Greece condemns U.S. Embassy attack

ATHENS, Greece, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Greek officials condemned a projectile attack against the U.S. Embassy in Athens that caused minor damage to the building but no reported injuries.

U.S. and Greek government officials said the attack, which no individual or group had claimed responsibility for, would be fully investigated, the Athens News Agency reported Friday.

"Counter-terrorism experts are at the scene. Any other statements at this time would be premature," said Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis, speaking alongside Charles Ries, the U.S. ambassador to Greece.

"Phenomena such as these have cost so much to our country in the past, socially and economically as well as politically. The Greek government is determined to make every effort so as not to allow such phenomena again," said Bakoyannis, whose husband was shot and killed by terrorists in 1989.

Public Order Minister Vyron Polydoras said the attack is an "act of violence that provokes the Greek public opinion and attempts to disrupt the country's international relations" and the country's government "condemns it with a strong sense of abhorrence."

Ries assured the public that diplomatic relations between the United States and Greece would not be affected by the incident.

"Greek-American relations are excellent and will remain so," he said.