Expert fears some stolen Iraqi art funding terror

[True_Blue]

An estimated half-million ancient art objects have been looted from Iraqi archaeological sites since 2003, and one expert worries that some thefts may be part of smuggling operations designed to fund terror groups.

"Thieves have said they've been told it's OK to loot if that helps to buy guns to shoot Americans," said John Russell, an archaeologist and former adviser to Iraq's Ministry of Culture.

"It's hard to know if they're telling the truth. But if a plausible link to terror is found, then security at these sites becomes an American and coalition imperative," he said, adding that the worldwide trade in stolen Iraqi art runs to the tens of millions of dollars.

more....
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2005/02/12/m6b_iraqart_0212.html

[Maple]

1. It's a little late to worry about it

especially with ammo and weapons sites unprotected all over Iraq, all this time.

[98geoduck]

2. It's just part of freedom.

[Hissyspit]

3. Security at those sites was ALWAYS an American and coalition imperitive...

...along with security of Iraqi population.

Idiots.

[two gun sid]

4. Well, since only rich motherfuckers....

can afford or want stolen art I guess we know who the enemy is now. I'm sure the Bush Administration will be making some commercials tying stolen art to terrorism. You know, like the one that tied smoking a joint to terrorism.

[pinniped]

5. I didn't know Bin Laden and al-Zarqawi were art connoisseurs.

?

[xxqqqzme]

6. too bad no one was resonsible 4

protecting those sits!!!!!! I'm certain rummy or sleazy would have done it IF only someone had written a memo detailing ALL the artifacts and their locations. All those warnings from the Hovings of the world just weren't detailed.

[applegrove]

7. Rummy forgot about looting when he 'pared down' his assumptions for war

[Tuttle]

8. Rummy said it was only the same clay pot

stolen a dozen times: he dismissed the artifacts and archeological treasures as being next too garbage.

Am I the only one who remembers this bizarre statement?

Tut-tut

[applegrove]

9. He said that? What an ***