I would like to thank everyone who voiced their support for the continuation of import restrictions on antiquities from Bolivia. Last week it was announced that the extension was approved and we have another 5 years of protection of Bolivian material.
Just as importantly, on January 18th the State Department’s Cultural Property Advisory Committee will hold an open session to discuss extending import restrictions on archaeological material and other cultural property from Peru. This session is specifically for oral public commentary and anyone with information or expertise relevant to this matter is highly encouraged to attend or even speak. From the Federal Register:
“If you wish to attend the open session on January 18, 2012, you should notify the Cultural Heritage Center of the Department of State at (202) 632–6301 no later than 5 p.m. (EST) January 3, 2012, to arrange for admission.
If you wish to make an oral presentation at the open session, you must request to be scheduled and must submit a written text of their oral comments, ensuring that it is received no later than January 3, 2012, 11:59 p.m.”
That said, you need not attend to let your voice be heard. CPAC invites comments from the public on this matter. If you are an archaeologist who works in or near Peru, the continuation of this bilateral agreement is important to your livelihood. Take a moment to voice your support for the agreement. Again from the Federal Register:
“Electronic Delivery. To submit comments electronically, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov), enter the Docket No. DOS–2011–0136 for Peru, and follow the prompts to submit a
comment. For further information, see http://exchanges.state.gov/heritage/whatsnew.html.”
Please note that any letter submitted is public.
If anyone is considering presenting and would like to know what it is like, feel free to contact me. The same for anyone who thinks they might have information that they would like to put in a support letter: you might just have data that is relevant!
Sincerely,