Time for Malefactor Source Countries to Take Some Heat

Arthur Houghton III
distinguished numismatist

Arthur Houghton, former State Department diplomat, White House official, museum curator and CPAC member is promoting US interests against the machinations of foreign malefactor source countries ("Time for Malefactor Source Countries to Take Some Heat!"). He is at this time engaged in high-level talks in Washington in Congress and reports that there is now considerable interest in ensuring that Americans are not disadvantaged by the practices of other countries with regard to cultural property matters. It is good to learn that US Politicians are actively discussing listing countries that willfully destroy their own past, either by allowing their domestic markets to flourish or by permitting and even encouraging public and private development that destroys their past history and their archaeological sites. The proposal is punishing malefactor source countries to ensure that they began taking care of their own history. Any existing MOU with a malefactor country would be made null and void and would remain so unless and until the country involved could demonstrate compliance with the Convention. Other acquiring countries would be encourage to do the same. All the archaeological community's selective outrage against collectors has had the effect of diverting attention from poor stewardship of cultural resources in countries like Greece, Italy, and China. Under the circumstances, this new US initiative should be welcomed by everyone who truly cares about cultural heritage.