STATEMENT ON AFGHANISTAN

9 March 2001
Paris

Asia Pacific Group of countries represented at UNESCO expresses its strong condemnation of the edict issued by Taliban leaders of Afghanistan to destroy all statues in that country including the Bamiyan Buddhas. It is tragic that this act of cultural vandalism is being pursued despite a global outcry against it.

The two millennia of Afghanistan’s historic and cultural heritage of exceptional universal value represents a unique confluence of Persian, Hellenic, Buddhist, Islamic and Hindu civilisations.  The deliberate destruction of this heritage is an inadmissible attack on centuries of Afghan tradition which is central to Afghanistan’s identity and is an irreplaceable civilisational inheritance of all mankind.

It is a matter of deep regret that today, in this new millennium, when all civilisations are coming together through dialogue and
shared values and in a year dedicated to ‘Dialogue Among Civilisations’, wanton destruction of Buddha’s statues is being called for in the name of religion. This is not in line with the opinion of Islamic countries in UNESCO which unanimously condemn this assault on humanity’s common heritage.

The Asia Pacific Group of countries, together with the international community, calls upon the Taliban leaders to immediately stop the destruction and vandalism of all cultural and historic monuments and relics of Afghanistan, including in particular the ancient statues of Buddha in Bamiyan.

The Asia Pacific Group of countries urges that the collective voice of humanity be raised against this outrage and pledging to do all they can to support any efforts to put a stop to this destruction, the Asia Pacific Group of countries:

Ø     Strongly endorses action taken by Director General, UNESCO Mr Koichiro Matsuura to protect cultural and historical heritage of Afghanistan.

Ø     Supports Director General Koichiro Matsuura’s efforts to mobilise international community and continue consultations with the UN Secretary General.

Ø     Supports creation of a Special Assistance Fund by UNESCO for the preservation of Afghanistan’s heritage.

Ø     Urges the Director General of UNESCO to seriously consider the constructive proposals and efforts that have been made by several countries of the region for safety and preservation of the cultural artefacts of Afghanistan including their temporary relocation.

Ø     Also urges the Director General to continue his efforts with those countries that have influence with the Taliban.