$17m Picasso work stolen

PARIS - A notebook containing 32 sketches by Pablo Picasso, valued at about €8 million ($17.88 million), vanished yesterday from the Picasso Museum in central Paris.

The book, displayed in a glass presentation cabinet on the first floor of the 17th century building, was found to be missing just before lunchtime. There was no sign of a break-in and the museum's alarm system did not go off.

The Ministry of Culture said the cabinet holding the notebook could be opened only with a "special tool" but later a museum employee said it was open because the lock was broken.

Police were said to be working on the theory of a planned, or opportunistic, theft during a special opening of the museum, which is normally closed on Tuesdays (yesterday NZT).

The museum, housing Picasso works donated to the French state by his heirs since 1979, has been under renovation intended to double its display area. AFP quoted police sources as saying that the museum's security was notoriously "feeble".

- INDEPENDENT