UNESCO slams seven 'new' wonders of the world

The UN body for culture today blasted a private initiative that drew nearly 100 million internet and telephone voters to choose seven "new" wonders of the world.

"This campaign responds to other criteria and objectives than that of UNESCO in the field of heritage," said Sue Williams, the spokeswoman for the UN cultural body that designates world heritage sites. "We have a much broader vision," she told AFP...

Christian Manhart, UNESCO's press officer, criticised the ballot, saying it sent out a "negative message to countries whose sites have not been retained".

"All of these wonders obviously deserve a place on the list, but what disturbs us is that the list is limited to just seven," he said, pointing out that "seven were adequate in antiquity because the antique world was much smaller than today," only comprising the area surrounding the Mediterranean.