Re: [MV] News-Mil Veh Imports to US

Antoine Compin (acompin@earthlink.net)
Fri, 9 Jul 1999 22:56:33 -0700

Well done Jack! these are encouraging news indeed... Let's not
blow it by being overly intransigeant: if we make it a case of
BLACK & WHITE, all or nothing, then surely we will end up with
nothing...

The key to a reasonable solution is, I believe to categorize or
classify vehicles, not only by age, but also by destination...
WWI, WWII, Korean War, Nam, Gulf War etc...Obviously the older
the materiel is, the lesser will it be perceived as a
Quote-threat-Unquote. Same variations of the "threat
perception" apply to soft-skinned vehicles versus armor...
Licenses to Import would accordingly require different levels of
red tape, like, say, from nothing but a signature on a form for
a jeep or a truck to a more involved background check and
de-milling requirements for the weapon carriers and heavies...

In any case, Jack and Lee Holland are absolutely right: we have
to show that we are a responsible group, willing to listen and
eventually (I can already see the flame mail coming!)
compromise...

> The MVPA and the other affected groups can an should offer up
their own ideas
> of what would be a reasonable solution. Maybe something to
assure the
> government the imported armor is NOT going to some crazy or
felon with ill
> intentions.

It should be easy for us as a group to demonstrate the
historical value of vintage armor and light vehicles... much
tougher obviously for more recent vehicles for which the
historical interest isn't quite there yet... The important thing
here is to establish clearly in everyone's mind that there is no
correlation between military vehicles and weaponry. None.
Period! Different objects, different pursuits, different
battles...

SNIP
>
> Reality check: The political climate is absolutely against us.

Alas, it is true and I won't dwell on the reasons why...

SNIP>

. However, a thoughtful, well
> reasoned response from our MVPA is the way we want to go. It
may not only
> resolve this issue, but establish our credibility at the
levels we need too.
>
We should insist that the membership be part of the drafting of
such response... Not to say that a referendum should take place,
but to make sure that all voices have been equally heard before
the ink dries...

Antoine Compin
Sherman Oaks, California

1943 Willys MB & '44 MBT
1942 Harley WLA
1942 Harley XA (two)
MVPA 14803 - MVCG (France)
http://www.freehomepages.com/antoine

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