Greece drafting proposal to seek loan of Marbles

Greece is preparing a formal request to borrow the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum for the 2021 celebrations of Greece's 200-year independence from Turkish rule, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said Tuesday.
In comments to Skai TV, Mendoni sought to play down concerns that by requesting a "loan" of the Parthenon sculptures from the British Museum, Greece would be tacitly acknowledging the museum's claims of ownership.
"As this is a matter of theft, it automatically excludes ownership rights," she said. Any request would be framed in such a way so as to "safeguard Greek claims," she said.
In return for the loan, Greece could lend the British Museum Greek antiquities, Mendoni added, without elaborating on what those would be.
However, the British Museum said such a request by Greece would only be considered if the country acknowledges its ownership...

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