Reply #33: U.S. commander says he's willing to apologize for damage to ancient Babylo

[Robbien]

LONDON – A senior U.S. military officer has said he is willing to apologize for damage his troops caused to one of Iraq's most famous ancient sites.

The British Broadcasting Corp. reported Friday that after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. Marines had built a helicopter pad on the ruins of Babylon and filled their sandbags with archaeological fragments from the ancient city. It said vibrations from U.S. helicopters caused the roof of one building to collapse.

Col. John Coleman, former chief of staff for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force in Iraq, told the BBC that if the head of the Iraqi antiquities board wanted an apology, and “if it makes him feel good, we can certainly give him one.”

He also added: “If it wasn't for our presence, what would the state of those archaeological ruins be?”

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/20060414-0841-britain-iraq-babylon.html

Where would it be? Well is sure as heck wouldn't be under a ton of concrete and vibrated into little bits and pieces.