Upcoming meeting on Axum obelisk return should focus on technicalities of reinstatement: Scholars

Addis Ababa, August 31(ENA)-- Some prominent scholars said the meeting due to be held in Rome, Italy, to discuss the reinstatement of the Axum obelisk should focus on as to how and when the monument could be returned to Ethiopia.

The scholars told ENA that the meeting of technical professionals should dwell only on the technicalities of reinstating the heritage to its place of origin, Ethiopia.

The meeting should fix the exact date in which relevant operations would be launched to dismantle the obelisk from its current location and transport it to Ethiopia.

The scholars expressed their concern over the Italian government's failure to live up to the promises it made at various times to give back the historical relic to its legitimate owner.

Meanwhile, a three-member Ethiopian technical committee left here for Rome on Saturday to attend the meeting upon the invitation of the Italian government.

The committee said it would confer with pertinent Italian officials on the return of the Axum obelisk and on the extent of the damage the heritage sustained recently as a result of being hit by lightening.

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