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(ANSA-afp) - LONDON, 04 GEN - The Parthenon Marbles could
soon be returned to Greece from the British Museum as part of a
"cultural exchange" being negotiated with Athens, a report said
on Wednesday. The ancient sculptures, also known as the Elgin
Marbles, were taken from the Parthenon temple at the Acropolis
in Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Thomas
Bruce, the earl of Elgin. Secret talks have reportedly been
taking place between the chair of the British Museum George
Osborne -- a former finance minister -- and Greek Prime Minister
Kyriakos Mitsotakis for a year. The deal, effectively a loan
agreement, could see the 2,500-year-old antiquities returned
"sooner rather than later", the Daily Telegraph newspaper
reported on Wednesday quoting sources. Such an arrangement could
circumvent a legal ban on the museum breaking up its vast
collection. It would likely involve some objects being sent by
London on a long-term loan basis with Athens reciprocating with
some ancient Greek treasures. Any loan deal, however, is not
expected to end the long-running dispute over the 17 sculptures
and part of a frieze. The Telegraph said that Greece intends to
keep up pressure to secure full legal ownership of the
sculptures. Taken by Elgin when he was the British ambassador to
the Ottoman Empire, Greece maintains the marbles were stolen and
has long campaigned for their return while the UK maintains they
were legally taken. Their return remains a highly sensitive
subject as the British Museum's vast collection includes many
items now considered by other countries as loot taken by
builders of the British Empire and the government is wary of
setting a precedent. A spokesperson said on Wednesday: "We've
said publicly we're actively seeking a new Parthenon partnership
with our friends in Greece and as we enter a new year
constructive discussions are on-going." (ANSA-afp).
