jlueke Posted March 28, 2006 Report Share Posted March 28, 2006 Dear Group: Since last March, we have been trying to gain details about the Chinese request for import restrictions through Freedom of Information Act requests, but to no avail. Our suspicions began when coins were listed without further explanation for potential restriction in an 11 page summary of what purported to be the request even though we knew that the Bank of China had partnered with a Chinese entrepreneur to sell the exact same type of coins from his 500 ton hoard to tourists. Other Chinese art experts also became suspicious because the broad nature of the Chinese request (covering Neolithic Times to 1911) did not square with news reports out of China that the Chinese were only interested in help in recovering items stolen from tombs. We have even enlisted the assistance of Congressmen Foley and Rohrabacher, but we understand that they are also being stonewalled by the State Department that has told them that the details of the Chinese requests are "secret." At this point, we think the only way we are going to get to the bottom of this is to apply additional political pressure. At a minimum, we hope that questions about the details about the request will cause the DOS political appointees, Dina Powell and Karen Hughes, to ask staff some hard questions about the details of the request and whether proper processes have been followed. If you think Government transparency is important, I would urge you to tell your member of Congress what you think. This can be easily done using the ACCG fax wizard at the below link. http://www.vcoins.com/fax/ Its actually interesting to do, takes only about 5 minutes, and is free (although of course donations to our effort our welcome). Best wishes, Peter Tompa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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