ATHENS — A left-wing insurgency group has claimed responsibility
for a rocket strike against the U.S. embassy in Greece.
The Revolutionary Struggle said it conducted the Jan. 12
rocket-propelled grenade attack on the U.S. embassy in Athens, Middle East Newsline reported. In a
statement, the group, which emerged in 2003, cited the U.S. military
involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.
"This was our own response to the criminal war on terrorism that the
United States has launched throughout the planet," the group said.
The group accused the conservative Greek government of supporting the
U.S. military presence in Iraq. The statement, published in the Pontiki
weekly newspaper, also threatened Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and
Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras.
"This would be the first building to be demolished in the case of a
popular uprising in Greece," the statement said. "And the second would
certainly be parliament."
Insurgency groups have usually sent statements to the Greek media,
particularly claims of responsibility for attacks. The RPG that slightly
damaged the U.S. embassy was regarded as the most daring attack on a Western
target in Greece in several years.
"We brought disgrace to the tough U.S. and police security measures,"
the statement said. "Our victorious battles against this establishment will
show how vulnerable it is."
The Revolutionary Struggle expressed solidarity with a range of
insurgency groups, including the Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah in Lebanon. In
its five-page proclamation, the group called on Athens to expel the U.S.
military presence and quit NATO.
"The government does not take part in a dialogue with terrorists,"
Greek government spokesman Evangelos Antonaros said.
