I thought SCREEN-L readers and SCMS members might be interested in reading the response by the Association of Moving Image Archivists to recent events in Iraq. April 25, 2003* Koichiro Matsuura, Director General UNESCO 7, Place de Fontenoy 75352 PARIS 07 SP, France* Dear Sir, The Directors of the Board of The Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA) express their deep concern over the recent destruction of the records and materials in Iraq's museums, archives and libraries. Archival institutions protect and preserve a peoples' heritage. The extensive damage to cultural institutions in Iraq is particularly tragic, since present-day Iraq occupies the greater part of the ancient land of Mesopotamia, where some of the world's greatest ancient civilizations were developed. These materials are not only unique, but critical to our cultural heritage and paramount to the foundation of society. AMIA strongly urges all governments to observe the principles of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict.* AMIA is the largest non-profit, professional association of moving image archivists in the world. Our organization was established to advance the field of moving image archiving by fostering cooperation among individuals and organizations concerned with the acquisition, preservation, description, exhibition and use of moving image materials. Currently, AMIA represents over 750 archivists and institutions from the United States, Canada and around the world. Our members are drawn from a broad cross-section of areas including film, television, video and interactive media.* The AMIA Board of Directors appreciates UNESCO's concern about the damage to Iraq's cultural heritage.* Sincerely, Sam Kula, President* * ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.ScreenSite.org