March 1, 2001

International conference on "Cultural Heritage of Central Asia and Afghanistan"  March 2, 2001

US State Dept: Afghanistan Country Report on Human Rights Practices

Culture to be erased under Taliban order to destroy all statues

Afghan Taliban begin destruction of ancient Buddha statues
KABUL, March 1 (AFP) - Ignoring an international outcry, Afghanistan's puritanical Taliban Islamic militia began demolishing statues across the country on Thursday

Afghans Outraged by Taliban Decision to Destroy Statues and Artifacts, Accuse Pakistan of Complicity
United Front Opposition and Former Afghan King Protest the Taliban "Edict"
By Omar Samad
WASHINGTON, Mar. 1, 2001 - AAR - Afghans opposing the Taliban and expatriate leaders voiced outrage and shock at the radical Taliban militia's decision to destroy the pre-Islamic cultural heritage

Afghan Taliban begin destruction of Buddha statues
KABUL, March 1 (AFP) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban authorities said Thursday they have started destroying all statues in the country, including the world's tallest standing

Taleban begin statue purge
BBC News
Bamiyan's tall Buddha angers the Taleban
Members of Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement have embarked on their campaign to destroy all statues.

Taliban begins destruction of all Afghan statues
By Sayed Salahuddin
KABUL, March 1 (Reuters) - The ruling Taliban movement on Thursday began the systematic destruction of all statues from Afghanistan's rich cultural past because they had been declared un-Islamic.

Azadi Afghan Radio Editorial
03/01/2001 :
A dark day in the history of Afghanistan and the world. A Day of Infamy for the narco-terrorist Taliban and their Pakistani patrons. The people of Afghanistan's

Taliban minister confirms statue destruction
KABUL, March 1 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement on Thursday confirmed it had begun smashing statues in several provinces to implement an order from its supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar.

Taliban starts smashing 'offensive' Afghan statues
ISLAMABAD, March 1 (Kyodo) - By: Shahid-ur-Rehman Khan
The Taliban regime has started annihilating all statues in Afghanistan, including the famous fifth-century twin figures of Bhudda in Bamiyan Province, following leader Mullah Mohammad Umer's declaration

Afghans smash ancient statues, defy world appeals
ISLAMABAD, March 1 (Reuters) - The radical Taliban movement began smashing all statues from Afghanistan's rich cultural past on Thursday, turning its back on urgent international appeals to save the ancient artefacts.

Taliban brings Afghanistan home-grown destruction
By Jack Redden
ISLAMABAD, March 1 (Reuters) - Afghanistan, at the crossroads of Asia, has suffered destruction at the hands of many conquerors in the past -- it has rarely faced such a systematic onslaught on its culture by its own people.

Iran castigates Taliban move to destroy ancient Buddha statues
TEHRAN, Feb 28 (AFP) - Iran castigated Wednesday plans by the Taliban regime of neighbouring Afghanistan to destroy ancient Buddhist and other statues.

France calls on Taliban not to destroy Buddha statues
PARIS, Feb 28 (AFP) - France on Wednesday added its voice to international appeals for Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia to reconsider its decision to destroy two ancient Buddhas and other non-Islamic religious shrines.

Pope urges ceasefire in Afghanistan
VATICAN CITY, Feb 28 (AFP) - Pope John Paul II on Wedneday appealed to warring parties in Afghanistan to lay down their weapons and open the path for humanitarian assistance for the country's starving population.

Malaysian minister warns women of extremist Islam
KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Reuters) - Malaysia's new women's affairs minister warned women on Thursday of the danger of Malaysia becoming an extremist Islamic state.