Strong Condemnation in Greece for the
Act of Violence Against the American Embassy

(Consulate General of Greece in Boston--12 January 2007) Both the Greek Government and all opposition parties in Greece strongly condemned in the most unequivocal way the rocket attack this morning at the American Embassy in Athens. The attack occurred at 5.58 a.m. and caused minor damage but no casualties.

Minister of Public Order Vyron Polydoras said that the Prime Minister's order is to intensify the investigation at all levels and in all areas. Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, who visited the American Embassy after the incident - to express the government's support for U.S. Ambassador Charles Ries - said that such actions are against democracy and the interests of the Greek people. In a letter to her American counterpart Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Minister Bakoyannis expressed the government's determination to eradicate any form of violence and to do everything within its power to ensure that such incidents will not be repeated.

At a briefing today, the State Minister and Government Spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos, stressed that the government's determination to fully solve the case and bring the perpetrators to justice was a virtual certainty, adding that Greece's relations with the U.S. are and will remain excellent.

President Papoulias – Ambassador Ries

The President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, in a message to U.S. Ambassador Charles Ries, expressed the horror of the Greek people and a strong condemnation of the attack. Ambassador Ries, speaking to reporters, noted the close cooperation between the Greek and American authorities, following the rocket attack, and thanked the Greek authorities for the swift and professional way in which they handled the situation.

Finally, the Mayor of Athens Nikitas Kaklamanis, in a statement today, strongly condemned the rocket attack, reminding all that, in 2004, Greece staged one of the safest Olympic Games ever and that the city of Athens is one of the world's safest capitals, for both its residents and its visitors.



(Posting date 14 January 2007)

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