Submitted by John Ambrose, Nov 18, 2006 10:05

The notion that ancient culture "belongs" to the modern governmental entity is an absolutely false starting point. Ancient cultural property belongs to the world. If you refuse to agree with this basic assertion, then you are colluding with governments, like the Taliban when the controlled Afghanistan or the Nazis in Germany, who believe they have the right to destroy anicent cultural objects they find distasteful. Ancient cultural property belongs to the world. As such, museums and their patrons (most of whom are also private collectors) remain vital global protectors of fragile cultural property that might otherwise be obliterated, abused, neglected and lost forever by the uncaring, under-resourced, or worse, ruthless governments du jour.

Further, it is totally ironic but never cited in the press reports, that the object most coveted by the Italian government from the Metropolitan Museum -- the Euphronious Vase -- is not Italian at all! It was made by Greek craftsmen in Athens, an undeniable fact, then transported to Italy in the 5th century BC. So, thanks to the Italian government's blackmail tactics, this vase will be relinquished by the Met for its new "home" in Italy. Perhaps if the Greek government does begin an aggressive campaign to reclaim its cultural past, it should start in Italy rather than the shores of America.

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