Greek museum sets new date

After years of delays, legal wrangles and cost overruns, Greece hopes to open its Acropolis Museum by the end of 2007, Culture Minister George Voulgarakis said Tuesday.

Greece had hoped to open the museum before the 2004 Olympics to push its claim for the return of the 5th century BC Parthenon marbles, widely known as the Elgin marbles, from the British Museum. But after decades on the drawing board, the museum is now three years behind schedule and, at a projected final cost of $156.6 million, 25% over budget.

Once it is finished, the museum will house artifacts from the temples of the Acropolis, including the Parthenon, and serve as a hoped-for future home for the disputed Elgin marbles.