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"Butrint", Former US Congressman UNESCO letter: Risks status as World Heritage

2022-05-01 22:12:24Aktualitet SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
"Butrint", Former US Congressman UNESCO letter: Risks status as World
Joseph J. DioGuardi, former U.S. Congressman

Joseph J. DioGuardi, former US Congressman has sent a letter to UNESCO regarding Butrint. DioGuardi sent the letter on April 8, 2022. The letter is entitled "Potentially endangered status of the Butrint World Heritage Site in Albania."

He writes that the Government of Albania, under the influence of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), a US-based entity, has amended the law on cultural heritage, allowing a private foundation to manage Butrint National Park.

The former US Congressman demands that UNESCO and its entities start without delay a full investigation of these possible violations of the 1972 Convention as well as the principles and practices of UNESCO, which seriously endanger Butrint's status as a World Heritage site. .

Full letter:

Dear Dr, Eloundou Assomo

I am a former member of the US House of Representatives, where in 1985-1989 I represented New York. I am also president of Truth in Government, a public oversight body that tracks the government's fiscal responsibilities.

Furthermore, I am the founder and president of the Albanian American Civic League (Albanian-American Civic League) and the Albanian-American Foundation, two entities that promote the deep commitment of the community in the protection of cultural heritage.

As a private and dedicated person, in accordance with Article 11 (4) of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, I seek to draw your attention to some potential, "serious and specific" threats to the Butrint World Heritage Site. I am also bringing to your attention a report dated April 6, 2022 of VOA, regarding the situation at the Butrinti Foundation at https //: www.zeriamerikes/a/6517829.html.

Understandably, the Government of Albania, under the influence of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), a US-based entity, has amended the law on cultural heritage, allowing a private foundation to manage Butrint National Park.

I also learned from VOA that the Albanian government has significantly reduced the protected area within Butrint National Park, by about 800 hectares, "thus paving the way for tourism development."

As you know, Butrint was included in the (UNESCO) World Heritage List in 1992. Butrint National Park was officially established in 2000, enabling effective site management and protection through a range of legal instruments. national and international, including the Paris Convention and the Ramsar Convention.

I am quite convinced that the Albanian national authorities have the capacity to run and manage Butrint itself, in full compliance with the 1972 Convention. In fact, thanks to the work and dedication of local human resources, in 2005 Butrint was removed from the list. of UNESCO endangered sites and climbed to the current (World Heritage) list.

However, recent changes in the relevant Albanian legislation have paved the way to change the management structure of Butrint from the existing and well-formed model under the Paris Convention, where the states parties have exclusive management, to a new, experimental and private management, which will be led by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF).

Due to the strong conflict of interest observed in this case, I have forwarded the issue to the US government, through the appropriate channels. Indeed, the Albanian-American Development Foundation:

(I) has paid the legal expertise for drafting the new law on cultural heritage;

(II) lobbied for its approval by the Albanian Parliament;

(III) And as a "strategic investor" will de facto take over the management and control of the Butrint World Heritage Site, which is contrary to the model and principles of the UNESCO Convention, as well as the best practices established in worldwide.

The consistent and ongoing policy of the U.S. Government regarding National Parks in America, including World Heritage Sites, is that they be managed solely and exclusively by the National Park Service, the agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior .

It is therefore incomprehensible for a US-based entity, such as the Albanian-American Development Foundation, to deviate from such a well-structured US government policy, thus attempting to create a new "hybrid" model in Albania, according to whose management is transferred from the hands of the sovereign to those of an externally controlled foundation.

Regarding the "hybrid" model imposed in Albania, Michael D. Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation, at a promotional event for Butrint last year went so far as to say: "We had to we created a model for the future, which would be applicable not only in Butrint, but potentially applicable in historical heritage sites not only throughout Albania, but which will probably be a model for the world… ”(emphasis added by the author of paper).

In other words, what he is really saying is to reinvent the wheel, forget the 1972 Convention, and abandon the well-defined UNESCO model.

I should also add that the world-renowned Israeli expert, Prof. Giora Solar, speaking about his work during 2012 in Butrint, which was commissioned by the Albanian-American Development Foundation, stated “my American client [i.e. "The Albanian-American Development Foundation] was far from professional."

He goes on to say that although the Albanian-American Development Foundation would create a special tool to manage Butrint, this would be a clear conflict of interest - adding that "the idea and the system are corrupt". [DITA Newspaper, September 16, 2020, at https://tinyurl.com/c2jfkzhf]

I therefore urge UNESCO and its entities to launch without delay a full investigation into these possible violations of the 1972 Convention as well as the principles and practices of UNESCO, which seriously jeopardize Butrint's status as a World Heritage Site.

Please feel free to contact me if you need additional information.

Sincerely,

Joseph J. DioGuardi


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