LETTER TO (SANITIZED) FROM VINCENT MELZAC

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP87-01130R000200230003-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 23, 2014
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: April 14, 1986
• Content Type: LETTER

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/23: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200230003-0
Dear
April 14, 1986
STAT
STAT
Since our discussion last Friday, April 11, 1986 covered several important
matters, we thought it might be valuable to reduce to writing some of the topics
which will require further action:
1) Enclosed is a copy of the letter of acceptance, for Ecce Homo by
Georio Spaventa, on behalf of the Vatican, by His Excellency, the
Most Reverend Pio Laghi, Apostolic Pro-Nuncio. Also, enclosed is
our reply, dated March 26, 1986.
2) We had a most pleasant meeting with His Excellency on March 31, 1986.
His representative, Father Bernard Yarrish will be in touch with you
to arrange a mutually convenient time for the transfer of Ecce Homo
from the agency to the Vatican. For the record, Father Yarrish can
be reached at 202-333-7121 or 7122, and he is expecting your call.
3) His Excellency generously agreed that our gift, for the present, will
be treated as an indefinite loan and that upon my death, title to
legal ownership will automatically take place. We have advised our
counsel, Robert H. Reinhart, Esq. of our pledge and he will work with
his legal counter part at the Apostolic Nunciature to draw up the
necessary language to reflect this agreement.
4) We are herewith requesting that our gift to the Agency of the
Bronze Portrait of Vice President George Bush, and whatever other
art objects we bequeath to the agency in the future, be treated
in the same manner as described in point number 3 above. Apropos,
would you please be prepared to designate someone on the legal staff
of the agency, in the event, Robert H. Reinhart, Esq. may need to
work with him or her. STAT
5) We have submitted to you at our meeting last Friday, the names
of two highly qualified Art Appraisers who can provide the agency
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/23: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200230003-0
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/23: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200230003-0
with current Regional market values. This, along with Christies
"International" view will give us a more balanced appraisal for
price negotiations. As mentioned previously, this was the method
used by the Smithsonian in their 1980 land mark acquisition of
art works from our collection. Again, for the record, we have no
financial ties whatsoever in either M. B. Odoroff or Chris Middendorf.
Nor have we discussed any of the paintings etc. in the collection at
the agency.
I have the strange feeling I may have forgotten something of our
conversation which may be important; but if this be the case, I know you will
bring it to my attention.
Finally, your predecessor as we both agree, did an out-
standing job as Chairman. It is my feeling you will also and I look forward
to working with you on projects of major importance to the agency as we get
further into the future. You have my unqualified support.
All Best,
LA-AA-U.4.1
Vincent Melzac
PS You are probably aware that where construction is involved the nationally
accepted standard for expenditures for art work is from Z to 11/27 of the
amount budgeted for construction, the ? being the absolute minimum.
2
STAT
STAT
STAT
STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2014/01/23: CIA-RDP87-01130R000200230003-0