The British Museum’s co-operation with Tajikistan on giving them copies of the Oxus treasure should be welcomed on one level. At the same time though, one has to question why countries should be grateful for having been given copies of items that they should still own in the first place? If the copies are seen as an acceptable substitute for the original, then why doesn’t the British Museum return the original & keep the copy?

From:
Trend (Azerbaijan)

The British Museum hands over copies of items from the Oxus treasure to Tajikistan
[31.08.2011 14:56]

Tajik Embassy in London has conducted negotiations with the British Museum on the possibility of making copies of the most valuable items of the Oxus Treasure and handing over them to Tajikistan, a source in the Tajik government said, Asia-Plus reported.

He noted the British Museum has agreed to make copies of five items this year and donate them to Tajikistan on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of its independence.
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Tajikistan’s government has approved a new bill in an attempt to aid them in various restitution cases where items of their heritage have ended up in foreign museums.

From:
Radio Free Europe

Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Tajik Parliament Approves Controversial Restitution Treaty

DUSHANBE — The Tajik parliament’s lower house has approved the CIS Treaty on Restitution, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

Deputy Culture Minister Mirali Dostiev told the parliament that ratification of the treaty would help bring back home all the artwork and historic valuables lost and stolen during the 1992-97 civil war in Tajikistan.
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