. This is a matter of the
highest importance and the greatest emergency.


geoff carver
http://home.t-online.de/home/gcarver/
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