Letter of Explanation - Mes Aynak

Letter of Explanation – Mes Aynak
The Afghan Government is willing to preserve the ancient places
Compiled from the Inner Dreams Kindergarten Program broadcasted on DMC
November 29th, 2012

Document from Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs,  Central Asia Group, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

 

Document from Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs,  Central Asia Group, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

After Khunkru Maiyai had informed all Buddhists worldwide to sign the petition for protecting the ancient Buddhist Place “Mes Aynak”, the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth (WFBY), the Single Mind Federation, over 50 Buddhist Networks around the world, IBS, V-Star Children and SMAth expressed their intention to save it together.  The Committee of Religion, Art, and Culture of the House of Representatives of Thailand consulted with the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and latest, they sent the official letter referring to the report from H.E. Mr. Marwin Tan-attanawin, Thai Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Islamabad, Pakistan, who performs his duty including to Afghanistan.

H.E. Mr. Marwin Tan-attanawin, Thai Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Islamabad, Pakistan

The content was Mr. Marwin consulted with H.E. Mr. Mohammad Umer Daudzai, Afghan Ambassador in Pakistan about the copper mining in the ancient Buddhist city “Mes Aynak”, and Mr. Mohammad informed the attitude of Afghan Government as follows:

H.E. Mr. Mohammad Umer Daudzai, Afghan Ambassador in Pakistan

1.    Afghan Government has given the copper mining concession to MCC co., ltd without knowing that there are Buddhist Places in the mining area until the survey began.  So, Afghan Government has the policy to preserve all ancient places by delaying the mining project for over one year.  The government will stop the mining in the Main Locations and will move antiques found in the Minor Locations to collect in the ancient places in the Main Locations and the National Museum of Afghanistan.
2.    Afghan Government realizes the importance of the ancient place “Mes Aynak.”  These antiques are the historic, cultural, and religious heritages of Afghan residents and the government will do every way to preserve the ancient places and antiques found by the excavation.
3.    Mr. Mohammad proposed that Afghan Government welcomes Thai groups who will go to the ancient Buddhist Place “Mes Aynak” to be clear that the Government has the policy to preserve this ancient place and is willing to bring them to see the other ancient places in the country such as Bamiyan.  The government will protect them fully.
4.    Mr. Mohammad confirmed that the Afghan is Asian and ancient Buddhist Places are the properties of Afghanistan, not China.  Once, Afghans were Buddhists and Afghans are not Arabs which are facts of the Cultural Identity of the Nation.  So, it is the duty for Afghans to preserve the cultural legacy.
5.    Mr. Marwin proposed that Afghan Government may inform this story to the mass media.

Document from Department of South Asian, Middle East and African Affairs,  Central Asia Group, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

We rejoice in your merit who participated in signing your names to protect the ancient Buddhist Place “Mes Aynak” which wake the world to realize and turn to look after and protect this valuable ancient Buddhist Place.


Translated by Chadawee Chaipooripat

 

http://goo.gl/MRpTC