Inside Iraq - Reopening Iraq's museum - 13 Mar 09 - Part 1

The looting of Iraqs National Museum in 2003 traumatized the nation. Many Iraqis watched as broken priceless artifacts were thrown on the floor of the museum, symbolizing the smothering of their country. Today, the museum reopens 6 years after it became a symbol of chaos and anarchy in 2003 after Saddam Hussein was removed from power.

More than 15,000 artifacts and works from its collections have been stolen since then. Experts believe many were smuggled out of the country and sold abroad. Critics accuse the US army of gross negligence because its troops did nothing to stop the pillage, which went on for days, a reputation made worse when a US tank blasted a hole in the wall of the museum.

For 6 years, Iraqi archeologists have worked to recover around half of the stolen items and use them to refurbish museum. While the museum is open for visitors, many claim that the premature opening of the museum was intended for political purposes and as a publicity stunt to boost prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki's image and to show the Iraqi public and international community that life is slowly returning to normal in Iraq. Whose responsibility is it to ensure the safe return of Iraq's stolen treasures? Are the artifacts currently on display safe or was the museum opened too hastily?

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Iraq Museum
• Al-Maliki
• Aljazeera
• Donny George
• Zainab Al Bahrani

[shelnutt]

@myASSYRIANpride We are all on this planet together, we should start to figure out a way to peacefully maintain it or peacefully leave it. Power and Greed are almost done here, soon those who hide in the shadows will face the light and will either bath in it or be overwhelmed by it. I choose to respect and care for my fellow humans, even though it is hard when I see what horrible things we do to each other. Be Well my friend.

[BullsFan23331]

rest in peace dr donny george i am going to your funeral tomorrow and all i want to see is fuck muslims. just fuck them

[moonfruit100]

GOD BLESS YOU ....R.I.P

[Ishtarxx]

RIP Dr. Donny George

[bombcaryah]

the secret government gave the artefacts back they had no use for<<<<how considerate!!

[sargonashoraia]

thank you soo much

for great video

[edthewise]

How foolish? Are the Americans babysitters? If they aren't civilized enough to care about their own heritage fuck em.

[Moebab]

Iraq has a rich History. How foolish for the Americans to allow this to Happen.

[shelnutt]

I am a Human being first. I know why my Country destroyed your/human's history. Can I ask you if there was any Sumerian artifacts destroyed? I ask because your home is the birth place of our species, and the US government sent it's military to destroy evidence that is not taught to our children. I am sorry for what has happened. My apology will not replace your loss, but please know that many in my country know what was done to your country was and is still wrong.

[pierresdrums]

This is the home to Assyrian artifacts and the world needs to know this.

Iraq's Museum is responsible to preserve the History of the indigenous people and its artifacts because this is Iraq's National treasure and Assyrian History.