U.S.-France "LaBelle" Agreement Signed[To see photos, click here] Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the United States and France upon the signing of the U.S.-France Agreement regarding the sunken vessel “La Belle” on Monday, March 31, 2003, in Washington, D.C. “Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula J. Dobriansky and French Ambassador Jean-David Levitte today in Washington signed an Agreement regarding the historic sunken vessel “La Belle”. Representatives of the Texas Historical Commission and the French National Marine Museum also signed a related Administrative Arrangement authorized by the Agreement. “La Belle”, under the command of Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, played a pivotal role in the 17th-century exploration of what is now Louisiana and Texas, before it sank in the Gulf of Mexico. The discovery and excavation of “La Belle” opens a unique window into the life of La Salle, the man, and the history of that period that is shared by the U.S. and France. The Agreement and Administrative Arrangement, both effective upon signature, highlight U.S.- French common interests and cooperation in regard to ownership, research, preservation and display of historic sunken warships, and the effective transmission of our joint history to future generations. Key elements are: |
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