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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Rocket hits US embassy in Athens | Rocket hits US embassy in Athens |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Attackers have fired a rocket at the US embassy compound in the centre of the Greek capital, Athens. | Attackers have fired a rocket at the US embassy compound in the centre of the Greek capital, Athens. |
| The rocket, fired from street level into the front of the embassy, caused minor damage to the building but no-one was injured. | The rocket, fired from street level into the front of the embassy, caused minor damage to the building but no-one was injured. |
| The US envoy condemned the "very serious attack", as fire engines and police cordoned off the area. | The US envoy condemned the "very serious attack", as fire engines and police cordoned off the area. |
| Greece's Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras said it was "very likely" a domestic group was behind the attack. | Greece's Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras said it was "very likely" a domestic group was behind the attack. |
| He said police were investigating claims that a left-wing radical group, Revolutionary Struggle, was responsible. | He said police were investigating claims that a left-wing radical group, Revolutionary Struggle, was responsible. |
| 'Windows shattered' | 'Windows shattered' |
| The blast was reported in the early morning at the embassy, which is on one of the main boulevards in Athens. | The blast was reported in the early morning at the embassy, which is on one of the main boulevards in Athens. |
| Greek anti-Americanism | |
| Police said a rocket was fired at the US eagle emblem at the front of the building. | Police said a rocket was fired at the US eagle emblem at the front of the building. |
| "A self-propelled explosive was fired at 0558 (0358 GMT) from the surrounding area, causing minor damage to the front windows and the roof," a statement from the Greek public order ministry said. | "A self-propelled explosive was fired at 0558 (0358 GMT) from the surrounding area, causing minor damage to the front windows and the roof," a statement from the Greek public order ministry said. |
| The rocket landed in a toilet on the third floor of the building, which also houses Ambassador Charles Ries's office. | The rocket landed in a toilet on the third floor of the building, which also houses Ambassador Charles Ries's office. |
| "I am treating this as a very serious attack," Mr Ries said. "The embassy was attacked in a senseless act of violence." | "I am treating this as a very serious attack," Mr Ries said. "The embassy was attacked in a senseless act of violence." |
| Mr Ries said the reliability of any claims of responsibility would have to be assessed. | Mr Ries said the reliability of any claims of responsibility would have to be assessed. |
| Television pictures showed a mass of emergency vehicles and stationary traffic outside the embassy as the area was sealed off. | Television pictures showed a mass of emergency vehicles and stationary traffic outside the embassy as the area was sealed off. |
| Left-wing groups | Left-wing groups |
| The US embassy is one of the most fortified and tightly guarded buildings in the region and is frequently the target of protests in a country brimming with potent anti-Americanism, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens. | The US embassy is one of the most fortified and tightly guarded buildings in the region and is frequently the target of protests in a country brimming with potent anti-Americanism, says the BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens. |
| In February 1996, it suffered minor damage when unknown attackers - thought to be leftist radicals - fired a rocket at it. | In February 1996, it suffered minor damage when unknown attackers - thought to be leftist radicals - fired a rocket at it. |
| In the past, the far-left November 17 group - now disbanded and whose leaders were jailed in 2003 - attacked Greek, US and other foreign targets, killing more than 20 people. | In the past, the far-left November 17 group - now disbanded and whose leaders were jailed in 2003 - attacked Greek, US and other foreign targets, killing more than 20 people. |
| Revolutionary Struggle - a group which emerged after November 17 disintegrated - is regarded by security experts as Greece's most active terrorist group, our correspondent says. | Revolutionary Struggle - a group which emerged after November 17 disintegrated - is regarded by security experts as Greece's most active terrorist group, our correspondent says. |
| It has broadly the same left-wing, anarchic anti-capitalist agenda as November 17 and vigorously opposes America's intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the economic and social policies of the current conservative Greek government. | It has broadly the same left-wing, anarchic anti-capitalist agenda as November 17 and vigorously opposes America's intervention in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as the economic and social policies of the current conservative Greek government. |
| It has carried out a number of bombings and attacks in recent years. | It has carried out a number of bombings and attacks in recent years. |