Italy MOU and the Giotto Frescoes

The Italians have asked for 'Yet Another Renewal of the Italian MOU' drastically limiting Americans’ abilities to purchase historical artifacts and art objects from abroad and have negatively impacted the cultural understanding and people to people contacts collecting fosters. One of the criteria for us issuing an MOU is whether the requesting state is able to look after its own heritage. A recent case from Assisi, on top of news of more disasters in Pompei casts doubt on that (Hili Perlson, 'Appalling Restoration Destroys Giotto Frescoes at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi' - artnet News, February 20, 2015). 

Fourteenth-century frescoes in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi have been damaged by over-ambitious restorations, Italian daily La Repubblica reports. Experts claim the frescoes have been significantly compromised; segments that have fallen victim to over-enthusiastic work now stand in stark contrast to the untouched areas. Unique in their range and quality, the frescoes are considered instrumental for understanding developments in Italian art history. [...] Frescoes at one end of the transept in the Chapel of St. Nicholas, where restoration is already concluded, are heavily compromised. [...]  some details of the decor have been obliterated. The Virgin Mary at the center of the triptych in the Chapel of St. Nicholas has completely (and allegedly irreversibly) lost its top coat.

Sergio Fusetti, lead restorer at the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi, denies the allegations.