U.S. terror victims want Iran antiquities

United Press International ^ | 12/13/2005

[F14 Pilot]

CHICAGO, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- A group of U.S. victims of a Jerusalem terror bombing wants to seize Iranian antiquities at the University of Chicago for their pain and suffering.

Two years ago, the group won a $71 million judgment against Iran for injuries in a 1997 Iranian-linked suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Iran has ignored the ruling, and the victims are now going after ancient clay tablets dating from about 500 B.C., held by the university's Oriental Institute.

However, the institute is fighting the group, saying that setting a precedent by turning over the antiquities to the victims could endanger U.S.-owned museum pieces on loan to other countries, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

The U.S. Justice Department has sided with the University of Chicago, saying because the artifacts are being held "solely for research and study, and are not used by Iran for commercial activity in the United States, they are also not available for attachment" under law.

[SittinYonder]

Iran has ignored the ruling,

That's a surprise.

[kingu]

Property of a nation is property of the nation; there should be no exemption for 'scientific purposes' - it doesn't matter what the loan was made for, if the property is owned by a party that owes a debt, that property should be used to secure the debt.

Using this example, I can hide my assets from the IRS by giving it to an educational institution.. Right? Right?? Wrong.

[Bazooka]

U.S. terror victims want Iran antiquities?

I'd rather see a large gaping crater between Iraq and Pakistan.