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Re "Museums Set Stricter Guidelines for Acquiring Antiquities" (Arts pages,
June 4):
As the lawyer who negotiated the 1970 Unesco Convention, I welcome the news
that art museums, after 38 years, are moving more seriously to restrain
acquisition of antiquities looted after 1970.
In that year, the United States became the first art-importing nation to
accept responsibility to help preserve archeological sites around the world
by curbing imports of illicit antiquities. More than 100 states have since
accepted the convention.
Museums insisted that this policy change not be applied retroactively, and
we agreed in a compromise including limited import controls imposed by law
and voluntary action by American museums.
After spirited debate, Unesco adapted the draft convention to the United
States position. The convention succeeded in establishing new international
norms, but as demonstrated in these pages, many museums have been slow to
comply.
The new museum guidelines may not solve the problem, but coupled with public
pressures, they should make a big difference.
Mark B. Feldman
Washington, June 4, 2008
The writer served as deputy legal adviser of the State Department.
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