Cablegate: Looted Iraqi Statue?

VZCZCXYZ0035
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #1270 1771554
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 261554Z JUN 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9433
INFO RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0540

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001270

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/UNP AND ECA/P/C

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP IZ UN
SUBJECT: LOOTED IRAQI STATUE?

1. USUN has received a June 21 diplomatic note (text in para
2 below) from the Iraqi Mission to the UN requesting USG
assistance in returning a statue reportedly looted from the
Iraqi Museum. As the note refers to information provided by
AmEmbassy Baghdad, perhaps action is already underway. USUN
requests guidance on how to reply to the Iraqi Mission.

2. Begin text of note: (Complimentary salutation) and has
the honor to inform that the Embassy of the United States in
Baghdad has informed Iraqi authorities that the United States
customs authority of New York State (sic) found a statue of
the Sumerian king, named An Ti Mi Na, which has been looted
after the collapse of the previous Iraqi regime from the
Sumerian Hall of the Iraqi Museum.

The Permanent Mission of Iraq has further the honor to
request for assistance from the United States authorities to
ensure the return of this statue to the Iraqi Museum.
(complimentary close) End text.
BOLTON

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