[MSN] Isarel. Art theft victim, Venezuela both claim 'historic documents'

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Jun. 8, 2006 1:25
Art theft victim, Venezuela both claim 'historic documents'
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
           

Police are trying to decide what to do with historic Venezuelan documents
recovered from art thieves in a Tel Aviv apartment recently - return them to
the theft victim or hand them over to Venezuela, a police official said
Wednesday. 

Venezuelan officials assume the documents, connected to the time when the
country became independent from Spain, will be sent home, but police
spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a decision has not been made. 

Police discovered the documents in binders along with stolen art when they
cracked down on two art thieves. 

The documents date from an important period in the history of the Republic
of Venezuela, said Venezuelan Embassy official Angel Rafael Tortolero.
"[Some of] these documents are from a period of the 19th century," said
Tortolero. "In that century the Republic of Venezuela became independent." 

Police said that the documents were stolen from the home of an Israeli
businessman. He wants them back. 

"There is an initial investigation which looks into whether it is private or
public property," Rosenfeld said. 

"If it is necessary for the Foreign Ministry to be involved, they will be
used as necessary," he said. 

Venezuela isn't waiting. It has begun legal procedures to secure return of
the documents, Tortolero said. "They will go straight to a national museum
of history of Venezuela." 

Relations between the two countries have recently become strained.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has often expressed sympathy with the
Palestinians, and in February the Venezuelan vice president said his country
would welcome Hamas leaders "with pleasure" if they decided to visit.

http://www.jpost.com/