Explanation of Position by Laurie Shestack Phipps, United States Advisor, on Agenda Item 43, L.17: the UNGA Resolution on "Return or Restitution of Cultural Property to the Countries of Origin" in Plenary of the Sixty-fourth Session of the United Nations General Assembly

Laurie Shestack Phipps
Adviser for Economic and Social Affairs 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

by Laurie Shestack Phipps, United States Advisor

New York, NY

December 7, 2009

AS DELIVERED

The United States wishes to clarify in joining consensus on this resolution its understanding that the recommendations referenced in op 2 of the present resolution are the recommendations of UNESCO-sponsored meetings, including the 2008 Extraordinary Session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation, held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.  The recommendations referenced in op 2 do not include the recommendations of the separate and distinct 2008 meeting of non-governmental experts, which was also held in Seoul and sponsored by the Government of the Republic of Korea. 

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