Re: U.S./Cyprus Bilateral Agreement

2 February 2007

Cultural Property Advisory Committee
Cultural Heritage Center
U.S. Department of State
301 4th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20547

On behalf of the World Archaeological Congress (WAC), I am writing to you regarding Cyprus' recent request to include coins more than 250 years old on the list of archaeological materials whose import into the U.S. is restricted through bilateral agreement. WAC supports Cyprus' request. Coins have important archaeological research potential when found in context and unfortunately are easily subject to pillage and illegal export. Coins are part of Cyprus' rich cultural heritage and when remove seriously jeopardizes its ability to interpret and understand its past.