'Black list' of Afghan antiquities seeks to halt illegal trade

(BRUSSELS) - The International Council of Museums on Friday published a "black list" of archaeological treasures illegally smuggled out of Afghanistan, in a bid to stifle trade in the stolen antiquities.

"This initiative is aimed at preventing the trafficking and contributing to closing down the outlets," ICOM secretary general John Zvereff told a Brussels news conference.

Afghanistan, which has endured conflicts since 1979, has already lost tens of thousands of valuable archaeological artefacts, stolen from museums or smuggled out of dig sites for sale overseas.

The "non-exhaustive" new list includes descriptions and colour photos of 18 categories, from classical Gandhara stucco busts to Muslim period (seventh century) manuscripts.

As with its three previous "black lists" -- for Africa, Latin America and Iraq -- it is not a catalogue of stolen goods but a resource for professionals, including museums, auction houses, experts and collectors, to alert them to key categories of stolen antiquities, said ICOM's Jennifer Thevenot.

The former Taliban regime in 2001 oversaw the destruction of the giant Bamyan buddhas and part of Kabul's national collection and their adversaries, warlords and administrators, either turned a blind eye or engaged in organised pillaging.

"Like the four and a half tonnes of gold, silver and bronze coins from the fifth century BC to the third century AD were discovered at Mir Zaka (100 kilometres/60 miles south of Kabul) and taken out of the country in the years 1992-94" under president Berhanuddin Rabbani, said Zemaryalai Tarzi, former director general of antiquities in Afghanistan.

Some Afghan artefacts have found their way into prestigious museums, some of which are ICOM members, including New York's Metropolitan Museum, added Tarzi.

Afghan ambassador to Brussels, Tandar Homayun, said that since the Taliban were toppled in 2001 the Kabul government had taken two main measures on the issue; introducing a new law banning the trafficking in works of art and creating a special police force to guard historic sites.

"Unfortunately we don't have sufficient means and sites venerated by the population continue to be despoiled at night," he admitted.

The museums organisation chose Brussels for its presentation as Belgium is a "major transit point for works of art," said Zvereff.

Created in 1946, the Paris-based ICOM has some 22,500 member from 114 national committees. A non-governmental organisation (NGO), it maintains formal relations with UNESCO and has a consultative status with the United Nations' Economic and Social Council