U.S. Imposes Emergency Import Restriction on Khmer Stone Archaeological Material
The U.S. Government is imposing an emergency import restriction on
certain Khmer stone archaeological material ranging in date from the
6th century A.D. through the 16th century A.D. This step is taken in
response to a request from the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia
seeking U.S. assistance to protect its national cultural heritage
that is in jeopardy from pillage. The request was submitted to the
United States under Article 9 of the 1970 Convention on the Means of
Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of
Ownership of Cultural Property. Both countries are party to this
Convention. Stone archaeological material is being pillaged
throughout Cambodia at an alarming rate. Recent reports indicate
free-standing sculpture, architectural elements and other stone
artifacts are being illicitly removed from Cambodia by the truckload.
Important monuments and sites, such as Angkor and Banteay Chhmar, are
being damaged and destroyed by pillagers who, by means of chainsaws
and chisels, detach architectural and sculptural elements from
ancient Khmer temples for the illicit market. Stone monuments and
sculpture produced during the Angkorian Empire illustrate a high
degree of artistic, social and economic achievement of the Khmer
culture. Much of it also evidences the profound religious and social
beliefs of the Khmer culture. The decision to impose this emergency
import restriction was taken after the Cultural Property Advisory
Committee reviewed Cambodia's request and made findings and
recommendations in support of this action. The Department concurs in
the Committee's finding that the material is a part of the remains of
the Khmer culture "the record of which is in jeopardy from pillage,
dismantling, dispersal, or fragmentation which is, or threatens to
be, of crisis proportions." By taking this action, the Government of
the United States demonstrates its respect for the cultural heritage
of other countries and decries the global pillage that results in an
illicit trade in cultural objects and the irretrievable loss of
information about human history. The United States takes this action
in the hope it will reduce the incentive for further pillage of the
unique and non-renewable cultural heritage of the people of Cambodia.
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The United States Department of State is responsible for
implementing the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act
(the Act). This is the enabling legislation for the 1970 UNESCO
Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit
Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. In
accordance with the Act, United States Department of State accepts
requests from countries for import restrictions on archaeological or
ethnological artifacts, the pillage of which places their national
cultural heritage in jeopardy. The Cultural Property Advisory
Committee, appointed by the president of the United States, reviews
these requests and makes recommendations to the United States
Department of State. [End of Press Statement]