GREECE: Attackers cause blast at US embassy in Athens. No-one hurt

Greek anti-terrorist officers were on the scene of the early morning attack on Friday (January 12), which shattered windows and woke up nearby residents in the central Athens area. No one was hurt in the attack, Greek and U.S. officials said. Greek police said the rocket was launched from a building across the road from the embassy building and landed inside a toilet on the third floor. U.S. ambassador to Athens, Charles Ries, briefed reporters outside the mission. He said: "I have not been there myself. The Embassy itself is a crime scene, the police are investigating and gathering all the evidence. It is my intention for the Embassy to open as soon as possible. For the moment, though, because it is a crime scene we won't be opening for normal business. For this and for the traffic disruption I apologise to the Greek people who are inconvenienced by this violence." Asked about the location of the explosion Ries confirmed that it had occurred on the third floor, but added that the damage was "not extensive." Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyanni rushed to the embassy to meet Ries and condemn the attack. "Phenomenons like these have cost dearly in the past, politically, economically and to the international status of the country," she told reporters. "The Greek government is determined to make every effort as it has done successfully in the past for such phenomenons not to take place. The government will do everything in its power so they are not repeated." It was the most serious attack against the mission since February 1996, when assailants fired a rocket at the back of the compound, causing minor damage to three diplomatic vehicles and some surrounding buildings. Dozens of police cars surrounded the embassy and hundred of police cordoned off all roads in the area, including a major boulevard in front of the mission. Police helicopters hovered overhead, although roads were re-opened by 10 a.m. (0800gmt). Anonymous callers have claimed the Greek leftist guerrilla group Revolutionary Struggle was behind the explosion, Greece's Public Order Minister Byron Polydoras told reporters.

ITN Source | January 12, 2007

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