[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 37 (Tuesday, March 20, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          CONDEMNATION OF THE TALIBAN'S WAR ON GLOBAL CULTURE

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to condemn an act of 
mindless destruction by a regime known for its intolerance. I am 
referring to the reported destruction of the two ancient statues of 
Buddha carried out by the Taliban government in Afghanistan and the 
Taliban's call for complete elimination of all artifacts in the region.
  The Bamiyan Buddha statues were priceless artifacts. They stood for 
centuries as guardians of the silk route that connected the ancient 
Greek and Roman Empires to Asia. Once one of the most cosmopolitan 
regions in the world, Afghanistan is now one of the most intolerant and 
repressive nations due to the actions of the ruling Taliban faction. 
The destruction of these 1,500- year-old statues was ordered and 
carried out for fear that they would be used for idol worship. 
Destroying those creations because of an irrational fear motivated by 
intolerance of other cultures and religions should be condemned by 
thoughtful people everywhere.
  The country of Afghanistan and the global community has lost two of 
its greatest treasures, and the world is poorer for it. We cannot 
tolerate the willful destruction of international treasures that are a 
part of the world's heritage.
  People of all faiths and nationalities, including Muslim communities 
around the world, have condemned this action. It is imperative that the 
United States Senate join the people and governments around the world 
in condemning these senseless acts of destruction, and call on the 
Taliban regime to immediately cease the destruction of other Pre-
Islamic relics.

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