Seen on various lists and Facebook groups (please send any responses to the folks mentioned in the quoted text, not to rogueclassicism!):
Dear List Members,
I’m writing as the Vice-President of Professional Responsibilities for
the Archaeological Institute of America and asking you to join me in
protecting Italy’s archaeological heritage. As most on this list will
know, looting continues to threaten Italian sites and you can help
ensure that the United States has effective tools to stop the import
of undocumented Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities from that
country.On May 6th the Cultural Property Advisory Committee (CPAC) of the US
State Dept. will review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
the US and Italy that governs the trade in antiquities between the two
countries. The committee has asked for public comments, with a
deadline of April 22nd. Your input is extremely important in this
process.For those already inclined to write, attachments can be sent to
culprop AT state.gov . The AIA has set up a web page at:http://www.archaeological.org/cpac .
This page has templates with the e-mail address as well as a fax
number. There is also further information for those who want to know
more about CPAC and the MoU process.It is extremely important that members of the public, educators and
students write letters in support of this agreement. Looting in Italy
remains a pervasive problem and a one page letter from you will help
ensure that the MoU is extended, which is not a certain outcome.While many US museums have recently adopted more reasonable
acquisition policies, those of us interested in preserving
archaeological resources for both public enjoyment and for research
face a well-funded opposition with clear commercial interests in the
matter and with paid legal representation. Letters to CPAC make a huge
difference in offsetting the misunderstandings they push.With many thanks for your time,
Sebastian Heath, Ph.D.
Vice-President for Professional Responsibilities,
Archaeological Institute of America.p.s. When you write, do *not* send your letter by regular mail.
Security procedures mean that it will not get to CPAC by the 22nd.
rogueclassicism 