A delegation of individuals representing US associations and foundations interested in safeguarding Egypt's antiquities from theft will visit Cairo from 16 to 19 May. Headed by Deborah Lehr, president of the Capitol Archeological Institute at George Washington University, the delegation is working with the relevant Egyptian bodies to investigate how to stop organized theft at archeological sites and preserve the shared human heritage of Egypt's past. The Egyptian Embassy in Washington has coordinated with the delegation to prepare an integrated program of meetings, including with government officials, and field visits to a number of sites recently subject to theft. The media outlet Al-Sharq Al-Awsat said the delegation will present specific proposals for confronting antiquity theft and supporting efforts by the Egyptian government to do so. The proposals include organizing and funding training programs. The visit comes in the wake of increased international concern over the rising number of thefts at Egypt's archeological sites. The delegation includes a group of prominent experts who signed a petition entitled “Call for action to protect Egyptian antiquities”, which calls for the US government to adopt immediate measures to prevent the circulation or sale of stolen Egyptian antiquities in the US market.
