May 10, 2005
Former editor of The Times re-iterates his support for return of the Elgin Marbles
Sir Simon Jenkins, the former editor of The Times, & long time writer for the paper wrote about the Elgin Marbles in a leader some years ago. In his last day at the paper (before moving to the Guardian) he uses his final article to discuss many of the previous issues that he has argued for, including the Elgin Marbles. An indication that although he may not have written about them since then, he still feels strongly about the issue.
From:
The Times
(Only relevant portion of article is included)
[…]
If I upset readers (as I did) in preferring Cervantes to Einstein, I again apologise. But I shall always worship Don Quixote of La Mancha. Beneath his bucket helmet and battered breastplate I have championed such lost causes as local self-government at home and non-intervention abroad. I have preached the United Nations Charter on national sovereignty to no effect. I defended just wars in the Falklands and Kuwait and opposed unjust ones in Afghanistan and Iraq. I have hated bombers, Canada geese, crime statistics, faction movies and the Health and Safety Executive. I have championed GM foods, Belfast City Council, risk autonomy and the return of the Elgin Marbles. If I am an ethical “relativist” it is because I cannot see how a democrat can be anything else. Moral absolutism is for simpletons and tyrants.
[…]
- The Elgin Marbles in 1890 : March 13, 2009
- Stelios Haji-Ioannou to support Elgin Marbles Campaign : January 29, 2008
- National Geographic video on the Parthenon Sculptures : February 23, 2008
- The looting of Baghdad : May 14, 2008
- Top lawyers to advise Greece on Parthenon Marbles : October 9, 2014
- Problems with the declaration of Universal Museums : January 22, 2003
- Draft bill for the Foundation of the New Acropolis Museum : May 24, 2008
- Cyrus Cylinder lent to Iran : February 26, 2009