(2004/C 84 E/0555)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1886/03

by Emmanouil Bakopoulos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(27 May 2003)

Subject:   Iraqi cultural heritage

According to press reports, the Baghdad National Museum and the Mosul Museum have been primary targets for looting. To date, over 170 000 ancient exhibits have been stolen.

What steps will the Commission take to safeguard Iraq's cultural heritage and to locate the stolen exhibits?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(20 June 2003)

The Commission is deeply concerned by the looting and the destruction of a large number of archaeological treasures in the National Archaeological Museum of Baghdad. The Commission supports the views expressed by Unesco in the call issued on 17 April 2003, which deplored the extensive damages to the cultural heritage of Iraq, and recommended measures to stop the traffic of cultural objects exported illicitly.

The Commission is confident that all measures will be taken by the coalition forces, as present the responsible authority in Iraq, so that further destruction is avoided. In this respect, the Commission is preparing a draft regulation to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1483, which repeals the sanctions imposed on Iraq trade. The Commission is considering the possibility of introducing a ban on the import of cultural objects from Iraq, according to the relevant article of Resolution 1483.