TERRORIST ATTACK ATTACK IN ATHENS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP91B00874R000300200038-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 5, 2012
• Sequence Number: 38
• Publication Date: April 27, 1987
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/12/05: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300200038-7
Talking Points
CTC/TAB
27 April 1987
Terrorist Attack Attack in Athens
The indigenous Greek terrorist group Revolutionary Organization 17
November claimed credit for the 24 April bombing of a Greek military bus in
which 17 US personnel were injured--one critically.
--The bus-was on a regularly scheduled run from the Greek military
base at Elefsis to the US Air Force base at Ae.llenikon
in Athens. -There were approximately 25 US Army personnel and
dependents on board.
--Preliminary analysis (type of device, method of construction,
placement and initiation) indicates that the bomb was designed to
cause a maximum number of casualties.
17 November is believed to be a sub-group of Revolutionary People's
Struggle (ELA)--a loosely organized umbrella group of anti-US, anti-NATO
leftist Greek terrorist organizations. ELA is believed responsible for over
250 bombings, firebombings or cases of arson since 1974, including a car bomb
attack in July 1985 on the Apollon Palace hotel in Athens--which was used as a
barracks for transient US personnel--and an attempted bombing of the Nea Makri
Naval Communications Station near Athens.
17 November generally employs small hit teams to murder at pointblank
range poorly defended symbolically important Greeks and Americans. The group
killed CIA station chief Richard Welch in December 1975 and US Navy Captain.
George Tsantes in November 1983, and wounded US Army M. Sgt. Robert Judd in
April 1984. But the group also carried out a bombing of a Greek police bus in
November 1985 that closely resembles last week's attack.
--In the November 85 attack a 70 meter cable extended from the
explosive device to a 12 volt battery with a home-made switch that
was connected to the circuit.
In its communique, 17 November claimed its action was aimed at "fighting
American imperialism," described US troops in Greece as "occupation forces"
and threatened more violence.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/12/05: CIA-RDP91 B00874R000300200038-7