The dispute was one reason for the failure of The Hague talks on the Kyoto Protocol last November.

BBC: EU pushes for Kyoto compromise

Mali has recently taken measures to accede to the Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict 1999 which amongst others, penalizes the intentional destruction of cultural heritage.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN BRASILIA

Mali is to finalize its accession to the 1999 Second Protocol to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict to enable it to submit requests for the granting of enhanced protection to cultural properties that are of the greatest importance to humanity.

UNESCO: EDUCATION

Negotiations on the protocol broke down at The Hague last year.

CNN: U.N. climate conference laments U.S. opposition