Unesco should save art in Afghanistan

WITH reference to Unesco’s suggestion that the British Museum should return the Elgin Marbles, what a cheek.

Clearly Unesco have lost their marbles. No, it is not acceptable for the UK to comply with Unesco’s wishes. Pursuing the Elgin Marbles is inappropriate, they should be worried about Afghanistan and the Taliban. What did Unesco do to save the Buddhas of Bamiyan? Nothing. Talk to the Taliban about legalities and the destruction of the Buddhas.

Oh I see, too much like hard work – it’s much easier to insult the UK, we are a soft touch.

There are 53 World Heritage Sites on the Unesco danger list (17 natural, 36 cultural), including the historic centre of Vienna and the Old City (and walls) of Jerusalem, plus every World Heritage Site in Syria, Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Let’s have a transparent discussion.

Is Unesco going to demand Paris returns the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo to Italy, Nefertiti from Berlin to Egypt and all the treasures from the Pharaohs in various global museums, such as the Temple of Dendur from the Metropolitan Museum New York and the Temple of Debod from Madrid? What about the wonderful collections of British paintings and furniture which are in the United States? Anything? If not, why not?

It is unacceptable for the UK to return the marbles or anything else. Why isn’t Unesco demanding Turkey pay for the repair of the Parthenon? They bombed it and destroyed it. Why is the UK being singled out?

Unesco should concentrate on what it is there for – its mission is to contribute to the building of a culture of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, communication and information. It should try saving the treasures in Afghanistan and the other 53 endangered sites and not waste time interfering with artefacts which are well cared for and available for view to global visitors free of charge.

Robert Hawkins

Llandaff, Cardiff