[MSN] Iraq Museum plunder commemorated

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Iraq Museum plunder commemorated
By Haydar Baderqghan

Azzaman, April 12, 2007


The Ministry of Archaeology and Terrorism has described the looting of Iraq
Museum four years ago and shortly after U.S. troops landed in Baghdad as "a
tragedy."
In a statement issued to mark the fourth anniversary of the Museum's looting
as U.S. invasion troops looked on, the ministry said that 7,000 pieces were
still missing.
Looters and plunderers entered the museum, broke its glass cases and
contents and took thousands of magnificent Mesopotamian relics away.
The looting started on April 11, 2003, only two days after the U.S.
occupation of Baghdad, and continued for three days in which most of the
items on display, numbering at least 15,000 pieces were either destroyed or
stolen.
"The Museum passed through really difficult times at the hands of thieves,
gangs and smugglers . The looting of the museum will remain a testimony for
the barbarism of wars and their destructive outcome," said the statement.
Of the 15,000 missing items, 4,000 have been retrieved by the museum and
4,000 more were confiscated by customs officials in neighboring countries.
The statement said the ministry was trying to have the items still held by
other countries returned to the museum.

http://www.azzaman.com/