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<title>Stefano Vaccara -English Translation</title>
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A signature to remain Safe<br>
di Stefano Vaccara<br>
America Oggi/Oggi7<br>
<br>
On September 8, at the State Department in Washington, there will be a
public hearing that will influence the next decision whether or not to
renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Italy, which is the
agreement that for five years has protected Italian cultural
heritage ,works of antiquity, from illicit trafficking that goes on
between the two sides of the ocean. In fact, this bilateral agreement
USA-Italy, effective since 2001, expires at the beginning of next year.<br>
There shouldn't be problems for the
continuation of a diplomatic agreement that has made it much more
difficult for the so-called "tombaroli" to earn their profits, those
who after they clandestinely dig thousands of Italian archeological
sites, they sell the smuggled treasures to various middlemen who know
the appropriate channels , those channels that also bring these finds
of antiquity to the most famous museums in the world. Until a few
years ago it was the U.S. market that was the most profitable for the
illegal market, but thanks to the MOW, now it has become much more
difficult to bring in these works to the U.S. without the necessary
documents that attest to the licit provenance.<br>
"We appeal to everyone, particularly the
Italian Americans, to continue this important accord between the USA
and Italy". Said Cindy Ho. president of SAFE (Saving Antiquities for
Everyone) non-profit Organization that she founded, and who will be
testifying with four other exponents of SAFE at the State Department in
favor of the MOW. Ho, a Chinese woman born in Hong Kong, lives in the
USA since 1972 and works in the publicity field. She came to find us at
the paper to explain better the fight SAFE is involved in and that she
hopes she can involve also our community.<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ms.. Ho, how did you
come up with the idea of SAFE?<br>
</span>"It was in 2003, the day after the sacking
of the Baghdad museum. It was a horrible thing that upset me. When a
population loses, its historic heritage ceases to exist. I wanted to do
something fast, but didn't know what. I'm not an expert on art, I'm not
an archeologist, I don't work in a museum or University, I am only a
professional graphic publicist. I wanted to go to baghdad, but what
could I have done there? So my husband suggested to use my profession
from the US which would be more useful. So I founded SAFE with a web
site and spread the word quickly. There, this is the main job of SAFE,
to raise public awareness to the problem of the market in illegal works
of antiquity. SAFE knows how to involve experts in the field, but also
many other normal citizens, among the activists we have in fact
teenagers of 18 years of age, all people sensitive to the issue and all
ready to give an active contribution."<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">And when did
your organization decide to take on the Italy case?<br>
</span>"Last January I testified at the State
Department for a case that related China, it discussed the possibility
of extending an accord similar to that with Italy. Amongst the voices
in the corridors, I heard that the Italian MOW renewal would soon be
debated and that the accord was at risk."<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">But who
doesn't want the continuation of an understanding that limits
efficiently illegal trafficking of antiquities between Italy and the
USA?<br>
</span>"There are many, besides certain
museums like the Met or Boston Fine Arts, there are also organizations
that gathers together the merchants of antique coins, this collecting
is a flourishing market. They say : there are many coins already in
Italian museums, leave us in peace to do our work in this
commerce, otherwise the coins would remain underground...
But it is exactly this that we must impede. Who loots
archeological sites with unauthorized digs to look for coins, don't
only commit crimes against the Italian law, but they destroy the
integrity of the historical memory that every site possesses. Where
they pass, the historical heredity of a people is compromised."<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">But there are
those who declare, especially among the dealers, that among the
possibility of artifacts that remain underground for who knows how
long, and the purchase from foreign museums where they can be restored
and admired, the second solution should not be condemned. Are they
wrong?<br>
</span>"Yes Absolutely. If they want to do
something, a foreign museum or institution should assist managing the
sites. But archeological sites must be preserved in its integrity,
which doesn't happen when people only interested in profit get
involved. The MOU accord also includes provisions for Italian
institutions to facilitate the travel of Italian masterpieces to be
admired in the American museums. We don't have to own these treasures
to admire them here, don't you agree.<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">The illegal
market in antiquities benefits other types of criminals, true?<br>
</span>"Certainly, like drug traffickers and
international terrorists, they use this trade to finance their main
activities. The 9/11 terrorist, Mohammed Atta, did this for example.
This will be the subject of the speech that Charles Sabba, a member of
SAFE, will give in front of the commission in Washington."<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">For the testimony
of Sept. 8th at the State Department, SAFE has launched in the past few
weeks an initiative: "Say Yes To Italy". You have collected signatures
from regular citizens in favor of the renewal of MOU, all you have to
do is go to the SAFE site (www.savingantiquities.org) to still be able
to support your initiative. How many signatures do you have?<br>
</span>"Almost a thousand, it is not a small
number, but we want more. Also because we have heard that a group of
coin merchants will arrive with a pack of fax supporting their
initiative against our accord. But in the meantime our signatures are
collected amongst common citizens that when asked what they think about
the bilateral USA-Italy agreement, 90% sign convinced; the support
received from the lobby have economic interests to stop certain
American controls on the imports from Italy.<br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">On your site
you also find info on tours that you conduct in the museums. What is it
about?<br>
</span>"Yes, we organize guided visits in
several museums of info and examination of the provenance of the
displayed objects. We explain on the spot what is behind a piece of art
or an archeological find. We are holding two at the Met in October. <br>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">And the
Italian authorities? Do they know you? Have you asked for help and
support for your initiative?<br>
</span>"Last April I was at the embassy in
Washington, I met Roberto Natali, then in charge of the cultural
affairs. He was leaving for Barcelona. So I contacted his successor,
Dr. Silvia Limoncini, who told me to send our questions. I did, but up
until now, she has not responded, maybe they are very busy. We knew
however that the embassy would send a representative on Sept 8 to
assist in the testimony at the State Department. We hope for the best.
We need help from everyone, also from your readers who can still sign
on-line in order that this very important agreement between USA-Italy
continues to preserve the integrity of the historical and cultural
heritage of the Italians.<br>
<br>
www.americaoggi.info<br>
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