Will Babylon City enter world patrimony?

5-23-09
http://www.alsumaria.tv/en/Iraq-News/1-32137-Will-Babylon-City-enter-world-patrimony%3F.html

After years of neglect, will the archeological city of Babylon enter world patrimony list or will the political situation come in the way? While reports have noted that the government is planning to reopen the historical city early June, the issue came under debate as the patrimony and vestiges committee rejected the proposal due to the need of providing more security in the city. Some reservations were marked as well on carves of former President Saddam Hussein’s name on walls and the use of modern stones in rehabilitation knowing that that this step comes in result of a debate between Tourism and Culture ministries on the reopening of Iraq museum.

Media advisor for tourism and archeology Abdul Zahra Al Talqani said the issue of reopening the city of Babylon for visitors will remain pending until proceeding with the issue of entering the city into world patrimony.

He added to Al Sharq Al Awsat that Iraqi archeological experts and specialists from the UNESCO and the British Museum are studying currently the possibility of entering the city into world patrimony while maintenance and rehabilitation will not start until the issue is decided.

Al Talqani revealed that disputes have been raised over maintenance works in the city by the former regime which were objected by the UNESCO including the use of modern stones in an archeological site and carves on walls of former President Saddam Hussein’s initials.