{"word_count": 220, "character_count": 1418}
Excerpt of a preliminary report on the condition of the Iraq National Library:1) The library building has been rendered unusable by two successivefires and CPA authorities are hoping to move the library to atemporary location in a garish modern massive officer's club at al-Balat al-Malki. This move is envisioned in the next weeks, however,Amb. Cordone, whose portfolio includes the library, is pessimistic.2) It is estimated by library employees that between 30%-60% of thecollection is safe and held in three separate locations:A: Behind a large steel door that has been welded shut by members ofthe Haq Mosque's Hawza Group. The welded doors essentially seal offa wing of the library's ground floor.B: The Haq Mosque's Hawza Group was able to take what they claim tobe 300,000 volumes to their mosque in Revolution City (nee SaddamCity.) A visual inspection conducted by Hanssen and Watenpaughconfirmed that they have this collection well in hand and that itoccupies approx. 150-200 cubic meters. Earlier reports of books inHebrew are true; what was also found were 50+ 50 liter sacks ofarchival materials from the Mandate period through the Revolution of1958.C: The library staff also evacuated parts of the rare/forbidden bookscollection to a "secret safe location." They informed the CPA of thelocation of this stash two days ago.3. We were unable to locate any Ottoman archival material whatsoever. [CPProtNet]