Culturally Significant Objects Imported for Exhibition Determinations: “The Dead Sea Scrolls”

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given of the following determinations: Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Act of October 19, 1965 (79 Stat. 985; 22 U.S.C. 2459), Executive Order 12047 of March 27, 1978, the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 (112 Stat. 2681, et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6501 note, et seq.), Delegation of Authority No. 234 of October 1, 1999, Delegation of Authority No. 236 of October 19, 1999, as amended, and Delegation of Authority No. 257 of April 15, 2003 [68 FR 19875], I hereby determine that the objects to be included in the exhibition “The Dead Sea Scrolls,” imported from abroad for temporary exhibition within the United States, are of cultural significance. The objects are imported pursuant to loan agreements with the foreign lenders. I also determine that the exhibition or display of the exhibit objects at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston, Texas, from on or about October 1, 2004 until on or about January 2, 2005, at the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, Mobile, Alabama from on or about January 20, 2005 until on or about April 24, 2005, and at possible additional venues yet to be determined, is in the national interest.

The action of the United States in this matter and the immunity based on the application of the provisions of law involved does not imply any view of the United States concerning the ownership of the exhibit objects. Further, it is not based upon and does not represent any change in the position of the United States regarding the status of Jerusalem or the territories occupied by Israel since 1967. See Letter of September 22, 1978, of President Jimmy Carter, attached to the Camp David Accords, reprinted in 78 Dept. of State Bulletin 11 (October 1978); Statement of September 1, 1982, of President Ronald Reagan, reprinted in 82 Dept. of State Bulletin 23 (September 1982).

Public Notice of these Determinations is ordered to be published in the Federal Register.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For further information, including a list of the exhibit objects, contact the Office of the Legal Adviser, U.S. Department of State, (telephone: 202/619-6982). The address is U.S. Department of State, SA-44, 301 4th Street, SW., Room 700, Washington, DC 20547-0001.