Greek capital hit by triple blast

[Czas na Zywiec]

Greek capital hit by triple blast

A police station in the Greek capital Athens has been hit by three bomb explosions in quick succession.

Police said the blasts, which happened in the early hours of the morning, did not cause any major injuries.

The area had been cordoned off after an anonymous caller warned a newspaper about the bombs, a Greek official said.

The explosions came exactly 100 days before the city is due to host this year's summer Olympic Games, for which security has been a major concern.

"The first two explosions went off in a span of five minutes. The third exploded half an hour later as bomb experts were still looking for it," a police official told the Reuters news agency.

'Sophisticated'

He said an ambulance was called for one policeman slightly injured in the final blast.

"The police are treating this matter very seriously with only three months to go until the Games," the official said.

"You have three sophisticated time bombs going off outside a police station, that's serious enough for police."

The police station is in the central Athens area of Kalithea, where several hotels are due to be used by Olympic officials during the Games in August.

It is feared the huge profile of the event could make Athens a terrorist target.

These Games will be the first held since terror attacks from New York and Washington to Bali and Madrid.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has taken personal responsibility for preparation for the Games.

In the past radical left-wing and anarchist groups have planted bombs and carried out assassinations in Greece.

But these have become less frequent since a government crackdown on the November 17 cell, which resulted in 19 of its members being jailed last December.

However, the BBC's correspondent in Greece Richard Galpin says left-wing groups oppose the Games, viewing them as a capitalist bonanza, and protesting at Western security services arriving en masse in Greece.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3684967.stm

[Lee]

Being that this could turn into a political discussion, TJ will very
probably remove this thread.

[Czas na Zywiec]

Originally posted by webwarrior762004
Being that this could turn into a political discussion, TJ will very
probably remove this thread.

It's a current event, not a political topic. If if was, my EU topic would have been closed, and either TJ or Janice would have said something already. I post these not to start fights, but because I thought people would like to know, so I don't need any of your snide remarks.

[AKA]

Yeah, besides, I don't really see this thread causing a fight. I think we're all on the side of "bombing people is bad."

[Dutabi84]

Originally posted by AKA
Yeah, besides, I don't really see this thread causing a fight. I think we're all on the side of "bombing people is bad."

BOMBING KICKS ASS!












Just kidding.

[Brent88]

I am just waiting for countries to boycott the Olympics

Athens isn't ready. They are still BUILDING the stupid stadium.

Not to mention security...

[Lee]

TJ:have you stepped in yet?

[Brent88]

This doesn't need to be locked.

Here is the link to Athens not ready:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...ys_1&printer=1

[Czas na Zywiec]

Originally posted by Brent88
I am just waiting for countries to boycott the Olympics

Athens isn't ready. They are still BUILDING the stupid stadium.

Not to mention security...

The Olympics are the greaest sporting event in history. Why would people boycott Athens? It was the birthplace of the modern Olympics, not to mention they've hosted the games a few times already.

They still have time until the 13th of August....and even if they don't finish, I'm sure they'll have another place to host some of the games. At least I hope so, because I'll be one pissed off person if they postpone the games. I've been waiting since the end of Salt Lake to see it again, so over two years now.

[Czas na Zywiec]

Originally posted by webwarrior762004
TJ:have you stepped in yet?

What gives this the distinction of being a political topic, but the one about the new members states joining the EU not? Bitter that St. Louis isn't holding the Olympics this year?

Go whine someone else. Just because you don't like my thread, it doesn't give you the right to get it closed down. I said it once and I'll say it again. It's NOT a political topic - it's a current events topic. The only way it'll get political is when people like YOU drag it into one. Jance will post here and say the same thing, and I'm no longer going to reply to you because I'm not going to let you ruin my topic and have fighting get it closed. So get off your high horse, General Lee, and find something else to complain about.

[Brent88]

The U.S. just had the Winter games in 2002 and the Summer in 1996(went to a soccer game from that one, since I lived 75 miles from Atlanta). The U.S. will get it's turn again... give it some years. 2006 it's in Italy, 2008 in Beijing, and 2010 in Vancouver.

[Brent88]

Originally posted by Czas na Zywiec
The Olympics are the greaest sporting event in history. Why would people boycott Athens? It was the birthplace of the modern Olympics, not to mention they've hosted the games a few times already.

They still have time until the 13th of August....and even if they don't finish, I'm sure they'll have another place to host some of the games. At least I hope so, because I'll be one pissed off person if they postpone the games. I've been waiting since the end of Salt Lake to see it again, so over two years now.

I understand that... but I think a lot of countries are DEEPLY concerned about security. If Athens isn't ready(and I don't think they are), I think some countries will boycott. There was a report a few weeks ago the U.S. was threatening to boycott. That won't necessarily CANCEL the games however. The IOC has bought an insurance policy in case they are cancelled though. Terrorists would love to hit Athens.

[Czas na Zywiec]

Originally posted by Brent88
The U.S. just had the Winter games in 2002 and the Summer in 1996(went to a soccer game from that one, since I lived 75 miles from Atlanta). The U.S. will get it's turn again... give it some years. 2006 it's in Italy, 2008 in Beijing, and 2010 in Vancouver.

I believe Paris is going to get the bid for 2012 (Warsaw bid, but unfortunately it was dropped. One day though, one day...) What I don't get is why only a certain amount of countries recieve these bids over and over again. I think every (stabalized) country should get it its turn before it goes to the same one again. I'd leave the Summer and Winter Olympics seperated though.

[Czas na Zywiec]

Originally posted by Brent88
I understand that... but I think a lot of countries are DEEPLY concerned about security. If Athens isn't ready(and I don't think they are), I think some countries will boycott. There was a report a few weeks ago the U.S. was threatening to boycott. That won't necessarily CANCEL the games however. The IOC has bought an insurance policy in case they are cancelled though. Terrorists would love to hit Athens.

I don't believe anything went wrong in Sydney in 2000, as well as Salt Lake in 2002 and Nagano in 1998. Atlanta was the last major bombing. All we can really do is hope that security is tight enough and that nothing happens so that everyone can enjoy the games.

[Brent88]

I hope Athens is ready too and nothing happens. I loved the Winter Olympics in 2002, especially the medals ceremonies every night after the games went off.