Article

2007-01-12 Europe

BREAKING...Blast rips through U.S. embassy compound in Athens

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Posted by Crose Shinelet6980 2007-01-12 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11126 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 What is the name of the Greek terrorists? Like 17 November or something?

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 00:25|| 2007-01-12 00:25|| Front Page Top

#2 Rooters

ATHENS (Reuters) - An explosion ripped through the U.S. embassy compound in central Athens on Friday, police said.

It was not clear what caused the blast and there was no immediate word on whether there were any casualties.

"We are investigating the cause of the explosion. We are not ruling anything out," a senior police official told Reuters.

Dozens of police cars surrounded the embassy and police cordoned off all roads in the area, including a major boulevard in front of the mission.

"Police have cut off all traffic. I am standing right here but there does not seem to be any damage. Greece's anti-terror squad are now investigating inside the embassy," a U.S. embassy employee at the scene told Reuters.

The senior police official did not say whether the explosion was set off inside the compound or whether something might have been thrown into the embassy grounds.

Police officials at the scene said that whatever caused the explosion damaged the official embassy sign outside the mission, but there was little other indication of the extent of damage inside.

The tightly guarded building is surrounded by a 3-meter (9-feet)-high steel fence. Guards are posted at every entrance and at street corners around it.

Embassy officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

Local residents called in to state television saying they had felt the explosion, which shattered some windows.

Greece's biggest domestic security threat, the leftist November 17 guerrilla group, which had in the past killed U.S. and other foreign diplomats in Greece, was dismantled in 2002.

Posted by Laurence of the Rats">Laurence of the Rats 2007-01-12 00:32|| 2007-01-12 00:32|| Front Page Top

#3 What time is it there? I wouldn't think diplo types are at work this early in the morning.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 00:41|| 2007-01-12 00:41|| Front Page Top

#4 What time is it there?

5.55 am

Explosion rocks US embassy in central Athens

Four fire engines rushed to the scene, amid reports that the explosion struck the embassy building's third floor at 5:55am (1455 AEDT), the fire department said.

Posted by Whiskettes4Hilali 2007-01-12 01:17|| 2007-01-12 01:17|| Front Page Top

#5 main thing no ones hurt so far right?

Posted by RD 2007-01-12 01:53|| 2007-01-12 01:53|| Front Page Top

#6 "main thing no ones hurt so far right?"

No reported injuries; apparently a small rocket grenade aimed at the embassy emblem, so probably symolic gesture, rather than attempt at death or destruction (Bali / 9-11 / London etc).

I'm wondering if it is linked to visit of Matthew Nimetz to athens re Nimetzs proposal of Republika Makedonija-Skopje as an official name for FYROM.
Greeks get a bit touchy about name Macedonia.

Posted by Whiskettes4Hilali 2007-01-12 03:58|| 2007-01-12 03:58|| Front Page Top

#7 the beeb take here

info on group claiming responsibility here

EAs most recent incident occurred on May 30, 2006, involving an assassination attempt on George Voulgarakis, the Greek Culture Minister and former Public Order Minister. Over 2 pounds of explosives were strapped to a bicycle stationed near Voulgarakis residence and then detonated via remote control. No injuries resulted from the explosion, but four parked cars and a school building succumbed to damage. EA later claimed the attack, stating Greek involvement in the war on terror and Voulgarakis suspected role in an illegal interrogation of Pakistani residents as justification for the bombing.

Posted by MacNails 2007-01-12 04:37|| 2007-01-12 04:37|| Front Page Top

#8 Update: Radical group says responsible for U.S. Embassy attack in Athens

ATHENS, January 12 (RIA Novosti) - An extremist group has claimed responsibility for a shell attack on the United States Embassy in Athens early Friday morning, police said, citing an anonymous phone call to the embassy.

The attackers apparently targeted the U.S. emblem on the embassy building, but the rocket shell smashed through a window on the third floor and damaged toilets. No one was injured.

The Revolutionary Struggle group also claimed responsibility earlier for three powerful explosions near ministry buildings in the Greek capital, and for an unsuccessful assassination attempt on a former public order minister in June 2006.

Posted by Whiskettes4Hilali 2007-01-12 04:39|| 2007-01-12 04:39|| Front Page Top

#9 Update: Radical group says responsible for U.S. Embassy attack in Athens

ATHENS, January 12 (RIA Novosti) - An extremist group has claimed responsibility for a shell attack on the United States Embassy in Athens early Friday morning, police said, citing an anonymous phone call to the embassy.

The attackers apparently targeted the U.S. emblem on the embassy building, but the rocket shell smashed through a window on the third floor and damaged toilets. No one was injured.

The Revolutionary Struggle group also claimed responsibility earlier for three powerful explosions near ministry buildings in the Greek capital, and for an unsuccessful assassination attempt on a former public order minister in June 2006.

Posted by Whiskettes4Hilali 2007-01-12 04:43|| 2007-01-12 04:43|| Front Page Top

#10 Sorry about previous dupe - accidentally reloadcd page.

ADN Kronos report:
TERRORISM: ATTACK ON U.S. EMBASSY IN ATHENS

Athens, 12 Jan. (AKI) - An explosion has rocked the US embassy in Athens, reports said Friday. Police believe two attackers on a motorcycle fired a rocket at the US eagle symbol on the facade of the embassy. The rocket reportedly landed inside a toilet where it caused a small fire. No one was injured, the US State Department says. A left-wing radical Greek group called 'Revolutionary fight' has claimed responsibility for the attack on the embassy compound, located in central Athens, public order minister Byron Polydoras told journalists.

Posted by Whiskettes4Hilali 2007-01-12 04:50|| 2007-01-12 04:50|| Front Page Top

#11 Over at DU and Kos, they've probably already decided that this is a "Rove plot" intended to "frighten" the DINOs into supporting Bushitler's new war plan, or distracxt everyone's attention from Bushitler's new war plan, or maybe both at once.

Posted by Mike 2007-01-12 06:29|| 2007-01-12 06:29|| Front Page Top

#12 Is Aris a member of that group?

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2007-01-12 06:48|| 2007-01-12 06:48|| Front Page Top

#13 Say! Whatever happened to Aris? He could've given us the local perspective!

Posted by Bobby 2007-01-12 07:25|| 2007-01-12 07:25|| Front Page Top

#14 well , my take is .. its a bunch of lefty nutters combined with some *chuckle* wanna be jihadi young muslim youth , all being guided and taught by more extremist fanatical nutjobs .. Expect to hear more of this group as it develops the confidence and skills to carry out more 'dramatic' operations

Theyve had a bite of the cherry and want more

Posted by MacNails 2007-01-12 07:37|| 2007-01-12 07:37|| Front Page Top

#15 The rocket reportedly landed inside a toilet where it caused a small fire.

Must have been one of those deadly Russian Kamodska-II rockets.

Posted by Besoeker 2007-01-12 07:47|| 2007-01-12 07:47|| Front Page Top

#16 The rocket reportedly landed inside a toilet where it caused a small fire.

Someone is goind to be in deep shit. Soory couldn't resist.

Posted by JFM">JFM 2007-01-12 08:24|| 2007-01-12 08:24|| Front Page Top

#17 "two attackers on a motorcycle fired a rocket"

In light of this develpoment, it is my assessment that this article needs the "cycle of violence" pic.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 08:56|| 2007-01-12 08:56|| Front Page Top

#18 So long as the university keeps awarding "A" grades for espousing this sort of thing it is hardly surprising that some people should go out an do it. Time to clean house.

Posted by Excalibur 2007-01-12 09:18|| 2007-01-12 09:18|| Front Page Top

#19 What is the name of the Greek terrorists? Like 17 November or something?

I thought it was Baba Ganoush. No...wait, that would be Lebanese. Maybe it was the F³, (Fetid Feta Fanatics).

Posted by Chuck Darwin 2007-01-12 10:52|| 2007-01-12 10:52|| Front Page Top

#20 Gyro Euro Jihad Heroes.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 11:09|| 2007-01-12 11:09|| Front Page Top

#21 Was this their bike?

Posted by Rob Crawford">Rob Crawford 2007-01-12 11:14|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2007-01-12 11:14|| Front Page Top

#22 LOL, RC! When I read the Yahoo News article on it earlier, they claimed it was an RPG that busted out a window and landed in the toilets (3rd floor). Made it sound like it didn't even explode, although the fire in the toilets story makes it sound like it did.

Question is, can an RPG really bust windows on nearby homes and cause that large an explosion to wake up people? Someone in the know here can probably say. Of course, it was early (quiet) morning, so that'll explain more people hearing it, but can an RPG round (which supposedly exploded 3rd floor-toilets) really damage nearby homes (windows) when I'm sure our embassy takes up the entire block (and has fencing)? Or is it more MSM touting the story with grandiose, made up details?

Posted by BA 2007-01-12 11:25|| 2007-01-12 11:25|| Front Page Top

#23 lol love that pic Robert C. heh how about using that weapon.....once.

Posted by RD 2007-01-12 11:28|| 2007-01-12 11:28|| Front Page Top

#24 That scooter is possibly the most French thing I have ever seen. Ever.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 13:11|| 2007-01-12 13:11|| Front Page Top

#25 Am I paranoid or could this be outsourcing by Iran, albeit by some amateurs, because we took down some of thier "diplos" in Iraq? Actually I am paranoid anyway.

Posted by Sgt. D.T. 2007-01-12 13:57|| 2007-01-12 13:57|| Front Page Top

#26
That scooter is possibly the most French thing I have ever seen. Ever.

It is a Vespa. Italian.

Posted by JFM">JFM 2007-01-12 14:17|| 2007-01-12 14:17|| Front Page Top

#27 RC's scooter looks like just the thing to use on the cellphone yakking yuppies and yuppie-ettes during the commute. especially if it capable of taking out the Bab's Hummer.....

Posted by USN, Ret. 2007-01-12 14:25|| 2007-01-12 14:25|| Front Page Top

#28 "It is a Vespa. Italian."

I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you JFM. Using a scooter as a military weapon seems awefully French to me.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 14:42|| 2007-01-12 14:42|| Front Page Top

#29 Bobby, Aris had an unfortunate meltdown because some of the Rantburgers disagreed with his interpretation of the American Constitution. Fred blocked him for a number of months, but the hiatus only increased his bile, so he's been blocked permanently. Every once in a while he finds a new computer and pokes his head in to continue an argument nobody else care about, and gets blocked again. Very childish behaviour from a young man who should be getting on with adulthood now that he's gotten his PhD, survived mandatory military service, and hopefully moved on to bigger projects. He used to blog under his own name, Aris Katsaris (I think that's properly spelt), and may still do. Very sad, because early on his perspective on the happenings in his part of the world were quite helpful.

Posted by trailing wife 2007-01-12 15:55|| 2007-01-12 15:55|| Front Page Top

#30 What is the name of the Greek terrorists? Like 17 November or something?

What is November 17?
A radical, leftist Greek terrorist group, also known as 17 N or N 17, with a tiny membership and a loathing for America, the West, and capitalism. Most anti-terrorism experts think the organization has no more than twenty-five membersmany of them related to one another, which may explain why the group was able to operate secretly and securely for almost three decades. But in July 2002, amid mounting pressure to track down terrorists before the 2004 Olympics, Greek authorities made a major breakthrough and began arresting November 17 members. In December 2003, Greek courts dealt November 17 a crippling blow as fifteen members of the group were convicted of various crimes including homicide; the leader of the group and several key operatives were given multiple life sentences.

Posted by Intrinsicpilot 2007-01-12 16:38|| 2007-01-12 16:38|| Front Page Top

#31 Heh. Looks like Olympics in Greece got them to do something good for themselves. I always wondered how the Greeks were going to keep that gang away from the olympics.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 16:48|| 2007-01-12 16:48|| Front Page Top

#32 Trailing wife, in most cases it's the same computers that I use to sometimes bizarrely discover that I'm allowed to post again (a couple exceptions ofcourse, e.g. like when I went to Samos or so forth). For example a few days ago I couldn't post from here at my home -- now it seems that again I can. I never know, nor does anyone ever say, whether these are glitches in the system or deliberate (if extremely temporary) unbannings.

Anyway, I don't even remember which argument you are referring to in relation to the American constitution. I remember several I've had here with Rantburgers ofcourse -- e.g. my bizarre and blasphemous support for the idea that the words "no person" truly refers to all people rather than only "American citizens" (I tend to be a literalist when trying to understand the meaning of legal documens)

But I don't remember if that's supposed to be the argument you claim I had a "meltdown" over, or if there was another argument.

Anyway standard behavior in such cases seem to be that they re-ban me immediately, regardless of what comment I make.

And btw, if you want any comment from me on this bombing, one post will not be sufficient -- and this one post (to be sent into sinktrap as always I guess) is probably all I'll have.

But here's a few tidbits.

On the people that imagine Islamic participation in this, I'll just comment that two or three of the 17th November terrorists were the sons of a Greek Orthodox priest, one of them having as profession the painting of Christian religious icons.

Do you think that Islam is the only religion with preachers that spend time preaching against America? At a time when murderous bastards like Putin are welcomed by the Greek priesthood as Protectors of the Orthodoxy, and the Patriarchate of Moscow has the Archbishopry of Athens as its ally in the attempt to gain leadership of the Eastern Orthodox church from the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople?

What other comments on the situation do you want me to make? The basic comment I'll make is that the Greek establishment, servile to Moscow as it is, has no real reason at all to hunt down anti-American terrorist groups. It had some small reason in the time just before the Olympics. It has no reason now.

But given how Putin is such good friend with Greece, perhaps Bush can look deep into Putin's angelic soul and convince him to push Greece in the right direction of fighting terrorism.

Posted by Aris Katsaris 2007-01-12 19:43|| 2007-01-12 19:43|| Front Page Top

#33 I didn't intend to imply that I thought November 17 was Islamist, just that they're terrorist.

And, just to stir the pot, "no person" applies to all people coverd under the Constitution, which are American citizens. ;-)

Anyway, tell your buddies that we didn't like that toilet anyway.

Posted by Mike N. 2007-01-12 19:50|| 2007-01-12 19:50|| Front Page Top

#34 Do you think that Islam is the only religion with preachers that spend time preaching against America?

No, lots of religions do it. Communists and EU-philes, for example.

Posted by Rob Crawford">Rob Crawford 2007-01-12 20:13|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2007-01-12 20:13|| Front Page Top

#35 Useful perspective on what's going in Greece, Aris. Thank you. I'm perfectly happy to be wrong on the other, but that's how it appeared to me at the time. And I do hope that your life and career are going well, and that somewhere there lurks a lovely and strong-minded future Mrs. Katsaris. :-)

Posted by trailing wife 2007-01-12 20:46|| 2007-01-12 20:46|| Front Page Top

#36 See also EUPHORICEALITY.com > WAS THERE A
NUCLEAR EXPLOSION INSIDE IRAN? Unconfirmed as yet by outside sources but described as nuclear by var locals, espec in south-central Iran. One detonation may be sign of local Sunni Arab unrest, but NOT a nuke. Also, WAFF.com > CHINA REASSURES ISRAEL IT IS OPPOSED TO ANY IRANIAN NUKES.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-01-12 20:51|| 2007-01-12 20:51|| Front Page Top

23:48 Mike N.
23:41 newc
23:40 Shieldwolf
23:32 newc
23:05 Frank G
23:01 trailing wife
23:00 Mike N.
22:49 trailing wife
22:40 Frank G
22:22 Procopius2k
22:18 Mark Z
22:17 USN, ret.
22:14 Mike N.
22:11 Procopius2k
22:10 USN, ret.
22:04 DarthVader
21:54 Frank G
21:53 Alaska Paul
21:52 3dc
21:50 USN, ret.
21:23 Pappy
21:20 djh_usmc
21:13 bruce
20:59 Anguper Hupomosing9418