11/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Vice President of the Culture Committee at the European Parliament, Portuguese writer Vasco Graça Moura (EPP-ED) has sent a letter to the French Minister of Culture, Jean-Jacques Aillagon in which he requests the immediate restitution of cultural treasures taken by French troops during the Napoleonic occupation of Portugal (1807-1811). Le Monde 10 April explains that Mr Graça Moura would be inviting Mr Aillagon to set up a committee consisting of French and Portuguese specialists to compose a list of the booty taken and organise the rapid restitution to Portugal. Le Monde explains the that MEP was inspired by a letter sent by the French Minister to UNESCO, asking it to "ensure that the treasures and cultural objects of Iraq are conserved and returned" to their "rightful owners" at the end of the conflict.