[MSN] Cambodia. The U.S. government returned to Cambodia on Monday the head of an Angkor-era sculpture that had been stolen and smuggled out of the Southeast Asian country.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

US returns ancient artifact stolen from Cambodia 

The Associated Press 
Monday, July 30, 2007 
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: The U.S. government returned to Cambodia on Monday the
head of an Angkor-era sculpture that had been stolen and smuggled out of the
Southeast Asian country.

The artifact, weighing about two kilograms (4.4 pounds), is a sandstone head
of a celestial dancer, or apsara, from the 12th century, the U.S. Embassy
said in a statement Monday.

It said the object was smuggled out of Cambodia into the U.S. in violation
of a 2003 agreement between the two countries that aims to protect
Cambodia's cultural heritage. The statement did not say when the item was
stolen.

U.S. law enforcement agents seized the artifact early this year, Jeff
Daigle, an embassy spokesman said.

"The U.S. government is very determined to assist the Cambodian government
in protecting and preserving its heritage," Ambassador Joseph Mussomeli said
after a ceremony in which the artifact was officially returned.

"We're very grateful and happy that our police and our other law enforcement
agencies are really focused on this issue." he said.

Him Chhem, acting minister of culture, thanked the U.S. government for
returning the artifact.

Cambodia's centuries-old stone monuments, especially those in the ancient
capital of Angkor, suffered extensive destruction from both nature and
looters especially during times of war over the past three decades.

Many priceless pieces have ended up in the hands of private collectors
overseas.

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