PARIS The United Nations cultural agency UNESCO appealed to Afghanistan's Taleban rulers not to destroy all statues in the war-ravaged country, which include unique ancient Buddhist monuments. The Paris-based United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization urged all those concerned, especially the Afghan people themselves, to "stop the destruction of their cultural heritage." The Taleban's Voice of Shariat Radio announced on Monday that the radical movement's supreme leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had given an order to destroy all statues. "All statues remaining in various parts of the country must be broken ... because they represent gods of infidels," the radio quoted Omar's order as saying. It said the statues should not become objects of worship in future. UNESCO said in a statement: "Situated at a crossroads of the ancient silk routes, Afghanistan enjoys a unique cultural heritage marked by multiple influences from Persia, Greece, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam." It especially noted Afghanistan's best-known archaeological site, two giant Buddhas hewn from cliffs at the central town of Bamiyan, which date from the centuries of Buddhist rule before the arrival of Islam in the ninth century. "This ancient heritage has suffered cruelly under the conflicts and disasters that have shaken the country recently," it said. Bamiyan was recaptured by Taleban forces earlier this month after fierce fighting with an opposition alliance. Archaeologists have expressed concern over the fate of the statues since the Taleban gained power in 1996. The head of one of the Buddhas was blown off around the time the Taleban first took Bamiyan in 1998. UNESCO also cited press reports that the Taleban had deliberately destroyed more than a dozen ancient statues from Kabul Museum, a one-time treasure trove of Buddhist-era art that has been pillaged and looted in recent years. (Reuter)