"Egypt Cuts Ties with the Lourve"

(Title from CBC article:http://http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/10/07/egypt-louvre.html)

Zahi Hawass, Egyptian Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt and archaeologist has cut ties with the Lourve in Paris accusing them of having stolen artefacts. Not until these artefacts returned will any relationship between the Lourve and Egypt be reinstated.

Hawass wants any prominent artefacts returned to Egypt. A little elitist hmm? It makes me wonder how he feels about less prominent or unique artefacts that are of scholarly value but are less interesting? Is this about generating tourism to Egypt or is it about archaeology?

"The purchase of stolen steles is a sign that some museums are prepared to encourage the destruction and theft of Egyptian antiquities," he said. (From CBC article)

Now, Mr. Hawass, do you demand that ALL antiquities be brought back to Egypt? Your reputation is quite hostile towards archaeology. I believe that YOU believe that any antiquities taken out of Egypt were stolen, even if they were excavated legally due to the fact that you lobby against archaeologists publishing their findings.

Who knows, maybe the artefacts at the Lourve were stolen and if that is the case they should indeed be returned. I mean, Shelby White had to return her artefacts, so therefore there should no exception. However, Hawass seems to be denying any negotiations by simply going to extremes. The Lourve said they were open to negotiations, so why are you being so stubborn Mr. Hawass?

What ever happened to negotiations? Well, Perhaps I'm being too harsh on Hawass. Perhaps he has been trying to cooperate with the Lourve for quite some time, but the Lourves reaction to Hawass seems to prove otherwise.

Whats next, severing ties with every other museum in the world? I would hate to see the disappearance of the Egyptian exhibit at the ROM because it is one of them best exhibits I have ever seen. How do you expect the world to have an appreciation of artefacts and your history if you demand that they all be given back?