US Troops 'Vandalize' Ancient City of Ur

[sassa]

who was it that mentioned the US was doing what it could to help the iraqis keep their ancient artifacts intact?

Troops 'vandalise' ancient city of Ur

Ed Vulliamy

Sunday May 18, 2003

The Observer

One of the greatest wonders of civilisation, and probably the world's most ancient structure - the Sumerian city of Ur in southern Iraq - has been vandalised by American soldiers and airmen, according to aid workers in the area.

They claim that US forces have spray-painted the remains with graffiti and stolen kiln-baked bricks made millennia ago. As a result, the US military has put the archaeological treasure, which dates back 6,000 years, off-limits to its own troops. Any violations will be punishable in military courts.

Land immediately adjacent to Ur has been chosen by the Pentagon for a sprawling airfield and military base. Access is highly selective, screened and subject to military escorts, which - even if agreed - need to be arranged days or weeks in advance and carefully skirt the areas of reported damage.

There has been no official response to the allegations of vandalism - reported to The Observer by aid workers and one concerned US officer.

Ur is believed by many to be the birthplace of the prophet Abraham. It was the religious seat of the civilisation of Sumer at the dawn of the line of dynasties which ruled Mesopotamia starting about 4000 BC. Long before the rise of the Egyptian, Greek or Roman empires, it was here that the wheel was invented and the first mathematical system developed. Here, the first poetry was written, notably the epic Gilganesh, a classic of ancient literature.

The most prominent monument is the best preserved ziggurat - stepped pyramid - in the Arab world, initially built by the Sumerians around 4000 BC and restored by Nebuchadnezzar II in the sixth century BC.

The Pentagon has elected to build its massive and potentially permanent base right alongside the site, so that the view from the peak of the ziggurat - more or less unchanged for 6,000 years - will be radically altered.

Each hour, long convoys of trucks heave gravel and building materials through checkpoints and the barbed wire perimeter extends daily.

There are reports that walls have been damaged by spray-painted graffiti, mostly patriotic or other slogans, and regimental mottos. One graffiti reads: 'SEMPER FE' - Always Faithful - the motto of the Marines, who stormed through this region on their way to Baghdad, and form a contingent at the base.

Other reports by groups who cannot be named for fear of losing access to medical patients being treated on the base say there has been widespread stealing of clay bricks baked to build and restore the structures at Ur.

The Army Public Affairs office at Ur refused to speak to The Observer.

Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003

[sassa]

what a good job the US is doing over there enforcing their obligations towards maintaining order according to international law.....really.......impressive........

[igloo]

Originally posted by sassa

what a good job the US is doing over there enforcing their obligations towards maintaining order according to international law.....really.......impressive........

(1) It is amazing how you believe anything written that is anti-American.....a compelling sign of your limited mental capacity

(2) It is amazing how you are actively rooting for the United States to fuck up, and continue to reach for any stretch that would indicate so......this is a clear sign that you are a miserable twat and a repulsive human

[mr mahs]

Originally posted by igloo

(1) It is amazing how you believe anything written that is anti-American.....a compelling sign of your limited mental capacity

(2) It is amazing how you are actively rooting for the United States to fuck up, and continue to reach for any stretch that would indicate so......this is a clear sign that you are a miserable twat and a repulsive human

oooh god- your cruel bro...

[sassa]

Originally posted by igloo

(1) It is amazing how you believe anything written that is anti-American.....a compelling sign of your limited mental capacity

(2) It is amazing how you are actively rooting for the United States to fuck up, and continue to reach for any stretch that would indicate so......this is a clear sign that you are a miserable twat and a repulsive human

1) it is amazing how you can limit yourself to the extent you do. anyone who honestly wanted a better world would try to at least get a better understanding of how people think, live, and feel about certain topics. only basing your judgements and opinions based on american rhetoric,propoganda,media, and the "wise" words of bush will not get you far, hence i would have to say you really need to watch your mouth at this point.

2) it is amazing how you cannot see what destruction,chaos, and bad deeds the US has done to other countries. i have lived in both sides and i can see both of them quite clearly. i also have friends in certain places that can tell me things that you would not normally hear in the media, hence my strong opposition to this government and what they are doing. i have stated time and again that i am not against the country,but the government and the filthy pigs that have presedence over it. so please, instead of trying to come up with new insults and trying to make yourself appear holier-than-thou, pick up a book, learn about a culture from the inside out, and then say something. but, if you are not willing to expand your limited mind and open it to something other than the bullshit you obviously consume day in day out, shut the fuck up and stop resorting to stupid insults to get on people's nerves. maybe if you actually had a sense for history, culture, respect, and honor, you'd know what i am talking about.

asshole.

[igloo]

Originally posted by sassa

1) it is amazing how you can limit yourself to the extent you do. anyone who honestly wanted a better world would try to at least get a better understanding of how people think, live, and feel about certain topics. only basing your judgements and opinions based on american rhetoric,propoganda,media, and the "wise" words of bush will not get you far, hence i would have to say you really need to watch your mouth at this point.

2) it is amazing how you cannot see what destruction,chaos, and bad deeds the US has done to other countries. i have lived in both sides and i can see both of them quite clearly. i also have friends in certain places that can tell me things that you would not normally hear in the media, hence my strong opposition to this government and what they are doing. i have stated time and again that i am not against the country,but the government and the filthy pigs that have presedence over it. so please, instead of trying to come up with new insults and trying to make yourself appear holier-than-thou, pick up a book, learn about a culture from the inside out, and then say something. but, if you are not willing to expand your limited mind and open it to something other than the bullshit you obviously consume day in day out, shut the fuck up and stop resorting to stupid insults to get on people's nerves. maybe if you actually had a sense for history, culture, respect, and honor, you'd know what i am talking about.

asshole.

:laugh:

pathetic

[sassa]

Originally posted by igloo

:laugh:

pathetic

you just described yourself perfectly.

you make no attempt to listen to anyone but yourself and your little stooges like o'reilly and coutler...

that's pretty sad, if you ask me.

why don't you grow up.

[mrmatas2277]

i believe it...but my question is...is this a isolated incident? or is it a widespread thing?

[normalnoises]

Originally posted by mrmatas2277

i believe it...but my question is...is this a isolated incident? or is it a widespread thing?

That is something that is left to be determined. The notion of being widespread could still be a possibility but we will stay tuned.

Same bat time....

Same bat channel.

[normalnoises]

Originally posted by igloo

(1) It is amazing how you believe anything written that is anti-American.....a compelling sign of your limited mental capacity

(2) It is amazing how you are actively rooting for the United States to fuck up, and continue to reach for any stretch that would indicate so......this is a clear sign that you are a miserable twat and a repulsive human

http://193.194.138.190/html/menu3/b/93.htm

CHAPTER III.-CIVILIAN OBJECTS

Article 52.-General protection of civilian objects

1. Civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals. Civilian objects are all objects which are not military objectives as defined in paragraph 2.

2. Attacks shall be limited strictly to military objectives. In so far as objects are concerned, military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military of advantage.

3. In case of doubt whether an object which is normally dedicated to civilian purposes, such as a place of worship, a house or other dwelling or a school, is being used to make an effective contribution to military action, it shall be presumed not to be so used.

Article 53.-Protection of cultural objects and of places of worship

Without prejudice to the provisions of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict of 14 May 1954, and of other relevant international instruments, it is prohibited:

(a) To commit any acts of hostility directed against the historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples;

( To use such objects in support of the military effort;

© To make such objects the object of reprisals.

and igloo, i am also getting sick and tired of your insults tword her.

Do u not care what these soldiers did to a very important of our history, the beginning of human civilization by spraypainting these articles?

Obviously you dont.

You are a repulsive immature bigoted racist idiot! If i ever see you I have every intention to pound your face in because you deserve it!

Watch it and watch what you say to her!