Special Division to Be Formed for Preserving Iran's Cultural Heritage

Wednesday, March 03, 1999

TEHRAN -- In a bid to preserve the country's historical monuments, a special law enforcement division named Guardians of Cultural Heritage will be formed in the country, said Seyed Mohammad Beheshti, deputy minister of culture and Islamic guidance and head of the Cultural Heritage Organization. Beheshti underlined that after the approval of the government and the Majlis, the special division will take the responsibility to prevent smuggling the ancient relics.

He said that the Law Enforcement Forces play a key role in safeguarding the cultural heritage of the country, adding that preservation of cultural heritage requires resolute national will as well. Head of the Cultural Heritage Organization further noted that a credit of 40 billion rials has been allocated to renovation and repairment of the ancient monuments this year. Beheshti reiterated that the First Anthropology Festival will be held in Ilam Province next year, adding that the organizers of the festival would make optimal use of the experiences of cultural heritage experts and researchers for holding the festival.

He concluded by saying that establishment of Anthropology and Cultural Heritage Museum in Ilam Province is a necessity and that setting up the museum would pave the way for further promotion of the tourism sector in this province.