A rchive Date
[ 06-05-2004 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Greece ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2004/05/05/448287-ap.html
Greek authorities seek clues into bombings with Olympic pressures rising
By LISA ORKIN
ATHENS (AP) - Security forces searched Thursday for possible witnesses to a time-bomb attacks that raised terrorist worries for the Olympic Games and left Greek officials reassessing security plans.
"The planned security measures are dynamic and not static, meaning that they are adjusted every time there is an event," said Defence Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos at a conference on regional affairs. The triple blasts early Wednesday caused no injuries, but damaged a police station in the Kalithea suburb. No group or individual claimed responsibility.
Suspicion, however, immediately fell on local groups, including self-styled anarchists and other extremists that frequently carry out firebombings and other attacks against a variety of targets including police.
Police insisted the attack had no link to the Aug. 13-29 Olympics, but it occurred on the 100-day countdown until the beginning of the games.
The bombing was carried out with sticks of dynamite rigged with alarm clocks that exploded within a half-hour span. The area is not near any key Olympic sites or hotels.
Premier Costas Caramanlis called the bombing "an isolated incident which does not affect whatsoever the safety of the Olympic preparation."
Meanwhile, top anti-terrorist agents questioned possible witnesses and looked into possible links with previous attacks.
In September, similar timed blasts damaged a judicial complex in Athens and injured one police officer. The twin bombings, spaced 20 minutes apart, were claimed by a group calling itself Revolutionary Struggle. No arrests were made.
In February, a group using the names of the Olympic mascots, Phevos and Athena, claimed responsibility for firebombing two Environment Ministry trucks during IOC meetings in Athens.
A proclamation in March using the name Revolutionary Struggle claimed responsibility for planting a bomb outside an Athens branch office of the U.S.-based Citibank. The bomb, hidden in a backpack, was destroyed by police. Again, no arrests were made.
Greece is spending about $1.65 billion Cdn on security and has enlisted the help of NATO. A seven-country advisory group, led by the United States and Britain, is also helping Athens plan for any possible terrorist threats.
Last week, the International Olympic Committee said it had taken out a $232 million Cdn insurance policy to protect against the Athens Games being called off because of war, terrorism or natural disasters. The unprecedented policy is to guarantee that the IOC and its affiliated bodies have enough money to continue operations in the event of a cancellation.
Authorities claim they crippled the most dangerous domestic terrorist threat with the convictions last year of 19 members of the group November 17, blamed for 23 killings and dozens of other attacks since 1975.
On Monday, the IOC is schedule to begin its final review of Athens' preparations, beset by construction delays and other glitches.
Top Greek security officials, meanwhile, were in Washington for talks on measures to protect the Olympics, the first Summer Games since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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