US Govt Returns Saddam Hussein Ceremonial Sword to Iraq

[BEAST]

 

 

WASHINGTON – A ceremonial sword, looted in 2003 from Saddam Hussein’s personal office in Baghdad, was returned to the Republic of Iraq Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The sword, which had been smuggled into the United States by U.S. military personnel, was repatriated at a private ceremony held at Iraqi Ambassador Lukman Faily’s residence in Washington.

 

"Cultural property – such as the sword being returned today to the people of Iraq – represents part of a country’s history that should have never been stolen or auctioned," said HSI Associate Director James Dinkins. "We will continue conducting these types of investigations to ensure that current and future generations aren’t robbed of their nation’s history."

 

"On behalf of the government and the people of Iraq, I would like to express thanks and appreciation to the U.S. government and Homeland Security Investigations special agents – the soldiers behind the scene – and all of those who contributed in restoring this heritage that belongs to Iraq and its people," said Ambassador Faily. "Today is one of these historic days that documents the deep relationship, cooperation and friendship between Iraq and the United States and also shows again the U.S. commitment for rebuilding Iraq and preserving its cultural heritage."

The sword is a 43-inch embellished blade and sheath with gold inlaid Arabic writing along the edge of the blade that declares it to be a gift to Saddam Hussein. It was sold in October 2011 to the Amoskeag Auction Company (AAC) in Manchester, N.H., and advertised in their Jan. 7, 2012, auction catalogue as having been removed from Hussein's personal office in the Iraqi military command complex in Baghdad by the U.S. Army 126th Military History Detachment after the regime fell in 2003. The catalog also said that the consignor was attached to the unit as a combat historian, that the sword was not claimed by the U.S. government and that the consignor was granted permission to keep the sword as a souvenir.

 

In January 2012, HSI special agents in Manchester learned that it was being auctioned and initiated an investigation.

Although the sword was sold at auction for $15,000 by AAC Jan. 7, 2012, the sale had not been consummated by an exchange of money and the object had not yet been shipped to the purchaser by AAC. On Jan. 9, 2012, HSI special agents seized the sword as a possible Iraqi cultural artifact.

 

HSI special agents coordinated with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) regarding the validity of the sword’s importation into the United States and the regulations surrounding the importation of war trophies from Iraq. It was determined that this ornate ceremonial sword cannot be considered a modern battlefield weapon and is therefore not eligible to be exported as a war trophy.

 

Additionally, the import of this historic sword was prohibited by DOD’s Office of Foreign Assets Control pursuant to an executive order which prohibits trade or transfer of Iraqi cultural property.

 

On April 30, 2012, the sword was administratively forfeited. In 2008, 2010 and 2011, ICE repatriated to the government of Iraq a collection of cultural objects including Saddam Hussein-era paintings, AK-47 rifles, ancient tablets, clay statues, ancient gold earrings, coins, a Western Asiatic necklace and terra cotta cones, all illegally imported into the United States from Iraq.

Through HSI’s cultural property and antiquities investigations, a team of HSI special agents recovered Iraqi treasures, and investigated the looting of the Iraq National Museum following the fall of the Hussein regime. The team volunteered to lead this mission, and scoured Baghdad in search of more than 17,000 items that chronicled the region's 7,000 years of civilization. HSI special agents electronically scanned the museum's inventory lists and manifests to determine which items were missing, and quickly determined that most of the museum's artifacts had been hidden. Eventually, they were able to recover many of the items that were looted by cultivating sources. Agents were also able to send information about looted artifacts to other countries to help recover them if they crossed their borders.

 

HSI plays a leading role in criminal investigations that involve the illegal importation and distribution of cultural property, including the illicit trafficking of cultural property, especially objects that have been reported lost or stolen. The HSI Office of International Affairs, through its 75 attaché offices in 48 countries, works closely with foreign governments to conduct joint investigations, when possible.

 

HSI specially trained investigators, assigned to both domestic and international offices, partner with governments, agencies and experts to protect cultural antiquities. They also provide cultural property investigative training to law enforcement partners for crimes involving stolen property and art, and how to best enforce the law to recover these items when they emerge in the marketplace.

Since 2007, more than 7,150 artifacts have been returned to 26 countries, including paintings from France, Germany, Poland and Austria, 15th to 18th century manuscripts from Italy and Peru, as well as cultural artifacts from China, Cambodia and Iraq.

 

 

[Jack's Son]

I don't know how to feel at this time. It is wrong to take a countries historical possessions, but I wonder how historical this item is. I imagine in the purest sense, it is the property of the Iraqi people, so it should be returned.

[Bob Hudson]

Yeah I cannot think of a better use of my tax money - no doubt this caused the people of Iraq to run through the streets shouting with glee "USA, USA!"

[ocsfollowme]

ugh....I think the major point is that it was a gift to Saddam from the people...even though I am pretty sure the people were forced too. Somewhat like how you are forced to chip in for the outgoing BN CDR and CSM

 

But our gov't is going to keep the pistol that was taken from Saddam when we found him in the hole. And OBL's AK-47 is already locked in the CIA's top secret museum.

 

It can be grey line between a war relic and a national treasure-that's for sure. Our museum's are full of them. But, to the victor goes the spoils.

[hawkdriver]

In my opinion, it would be like returning the personal property of Hitler to Germany. And like said above, doubt the people of Iraq are going to faun over this thing and thank the US, More likely, we are going to be portrayed as thieves.

[bhmilitarycollector84]

In my opinion, it would be like returning the personal property of Hitler to Germany. And like said above, doubt the people of Iraq are going to faun over this thing and thank the US, More likely, we are going to be portrayed as thieves.

 

 

I agree 100% with hawkdriver.

[439th Signal Battalion]

In my opinion, it would be like returning the personal property of Hitler to Germany. And like said above, doubt the people of Iraq are going to faun over this thing and thank the US, More likely, we are going to be portrayed as thieves.

 

Well said, sir. Perhaps this will turn into another "phony scandal."

[12A54]

Our military museums are filled with captured swords, pistols, marshal's batons, staff cars, paintings, statues, etc. etc. Why Saddam Hussein's sword or AK-47 is somehow different is beyond me. Political correctness gone amuck.

[Bugme]

In WWII soldiers got to take home whatever vanquished military souvenirs they wanted. It was the fact of life, it was the spoils of war... you lose... we gain. Fast forward nearly 70 years and we don't want to offend those we've conquered??? Yeah, that makes for a strong nation.

[jgawne]

This is screwed up on so many levels. Of course if it was really that "important" an artifact I would suspect the MH detachment would have been smart enough not to have then tried to sell it on the open market.

 

 

On one hand it is probably one of 10,000 swords he had, on the other I bet that it gets melted down for gold or sold or whatever. This is not like an ancient artifact or someone's actual personal property.

[doyler]

In my opinion, it would be like returning the personal property of Hitler to Germany. And like said above, doubt the people of Iraq are going to faun over this thing and thank the US, More likely, we are going to be portrayed as thieves.

 

Roger that.

 

Its your taxes and political correctness at its finest.I dont see the Iraqi people demmanding the sword back.There is tons of other looted material in countries who have yet to return it from illegal gain in WW2.Is IcE working on returning items to Panama that were taken from Noriegas office??...I seriously doubt it.

 

This makes as much sense as handing out speeding tickets at the Daytona 500.................

[Bugme]

Please don't go political guys. I know it's a fine line but, try to keep it focused on the foolishness of the return.

[bobgee]

It's not like the Iraqi people are going to put it in a display honoring Saddam.........not yet, anyway. Bobgee

[hawkdriver]

Our military museums are filled with captured swords, pistols, marshal's batons, staff cars, paintings, statues, etc. etc.

 

 

Even better yet, our gun shows are filled with captured swords, pistols, ect...... So, why not Iraq loot.

[aef1917]

Eh, probably falls under the definition of cultural property laid out in the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. We're the good guys, and the good guys follow the Hague Conventions.

[gomorgan]

What a load of crap, suppose they want my AK bayonet back?

[Terry K.]

Eh, probably falls under the definition of cultural property laid out in the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. We're the good guys, and the good guys follow the Hague Conventions.

 

That is it exactly! A bayonet is an artical of war and can legally be brought back. Cultural items and private properties are protected

[hawkdriver]

So, if we are going to argue that this is cultural, explain what makes it cultural. Art, antiquities, religious icons, even gold bars I can see, but what about this sword makes it any more cultural than a Nazi dress dagger or a Japanese Samurai sword and thus needing the protection of the Hague.

And as for the statement about us being the good guys. We were most definitely the good guys during WWII and we still cleaned Germany of many of it's "cultural" items, so do we now reclassify ourselves as the bad guys because grandpa looted about everything he could? We even have a guy in a recent post that has a letter from a guy using Hitler's personal stationary to write home on and we know the Eagles Nest was emptied fairly quickly and mailed home. I have the wedding band and a protection bracelet from a Werhmacht soldier, am I a bad person?

For any of us that have been at the mercy of the U.S. postal system or customs in Iraq, you don't just "slip" this home. I believe that whomever brought this home had approval to do so. Then some do-gooder in the HSI overreacted and blew this way out of proportion. Or, I could just be full of it.

[Terry K.]

Hawkdriver,

Just because many illegal items were brought home from Germany doesn't make it correct. There are people looking for looted items from WW2 in this country right now. In fact in 1946 a Army Major and his WAC wife were arrested for looting (from a museum collection) and served time I believe. Many items in US museums would have to be returned if requested by the original owners. Herman Goerings baton in the West Point Museum was personal property and could be requested back from what I have read. No one said you were bad, but for real it is illegal to tack personal items like teeth and rings, etc...

 

Terry

[doyler]

Hawk

 

Maybe the sword will be displayed as " THE SWORD OF ISLAM "

 

I am really curious if it will be displayed or if it ever gets any farther than the Ambassador or other High ranking Iraqi.Seems there was an all out effort to eliminate any and all traces of Sadaam.Even his remains were buried in an unmarked,undisclosed location.So why immortilize him in this way by making such a public display and return of an artifact??

 

I would guess he had more than one sword seeing his life style and the extravagance he afforded himself.

[Nkomo]

I remember recently hearing of Homeland Security agents confiscating the rifle of a collector over in Virginia. The rifle in question was a rare Polish rifle that was brought home by a GI after WW2 was over. According to the story, Homeland Security showed up at his house, asked to see said rifle, and then confiscated it on behalf of the Polish people claiming it was a "national treasure". Supposedly one of the Homeland Security agents said : "as far as the US government is concerned, anything brought over the border at any time was within Department of Homeland Security jurisdiction and could be seized".

 

I won't get into politics or anything, but this is a VERY slippery slope here and has some very dangerous implications for collectors. Just my two cents.

[Bob Hudson]

I remember recently hearing of Homeland Security agents confiscating the rifle of a collector over in Virginia. The rifle in question was a rare Polish rifle that was brought home by a GI after WW2 was over. According to the story, Homeland Security showed up at his house, asked to see said rifle, and then confiscated it on behalf of the Polish people claiming it was a "national treasure". Supposedly one of the Homeland Security agents said : "as far as the US government is concerned, anything brought over the border at any time was within Department of Homeland Security jurisdiction and could be seized".

 

I won't get into politics or anything, but this is a VERY slippery slope here and has some very dangerous implications for collectors. Just my two cents.

 

A very slippery slope indeed if we try to undo the the events of 70+ years ago and apply 21st Century standards. Under the principles being used by the government as far as ownership of artifacts, why couldn't they seize everything in your collection that is marked US? Heck, the government didn't give it to you and in all likelihood some GI brought home that helmet, canteen, pack, bayonet, etc. without legal permission.

 

While it may not apply to the Saddam sword, Ex post facto laws are expressly forbidden by the United States Constitution: Ex post facto is a law that retroactively changes the legal consequences (or status) of actions that were committed before the enactment of the law.

 

This rifle case sounds like it could fit that, but my fear is that in the name of "diplomacy" some government agencies will throw US citizens under the bus to please other countries.

 

See: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-06-29/local/40268849_1_rifle-world-war-ii-polish-government

 

An excerpt:

 

"Of all the weapons in his personal collection, Kristopher Gasior always cherished the wz.38M Maroszek rifle the most. The gun — one of only a handful in the world — came from Poland, his home country, and it was produced in the war that claimed his grandfather’s life.

 

But Gasior was not the only one with an interest in the military artifact. The Polish government views the Maroszek as a “great piece of cultural and scientific significance.” When Gasior, who had decided to sell most of his large collection, listed the weapon for sale on his Web site, Poland had U.S. federal agents seize it, arguing it had been stolen from the government during World War II.

 

Gasior, 54, of Fredericksburg, now finds himself at the center of an international legal battle pitting him against the European nation where he grew up."

 

Luckily, not everyone is as over-zealous as the Dept. Of Homeland Insecurity:

 

"A Homeland Security agent initially got a seizure warrant to keep the rifle, largely based on information provided by Poland. But this month, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia filed a complaint asking to be removed from the case, saying there was “great doubt” as to who was entitled to the weapon."

 

[Jack's Son]

I have absolutely NO FAITH in any attempt to stop this current regime in Washington from doing anything it wants to do.

[Nkomo]

 

A very slippery slope indeed if we try to undo the the events of 70+ years ago and apply 21st Century standards. Under the principles being used by the government as far as ownership of artifacts, why couldn't they seize everything in your collection that is marked US? Heck, the government didn't give it to you and in all likelihood some GI brought home that helmet, canteen, pack, bayonet, etc. without legal permission.

 

 

 

You nailed it, Bob. Exactly what I was alluding to in my post.

[Jack's Son]

How timely this thread is. I just finished watching a reinactment of Saddam's capture on the Military Channel. Being the coward to his people that he proved to be by giving up so easily, this sword just may have a fitting place in Iraqi history, one that may be a big surprise.