Speeches
Remarks by Piper A. W. Campbell, U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires, at International Coordinating Committee (ICC) Meeting
Sokha Hotel, Siem Reap
June 4, 2008
H.E. Senior Minister Sok An
Esteemed Co-Chairmen,
Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has been a great pleasure to be here with you today, in what has been my first ICC meeting. Developing the sense of how countries are working so closely together in support of the mutual goal of preserving the Angkorian structures, makes me even more pleased, and proud, to announce a new U.S. contribution. The Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation, managed by the United States Department of State, will provide more than $978,000 to the World Monuments Fund to continue its conservation and preservation work at Phnom Bakheng. Many of you have enjoyed the colorful sunsets over Angkor Wat from the top of this beautiful edifice, but despite its importance, Phnom Bakheng is still perhaps the least understood and explored of the major temple complexes in the Historic City of Angkor.
As many of you are aware, WMF received a grant of $550,000 from the State Department in 2004 for an initial phase of conservation work at Phnom Bakheng that included archaeological research, environmental and architectural conservation assessments, the development of recommendations for ensuring the structural stability of the site, the creation of a plan for the management of tourism, and emergency conservation measures.
This new grant will allow WMF to conduct a second phase of conservation work that will focus on the temple’s primary East Elevation, the most visible -- and most heavily damaged -- part of the site. Phase II will address some of the most urgent challenges at Phnom Bakheng, such as protecting the temple structure from further deterioration through stabilization, waterproofing, repairs and partial reconstruction.
The Historic City of Angkor is one of the world’s cultural and architectural wonders. Conserving its monuments, which are a crucial part of Cambodian history, is one way to promote peace and prosperity in the country. This grant is therefore an important diplomatic gesture. I think it’s worth noting that it was made possible by strong Congressional interest, as U.S. congressional delegations visiting Angkor Wat have fallen in love with this country, a sentiment which I know is shared by many in this room.
We all know that Cambodia’s cultural heritage is one of its most precious assets. But it is critical that we help the country compensate for years of neglect, find ways to stop looters from destroying archaeological sites, and preserve the priceless carvings and artifacts held in the national collections. The U.S. is committed to the protection of Cambodia’s heritage, and this grant for Phnom Bakheng represents just one aspect of my country's assistance to Cambodia in this endeavor.
Over the last several years, the U.S. government has provided more than $866,000 to fund cultural preservation projects in Cambodia. Additionally, the U.S. and Cambodia are currently in the process of renewing the 2003 bilateral agreement that imposes import restrictions on Khmer archaeological materials entering the United States. This agreement made it possible for the U.S. government to repatriate to Cambodia last year a looted Apsara dancer smuggled into the United States – a return which Ambassador Mussomeli stated made him both “grateful and happy.” We expect several more such repatriations in the future. Additionally, U.S. museums and foundations continue to work with their Cambodian counterparts on efforts to repair and catalogue Cambodia’s treasures.
Through these important programs, the United States is pleased to join you in the fight to preserve the monuments of Angkor for the Cambodian people and for the world. Though the task of preserving the temples of Angkor often seems more monumental than the complex itself, we are proud to join our efforts with those of the partners represented here today.
Thank you for this opportunity to share our latest news with you today. Now I would like to turn the floor over to Bonnie Burnham, President of the World Monuments Fund, who will present the technical details of WMF's proposed work at Phnom Bakheng under the auspices of this new U.S. grant.
