fair use...

Link

Bomb Explodes Next to American Express Branch in Greece The Associated Press Published: Nov 15, 2001

ATHENS, Greece (AP) - A bomb exploded next to an American Express Bank branch Thursday, blowing out the windows of a passing school bus carrying more than a dozen children and slightly injuring a bystander.

No children were injured by the remote-controlled bomb, which was planted on the seat of a bicycle outside a shopping center, police said. The American Express bank, which had minimal damage, was located a few yards away on the ground floor.

Police said no warning had been given and there were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack.

Although dozens of leftist and anarchist groups often carry out bombings and arson attacks on cars and businesses in the Athens area, it is rare for such attacks to occur in daytime.

Remote-controlled bombs, however, are known to have been used in the past only by some of Greece's more sophisticated terrorist groups, including November 17, which has killed 22 people since 1975. The group has targeted American businesses in the past.

November 17 is named for the 1973 date that Greece's military junta crushed a student uprising.

The mid-afternoon explosion damaged the facade of the popular mall, which also houses a large toy store and boutiques. One woman was treated for cuts caused by glass, police said.

The bomb blew out the front windows of the school bus as it passed the mall, located in the suburb of Psyhico on a busy avenue leading to Athens' main Olympic sports complex and the city's northern suburbs.

Cracking down on domestic terrorism has become a top priority for Athens ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games. Greece has in the past come under intense criticism for its poor record on combatting terrorism and has budgeted a record $600 million so far for Olympic security.

Thursday's blast came as student groups and political parties prepared to commemorate the Nov. 17 anniversary on Saturday. The anniversary is marked with a demonstration to the United States embassy, where marchers converge to protest U.S. support for the 1967-74 dictatorship.

-- Anonymous, November 15, 2001