|
Italiano
Extension and Amendment to the Agreement
between the Government of the United States of America and the Government
of the Republic of Italy Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions
on Categories of Archaeological Material Representing the Pre-Classical,
Classical and Imperial Roman Periods of Italy
Pursuant to Article IV. B. of the Agreement between
Italy and the U.S. that entered into force on 19 January, 2001, an
exchange of diplomatic notes on 13 January, 2006, between the signatories
constitutes an agreement to
extend the MOU, effective as of January 19, 2006, and amend it by
replacing Article II with the revised Article II, presented here.
Article
II
A.
Representatives of the Government of the United States of America
and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Italy shall take
appropriate steps to publicize this Memorandum of Understanding.
B.
Both Governments agree that in order for United States import
restrictions to be fully successful in deterring pillage, the Government
of the Republic of Italy shall use its best efforts to increase scientific
research and protection of archaeological patrimony and protective
measures for archaeological excavations at known sites, particularly in
areas at greatest risk from looters. The Government of the United
States of America acknowledges the efforts of the Government of the
Republic of Italy in recent years to devote more public funds to guard
archaeological sites and museums and to develop Italian tax incentives for
private support of legitimate excavation. The Government of the Republic of Italy agrees to
continue to pursue these efforts.
C. The
Government of the Republic of Italy shall reinforce, with respect to the
1970 UNESCO Convention, the
protection of its cultural patrimony. In particular, the Government of the Republic of
Italy shall continue its efforts to:
1. ensure the prompt prosecution of
looters,
2. stop the illicit use of metal
detectors in archaeological areas
3. enhance training for the
Carabinieri Special Unit for the Protection of Artistic Patrimony, and
4. create and pursue innovative and
effective ways to detect and stop the looting of archaeological sites.
D. Both
Governments agree that, in order for United States import restrictions to
be most successful in thwarting pillage, the Government of the Republic of
Italy shall endeavor to strengthen cooperation among nations within the
Mediterranean Region for the protection of the cultural patrimony of the
region, recognizing that political boundaries and cultural boundaries do
not coincide; and shall seek increased cooperation from other
art-importing nations to restrict illicit imports, in the effort to deter
further pillage.
E.
The Government of the United States of America recognizes that the
Government of the Republic of Italy permits the interchange of
archaeological materials for cultural, exhibition, educational and
scientific purposes to enable widespread public appreciation of and legal
access to Italy's rich cultural heritage. The Government of the Republic
of Italy agrees to use its best efforts to encourage further interchange
through:
1. promoting agreements for
long-term loans of objects of archaeological or artistic interest, for as
long as necessary, for research and education, agreed upon, on a case by
case basis, by American and Italian museums or similar institutions, to
include: scientific and technological analysis of materials and their
conservation; comparison for study purposes in the field of art history
and other humanistic and academic disciplines with material already held
in American museums or institutions; or educational presentations of
special themes between various museums or academic institutions;
2. encouraging American museums and
universities jointly to propose and participate in excavation projects
authorized by the Ministry of Culture, with the understanding that certain
of the scientifically excavated objects from such projects could be given
as a loan to the American participants through specific agreements with
the Ministry of Culture; and
3. promoting agreements for
academic exchanges and specific study programs agreed upon by Italian and
American institutions.
F.
The Government of the United States of America acknowledges the
efforts by the Government of the Republic of Italy in recent years to
revise and strengthen the laws concerning the export of archaeological
artifacts, and to improve the efficiency of the system to release
certificates of exportation.
The Government of the Republic of Italy shall continue to examine
new ways to facilitate the export of archaeological items legitimately
sold within Italy.
G. The
Government of the United States of America and the Government of the
Republic of Italy shall use their best efforts to facilitate appropriate
contacts among U.S. and Italian museums and institutions for the
development of increased and extended loans of Italy's archaeological
cultural patrimony to U.S. museums.
Home
| Site
Index | Site
Search | Disclaimer
& Credits | Contact
Us | Back
To Top
Revised: January 26, 2006 |