World History Looted as the U.S. Stands By

Re “Ancient Wonders Are History as Mob Plunders Iraq Museum,” April 13: I am ashamed as an American to witness the looting of the world’s heritage from the Iraqi museums while U.S. troops guard oil fields and the oil ministry buildings in Iraq. If ever there was a chance to prove that this war was not about oil, this was the place: the Iraqi National Museum.

Why a single tank could not be spared to guard the entrance of one of the highest sites on the coalition’s “do not bomb” list will forever be questioned by those who cherish the gifts that humanity has left for us in the cradle of civilization. If only the Iraqi National Museum, as well as all the other important museums in Iraq, had housed the oil ministries; this catastrophe would have been averted.

Russell Geck

Glendale

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I am an American in my heart, but an Assyrian in my soul. When I learned that the Assyrian treasures of the past, which had been preserved for so many thousands of years, were stolen I felt as though a piece of my identity had been robbed. I was angered by the Iraqi looters. This is not their history. This is the history of the Assyrian people. I was disappointed in the American government. It was its duty to protect these artifacts. If we do not protect our past, then our future is meaningless.

Your article quoted Jordanian leaders as saying the treasures belong to the heritage of “the Arab and Islamic worlds.” In fact, the Assyrian artifacts belong to the Assyrians, who are Christian.

Nira Geevargis

Van Nuys

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This is another indication of where the Bush administration’s priorities lie. Among the first actions of the invasion of Iraq was the securing of oil wells. But when it came to protecting the priceless human heritage at the museum in Baghdad from looters, our soldiers hardly lifted a finger in spite of the numerous pleas of the museum staff. With the extensive planning for the war in Iraq, perhaps it was too much to expect the “enlightened” Bush war party to pay much attention to such trivial matters as museums and the precious artifacts of civilization.

Zac Sidawi

Costa Mesa

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According to S.N. Kramer, history began at Sumer, Iraq. Thanks to an orgy of looting, it ended in Baghdad last week. They have destroyed not only their own heritage, but that of the world. I am glad I saw the Sumerian exhibit at the Bowers Museum last year. Let’s hope the Bowers has a photographic archive of some of the looted and destroyed artifacts. The United Nations should hold the U.S. responsible for not protecting Iraq’s museum in light of less- serious looting during the Gulf War.

Thurber D. Proffitt III

Orange

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Arab newspapers and cable news always seem to be pointing an accusatory finger at the U.S. troops for not controlling the horrific looting in Iraq.

Why am I the only one who wonders why the Iraqis are not blamed for their own looting?

Michael Bayer

Calabasas

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President Bush could have saved these treasures, belonging to the world, not just Iraq. Why didn’t he say the word?

Barbara Leverich

Marina del Rey