[CPProt.net] Iraqi archaeologists criticize proposed charter

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

Iraqi archaeologists criticize proposed charter
By Ilham Mohammed

Azzaman, October 14, 2005

Iraqi archaeologists have protested against the proposed constitution only a
few hours before it is put to vote.
The archaeologists say the constitution ignores the country's ancient
history as it leaves the handling of antiquities in the hands of regional
administrations rather than the central government.
They say they fear the country's ancient heritage, one of the most priceless
in the world, will be a victim of political squabbling.
Dr. Donny George, head of the Antiquities Department, led the demonstrators
who had gathered in the gardens of the Iraq Museum.
George said the drafters had even removed a paragraph stressing the
significance of Mesopotamian civilization in the section related to
education and health.
He said articles in the proposed constitution which make the exploitation of
"national wealth" a privilege of regional administrations will deal a heavy
blow to the country's ancient heritage.
"Our national wealth of archaeological riches will be divided among these
regions and subject to the whims of their governors and administrations," he
said.
The constitution calls for the establishment of a federal Iraq in which
various regions will exercise massive powers in the running of their own
affairs.
The archaeologists have sent a statement to the National Assembly, lashing
out at the proposed constitution for failing "to mention in any of its
articles that the utilization of Iraq's ancient civilizations,
archaeological sites, heritage and archaeological riches is a prerogative of
the central government."

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