You can see other scrawl underneath the UN graffiti, in both Roman and Arabic letters, but no ancient drawings, so this is perhaps not quite the story it appears to be. The modern graffiti are perhaps merely next to the prehistoric drawings, and could safely be removed?

Frank Upton, Solihull,

"We will report it to the troop-contributing countries. We can move them.”

Ah, the UN definition of "Taking action."

Why does the civilized world belong to this third world street gang, again?

Michael Z. Williamson, Greenwood, Indiana, US

Unfortunately typical of the UN troops in that region. However, their action pale in comparison with that of Morocco who has strived to erase not only the cultural heritage, but also the actual living culture of the Saharawi from the region.

John Mccray, Atlanta, GA

One has to wonder what constitutes a passing grade in the "Ethics in Peacekeeping" course...
I don't honestly blame the soldiers, lifted out of various environments and stuck in the Morroccan desert and bored to tears, but rather the officers and general organisation that failed to impress upon them the historical value of these sites. Officers, from any nation, could be expected to be of a higher education and cultural sensitivity, and their involvement is what is most disheartening.
Here in the States one often hears, from a certain portion of the public and commentators, that the UN is generally unreliable and suffers most from a lack of accountability; this last charge, I think, is too often proved true. I hope that the vandals will be appropriately punished; perhaps a special int'l "clean-up" detail can be arranged (and given media coverage, of course!) back at the crime scene?

Geoffrey Tudor, Sequim, WA, USA

It could be Petar from Croydon!!!!

Mario, London, England

it's like britart
isn't this what we aspire to? something relevant for the kids today? something multicultural, that celebrates diversity? the world working together, anyone?
it's better than a load of irrelevant old pictures of giraffes my kids could draw better.
come on, tracy emin.
chris from sheff- yes you're right i like that game too.
here's one: look what the english did to sheffield,eh?
top that

sparkie, london,

Perhaps it is 'normal behavior' in Netherlands, but not in my realm. It is behavior of the ignorant and self absorbed, and not all humanity is such.

zod, Raleigh, US—NC

I am a former graffiti artist. And there is a fine line between a graffiti ARTIST and some $^$%& with a can of paint. Please do not assume true graffiti artists would EVER deface a historical site, place of worship, or private property unprovoked.

Sgloki, Seattle, Washington U.S.A.

What thoughtless idiots,there is no excuse for their destructive acts. They must rectify what they've done if at all possible and be punished and fined.

Mark, Laguna Beach, California

This is just normal human behaviour. Don't we remember how many paintings and fresco's have been found with many layers of new creations underneath it?

Now our archeologists in the future will have a new challenge.

Matthijs, Waalwijk, Netherlands

ALL the cultural vandals should be sentenced to clean and restore the sites they trashed, under armed guard and under the supervision of a team of trained archaeologists - the people who use hair brushes for hours to clean ancient artefacts so that we can admire what other people's ancestors have achieved.
Respect for other people's cultures is essential to civilisation.
Yes, the Americans too must clean up after themselves in Iraq, even though they have already destroyed invalualble archaeological evidence from sheer cussedness and a limitless sense of entitlement, like the UN troops in the Sahara. A sense of "shock and awe" and humility at other people's achievements so early in human history wouldn't come amiss. And training in how hard it is to preserve ancient artefacts. Let them clean, restore and learn, and let it be done compulsorily and even at their own expense.

Julia Iskandar, London, England

Mr Tim, San marcos... hmmm yes you are right. We British do not think we have done a lot of damage. We have.

Chris, sheff,

I think we're somewhat missing the point, gentlemen.

The fact is that a beautiful, irreplacable, important piece of cultural history has been wantonly destroyed and defaced by individuals who should know better.

One questions their professionalism as a peace keeping force given their obvious lack of respect for the local community, past or present.

Rebecca, Bristol, England

A lot of throwing stones in the old glass house among these comments.
It doesnt matter who did what, where and when, this kind of behaviour whether its the UN, USA, UK or whoever is downright wrong!!

Phill , The Wirral, England

I think you mean they vandalized already destroyed parts of Babylon..

Not to excuse what they did, but to be fair Babylon was a "ruin" even 2000 years ago - a historically significant archaeological site, but still a "ruin"..

Jeff, Wolverhampton,

You've convinced me, Mr Tim. Two wrong do indeed make a right.

Mortal Wombat, Sydney,

michael uk,london...which part of Babylon was it the US Army destroyed..???...I hope it wasn't the Gardens...I always enjoyed the gardens...or was it the statues that the Brits broke up...poor memory....

Mr Tim, san marcos, U S of A // Ca

Reminds me of when the US army destroyed sections of Babylon.

michael uk, London,