Spain to return Iraqi antiquities gratis – Ambassador

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The Spanish ambassador to Iraq stressed today that his government is buying all Iraqi stolen antiques and those within the government and returning them to Iraq as a present from the Spanish government, according to a statement from the Political Authority of the Sadrist Trend here today.   Ambassador Jose Turin visited the Sadrist Political Authority of Martyr al-Sadr, who was received by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Dr. Liwa’ Smaisim.   Both sides stressed the importance of returning the antiquities from Spain.   The minister disclosed that 36 Iraqi antiquities are available in Spanish auctions and two in the Spanish government.   According to the statement, the Spanish ambassador confirmed that his country is trying to buy these antiquities and return them as a present to the Iraqi government.    The ambassador, according to the statement, expressed the readiness of his country “to train Iraqi Ministry‘s cadres, because Spain is one of the developed countries in this field.” RM (TS)/SR 408