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PARIS, Jun 28, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A Paris library employee charged with stealing 100 rare books says the National Library's bungling is responsible for losing some 30,000 other works.
Michel Garel, a former senior curator of the library and internationally known expert on Hebrew texts, initially admitted stealing a 13th-century French copy of the first five books of the Old Testament.
The document was sold to a British collector for $95,000 five years ago, but then was recognized as belonging to the French national collection when offered for sale by Christie's in New York weeks later.
Now, Garel says he confessed under duress, and claims he warned his bosses for years pieces were missing. He pointed out a labyrinth of underground passageways that connect the library to nearby antiquarian bookshops, but nothing was done, he told Le Figaro.
Agnes Saal, director general of the library, said policy has changed.
"There used to be an ostrich policy here, but that is not acceptable anymore," Saal said. "You have to admit to what has been lost."
Copyright 2005 by United Press International.
