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Sir: To argue (26 November) that the Elgin Marbles belong to us is unacceptable. We are stewards of the marbles at present, but we have no rights of ownership. While the British government paid Lord Elgin for them almost 200 years ago, Elgin himself took them from the Parthenon without the approval of the Greeks and without having paid for them. He simply had a note giving him permission issued by an official of the occupying Ottoman administration. The Marbles belong in Athens, however much we love them.
ROB BUSH
London N5
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