The United States has decried the destruction of two ancient Buddha statues by Afghanistan's Taliban militia as a crime against humankind but said its assistance to the Afghan people would not be affected by it.
Along with many other countries, we'd strongly condemn this destruction of the irreplaceable world heritage, State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher said, noting that Secretary of State Colin Powell had described the move as horrible, "A tragedy and a crime against humankind."
"He deplores it and we deplore it," Boucher told reporters after a meeting between Powell and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ruud lubbers at which the statue issue was raised briefly in connection with aid.
"We shouldn't let our dismay with the actions of the regime or the Taliban authorities distract US from helping the Afghan people," Boucher added.
"The Afghan people are not responsible for the Taliban decision and indeed most Afghans disagree with what's been done," He said.
"We do differentiate between the actions of the Taliban and the need to support the afghan people who are in dire straits these days," Boucher said, noting the humanitarian
crises taking place in Afghanistan due to continued warfare, drought, harsh winter and Taliban misrule.
Bureau Report
