Greece may share Elgin Marbles

The Elgin Marbles are also known as the Parthenon Sculptures

The Greek foreign minister has called for the return of the Elgin Marbles to Athens, but says he is open to suggestions that Britain and Greece "share" ownership of the sculptures.

George Papandreou told a committee of UK MPs that the sculptures were an integral part of the Parthenon, Greece's national symbol and a cultural artefact of international importance.

He said that this masterpiece needed to be reunified on the Acropolis in Athens, its original location.

Calling for a "partnership approach" to the impasse over the Marbles, Mr Papandreou said his government was willing to consider a wide range of options, so long as they were back in Athens in time for the 2004 Olympic Games, which Greece is hosting.

The Marbles are owned by the British Museum, but Mr Papandreou said he did not want to get into an argument about the events of the 1830s, when Lord Elgin acquired them for that organisation while Greece was under Ottoman Turkish rule.

Part of the frieze which once decorated the Parthenon

Greece maintains that the Marbles were, in effect, stolen, while the UK says they were purchased legally.

However, Mr Papandreou told members of the Select Committee on Culture, Media and Sport than protecting the integrity of the monument was far more important than arguing over who owned it.

"This masterpiece must be reunified, its integrity if you like restored, and done so within its original cultural and historical environment in Athens," he said.

Stressing their huge significance to the Greek nation, he said: "We are talking about the greatest national symbol of Greece. It symbolises the Greek contribution to the cultural heritage of humankind."

Asked whether Greece would consider sharing the Marbles, he said he woud be "very glad to look at all the possibilities", provided the Marbles were returned.

"Let us make this a positive thing for the British Museum, a positive thing for Britain, as well as for Greece," he said.

The Greek Government is planning to build a museum to house the marbles, to be be completed in time for the 2004 Olympics.

'Keep them in the UK'

Whilst Mr Papandreou gave evidence to the Select Committee, the Prime Minister's Official Spokesman, Alastair Campbell, gave a strong signal that the UK was not open to negotiation over the future of the Marbles.

Asked if they would be handed over to Greece, Mr Campbell replied: "No".

This masterpiece must be reunified, its integrity restored

George Papandreou

The Culture Secretary, Chris Smith, has also defended the status quo : "The Marbles belong to the British Museum, they are in the British Museum. The point we have made very strongly is that they are here, we have looked after them well, they are available to everyone for free."

The museum itself is keen to keep the Marbles, arguing that they are best seen as part of a great international collection visited by six million people each year.

Mr Papandreou visited the British Museum to see the Marbles over the weekend.

The current Lord Elgin has also pledged support for the government, saying it would be a shame if the Marbles were returned to Greece.