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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Washington File

29 April 2003

U.S. Contributes $2 Million to Protect and Restore Iraqi Antiquities

(Americans "value and respect Iraq's cultural heritage," says Boucher) (370)
The United States is contributing $2 million to help protect and
restore Iraqi museums and archaeological sites, announced State
Department Spokesman Richard Boucher.
In a statement released April 29, Boucher said the funds would also
support the development of a "red list" identifying looted Iraqi
antiquities, and would help to re-establish a U.S. overseas research
center in Baghdad.
"The American people value and respect Iraq's cultural heritage," said
Boucher. "The funds will support specific cultural preservation needs
to be identified in consultation with Iraqi cultural officials."
Following is a statement by State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher
announcing the $2 million contribution:
(begin text)
US Department of State 
Office of the Spokesman 
For Immediate Release 
April 29, 2003 
2003/448
Statement by Richard Boucher, Spokesman
U.S. Contributes $2 Million to Protect and Restore Iraqi Antiquities
The United States is pleased to announce a contribution of $2 million
to help protect and restore key museums and archeological sites in
Iraq. The American people value and respect Iraq's cultural heritage.
The funds will support specific cultural preservation needs to be
identified in consultation with Iraqi cultural officials. The
archeological and cultural heritage of Iraq documents over 10,000
years of the development of civilization.
Included in this contribution are funds to re-establish a U.S.
overseas research center in Baghdad, support for development of the
"Red List of Iraqi Antiquities at Risk" by the International Council
of Museums, and a searchable on-line database of images from the
Baghdad Museum. The "Red List" will consist of categories of objects
looted from Iraq and will serve as an aid in the interdiction and
recovery of these objects worldwide.
At the request of Assistant Secretary Patricia Harrison, Maria P.
Kouroupas, Executive Director of the Cultural Property Advisory
Committee and Director of the Cultural Property Office of the Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is attending the second meeting
of international experts to save Iraq's museums and cultural property
today in London. The meeting is taking place at the initiative of the
British Museum and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)



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