European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 14, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Smoke a Daws from Dubrovnik s historic old town alter a november attack by the yugoslav Federal army. At left two men examine a photography shop damaged by an earlier shelling. Someone must protect worlds historic Sites from wars destruction editor s note Geoffrey h. Lipman is president of the world travel and tourism Council. This article was written for the Washington Post. By Geoffrey h. Lipman when Mahatma Gandhi was asked what he thought about Western civilization he answered Quot i think it would be a very Good  were he alive today he would no doubt Point to the chaos in what was once Yugoslavia and in particular to one place where civilization has suffered a great blow in recent months the City of Dubrovnik. In the Balkan conflict which is still boiling in Bosnia and Herzegovina human suffering is and has been Paramount nothing can detract from the significance of the peace process and the political action necessary to ensure an end to the hostilities. But there is another important Challenge to an International Community that professes to be civilized How to prevent Wanton destruction of Mankind s cultural heritage in time of War. The Beauty history and cultural uniqueness of the old City of Dubrovnik placed it firmly on a list of Quot world heritage Sites Quot kept by the United nations educational scientific and cultural organization. It was listed alongside such wonders As the pyramids and the Taj mahal. The bombardment of this City which was founded in the seventh Century destroyed or damaged More than 412 historical places including palaces churches and archaeological Sites. It can Only be hoped that when the conflict is resolved and yugoslavs and others can again venture to Dubrovnik to savor that heritage and Beauty some of it will have been preserved. As president of the world travel and tourism Council i obviously have a vested interest in this subject. We Are All too painfully aware of the instant death of Yugoslavia s enormously successful tourism Economy and the Long haul Back the new countries carved out of Yugoslavia face when peace is finally restored. In Many of the world s countries tourism is the largest Industry contributing More than 5.9 percent to world cup and one in every 15 jobs. In what was Yugoslavia the figures before the conflict based on data from the organization for economic cooperation and development were much higher. But the Issue Here is not just economic Croatia it is also historical cultural and environmental. A City such As Dubrovnik is a living treasure its buildings easy to damage in wartime but difficult to bring Back to life. Tourists used to flock there not just because it was Charm but also because its very streets and buildings brought them into direct Contact with a Rich history. Such places Are rare to begin with and wars have made them even rarer. What can be done to protect these historic treasures from the sort of ravages suffered by Dubrovnik there is one step that could do much toward that end and that is to marry the world heritage classifications of Enesco with the Geneva red Cross conventions. The red Cross conventions which protect medical personnel and facilities As Well As the wounded and captured during War Are the Only rules of civilization that have any Chance of being followed by commanders at the front and strategists at Headquarters. The world heritage classifications established in 1952 to preserve both natural and historical treasures protect 359 Sites worldwide. Specific provisions should be established uniting the two to protect world heritage Sites in times of War. The damaging of such Sites by attacking or defending forces would become War crimes just As similar attacks on designated humans Are crimes. This will require Legal procedural and practical measures for implementation. The world travel and tourism Council has approached International organizations including the red Cross the world tourism organization the Council on environmental Law and the United nations itself to take these up. The issues Are Complex and will need time to process. In june nearly All the world s nations will meet in Brazil at the Earth Summit on environment and development. Heads of state will contemplate strategic programs stretching into the next Century to preserve our Ozone layer our seas and our rain forests. If governments can do this the principle of protecting Mankind s International heritage from conflict should not be difficult for any of them to accept. The governments should move to adopt such a provision now. Let the lessons of Dubrovnik be heeded the cultural and historic treasures of the world should be protected for the Benefit of present and future generations. Don t let Short term violence destroy something that has taken centuries to create. May 14, 1992 stripes Magazine 11