8th August 2006, 10:10 AM
I take the point made by 'Troll' entirely and did not draft the letter without some concern as to its appropriateness. In the end, my understanding of the role played by heritage in its widest sense in conflict generally and in the Middle East in particular persuaded me that it was a useful step to take and the RESCUE Committee (on whose behalf I drafted the letter) agreed with me. One can debate these issues endlessly I think but as David expressed clearly on both this forum and Britarch, Rescue is an organisation concerned with archaeology and as such has to express an opinion when archaeological assets are under threat. This does not, of course, mean that members of Rescue are in any way ignorant or uncaring of other, more immediately pressing, humanitarian concerns and I know that many are active in such other ways as are available to do what little they can to alleviate the appalling state of affairs in Lebanon.
Chris Cumberpatch
Chris Cumberpatch
Chris Cumberpatch
Chris Cumberpatch