Date:19/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/19/stories/2006061901761500.htm

International - Globescan

Thai offer on Bamiyan

BANGKOK: Thai caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has offered to reconstruct the ancient world heritage Buddha statues destroyed by Afghanistan's former Taliban regime in 2001, the Thai News Agency reported on Sunday. The former Afghan Islamic fundamentalist regime used dynamite and artillery to destroy the priceless twin Buddha statues, carved into the heart of the Hindu Kush mountains in Bamiyan, claiming that all statues are idols and, therefore, their existence was contrary to Islamic belief. The Taliban action against one of Asia's great historical treasures caused international outrage and widespread condemnation. Mr. Thaksin said he had discussed the issue with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. — Xinhua