Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, June 2003, page 15

Letter of Resignation

 

Martin Sullivan's Letter of Resignation as Chairman of the President's Advisory Committee on Cultural Property

 

 

April 14, 2002

Mr. President:

I hereby resign the position of chairman of the President's Advisory Committee on Cultural Property, a responsibility I have been privileged to hold since 1995.

I realize, Mr. President, that you have announced your intention to appoint a successor to this position, and that from a practical perspective my resignation is simply symbolic.

However, the reports in recent days about the looting of Iraq's National Museum of Antiquities and the destruction of countless artifacts that document the cradle of Western civilization have troubled me deeply, a feeling that is shared by many other Americans.

I am troubled for four reasons:

¥the destruction of this museum is a tragedy

¥the tragedy was foreseeable and preventable

¥the tragedy was not prevented, due to our nation's inaction

¥and lastly, while the loss of an irreplaceable museum collection is a tragedy, it pales in comparison to the human suffering and economic devastation that is a direct consequence of preemptive war launched by the United States

I am a Vietnam-era veteran and can accept the argument that this is a just war. I am deeply moved by the bravery and sacrifice of our troops in the cause of freedom. Nonetheless, you and your administration chose a preemptive course of action—initiating hostilities at a time and on terms of your choosing—a choice that, in my view, is burdened by a compelling moral obligation to plan for, and to try to prevent, indiscriminate looting and destruction.

Before this war began, the State Department received substantial information from American scholars about the locations of important archeological sites and museum collections in Iraq. While our military forces have displayed extraordinary precision and restraint in deploying arms—and apparently in securing the Oil Ministry and oil fields—they have been nothing short of impotent in failing to attend to the protection of cultural heritage, medical, and humanitarian efforts.

Secretary Rumsfeld characterized the current chaos in Iraq as "untidiness." As an American, and as a museum director, I cannot imagine a sadder or more ironic understatement. The deputy director of the National Museum of Antiquities in Baghdad is quoted as having said "our heritage is finished." That is not a narrowly nationalistic statement. The heritage of Iraq is the heritage of all Western cultures, created centuries ago by my ancestors, and yours, and Secretary Rumsfeld's. Its loss is our loss.

During President Reagan's administration, our nation initiated laudable efforts to support worldwide action to deter looting and pillage of archeological sites and collections. These efforts now span two decades and four presidential administrations, overseen by the Department of State and aided by advice from the citizens who serve on the Cultural Property Advisory Committee. I deeply regret that the good work done under these auspices is now deeply shadowed by the wanton and preventable destruction in Iraq.

Respectfully,

Martin E. Sullivan

Copies to: The Honorable Colin Powell, Secretary of State The Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense

< Prev		Next >