David Hill, the President of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures told the Greek service of Australia’s SBS state radio station that the Parthenon sculptures will ultimately be returned to Greece. “We have moved forward now since the modern campaign started by Melina Mercouri many years ago,” he said. “It is not a race to the court. Greeks are still hoping that Britain will agree to negotiation or mediation with the UNESCO. There is a new deadline that Britain has to respond to the UNESCO in the next six months and it is only after these six months and if Britain continues to say no that Greece will see the legal options.”

“I don’t think there is any problem establishing that Elgin stole the marbles,” he said.

On its part, the British Museum claims that the marbles weren’t stolen but given to them by the British government who had bought the sculptures from Lord Elgin 200 years ago.

Mr. Hill stressed that there is “a very high prospect, maybe 75 percent, that Greece will win if it proceeds with legal action.”