An anarchist group on Monday claimed responsibility for fire
bomb attacks in Athens, saying they
were aimed against a visit by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, while
anti-war activists said they planned a mass protest.
Rice is due to meet Greek Prime Minister Costas
Karamanlis and her Greek counterpart Dora Bakoyanni
on Tuesday as part of a five-day trip to Europe that
also includes Turkey
and Bulgaria.
The anarchist "Anti-State Struggle" group claimed
it was behind a bomb blast earlier on Monday outside a French carmaker Renault
showroom and a failed attack against a McDonald's fast food outlet at the
weekend. The firebombs damaged cars but caused no injuries.
The group said the makeshift bombs were planted in protest
against Rice's visit and "in solidarity with those who are fighting
against capitalism."
In a separate move, Greece's
Communist Party KKE said it planned a rally in central Athens
at 0700 GMT on Tuesday, followed by a march to the U.S.
embassy to protest against threatened sanctions against Iran
for its nuclear program.
"Rice is not welcome. Her visit is against people's
interests. It just heralds evils," the KKE said in a statement.
Iran
is embroiled in a dispute with the West over its nuclear program, which the United
States says is designed to build bombs. Tehran
says it only wants to generate electricity.
Washington has
not ruled out military action against Iran.
Anti-war groups, opposed to U.S.
troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan,
also said they planned protests.
The Stop the War and Greek Social Forum groups, which said
they would hold protests in central Athens,
said the visit offended the peace-loving feelings of Greek people.
"We will not let this war hawk visit Greece.
We will fight to cancel the visit," Stop the War said in a statement.
Posted: 4/24/06
Source: Reuters
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