For Immediate Release
Contacts: Chris
McCannell
October 17, 2002
(202)
225-3965
www.crowley.house.gov Pager/email: chris.mccannell@mail.house.gov
Crowley
Thanks Greece for Anti-Terror Efforts
Crowley Resolution Passes House
Washington, DC—Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution, H.Con.Res.479, authored by Joseph Crowley (NY-07) commending the government of Greece for contributions to the war against terrorism and for taking actions to disrupt the November 17 terrorist group. The organization has claimed responsibility for 21 assassinations, including the CIA’s Athens station chief, a U.S. Navy captain, a U.S. defense attaché, a Turkish diplomat, and a British defense attaché, and the group has also targeted foreign firms investing in Greece.
“Greece, a longtime ally and friend, has fought side by side with the United States in defense of our shared commitment to freedom and democracy, including both World Wars, the Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. Once again Greece has demonstrated its commitment to our shared values by joining the United States in the war against terrorism, making significant contributions to Operation Enduring Freedom, providing military personnel to the International Assistance Force in Afghanistan, and providing humanitarian assistance and reconstruction assistance to the people of Afghanistan,” said Congressman Crowley.
Through excellent cooperation with U.S. and other international law enforcement agencies, Greece has achieved a major breakthrough in its battle against domestic terrorism by arresting key members of the November 17 terrorist group. After an attempted bombing in June in the port of Pireaus, Greek police arrested five November 17 members, including a man charged with being the group’s leader. Police also raided the group’s Athens hideouts and weapons storehouses, seizing weapons caches and uncovering troves of documents.
The arrest of the November 17 terrorist group is an affirmation of the seriousness of the Greek government’s commitment to fighting terrorism, particularly in advance of the 2004 Olympics in Athens.
-End-