Iraq makes list of world's endangered cultural sites

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N21614220.htm

NEW YORK, June 21 (Reuters) - The entire country of Iraq, often called the cradle of civilization, made the list of most endangered cultural sites on Tuesday, joining others from 55 countries that include a Modernist building in New York and a hut in Antarctica.

The list of 100 at-risk sites, issued by the privately financed World Monuments Fund every two years, is chosen from nominations made by a broad array of experts in archeology and the arts.

"It's the first time we've listed an entire country in danger," Bonnie Burnham, president of the fund told reporters.

Looting and the inability to mobilize restoration efforts in the war-torn region have taken its toll on relics that date back 10,000 years and could be wiped away, fund organizers said.

[JAbuchan08]

1. Oh we're just destroying a significant portion of human history

at least Saddam had a little bit of respect for his own culture. Oh, and apparently we've killed a comparable number of people given the extent of our respective presences.

Just for the record none of this is something I approve of