[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 47 (Friday, March 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 13202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5857]



[[Page 13202]]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 2175]


Proposed UNIDROIT Multilateral Treaty (Convention) on the 
International Return of Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects; 
Request for Public Comment

    The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law 
(UNIDROIT) and the Government of Italy have scheduled a diplomatic 
conference for June, 1995 which will seek to conclude the draft 
convention prepared under UNIDROIT auspices on the International Return 
of Stolen or Illegally Exported Cultural Objects. The Department seeks 
public comment and recommendations on this draft convention.
    UNIDROIT has undertaken this effort at the request of the United 
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The 
proposed UNIDROIT convention does not affect rights and obligations 
arising under the 1970 UNESCO convention on the protection of cultural 
property, to which the United States is a party.
    The proposed UNIDROIT convention has essentially two parts, the 
first covering claims for the international return of stolen objects 
which may be brought by individual parties; the second covering claims 
by States for return of illegally exported objects. The Department has 
stated that the convention could only apply prospectively with regard 
to any claims for return made in the United States. Commentators on the 
draft convention should also take into account the following: First, 
there is no commitment by any federal agency at this stage to support 
U.S. ratification of this proposed convention; that determination can 
only be made after a final convention text is available. Second, 
ratification by the Untied States would need to be accompanied by 
federal implementing legislation which would further define and clarify 
what rights can be enforced and in what manner. In the event such 
legislation is proposed in the future, public comment would be sought 
at that time on all matters to be covered by such legislation.
    The draft convention and additional treaty technical provisions are 
available from the Office of the Assistant Legal Adviser for Private 
International Law (L/PIL), 2100 K Street, NW., room 501, Washington, DC 
20037-7180. Additional available documentation includes a report on the 
fourth inter-governmental drafting session and an explanatory report 
prepared by the Secretariat which does not necessarily reflect the 
views of participating States.
    Comments on the draft convention from persons requesting these 
documents should be received not later than April 15. For further 
information, contact Harold S. Burman, Executive Director, Advisory 
Committee on Private International Law, at the above address or by fax 
at (202) 653-9854.
Peter H. Pfund,
Assistant Legal Adviser for Private International Law.
[FR Doc. 95-5857 Filed 3-9-95; 8:45 am]
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