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MELCOM INTERNATIONALThe European Association of Middle East Librarians / AssociationEuropéenne des Bibliothécaires du Moyen-OrientRESOLUTIONMELCOM International, the European Association of Middle EastLibrarians,assembled in Beirut at its 25th annual conferenceDeplores the destruction and theft of Iraqi libraries, archives andtheircontents following the US and British led invasion and occupation ofIraqin April 2003. This occurred in breach of the United Nations Convention onthe protection of cultural property of countries under militaryoccupation.Commends the efforts of UNESCO, IFLA and other international bodies toassess the extent of this damage and deplores the recent action of theoccupying powers in refusing entry into Iraq to accreditedrepresentatives.Insists that the international library community, of which it is part,playa full and unimpeded role in assisting Iraqi colleagues to restore, asfaras possible, their library and archival heritage and infrastructure, aprocess MELCOM International is willing to contribute to by offering theprofessional expertise of its members.Proposes to send a highly qualified professional from among its membersinto Iraq to assess the situation and to report to the Board.Supports the initiatives taken by our North American colleagues of theMiddle East Librarians Association (MELA) and related organisations.Beirut, 28 May 2003[Iraqcrisis-List]