---

Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what assessment he has made of possible damage caused to sites of archaeological and historical significance by the British Army in Iraq; [213543] (2) what consultations he has had with (a) the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and (b) British archaeologists and scholars regarding the impact of the activities of the British Army in Iraq; [213542] (3) what plans he has to aid the (a) restoration and (b) preservation of sites of archaeological and historical significance in Iraq; [213541] (4) what provisions he has made to ensure the protection of sites of archaeological and historical interest in areas where the British Army are serving in Iraq; and if he will make a statement. [213540] Mr. Ingram: The United Kingdom takes very seriously the need to respect Iraq's cultural heritage. We are not aware of any assessments identifying damage done to sites of archaeological and historical significance by the British Army in Iraq. We have, however, taken a number of steps to minimise the risk. This includes being a signatory to the 1977 Additional Protocol (AP1) of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. Under the terms of AP1, civilian objects are to be protected from attack unless that object is being used for military purposes, in which case it may lose its special protected status. An aide memoire is also issued to all UK service personnel deploying under Operation Telic, which reminds service personnel of their obligation under AP1. The leaflet contains a pictorial example of the protective emblem that can be used under the Hague Cultural Property Convention 1954, to which Iraq is a full signatory, to denote buildings used for religion, art, science, charity, historical monuments, or other important cultural sites. During the combat phase of Operation Telic, legal advisors briefed commanders deploying to theatre about the importance of protecting cultural property. Further guidance was, and continues to be available in the rules of engagement and the targeting directive. In addition to operating under AP1, we are signatories to UNSCR 1546, which stresses that all parties need to respect and protect Iraq's archaeological, historical, cultural, and religious heritage. HMG also recently announced its intention to take forward the ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The Secretary of State for Defence has not had any direct consultations with the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities or British archaeologists and scholars regarding the impact of activities of the British Army in Iraq. We do, however, work in partnership with other Departments who take the lead on this issue. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Culture, Media and Sport, have regular discussions with the Iraqi Ministry of Culture on these issues. The UK has provided support to the British Museum to enable them to help the Iraqi Ministry assess the damage caused to archaeological sites in Iraq and to ensure their future protection.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

430 c1249-50W; 213543;213542;213541;213540

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Cultural heritage Damage Archaeological sites Iraq Peacekeeping operations

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk