ATHENS, Greece, May 14 (UPI) -- Greece will not pursue a legal fight with the British Museum over the return of the so-called Elgin Marbles, Greece's new cultural minister said.
After years of battle in which Greece says the sculptures and friezes were illegally taken from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 19th century, Greek Cultural Minister Nikos Xydakis said the ministry would drop legal action.
"The road to reclaiming the return of the sculptures is diplomatic and political," he told Mega TV Wednesday. "You can't go to trial on every issue, and in international courts the outcome is uncertain, things are not so easy."
Xydakis said "low-key persistent work" was required for the negotiation to proceed. His decision contradicts suggestions made by advocates who have worked to return the Parthenon marbles to their original home.
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Greece's decades-long fight with the British Museum had been assisted recently by human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. She issued a report earlier in the week advising Greece it was the right time to take the museum to the international court of justice.
"The British adhere to international law," Clooney said. "The Greek government has never taken advantage of this Achilles heel. You must take legal action now or you may lose the opportunity to do so due to future legal obstacles."
The assistance of Clooney and other human rights lawyers was sought out by Athens' previous administration. The radical-left Syriza party -- including Xydakis -- assumed power three months ago.
Matthew Taylor, who represents the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Sculptures, told The Guardian he didn't believe the current British government is likely to change its mind and agree to return the sculptures.
"Diplomatic and political efforts have been tried since the mid-1980s and made very little progress," he said. "To reject it so rapidly comes across as a something of a kneejerk rejection of any efforts by the previous [Greek] administration rather than something that has been fully considered."
