Explosives were placed at the feet of the world's tallest standing statue of Buddha last week in Afghanistan. The 1,600-year-old statue is one of dozens being destroyed by the government.

Afghanistan is ruled by a very strict Muslim group called the Taliban. Its members oppose anything that might encourage people to practice a religion other than Islam.

"We want to stop all things that are against Islam," said Abdul Salam Zaeef, an Afghani diplomat.

Armed troops began smashing ancient statues with rocket launchers and tanks after the Taliban ruler, Mullah Mohammed Omar, ordered them to use "whatever means of destruction" were necessary.

The world is horrified by the loss of the ancient statues. "This is a cultural disaster," said U.N. official Koichiro Matsuura.

Museums asked the Taliban to give them the statues but were refused.

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March 9, 2001 World Report