US embassy cable - 05ROME3942

UNCLAS ROME 003942 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR ECA-A/S POWELL; ECA/P/C KOUROUPAS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: OEXC SCUL KPAO IT 
SUBJECT: EXTENSION OF U.S.-ITALIAN MEMORANDUM OF 
UNDERSTANDING 
 
 
1. Mission Italy wholeheartedly endorses the proposed 
extension of the U.S. - Italian Memorandum of 
Understanding Concerning the Imposition of Import 
Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological Material 
Representing the Pre-Classical, Classical and Imperial 
Roman Periods of Italy, signed on January 19, 2001. 
 
2. The Memorandum's effectiveness is demonstrated by the 
heightened awareness by law enforcement authorities in 
both countries about looted antiquities and seems to 
have resulted in significantly more recoveries by 
Italian authorities.  In addition, the agreement 
provides for long-term loans of archaeological material 
from Italy to U.S. museums and academic institutions for 
research, cultural, educational, art historical, and 
humanistic purposes.   As a result of this agreement, 
several important exhibitions have been shown in the 
United States with the contribution of Italian museums. 
 
3. The Ambassador's November 29 meeting with 
Minister for Cultural Assets Buttiglione was almost 
entirely taken up with discussion of the 
effectiveness of the agreement, the excellent 
bilateral cooperation it has produced, and the need 
for its timely renewal.  Mission Italy strongly 
urges that the Memorandum be extended in advance of 
its termination date on January 19, 2006 to avoid a 
highly undesirable hiatus in the valuable 
protection it affords. 
SPOGLI