Iranians demand loan of treasure
BBC
12-Oct-2009 (10 comments)

Iran has said it will cease cultural co-operation with the British Museum if a treasure is not loaned to the nation.

The Cyrus Cylinder is being held by the museum because of Iran's "post-election situation", an Iranian official told the country's Fars news agency.

Hamid Baqaie said the museum's pledge to send the Babylonian artefact at another date was "just an excuse".

The British Museum said its trustees "reaffirmed their intention to lend the Cylinder to Iran".

>>>
recommended by Shifteh Ansari

Balatarin
Share/Save/Bookmark

 
che khabar e

abarmard

by che khabar e on Tue Oct 13, 2009 09:39 AM PDT

save pasargad.com- English Sections

Its not the museums I'm worried about.  I don't doubt that the museums themselves are capable.  It's the regime I'm concerned about.  The IRI clearly has no concern for pre-Islamic artifacts.  Do you doubt that? 

I wonder... who will you blame when (or "if") the cylinder is given back and is destroyed?  And another question... would you want to take that kind of risk?

No would could possibly question your motive.  All Iranians, and indeed, the rest of the world, will rejoice when Iran belongs to her people again.


  •  
Abarmard

che khabar e

by Abarmard on Mon Oct 12, 2009 07:33 PM PDT

I am not well aware about the Iranian museum policy and their actions. I could agree with you if I believed that Iran has a plan t destroy or is incapable of handling the cylinder. However, this is not the first time that Iran displays valuable arts and ancient documents from around the globe.  


  •  
che khabar e

abarmard

by che khabar e on Mon Oct 12, 2009 03:48 PM PDT

Believe me, I do.  But you did not address my comments.  Why do you think any artifacts are going to be safe in the IRI's hands?  Either you think they will be or you don't.  IRI has basically proved they won't honor them.  Yet you still want the Brits to hand them over. I just don't understand.  You deny what seems to be obvious to me yet don't address the issue at hand.  And it's my opinion Abarmard... one that I'm entitled to.  You can certainly disagree as is your right.


  •  
Abarmard

che khabar e

by Abarmard on Mon Oct 12, 2009 03:36 PM PDT

I am not anti West, I see the policies and agree or disagree with them. You should do the same.


  •  
che khabar e

Abarmard

by che khabar e on Mon Oct 12, 2009 01:59 PM PDT

I understand your frustration but you're taking an attitude that is counterproductive.  Just because you're anti-West doesn't mean that the West is ALL BAD.  Britian will take infinitely better care of the cylinder than would Iran at this point.  NO ONE would question that it belongs to Iran and Iranians.  But virtually everyone would question that it belongs to the IRI.  It will (hopefully) be returned to its home when Iranians are in control of their country, their lives, and their future.

Regardless of your feelings for them, the Brits ARE taking care of them.  More so than the IRI EVER would.  Be happy they are safe.

Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water....


  •  
benross

At the beginning of the

by benross on Mon Oct 12, 2009 01:40 PM PDT

At the beginning of the revolution, a bunch of Islamic revolutionary went to Persepolis to bulldoze it. God bless whoever stopped them.


  •  
Shifteh Ansari

Abarmard, I trust the British Museum more than IRI

by Shifteh Ansari on Mon Oct 12, 2009 01:30 PM PDT

The Cyrus Cylinder and many other ancient artifacts belong to Iran and to  humanity.  Except in the unfortunate case of private and confidential collections, wherever they are kept these items' origins are known and their custodians are accountable to more than just one government for their safekeeping.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has had an atrocious record in safeguarding Iran's cultural heritage.  Most of the newly discovered archaeological sites have been looted and their discovered treasures have been smuggled out of Iran, to government's own admission.

Important historic sites and monuments, such as Passargad and Masjed-e Kabood in Tabriz and Naghsh-e-Jahan Square and most recently Khajoo Bridge in Isfahan have been threatened by poor urban and environmental decisions of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In Iranian cities, careless construction and development plans have allowed the cities' original character and architecture to be demolished and character-less new high rises built in their place.

Why do you say that you trust the IRI more than the British Museum for safekeeping the Cyrus Cylinder?  You must be aware that recently it was decided to eliminate kings from Iranian elementary textbooks and there has been constant attack on Iran's history through geniuses like Dr. Hassan Abbasi and Pour Pirar who deny so much of the Iranian history.

I think something as valuable as this testament to Iranian civilization should be kept somewhere safe and I don't think IRI is the safest place and the most trusted custodians right now.


  •  
Abarmard

Jahanshah Javid

by Abarmard on Mon Oct 12, 2009 12:08 PM PDT

Who do you think will protect them? How did they get out at the first place.

I disagree with you on this issue. I trust the Islamic Republic more than the British, and their Museum thieves (Crew).


  •  
Jahanshah Javid

No way

by Jahanshah Javid on Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:16 AM PDT

I would not trust the Islamic Republic for a second. I believe ultimately the cylinder belongs to Iranians and should be returned permanently one day along with all other treasures taken from Iran. But I have no confidence that the Islamic Republic would properly protect them.


  •  
Bavafa

This is not being giving back to IRI

by Bavafa on Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:16 AM PDT

It is giving back to Iran where it belongs and it should be brought back where it belongs.

We ought to seperate IRI from Iran and what belongs to Iran.

Mehrdad


  •