US unveils Iraq culture aid

US First Lady Laura Bush visited Baghdad's embassy in Washington on Thursday to unveil a 14-million-dollar US campaign to rebuild Iraq's cultural heritage and safeguard its treasures.

Bush blamed "travel restrictions, diminished resources, and violence under Saddam Hussein's regime" for crippling Iraq once-great institutions -- omitting explicit mention of the March 2003 US-led invasion as a possible factor.

"Recent security gains and increased stability have set the stage now for a more vigorous effort to promote Iraq's cultural history," the first lady said in public remarks at the diplomatic mission.

The US Embassy in Baghdad will provide nearly 13 million dollars to the project, while the US State Department's bureau of educational and cultural affairs will contribute another one million dollars.

"This project will build the capacity of Iraq's museums and other cultural institutions to overcome the decades of conflict and isolation," in partnership with the US government's National Park Service and private groups. More

Us Steals Oil from Iraq