Breaking News: Explosion inside U.S Embassy Compound in Athens

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Breaking News'Attack' On US Embassy
Updated: 06:07, Friday January 12, 2007

An early morning explosion at the US embassy in Athens was caused by a rocket or bomb, police in Greece say.

Officials said it was likely a rocket had been fired at the building.

Police said the explosion was caused by an "attack".

"The blast was caused by an attack from the outside of the embassy. We are not in a position to say what kind of device was used," a senior police official said.

A US embassy spokesman said there were no injuries.

Glass in neighbouring buildings was shattered.

Police cordoned off all roads around the compound.

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

The embassy is frequently the focal point of demonstrations in the city.

I suppose then we should be glad it wasnt directed at us...for now.....

Nothing would surprise me anymore.

I'm going to add my voice to the observation that the timing is interestingly coincidental . . .

But Athens isn't a spot I'd immediately think of. All I could think was 'how odd'.

At least it seems there were no casualties. This time.

Do a history search on Greek-U.S. relations, you might be surprised ...

I'm certainly not surprised that it doesn't happen more often.

Could it possibly have to do with the American army storming the Iranian consulate in Iraq?

Originally posted by Pita
Could it possibly have to do with the American army storming the Iranian consulate in Iraq?

That is exactly what I thought a few minutes ago after reading that our troops had stormed the Iranian consulate.

ATHENS, Greece (CNN) -- An explosion shook the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, early Friday morning, causing no injuries, police said.

A rocket-propelled grenade launched from across the street in busy downtown Athens could have been the cause, Greek counterterrorism authorities told CNN.

Counterterrorism and embassy security officials immediately began inspecting the area and nearby buildings.

The only damage captured by television cameras after the attack was a window blown out on an upper floor. Embassy staff members said they saw scattered glass on the floor.

The explosion occurred close to the ambassador's office, but police said the ambassador was in a safe location.

Police cordoned off streets around the embassy after the blast, causing a near-standstill of traffic during morning rush hour.

The embassy in Athens was the target of a rocket-propelled grenade attack on February 15, 1996. That attack caused minor damage.

Originally posted by Pita
Could it possibly have to do with the American army storming the Iranian consulate in Iraq?

B I N G O!

That's my bet.

See my thoughts on that here.

Full story

Greek Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras said a left-wing group was behind the rocket attack on the US embassy in Athens Friday.

"We received one or two anonymous calls this morning that a left-wing group Revolutionary Struggle was behind the attack," Byron Polydoras told reporters outside the embassy.

The group has claimed responsibility for a number of smaller-scale attacks in the past.

Initial reports said that the blast was caused by a rocket attack and was probably launched from an old apartment building or the roof of a van. Police said one or two windows of the second or third floor of the embassy, one of the most heavily guarded buildings in the city, had been shattered.

[edit on 12-1-2007 by Mdv2]

I am from Greece and i heard about it at the University. News are spreading quite really fast
Shoking news as we never expecting something like this to happen.
Most of my mates are about not to pass through crowded areas since we are afraid of a second attack.


Here are News from My countrytranslated into english by WorldLingo translator tool:

''Eleutherotypia'' Greek newspaper
translated:

Roket in the American Embassy in Athens "Very serious attack", reports the American ambassador. "Harms the international picture of country", stresses the Nt. Mpakogja'nni. "Us worries but us does not terrorise", says the V. Poly'dwras. Most serious, from the opinion of symbolism, terrorist blow afterwards the dislocation of "17 November" in Athens became today five thinly before six in the morning in the building of American Embassy in the avenue Vasjlj'ssis Sofia. Rocket, according to the initial information, launched from worksite in plot opposite from the embassy and was nailed in space of third floor of building. This attack that it refers in the long action of "17 November" which, according to the Greek beginnings, is found in the prisons, creates a lot of questions and guesses or for members of organisation that were not conceived or for the appearance of new team or for the evolution of one of the already functioning organisations with bombs or camping-gases. In political level, the attack became the day where roll up to Athens the American diplomat and special envoy of UN for the question of PGDM. Also, the minister of Public Order, would meet today the Prime Minister Mr Karamanlis with a view to they discuss a question that has resulted recently with regard to the disputed effectiveness of Counterterrorist Service and the constant action of teams that places camping-gases and explosive mechanisms in banks and public services. The minister of abroads of Greece Nto'ra Mpakogja'nni characterized the attack serious while she reported that she is hurt in the exterior picture of country. Mr Mpakogja'nni said that responsibly for the researches she is the Greek government and it referred in the ministry of Public Order. Serious characterized the attack and the American ambassador Tsarls Rys declaring at the same time that his wish is functions the embassy as much as possible more shortly. Mr Rys said that does not exist excuse for a such attack and that his services collaborate irreproachably with the services of Greek ministry of Public Order. The news of attack in the American embassy in Athens is first subject in all the international news agencies. From the opinion of researches, the police has located precisely the point from where launched rocket that at all probability of is diameter of is 2,36 inches. Also, it is not considered improbable the beginnings - so much Greek what American that in any case collaborate - they have acquired certain exploitable elements from enough ka'meres follow-up that exists in the particular region. According to the minister of Public Order exists call of undertaking of responsibility on behalf of the "Revolutionary Fight" in the company security of American embassy something that is searched. The attack that becomes one day afterwards the statements Mpoys on the revision of policy of USA in Irak, causes the taking of stricter metres of safety in objectives of American interests in Greece. Already were taken moreover measures in the American consulate in Thessalonica as well as big American multinational companies

Edit:corrections in translation

[edit on 12-1-2007 by Dragonlike]

''Ethnos'' Greek newspaper
translated:

Hurt with rocket at the embassy of USA puts end in one decade of "peace" between terrorist organisations and more major American objectives in Greece. At the same time, it can be considered given so much that the foreigner secret services "enski'boyn" once again in our country, what that Greece is to accept once again war from her big opponents in the world tourism, on the occasion the activity of terrorist teams. Attack in morning the incident was marked two thinly before from the 6 morning of Friday. According to the Police rocket it is rather from mobile antitank arm of Eastern origin (probably RPG-18) and used by the Greek army. The launch became rather from parked car on the road Lamba'koy, street opposite from the means of roughly facade of building of embassy. The perpetrators appear to seek they affect cyreo' that dominate there, however missed and the missile passed through the panes and crashed into in the roof. It is not explicit ea'n existed complete explosion the antitank or because villain opljsmoy' or inaccurency material did not explode, partially or even completely. Wounds were not reported while the responsibility for the attack it is brought undertakes the organisation "Revolutionary Fight. Strange is however the way with which became this, that is to say with double call in the company of security embassy. Preliminary investigation is acted by the Address of Confrontation of Special Crimes of Violence (D.A.E.E.V.), in collaboration with the Address of Criminological Researches (WEO) and the Subdirection of Government owned Safety of Address of Safety Attica. Rjs: "Exceptionally serious attack" "The attack emanated from outside and does not exist no excuse for a such act of violence", declared the ambassador of United States in Athens Tsarls Rjs conversing with journalists outside from the American Embassy. It added, that still it has not returned in the precise point where the missile struck the embassy, the "scene of crime", as him it characterized, answering in relative question ea'n were found discoveries, for example ypollej'mmata of rocket or aytoprowcoy'menoy missile. The Mr Rjs, which characterized "very serious" the episode, declared still that she spoke with the minister of Abroads Nto'ra Mpakogja'nni immediately afterwards the explosion and the minister she expressed the assurance of Greek government for her complete collaboration in the search of perpetrators of attack. The statements of political leadership The minister of Abroads Nto'ra Mpakogja'nni expressed her sorrow for the unanticipated incident, him characterized serious and with wider consequence. "Phenomena as them cost very many in our country at past, so much social and economically what politically. The Greek government is decided to overwhelm each effort so that are not allowed similar phenomena again. The any estimate is premature. What newer exists will be announced from the ministry of Public Order ", said Mr Mpakogjna'nni. Mr Mpakogja'nni will have meeting the morning of Thursday with Prime Minister Kostas Karamanli'. "Act of symbolism operational" characterized the attack with royke'ta in the American embassy in Athens the minister of Public Order Vy'rwn Poly'dwras and it stressed that "the government condemns the attack with powerful dose of repugnance. We want to believe that the sang-froid will dominate. The Greek beginnings collaborate with the American services for the investigation of affair ". Mr Poly'dwras stressed that "she should we are self-reliable, thoroughly for the research of affair". The minister underlined that "us it worries the incident but us it does not terrorise. For the undertaking of responsibility exists call from one or two unknown individuals that claim that undertakes the responsibility the organisation "Revolutionary Fight". The call became in the company of safety that looks after the embassy ".

''Ethnos'' Greek newspaper

Edit:corections in translation

[edit on 12-1-2007 by Dragonlike]

''Ependitis'' Greek newspaper
Translated:

Explosion in the American embassy in the Vas. Sofia and the phenomenon of terrorism in the morning in Greece after enough time kacw's it had been limited in... camping-gases while in the HA afterwards the proposal of PEJRJAWS to the shareholders of MARFJN the last one passes in the counter-attack with her own proposal. Explosion was marked few thinly before 06:00 Friday in the third floor of American embassy in lewf. Vas. Sofia in the centre of Athens. According to all the clues, it is attack with royke'ta, that created hole above cyreo' the American embassy. From the explosion they do not exist traymatj'es, while they have broken panes of building. The damage is located in the third floor and more specifically in the office of American ambassador. The American ambassador Tsarls Rjs made reason for "very serious attack", that cannot be justified. It marked that the collaboration with the Greek side is very good and that officers of counterterrorist service find itself inside the building. According to the information that they transmit radio-television means of briefing, it is attack with royke'ta 2,36 inches, American manufacture. Royke'ta it is speculated that launched from point of road Lamba'koy, precisely opposite from the building of embassy. In the point is found a plot, with a small worksite, kalyme'no with sheets-metal. The police found there a pyroswli'na, who appears that it was used for launch royke'tas. Royke'ta created hole of size roughly 10h30 million precisely above cyreo' the embassy. The remains rocket were located by the police in his internal building of American embassy, in the third floor, where finds itself the office of American ambassador. Even if no possibility cannot be excluded, the first clues lead the police attributes the energy in the organisation Revolutionary Fight, as they report information. On the spot hurried the minister of Public Order V.Poly'dwras. Is expected official statement on the explosion by the police. By the ministry of Abroads of USA it was announced that was marked explosion in the embassy, without wounds, and that the embassy will remain closed during the day. The police excluded lewf. Vas. Sofia for roughly three hours, so that is created serious circulatory problem in the centre of Athens. The avenue is attributed again in the circulation roughly in the 09:00. The news of explosion in the American embassy was transmitted with extraordinary bulletins of news from all the international means of briefing. It is reminded that Friday in Athens come the American diplomat and special envoy of UN for the PGDM Ma'cjoy Nj'mjts.

Three of the most accurae nad uptaded newspapers ingreece

I will keep you tuned as soon as i can
Dragon

Edit:corrections in translation

[edit on 12-1-2007 by Dragonlike]

Originally posted by zephyrs


Sorry for going so far off topic there, but anyway, yeah I think this was a staged act of terrorism, aimed at giving more credibility to the President's story.

look g w bush is the best leader of the world...


he is guarding all americans from harm.


he is a strong man...he will not be cowed...

you are being a traitor to america by attacking g w bush all the time...

america is the safest nation in the world...

in america no one kills you.

america is the best place...

we dont have starving people...

by invading irak we are stopping terror and saving the oil from those evil arabs who attacked usa on 11/9...



we must not forget we are the worlds policman...

without usa we would be under commies,hitler and japs dictatorships..

you fool..

we are the best people...

the most democratic self aware civilised people...
you are simpley ignorant.

or must be a illegal immigrant who sponges of us americans.

you are ungrateful and should be ashamed...

if you dont like america

return to where ever you came from

ok??

C. Rice and G.W. Bush are on the phone.

C. Rise: "Mr. President, we have a serious problem with Greece."

G.W. Bush: "Is that animal or vegetable grease, Mrs. Rice?"




[edit on 12/1/07 by Souljah]

Originally posted by makeitso
Yesterday there were peace activists outside the Athens embassy protesting about Guantanamo.

Interesting, no?

And now we have a rocket attack on that same embassy. Nice deflection technique. This smells of GLADIO.

Originally posted by esecallum
look g w bush is the best leader of the world...


he is guarding all americans from harm.


he is a strong man...he will not be cowed...

you are being a traitor to america by attacking g w bush all the time...

america is the safest nation in the world...

in america no one kills you.

america is the best place.

......................

impressive but you forgot to append:

*snip* YEAH!!

[edit on 12-1-2007 by uknumpty]


Mod Edit: Profanity/Circumvention Of Censors – Please Review This Link.

[edit on 1/12/2007 by 12m8keall2c]

Originally posted by esecallum
look g w bush is the best leader of the world...

Ok, I just couldnt resist...
The best leader?
Well, he dropped the ball with sept11 according to 'himself'
He 'mis-read' the iraq intellegence which has resulted in tremendous death.
his economy is going down hill, his approval rating is around %30 and foreign leaders laugh at him..

what are you basing ' best in the world ' on ?

he is guarding all americans from harm.

Seems to me he hasnt really done much to ensure another terrorist act WONT occur.
Is he guarding all the american troops by putting them in an illegial?
OR is he guarding his american citizens by reading their mail, listening on their phones and freely being allowed to invade there property and search

he is a strong man...he will not be cowed...

I wouldnt call it strong, id call it stubborn.
and when people are dying, because one man is stubborn.. welll... what exactly do you class that as ?

you are being a traitor to america by attacking g w bush all the time...

Actually, Being he's the 'peoples' leader before he's the 'corporations' leader i think americans have the right to question there leaders as they please. I would be worried if people DIDNT question something so haneous. Or would you rather lock everyone who doestn agree up and class them as enemies of the state? Are you commie?

america is the safest nation in the world...
in america no one kills you.
Hehehe, your not from america are you.. c'mon admit it.....

america is the best place...

Americas a great country, a pitty you have such incompitent and curropt leaders presenting an image of you that should be disgusting every american citizen. Obviosuuly, your happy with it.

we dont have starving people...

Nah, you finda ll the less fortunate highschool drop outs, pay them to kill for your oil over sea's.

by invading irak we are stopping terror and saving the oil from those evil arabs who attacked usa on 11/9...

Actually, By invading Iraq you ensured a life time of terrorists.
I mean really, that young child whom just saw his entire family obliterated by an america bomb he aint exactly going to be cheering for you is he...
no.. more than likely he will seek revenge.. after all.. what else does he have to live for ?>

we must not forget we are the worlds policman...

Thats exactly the thinking that got you where you are.
You confused policeman, to greedy maniupulating corporate enduced government

without usa we would be under commies,hitler and japs dictatorships..

Yeah, 60yrs ago... the USA saved the day. And everyone thanks the lord for that. Does that mean we should allow you to activley invade and occupy.. like hitler did?

you fool..
we are the best people...
the most democratic self aware civilised people...
you are simpley ignorant.
or must be a illegal immigrant who sponges of us americans.
you are ungrateful and should be ashamed...
if you dont like america
return to where ever you came from

Far out mate.. really...

You'd of done great under hitler.
Never questioned him.
Loved him no matter what.
Kick all the foreigners out.
throw away the jailcell key to everyone who doesnt agree.

You sure your in the right country? or decade?

Yanchek

Nice deflection technique.

Deflection? Strange, I found the information quite relevant to the situation, and noted that nobody else seems to be posting about it. These little tidbits help put things into perspective. For example; did you know that there is a new embassy already being built, since the current one is over 20 years old?

I was also going to post that it was a rocket attack, but I could only find one reference at the time, (1am here), so I did a quick post on what I did verify and went to bed.

Yanchek
This smells of GLADIO.

Possibly. For example; Dragonlike posted the local greek news, which, (among other good info), says that a group called "Revolutionary Fight" is taking credit for the attack. (Dragonlike got a "way above" for taking the time to post this.)

I couldn't find much on them, but it lead me to an article calling them the "Revolutionary Struggle". (I see now that Mvd2 also posted about the "Revolutionary Struggle"). There seems to be almost no information available on their organizational structure. This combined with the fact that they have set off several bombs since 2003, including one just prior to the Olympic games, yet not 1 person has been killed by these attacks. This could be considered the mark of a Gladio type operation. No?

It could also be the hallmark of an leftist anti-capitalist, anti-war group who wants to push their agenda without killing, (which would defeat the purpose, and funding for their cause).

Revolutionary Struggle

Mothertongue Name: Epanastatikos Aghonas
Base of Operation: Greece

Founding Philosophy: Revolutionary Struggle (Epanastatikos Aghonas or EA) is a Greek extremist group that first emerged in 2003 with a bombing attack on the Athens courthouse complex.

Since then, EA members have consistently targeted political leaders and institutions in order to express their socialist, and somewhat anarchist, ideologies. Public statements by EA members convey strict opposition to current Greek economic policies and political systems as well as the capitalist nature of the West in general.

Current Goals: EA has managed to carry out rather powerful, high profile attacks while avoiding any instances of detection or apprehension. In fact, no information is yet available on the group’s actual size or leadership structure.

Below: Same root group?

International Revolutionary Struggle

Aliases: Team of International Revolutionary Struggle
Base of Operation: Greece

Founding Philosophy: International Revolutionary Struggle was a leftist group responsible for only one incident--a homemade bomb attack on an Athens Alitalia (Air Italy) office in October 1997. The bomb shattered the office's windows.

In their claim of responsibility, the group asserted that the attack was carried out to protest the imprisonment of 55 anarchists in Italy.

Does my tidbit about the protests about Guantanamo at the embassy the day before make any more logic now? I think so.

Here is a more humorous tidbit:

Crap Shot

"We believe it is a symbolic act,"

"This is an act of terrorism,"

a shell exploded in the toilets of the building...

[edit on 1/12/07 by makeitso]

Originally posted by makeitso

Deflection?

Sorry, I mixed London embassy demostrations (about Guantanamo) with Athens. Why were people protesting in front of embassy in Athens?

I mentioned GLADIO because there are quite a few cases in history when GLADIO operatives infiltrated left-wing organizations and then executed terrorist attacks and assassinations in this organization name.

Anyway, thanks for EA links.

No need for appologies Yanchek, I can see where I did not clearly post, and caused confusion.

Yes, there were protests at many many locations; London, Greece, Japan, Italy, Israel and other countries, and there were no attacks at the other locations, so maybe its just a coincidence. Maybe.

And yes, you are correct that this is possibly a Gladio type operation.

[edit on 1/12/07 by makeitso]