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A letter from the IARPS to the British Prime Minister

The International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures have sent an open letter to British Prime Minister, Dave Cameron. In this letter, they urge Britain to accept UNESCO's invitation to enter into mediation with Greece to resolve the issue of the Parthenon Marbles.

The Rt Hon David Cameron MP
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA


Dear Prime Minister
 
I am writing to draw your attention to the world wide support for the Parthenon Sculptures held in the British Museum to be returned to Greece.
 
There are now volunteers in 16 countries who have organised themselves into committees committed to supporting the Greek claim for the sculptures to be returned. The countries are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Russia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. (see www.partheononinternational.org)
 
As you would be aware, the Director General of UNESCO Irini Bokova has written this year to your Government requesting that Britain agree to participate in a process of mediation to settle the dispute over the Parthenon Sculptures. In 2010 UNESCO introduced new mediation procedures for claims dealing with illicitly acquired cultural property and Greece has now asked UNESCO to initiate the process.
 
Accordingly, we urge you to accept the UNESCO invitation for Britain to participate in the proposed mediation process.

I am sure you would agree that there are strong moral arguments for Britain to accept the UNESCO mediation initiative to allow the issue of the Parthenon Sculptures to be resolved in a spirit of cooperation, good will and friendship, with both sides being able to respect each other’s sensitivities and overcoming entanglements of the past.

Yours sincerely
 
 
David Hill
Chairman
International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures
2 December 2013
 

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