[CPProt.net] FW: Return of obelisk to Ethiopia delayed again

[Museum Security Network / Cultural Property Protection Net (Ton Cremers)]

I did speak about this matter with one of my Italian contacts. Asked him to
call Berlusconi for me. This is more than just outrageous. It is a shame.
How can one take Italy's claims for the return of cultural property
seriously as long as they keep postponing the return of the obelisk? I do
not want to read about airfield runways that are too short, stones that are
too heavy or any infratructural and logistic difficulties. Maybe the
Italians should not only return the obelisk but also restore the route it
took when looted from Ethiopia to Italy. Nobody can convince me that in 2005
cannot be done what could be done in 1937: move this gigantic structure from
one country to the other! 
 
Ton Cremers
 
  _____  

Van: shlomo at eastafricaforum.net [mailto:shlomo at eastafricaforum.net] 
Verzonden: dinsdag 12 april 2005 15:21
Aan: Gary.D.Schwartz at let.uu.nl
Onderwerp: RE: Return of obelisk to Ethiopia delayed again


I think that it could be a technical delay, but don't know.  The weight to
be carried by the huge Antonov aircraft requires a long runway.  In
addition, Axum's about 5-6000 foot elevation adds to the runway length
needed.  The Axum airport  used to handle only DC-3s in my day, and now
2-engine Fokker Friendships.  It was probably paved only recently.  The
runway would have to be lengthened and strengthened a lot to accomodate the
Antonov.  I have wondered at the early return date because of the necessary
runway work.  Axum is quite remote, and since the 1998-2000 war is near the
dead end of the road at the nearby border with Eritrea.  A big runway
construction project there would not be easy.  Most of Its economic base is
tourism to visit the obelisks. Even in the 1960s when the border was open,
it had a population of maybe 10,000 and no paved streets.   It could be
double or triple that now...still just a large village with an airport and
some modest tourist hotels.
 
Another possibility is that the Italian officials who have said more than
once that the obelisk is part of Italy's cultural heritage more than
Ethiopia's have managed to stall the return.  
 
Does Ton Cremer have Tsehai, Ethiopia's first airplane, on his list?  It's
also in Italy.
 
Can he reach the authorities in Italy for an explanation?
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