Pakistani Foreign Ministry: "Pakistan attaches great importance to and
supports the preservation of the world's historical, cultural and religious
heritage. We appeal to the Afghan government to take measures to fully
protect Afghanistan's rich historical, cultural, and religious heritage."
Pakistani Foreign Secretary Inamul Haque: "We hope the Afghanistan
government would give serious consideration to this international appeal,
including that by UNESCO and others, and that they will not demolish the
cultural heritage of Afghanistan."
Pakistani archaeologist Ahmed Hasan Dani: "These are not there to be
worshiped. They are works of art. They belong to all humanity."
India's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan: "The government of
India will raise this issue at every international forum including the
United Nations. We will make all attempts to stop the demolition of Lord
Buddha's statue. This is not a statue, but a legacy of humanity. Nobody
should demolish it."
India's Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh: "If the Taliban do not wish to
retain their inheritance, India would be happy to arrange for the transfer
of all these artifacts to India, where they would be kept safely and
preserved for all mankind. It is tragic that this act of vandalism, the
most extreme among the many other acts of destruction of statues, artifacts
and archaeological treasures of Afghanistan, is being pursued despite a
global outcry against it.''
Former Director of the Archaeological Survey of India R. Sengupta:
"...particularly sad for India. They were some of the finest specimens of
Buddhist civilization and culture."
India's Former Ambassador to Afghanistan: "It's extremely tragic. The
destruction of any global property is an issue of utmost concern. They have
not only destroyed world-famous heritage but shattered the sentiments of
millions of Buddhist followers."
Iran's Cultural Heritage Organization: "Strangely, certain Taliban-led
individuals, calling themselves 'cleric,' have ordered destruction of
ancient sites...citing blasphemy and idolizing as reasons." "We condemn the
destruction of statues of Buddha which are treasures of mankind just like
the Taj Mahal or Imam Square in Isfahan. It is very strange that centuries
after the Afghan people became Muslims, and received the strength of
Islam...certain people who claim to be religious accuse some of anathema
and idolatry."
Iran News: "Through their irrational acts, the Taliban are proving once
again that they are not only against the history and culture of their own
people, but they are also working hard to deny the Afghan people their
future."
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