Ric - Could you post the agreement? Thanks.
I believe I've posted the operative part of the agreement before but here it is again.
Exclusive licence.
a. So long as this Agreement is in effect, and subject to compliance with the terms of this Agreement, Kiribati hereby grants and TIGHAR accepts an exclusive licence and right to search for, study, recover and preserve artefacts, including plane parts or wreckage, bones, personal effects or any other items, relating to or which tend to suggest the presence of Amelia Earhart and/or Frederick Noonan within the territorial boundaries of the Republic of Kiribati.
b. TIGHAR’s rights under this licence may be exercised directly by TIGHAR or in conjunction with subject-matter experts or third parties whom TIGHAR has determined possess the appropriate skill or equipment necessary to further the objective of this license.
c. Kiribati warrants that it has not granted, and agrees that it will not grant, any similar rights to any third party. Where, after the entry into force of this Agreement, any third party contacts or approaches Kiribati seeking permission to search or enter Kiribati for a purpose outlined herein, Kiribati will refer the proposal to TIGHAR, who will, at its own cost and expense, communicate with the third party and assess the proposal. Following such assessment, TIGHAR will recommend to Kiribati that it: allow the proposed activity; allow the proposed activity under certain stated conditions; or prohibit the proposed activity. Kiribati will then take TIGHAR’s recommendation into consideration in deciding whether or not to allow the proposed activity.