CELTIC LEAGUE PRESS INFORMATION



MUSEUMS 'GANG UP' TO RETAIN STOLEN TREASURES



The Celtic League has described a decision by some of the worlds leading
museums to sign a statement saying that they will never return ancient
artefacts to their country of origin as "a bid to defend the indefensible".

The heads of 18 institutions in the US and Europe have made the declaration
in the face of efforts by many countries to recover artefacts stolen,
particularly during the colonial period.

The Celtic League has campaigned for the return of a number of artefacts
from various Celtic countries mainly held by institutions in England
and Europe. Items the League believe should be returned are the Gold
Cape of Mold (to Wales). The Lewis Chessmen (to Scotland) and the
Chronicles of the Kings of Man and the Isles (to the Isle of Man).


The Gold Cape and the Lewis Chessmen are held by the British Museum
and the Chronicles, a medieval manuscript, which is the oldest written
history of the Manx people, is held in the British Library.

Commenting to the UK media the Secretary General of the Celtic League
said that this latest move to obstruct the return of artefacts to
their rightful owners shows how desperate the institutions are to
postpone the inevitable. He said:



"These artefacts belong to the countries they came from.

The argument used to be that there was nowhere to house the artefacts
in their home countries and that the security of more valuable items
might be compromised but this is a fatuous argument".



Pointedly, the British Museum has distanced itself from the latest
joint statement by the International cartel of museums. A spokesperson
is reported as saying that because of ongoing pressure to return the
Elgin marbles they did not wish to "attract further controversy".




J B Moffatt

Secretary General

Celtic League



11/12/02



The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It focuses
on human rights abuse and civil liberty issues and also monitors the
impact of military activity.

TEL + (0)1624 877918 MOBILE + (0)7624 491609

Internet site at

http://www.manxman.co.im/cleague/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/

b.moffatt@...