Amal Alamuddin in Greece for talks about the Elgin marbles

I know that we discussed this in the oh so distant past, but I could not find the thread anywhere.  Figured it was buried in some other thread

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Amal Alamuddin assumes the reunification of the Parthenon marbles

03 October 2014 / 18:10:16  GRReporter
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Over the past few months there has been fuss around the name of Amal Alamuddin. Everyone wanted to know who the woman was who took the breath away of the most famous and certainly glamorous Hollywood bachelor George Clooney. Despite the fact that up until the moment in which it became clear that she was his fiancée she was not known to the general public, Alamuddin is a famous lawyer, who has among her clients some of the most controversial figures in recent years, such as Julian Assange and Yulia Tymoshenko.
Some publications, such as The Business Woman Media even reported her decision to marry Clooney as unusual. In an article entitled Internationally acclaimed barrister Amal Alamuddin marries an actor, the author Amanda Rose writes:
''Amal, 36, is an educated and successful career woman whom we’ve long admired. The high-flying barrister has notched up many career highs, including representing the controversial WikiLeaks whistleblower Julian Assange, and also has multilingual fluency in English, French and Arabic”.

According to the article, “A true testament to her character is her decision to find time to serve on the expert panel of the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative” which aims at collecting evidence on sexual crimes in conflict zones.
In Greece, however, Amal Alamuddin became known a little earlier, not without the help of her current husband George Clooney. The occasion was the actor's statements in support of the Greek request for the return of the marble sculptures to the Parthenon, which are in the British Museum.
According to some people, this was Clooney’s way to promote his new film, The Monuments Men. A group of historians and museum curators unite in search of works of art that had disappeared during the Second World War.
According to others however, his girlfriend at that time, Amal Alamuddin, was hiding behind the critical words of the actor towards the British Museum, who was engaged in her efforts to return the sculptures confiscated in the 18th century.
Now this information has been confirmed in the most official way with the announcement that three weeks after their wedding in Venice, the barrister will visit Athens where she will discuss with Prime Minister Samaras the likelihood of taking llegal representation of Greece in the dispute with the British Museum.
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She is expected to arrive by a direct flight from London and will be accompanied by two assistants from her lawyer's office. The chairman of the British Committee for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles, David Hill, is expected to attend the meeting.
The meeting will be held at the government residence Maximou on 14 October, and afterwards the Greek Prime Minister and Amal Alamuddin will visit the Acropolis Museum. According to posts, Antonis Samaras will give her a book about the Parthenon containing photos of all missing sculptures.
Later that day, a press conference will be organized, and in the afternoon Mrs. Clooney will take a walk in Athens. She will fly back to London on the morning of October 15.
According to sources Alamuddin will stay in the most central hotel in Athens where most of the celebrities visiting the capital stay.
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Ah, now this is interesting. 

Had the Greek reporter at the British MM press conference been briefed or knew through other contacts what was going on? 

Also interesting that both Matt and Blll helped to open up the debate in the room too.

Gentle, knowledgeable stuff. And then Phaedon Papamichael's statement while on the Nespresso shoot.

Subtle stuff......

What's so rotten about all this izzzzz, you need celebrities to force change. It's not Miss Alamuddin but Madame Clooney who'll get the stuff done. You gotta love politicians ey, they want to be photographed with celebs. 

Mrs. Clooney against the British Museum? She could face the citizenship and passport and English be postponed in Lebanon. Oh I forgot that is Mrs. Clooney and she now has the right to a passport and citizenship.

I would think Amal has a passport already which would have nothing to do with being George's wife.

Merged threads, as the first marble reports from September where posted here too (Page 13).

have to admit i don't know enough of the background about this topic to have an opinion one way or another, although I do remember when it was raised during a MM press conference.

So is the author of this report claiming this was actually Amal's issue which she prompted George to start a conversation about to get some publicity? It wasn't George who initiated the idea whe it came up at the press conference?

More on this:

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with thanks to Frenchiesfans

This issue is several hundred years old.  George and Amal's names may not be attached to the periphery, but the request for UNESCO to mediate has nothing to do with either of them IMO.

Four hours ago from the Daily Telegraph


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George Clooney's wife Amal Alamuddin aids Greece's bid for return of Elgin Marbles

Amal Alamuddin, the human rights barrister, is to fly to Greece to advise the government on the Elgin Marbles, months after her husband George Clooney called for their return

When George Clooney issued a plea for the Elgin Marbles to be returned to Greece earlier this year his sudden intervention prompted surprise among many of his fans and consternation among MPs firmly opposed to his view.
Now it has emerged the actor’s interest may have been prompted by his new wife’s sympathy for the Greek cause.
Amal Alamuddin, 36, a barrister, has been quietly advising the Greek government on the issue and is due to fly out next week to discuss the matter with Antonis Samaras, the prime minister.
She will be part of a delegation led by Geoffrey Robertson, the human rights QC who is joint head of Doughty Street Chambers, where Ms Alamuddin specialises in international and criminal law.
It is understood that the Greek government approached the chambers several years ago to seek help in its attempt to relocate the marbles from their current home at the British museum to Greece.

The classical marbles – officially known as the Parthenon sculptures – were taken from the Parthenon in Athens by Lord Elgin in the early 19th century. They were acquired by parliament in 1816 and since 1962 have been housed in the museum’s Duveen Galleries.
David Cameron and a number of other MP have opposed calls for their return.
In February Clooney, 53, whose wedding to Ms Alamuddin took place in Venice last month, waded into the long-running row by saying Britain should hand the treasures back to Greece.
His surprise intervention came at a press conference for his film, The Monuments Men in which an Allied team retrieved artworks looted by the Nazis.
Asked about the marbles by a Greek reporter, Clooney said: “I think you have a very good case to make about your artefacts.” He went on to say that returning the marbles would be a “very fair and very nice thing” and “the right thing to do”.
His comments prompted a strong response from MPs, including John Whittingdale, the chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, who politely suggested the actor might not really know what he was talking about.
“I’m a great admirer of George Clooney, but I suspect that he probably doesn’t know the history of the Elgin Marbles and the legal entitlement that Britain has to them,” he said.
Clooney defended his remarks, insisting that polling in England showed a preference for returning the artefacts to Greece and calling for an “open discussion” on the matter.
The British Museum insists there is a “public benefit” in the sculptures remaining part of their collection.
It is understood that Mr Robertson, 68, and Ms Alamuddin are flying out to discuss ways that the Greek government can pursue its bid to secure the return of the marbles, rather than to initiate a particular legal case against Britain.
Greece is currently waiting for the British Government to decide whether it will take part in a “mediation procedure” being proposed by Unesco, the United Nations cultural organisation.

It would seem she has a lot of influence on him when it comes to the issues he's becoming involved in. I thought the Elgin Marbles question was random and his comments were off-the-cuff. Now it appears he was supporting her position. I hope he's not so dazzled by her "brilliance" that he follows her lead without thinking things through for himself. Not all the causes she's involved with are so noble.

Mm, what was interesting about all that was that Murray and Damon backed it up, so there must have been some really interesting chats over dinner between them all. It really made a change from the usual stuff at these things - and of course at the other one we watched the Ukraine reporter wondering about connections. Beautifully handled, I have to say.

As for Amal's influence, I don't believe he is so in her thrall that there are no really healthy/heavy discussions between them! He's very knowledgeably himself and undoubtedly has opinions about what might/should happen. In fact it's possible she could be the brakes in the argument sometimes saying things like that's not possible legally etc etc.  There was an anecdote about the proposal that at the time there was a pretty serious debate going on about something......

Wonder if he's had lunch with Boris Johnson yet??

Oh, and I believe Amal's going to Athens as part of Geoffrey Robertson QC's team

I can imagine the two of them having pretty healthy debates. I also suspect that she appreciates his point of view on many issues. Would suspect that may have been one of the attractions she saw in him. At this point in George's life I would think he has pretty strong opinions and can hold his own in defending those opinions.

PAN- I read a piece on this in the Sydney Herald that she is going with Geoffrey Robertson.

Oh, and Lelacorb, Mrs Clooney is British...........

Seems Geoffrey Robertson has successfully argued in the past to have some artifacts returned to Australia from a UK Museum.

LizzyNY wrote:It would seem she has a lot of influence on him when it comes to the issues he's becoming involved in. I thought the Elgin Marbles question was random and his comments were off-the-cuff. Now it appears he was supporting her position. I hope he's not so dazzled by her "brilliance" that he follows her lead without thinking things through for himself. Not all the causes she's involved with are so noble.

I don't believe it was random because he was promoting Monuments Men at the time and the issue of WWII art, legal ownership and repatriation/return of artworks are the same issues at play for the Elgin Marbles.  The Mona Lisa comment he made was off-the-cuff and from left field though--as far as I know there is an undisputed chain of legal ownership for that painting.

Fava - I meant random in the sense that it was a question prompted by MM, but not related to anything he had previously said. Now it seems that the question may have been planted as a way for him to promote her position.

They were arguing about political and then he proposed to her? Amazing..
I'd like to see one of their political debate..

Interesting statement from Doughty Street about the Elgin Marbles. Amal is 'Mrs Clooney'

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Press Release - The Parthenon Sculptures

 
 
Mr Robertson and Mrs Clooney were first asked to provide legal advice to the Greek government on this matter in 2011. They will be holding a series of meetings with government officials during their stay, including the Prime Minister, Mr Antonis Samaras, and the Minister of Culture, Mr Konstantinos Tasoulas.

2011???? so she was already on the case before George ccomment on it at the MM press conference...Interesting....

so THAT'S why he mentioned it at the conference.

....when he was asked the question by the Greek reporter looking for a local angle on monuments to file a story back home..........

Mel - He only commented after he was asked - but now I'm wondering if he was asked because she was involved with the Marbles issue.

That's what I meant Lizzy.  I'm sure the reporter knew about Amal's involvement.

Gotcha, Mel. I think the confusion came from you saying he mentioned it. Made it sound like he brought it up himself. If the reporter hadn't asked him about it, I don't think it would have come up.

Do we have this??

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I thought her area of expertise was in human rights and international criminal law? But this issue with the marbles is about art and cultural heritage. Apparently she can do anything then.

Explains it all:

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article from the Sydney Morning Herald getting the wrong end of the stick and not necessarily researched. Includes Monuments Men press conference in London tho:

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article from the Sydney Morning Herald getting the wrong end of the stick and not necessarily researched. Includes Monuments Men press conference in London tho:

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Amal Alamuddin and Geoffrey Robertson team up to win back Elgin Marbles for Greece

London: The new "Mrs Clooney" has her first post-wedding job – and it's a doozy.
In tandem with fellow human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson, Amal Alamuddin is taking sides in one of the most controversial cultural arguments of recent history: she will try to win the return of the Elgin Marbles to Greece.
The Elgin Marbles - classical sculptures from Athens' ancient Parthenon - are in London's British Museum. They were removed from the ruins on the Acropolis by British ambassador Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, in the early 19th century.

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Cultural treasures: Sculptures from the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum in London. Photo: AP
The move is now regarded as either a scandalous cultural heist, or a sensible protective measure, and has been fiercely debated. The poet Byron protested their removal at the time, musing "curst be the hour when from their isle they roved".

Ms Alamuddin's husband more recently dipped his toe in the old dispute. Earlier this year George Clooney said returning the Parthenon's classic sculptures to their ancient home "would perhaps be the right thing to do" (while promoting his movie The Monuments Men).
Greece launched a new campaign for the return of the Marbles on Monday.


Ms Alamuddin has reportedly been advising the Greek government on their cause, along with her colleagues at Doughty Street Chambers in London.
Next week she will fly to Athens with Australian expat Mr Robertson, to meet with Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his cabinet.
It is Ms Alamuddin's first professional engagement since her star-studded wedding in Venice.

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Dislocated: Friezes from the the Elgin Marbles at the British Museum in London. Photo: Reuters
The team will outline possible legal measures that could force the return of the marbles.
In 2007 Mr Robertson successfully argued for the return of Tasmanian Aboriginal artefacts to Australia from the UK's Natural History Museum.
In his 2012 book Crimes Against Humanity he explained his theory of an international right to the return of cultural property.

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Expat Australian: Human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson. Photo: Jim Rice
"There is considerable support for the emergence of an international rule requiring the return of cultural treasures of great national significance," he wrote.
Such a rule would not result in the emptying of Western museums, he said, it would only apply to "unique" works such as the marbles – a "living symbol of history and culture" from the time of the birth of democracy. It would be based on international treaties and conventions that grant countries a "right to culture".
The marbles include 75 metres of friezes depicting mythological scenes, and 17 statues.
Until recently the UK argued there was no museum in Greece capable of looking after the marbles properly. Greece opened a new museum on the Acropolis in Athens in 2009 which was purpose-built to house them.
However, the UK still opposes the move - in response to Mr Clooney's comment, John Whittingdale, the chairman of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, responded "he probably doesn't know the history of the Elgin Marbles and the legal entitlement that Britain has to them".
The UK argues that Lord Elgin was given permission to take the marbles by the Ottomans who ruled Athens at the time, and that they held global, not just Greek significance. They also point out that the marbles in London have been taken much better care of than the ones that remained exposed to modern pollution and decay in Athens.

I think this is a fascinating issue. I'm sure there are a number of art works worldwide where an argument can be made to return them to the country of their origin. Though Amal's law firm originally took up this issue back in 2011 it's interesting that Monuments Men coincidentally addressed the issue of a country being entitled to its art for the sake of their culture and history. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out. Could set a precedent.

She is expected here in Greece today 

Will she herself get media attention or not ? Curious to see, pictures or not.

Donnamarie wrote:I think this is a fascinating issue.  I'm sure there are a number of art works worldwide where an argument can be made to return them to the country of their origin.  Though Amal's law firm originally took up this issue back in 2011 it's interesting that Monuments Men coincidentally  addressed the issue of a country being entitled to its art for the sake of their culture and history.  Looking forward to seeing how this plays out.  Could set a precedent.

Try hundreds of thousands of artworks and artifacts.  That is why this is such an tough issue for nations and museum.

I suppose it's a case of you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours..... 

So a plug here or there is inoffensive ..... as long as it is here and there ....and not all consuming....I would shudder to think they had to OK each others's actions....We would hope, by nature, they would be on the same page regarding the important things in life..... and not critique every aspect of each others professional life..... Not too much scratching!..... jmo.

I just saw an article that she has arrived.  It first said that George was with her and then the article was revised that he WASN'T with her.  Interesting.

But no pics?

Correct!

Creating headlines. She's part of a team..........



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Samaras to meet Alamuddin Clooney on Wednesday to discuss Parthenon Marbles

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]George Clooney and his wife Amal Alamuddin arrive at Venice city hall for a civil ceremony to formalize their wedding in Venice, September 29.

Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is to meet human rights lawyer Amal Alamuddin Clooney on Wednesday, as part of an ongoing legal process to secure the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece it has been announced.
The Culture Ministry said in a statement on Monday that the lawyer, who recently married actor George Clooney, would meet with Samaras at his office in the Maximos Mansion and then receive a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum. She will be joined by her boss at Doughty Street Chambers, Geoffrey Robertson.
The lawyers are due to meet Greece’s Culture Minister Costas Tassoulas on Tuesday.
Alamuddin Clooney, who is based in Britain, has represented Ukrainian former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko at the European Court of Human Rights and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in extradition proceedings. She also advised former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on the conflict in Syria.
"Mr Robertson and Mrs Clooney were first asked to provide legal advice to the Greek government on this matter in 2011. They will be holding a series of meetings with government officials during their stay,» Doughty Street Chambers said in a recent statement.

Oh my god. The attention is absolutely ridiculous. She's only doing her job and it must be so weird for her that not only her private life but also her career is being so closely followed by the press. Just absurd.

The press made it seem like Amal was going she is there with her boss. If the press hadn't been told of her coming this wouldn't have happened. The Greek government made a big deal out of the visit.

It's just now, soon she won't get all this attention for her work, at least I hope that for her.
But we must say that this attention could have his positive aspects. There will be more "light" on her cases, and some of them are really important: Ukraine, Assange, this. 
The marbles case it's been discussing a lot recently..

Speaking about MM Berlin press conference, where I can see it?

Nice find Jenn. I like the white short jacket she was wearing. Hoping for more pics where I can see the full figure more.

Pics : Link 1. http://www.epa.eu/crime-law-and-justice-photos/justice-rights-photos/amal-alamuddin-in-athens-photos-51616516

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2. http://www.lapatilla.com/site/2014/10/13/amal-alamuddin-analiza-en-atenas-el-retorno-de-los-marmoles-del-partenon/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter



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