Police suspect shadowy leftist group in ambush that killed British diplomat

The white Rover had Greek license plates and no diplomatic insignia, a safety precaution taken by most western embassies in Athens, according to police

June 8, 2000
Web posted at: 9:56 a.m. EDT (1356 GMT)

In this story: Papandreou: "Very, very shocked" Group claims responsibility for 21 killings RELATED STORIES, SITES

ATHENS, Greece -- Britain's defense attache in Greece was shot and killed on Thursday in an ambush that may have been set up by an elusive Greek leftist group that has already claimed responsibility for more than 20 killings.

Brigadier Stephen Saunders, 53, was shot four times by two assailants riding a motorcycle while traveling to work during the morning rush hour on the busy Kiffisias avenue. Saunders died 3 1/2 hours later, according to hospital officials.

AUDIO Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou comments on the murder of British diplomat Stephen Saunders 4.5MB/50 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     ALSO     MESSAGE BOARD Terrorism in Greece

British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook expressed shock and anger at the attack.

"It makes me very angry and also at the same time very sad that anybody should carry out such a violent attack with no possible gain from it and only suffering to the individual and his family," Cook told the British Broadcasting Corporation in London from Sierra Leone, where he is on an official visit.

Police believe the group called November 17, so named from the 1973 student-led uprising against the military junta that ruled Greece from 1967-74, orchestrated the killing.

U.S. officials have repeatedly accused Greece of ineffective counter-terrorism measures against incidents ranging from arson strikes to killings blamed on November 17.

The killing also focuses a sharp eye on Greek plans to develop an anti-terrorist plan for the 2004 Olympic Games. The shooting of Saunders, who was married with three children, came near the main stadium for the games.

Papandreou: "Very, very shocked"

Greek Foreign Minister George Papandreou pledged action against the group, which he said is made up of only a small number of people.

"We were all very, very shocked," Papandreou told CNN. "It's a terrible tragedy and I think the effect is that we are all much more dedicated and determined to eradicate this particular group which has continuously, over the last decades, been able to carry out acts of such sorts against both Greek and foreign targets.

"We are working very closely with the international community and of course with the U.S. and Britain in this case to work and find the perpetrators and we will battle against them until we are successful," he said.

According to police, two men on a motorcycle opened fired at the diplomat's car around 7.45 a.m. (4.45 a.m. GMT) on Kiffisias, which connects the Greek capital's northern suburbs to the city center.

The white Rover car had normal Greek license plates and no diplomatic insignia -- a safety precaution taken by most Western embassies in Athens, police said.

Police said the spent shells from a .45 caliber automatic pistol found on the scene indicated that it was the same weapon as that used by the group in previous attacks.

Group claims responsibility for 21 killings

Public Order Ministry General Secretary Dimitris Efstathiadis said the attack was apparently the work of terrorists and police were "investigating in this direction."

Police began a manhunt, setting up roadblocks all over Athens and sending out scores of plainclothes officers to search for the attackers.

The group has claimed responsibility for 21 slayings since 1975. Its victims include four Americans, including U.S. Navy Capt. George Tsantes and his driver, and the 1988 killing of Greek industrialist Alexandros Athanassiadis.

The last killing claimed by November 17, none of whose members have ever been caught, was in May 1997 when Greek shipowner Constantinos Peratikos was gunned down leaving an office.

The group has never targeted a Briton before, but has claimed responsibility for bomb attacks against British banks and other sites.

Last year the group issued a statement challenging authorities to "come and get us."

In Washington, D.C. a report last week by a congressional commission proposed sanctions against Greece and Pakistan for "not cooperating fully" in the battle against terrorism.

The State Department described Greece as "one of the weakest links" in anti-terrorism in Europe.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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June 5, 2000
U.S. panel says more must be done to combat terrorism
June 4, 2000
Clinton: U.S.-Greek relations unshaken by riots
November 20, 1999
White House shortens Clinton visit to Greece for security reasons
November 10, 1999

Revolutionary Organization
November 17 Terror Organization
Hellenic Parliament
Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Athens News Agency
Athens Olympics 2004 - Official Site
Office of British Prime Minister
10 Downing Street - Foreign Secretary
Ministry of Defence, United Kingdom
U.S. State Department, Official Web Site

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