Police: Blast at U.S. Embassy in Athens Is 'Act of Terrorism'

[Seta-San]

ATHENS, Greece — An anti-tank shell was fired at the U.S. embassy early Friday, striking the front of the building but causing no injuries. A senior police official said the blast was an act of terrorism, raising fears of a resurgence of far-left Greek militant groups.

Police cordoned off streets around the heavily guarded building after the explosion shortly before 6 a.m (0400 GMT). The shell struck the third floor and smashed glass in nearby buildings.

Investigators were examining what they believed was the device used to fire the shell from a construction site near the embassy.

"This is an act of terrorism. We don't know where from," Attica Police Chief Asimakis Golfis said. "There was a shell that exploded in the toilets of the building ... It was fired from street level."

Embassy officials confirmed that an explosion had taken place and said that no one had been injured. U.S. ambassador Charles Reis said the damage was "not extensive."

"There can be no justification for such a senseless act of violence ... The embassy was occupied at the time (but) nobody was hurt," he said.

Reis said there had been no warning of the attack.

"We're treating it as a very serious attack. We will determine what it is when we know (more)," he said.

Authorities were searching apartment buildings near the U.S. Embassy and a nearby hospital for evidence.

"At 5:58 a.m. an explosion was caused by a self-propelling shell, causing minor damage at the front of the building ... The Greek Police are working closely with the embassy authorities," a police statement said.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis visited the embassy after the blast.

"I came here to express the solidarity of the Greek people following this deplorable action," she said.

"Such actions in the past have had a very heavy cost for the country — moral, financial and for the international standing of the country. The Greek government is determined to undertake every effort to not allow such phenomena to be repeated in the future."

Traffic came to a standstill for more than three hours across parts of central Athens, as police and emergency services scrambled to the embassy building, which is a frequent destination for protest groups.

"I heard a loud bang. I didn't realize what was going on," said Giorgos Yiannoulis, who runs a kiosk near the embassy.

It was the first major attack against a U.S. target in more than a decade, following the arrest of members of Greece's far-left November 17 terrorist group. The group was blamed for killing 23 people — including U.S., British and Turkish officials — and dozens of bomb attacks.

In 2003, a special court gave multiple life sentences to November 17's leader, chief assassin and three other members. Lesser sentences were given to 10 others.

November 17 carried out a similar rocket attack against the U.S. embassy in 1996, causing minor damage and no injuries.

[RZetlin]

Using Bush logic since far-left Greek militants did this, it is time to invade Iran!

[jonc2006]

then mars! go get em tiger!

[darth sephiroth]

one small bomb against an US target causing no deaths = huge news coverage
multiple suicide bombers killing more than 100 in Iraq = "who cares" news coverage
thousands dead from hunger in poor country = completely ignored

[jonc2006]

oh the irony...