Английский язык. Конова М.А. - 51 стр.

         1) proposing practical means of attaining this goal; preparing draft
            conventions and amendments to conventions and recommending their
            adoption by interested governments;
         2) making recommendations to ensure the uniform interpretation and
            application of conventions;
         3) ensuring the circulation of information regarding customs regulations
            and procedures;
         4) providing information or advice on customs matters to interested
            governments;
         5) cooperating with other intergovernmental organizations as regards
            matters within its competence.

    The illicit traffic in cultural objects was one of the issues addressed by the
Nairobi Convention of 1977 on Mutual Administrative Assistance for the
Prevention, Investigation, and Repression of Customs Offences. The growth in
cases of smuggling, fraud and theft involving works of art and antiquities invited
members of the organization "to develop mutual administrative assistance in
combating smuggling and other fraud involving works of art and antiquities," and
emphasized the importance of "cooperation with the International Criminal Police
organization (INTERPOL) and with the other authorities and organizations
concerned."

      The State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation also welcomed the
initiative, and saw it as important for preventing the illegal import and export of
cultural objects. The development of international guidelines, which will deal with
the protection of cultural heritage of each nation, will improve the quality of
cooperation among Customs Administrations in the field of combating illegal
cross-border trade with these cultural objects.

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    8.2.1 Answer the following questions:

   1) What are customs officers responsible for?
   2) What is the World Customs Organization?
   3) When was it founded?
   4) What are its main functions?
   5) Is the State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation the member of
      the WCO? If it is so, then prove it by the facts from the text.
   6) Why are the illicit traffic of cultural objects are so important for the
      members of the WCO?

    8.2.2 Give English equivalents of the following collocations:

    культурное наследие, незаконная торговля, приветствовать инициативу,
предотвратить нелегальный ввоз, важность сотрудничества, достижение цели