Dispute over Elgin Marbles continues

ATHENS - The Greek government has renewed its appeal to the British government regarding the return of the famous ancient carvings known as the Elgin Marbles.

Seeing London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics as a new window of opportunity, the Greeks have suggested that if the British are more flexible about returning the stone sculptures to Athens, it could help the city gain Greece's vote.

Throughout the centuries-old dispute, British officials have staunchly refused to return the priceless marbles, which depict stories and figures from ancient Greek civilization.

The seventh Lord Elgin -- Great Britain's ambassador to the Ottoman Empire -- began removing the artifacts from the Acropolis in 1799 and about half of the works, which the Greeks believe to be a precious part of their cultural heritage, now rest on permanent display in London's British Museum.

"They should not call them the Elgin Marbles. They don't belong to Lord Elgin," said one Greek woman, in a common response from the streets of Athens. "They should have called them the Acropolis Marbles."

Museum officials have said the marbles are safer in London, citing that the Parthenon has been irretrievably damaged over the years. The current Lord Elgin agreed, adding in a recent interview that the Parthenon continues to deteriorate due to atmospheric pollution.

When asked if the Greeks could not properly care for the marbles, he concurred. "Exactly," he said. " They haven't."

In January 2002, a British MP and a Greek minister launched a joint campaign to return the marbles to Athens in time for the upcoming summer Olympics, after which the two countries could discuss ownership of the works. One suggestion was for the marbles to be housed in the Athens Archaeological Museum but under official ownership of the British Archaeological School.

Despite the support of high-profile British actors like Sean Connery, Judi Dench and Vanessa Redgrave, as well as polls showing that a majority of Brits favoured returning the stone carvings, the campaign ultimately failed.

Greek President Costis Stephanopoulos has called the return of the marbles "a cultural imperative" and his government has even offered to grant the British ownership status if the works could be permanently displayed at the new Acropolis Museum, currently being constructed in the shadow of the Parthenon.