I was opposed to the war too (I wrote to my MP, went on peace demos, signed
petitions) but now that it is more or less over in military times I feel we
have to deal with the situation as it is now and provide whatever assistance
we can. Iraq was Mesopotamia, the centre of civilisation in the ancient
world. I imagine that whatever collections it has will be of immense value.
Neil McGregor, Director of the British Museum was speaking this morning on
the BBC Radio Four Today programme about the looting of the museums in Iraq
- apparently the worst destruction of any museums since the second world
war. Although museums and library/archives will not be top priority because
basic provision of water etc will come first I still think we should support
these efforts.

Whatever we felt about the war or the regime no longer really matters
compared to lending practical support now.

Jackie Fishleigh
Librarian
Payne Hicks Beach

-----Original Message-----
From: Tim Buckley Owen [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: 28 April 2003 17:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: CILIP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTORE
IRAQI LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES


> MEDIA RELEASE
> Monday 28 April 2003
> For immediate release  (Please copy to online discussion lists)
>
> CILIP PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO RESTORE LIBRARY AND
INFORMATION SERVICES IN IRAQ
>
> Leading CILIP members condemn flouting of Hague Convention and demand to
know why warnings were ignored
>
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
has pledged its support for international efforts to restore library and
information services devastated by the war in Iraq.  > "> This is a crisis
that requires an international response,> ">  says CILIP> '> s Chief
Executive Bob McKee.  > "> It is every bit as devastating for libraries and
information services as it is for museums, which have already received wide
publicity.  We are in touch with our colleagues in international bodies such
as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions
(IFLA) and centres of expertise such as the British Library, and will be
working with them to contribute what we can.> ">
>
> Britain> '> s failure to ratify the Hague Convention on the Protection of
Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict comes in for particular
criticism by leading CILIP members.  > "> The devastation of Iraq> '> s
major archive, library and museums has placed the coalition in flagrant and
serious beach of the Convention,> ">  says Bernard Naylor, Chair of CILIP>
'> s Ethics Panel and a former President of the Library Association.
>
> Warnings of the risk of destruction of library and information services in
Iraq were given to the British government as long ago as February, adds
Robin Price, Chair of CILIP> '> s Preservation and Conservation Panel.  > ">
Both the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Defence were clearly
warned of the possibility of some destruction, and similar warnings were
given in the USA,> ">  Mr Price says.  > "> No action was taken.> ">
> In a letter dated February 5, the Head of the National Preservation Office
Dr Vanessa Marshall urged Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon: > "> to ensure that
all cultural heritage sites within Iraq> ...>  are protected in the event of
armed conflict.  This includes the built heritage, as well as libraries,
archives and museums.> ">   Dr Marshall, who is also Chair of the United
Kingdom and Ireland Blue Shield organisation - the cultural equivalent of
the Red Cross - was also among those urging the UK government to ratify the
Hague Convention.
>
> CILIP will be writing to the Overseas Development Minister Claire Short
making clear that the reconstruction effort in Iraq must give priority to
the restoration of library and information services.  As a member of IFLA,
CILIP also supports the IFLA Council> '> s call to UNESCO to pay particular
attention to libraries and archives, as > "> essential parts of the rich
heritage of Iraq> "> .
>
> Information on Iraqi library holdings prior to the conflict is likely to
be the first priority, together with details of what has been damaged,
looted or destroyed.  Expert advice is also likely to be needed in
preservation and conservation, and in rebuilding library and information
infrastructure.
>
> "> It> '> s not just Iraqi cultural heritage that> '> s at stake here,> ">
explains Bob McKee.  "As IFLA makes clear, strong attention must also be
given to governmental records, which are vital for the functioning of public
administration and for protecting the rights of Iraqi citizens.  No nation
can function effectively in the twenty-first century without a strong
information society and knowledge economy,> ">  Dr McKee concludes.  > ">
The international community is under a clear obligation to help Iraq achieve
that goal as rapidly as possible.> ">
>
> Contact:      Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations.
>               Tel: 020 7255 0652.     Email: [log in to unmask]
>
> Notes to Editors
>
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals is
the>  leading professional body for librarians, information specialists and
knowledge managers, with ove> r 23,500 members working in all sectors,
including business and industry, science and technology, further and higher
education, schools, local and central government, the health service, the
voluntary sector, national and public libraries.
>
> CILIP> '> s goals are to: position the profession at the heart of the
information revolution; develop and enhance the role and skills of all its
Members; present and champion those skills, together with new ones which
will be acquired through continuing professional development; and ensure
that individuals, enterprises and not for profit organisations have ready
and timely access to the information they need.
>
> - Ends -
>
> Tim Buckley Owen, Head of External Relations
> CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals
> 7 Ridgmount St, London WC1E 7AE.
> Direct line: +44 (0)20 7255 0652
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>