[MSN] Greek culture minister to press Getty museum over return of antiquities

[Museum Security Network Mailinglist]

Greek culture minister to press Getty museum over return of antiquities


ASSOCIATED PRESS

2:59 p.m. May 3, 2006

ATHENS, Greece - Greece's culture minister said Wednesday that he will meet
with J. Paul Getty Museum director Michael Brand in Athens to press Greece's
claim for the return of four ancient artifacts from the Los Angeles museum.
Greece claims the artifacts are among thousands believed to have been
illegally exported as part of a booming trade in the country's priceless
archaeological heritage.

Culture Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis said he was "extremely interested in
the matter of the return of the Greek antiquities."

The Getty confirmed the May 16 meeting, and said in a statement, "We believe
these discussions should take place between Dr. Brand and Greek officials
and we will have no further comment at this time."

Also Wednesday, a second raid was launched on a villa owned by former Getty
antiquities curator Marion True, police said.

True is standing trial in Italy for allegedly trafficking stolen
antiquities. True has denied any wrongdoing.

Two marble coffins, eight marble roof tiles that would likely have come from
an ancient temple and a stone mortar were among items found Wednesday during
the raid on the Aegean island of Paros, police said. An earlier raid on the
same villa at the end of March found several artifacts.

An April 12 raid of a shipping magnate's villa on the nearby Aegean Sea
islet of Schoinoussa yielded about 280 unregistered ancient artifacts.

Greek authorities are investigating whether the artifacts are linked to the
dispute between Greece and the Getty. Voulgarakis has said there is no
evidence yet to back media reports of a link, and the Getty has said it has
no connection with the seizures.

 
http://www.signonsandiego.com/