November 17 terror organization which is still active in Greece, was emerged in Athens in 1974 as a student's resistance group when they issued a declaration addressing the Greek Armed Forces and
demanding the collapse of the regime. In December 1975, it involved in terrorist activities.

The organization took its name after the student riot where some 20 students died and some 200 other were injured on November 17, 1973, after clashing with security forces. Students were asking the end of Coup administration. This event openly revealed the reaction of Greek people against the military regime and this event marked the beginning of other events that caused the collapse of coup administration in July 1974.

November 17 Organization differs from other examples in the world as none of this members were caught and no information was available about its structure, its operational talents and opportunities, its members, supporters or contacts.

IDEOLOGY, TARGET AND ACTION METHODS

Declarations of the November 17, using a star and "N17" as emblem, revealed that it is a Marxist group opposing the U.S., NATO and military and it is sharing the same ideology with the ELA organization. ELA and other Greek organizations ruining buildings and vehicles during their terrorist activities but claim no lives. On the other hand, the November 17 staged terrorist activities against live targets and majority of its acts cause the deaths of people.

"November 17 Manifesto" issued in April 1977, said the following:

- The organization uses urban guerrilla tactics during its activities,

- In ideologic terms, it is opposing all political parties including the Greek Communist Party,

- The goal of the organization is to establish and boost socialism and people's administration,

- It supports all kinds of struggle methods including the armed struggle.

The organization published a declaration on March 26, 1979 stating that despite all efforts, police didn't receive any information about the November 17 as it has the Greek people's backing.

The declaration also publicized the names and the addresses of some people who were believed to be the CIA agents in Greece and asked them to leave the country at once.

The early declarations of the November 17 were including strict Marxist statements. Later, the statements at the November 17 declarations displayed a "nationalist" tendency. These declarations were including criticisms against Greek government's approach to Cyprus, Turkish-Greek relations, the U.S. bases in Greece, NATO and the EU membership and Balkan policy. In time, organization tried to give the impression that it is fighting in the name of poor and oppressed against foreign powers and some circles allegedly responsible for corrupted order in Greece.

The organization defined itself as the "pioneer of the laborers," it reacted against domestic problems such as tax, unemployment, low salaries, high pill prices etc. It staged activities against Greeks and Greek organs which it held responsible for these problems.

Main targets of the organization was U.S. military bases and facilities as well as American companies, Greek state offices and officials.

One third of the activities November 17 carried out since the December of 1975, was targeting Americans or American companies and almost half of their other terrorist activities was against Greek targets. Starting from May 1988, the organization staged four terrorist activity against Turkish diplomatic staff. After 1990, the November 17 organized some 10 attacks against Western companies and diplomatic staff.

All the activities of the organization took place in Athens and its environs (Pire). Apart from the material cost, total of 19 died (four of them were Americans, two were Turks and one was an British) and a number of others injured as a result of November 17 terror.

In the first decade of its active years (1975-1985), the November 17 staged five different activities. Three of them were targeting Americans and two were against Greek police officials who they believed to be the responsible for the military coup era. The first activity of the organization was the murder of Richard Welch in 1975. He was an American citizen and the organization was claiming that he was the station chief of the CIA. The organization used a 45 caliber gun. The same gun was used during the following murders:

-Evangelos Malios (Police) in December 1976

-Pantelis Petrou (Police Chief) in January 1980

-George Tsantes from the U.S. Navy in November 1983

-Nikosveutsos (driver of Tsantes) in November 1983

-Nikos Momferatos (Publisher) in February 1985

-Panayotis Roussetis (Momferatos' driver) in February 1985

-Dimitris Angelopoulos (Businessman) in April 1986

-Alexandros Athanasiadis (Businessman) in March 1988

-Pavlos Bakoyannis (YDP deputy) in September 1989

-Cetin Gorgu (Turkish Press Attache to Athens) in October 1991

-Mihalis Vranopoulos (former head of the Central Bank) in January 1994

-O.Haluk Sipahioglu (Turkish Undersecretary to Athens) in July 1994

-1997 Konstantinos Peratikos (Tycoon) in May 1997

In February 1985, it was observed that a 22 caliber gun was used in Momferatos terrorist activity.

After 1985, the organization start staging bomb attacks and entered a more active period. It increased the number of its activities and set new targets. Starting from this period, the organization organized terrorist attacks against Greek businessmen and various state institutions with the intention of protesting the government. With two attacks in 1989; one against the car of the public order minister on May 8 and the other targeting YDP deputy P. Bakoyannis on September 26, the organization widen its activities to politicians.

Moreover, the organization stole automatic guns from a police station in August 1988, a rocket from Larissa Military Supply in December 1989, marking the beginning of another era in the history of the November 17. It started fulfilling its armor and explosives from the depots of military. It started using explosives and rockets during their terrorist activities.

After viewing the previous activities of the organization, it is understood that the November 17 was monitoring its target closely and carefully before the attack and staged it at the minute when the target was having no defense. It was also investigating all the ways how to escape in the aftermath of the attack. The attack, generally, staged a group made up of two or three terrorists and stolen cars or motorcycles were used during the activity. It was observed that terrorists acted freely and escaped without a hitch. And it is interesting that none of the eyewitnesses were willing to talk.

Armed attacks against G. Tsantes in November 1983, R. Judd in April 1984, A. Athanasiadis in March 1988 and M. Vranopoulos in January 1994 were staged by two terrorists and 45 caliber guns
were used during the attacks.

Organization's first attack staged by more than three people was the storm against police station at Viron on August 13, 1988. Six members of the November 17 stole automatic guns from the station.

On December 24, 1989, 150 prices of 2.36 and 3.5 inches rockets were stolen from the Larissa military depot. Later on February 3, 1990, bazookas were stolen from the National Military Museum and most recently, explosives were stolen from the depots of Larko factory located in Larimna on June 12, 1998, revealing that organization can easily stole guns and explosives without having any fear of seizure.

It is not possible to seize into the November 17 terror organization and no information can be obtained about its structure and members. In this light none of its members were detained. This organization which is active for more than two decades, gives the impression that it is made up of a very few people having personal contacts as well as sharing the same ideology.

This situation and the presence of such an organization, raise suspicions that some people who are in contact or directly related to the Greek Intelligence Services and high ranking Greek officials are the "Part time terrorists."

Declarations issued by the organization revealed that members of the November 17 are among well educated people. The members of the organizations were students at the Greek universities in 1970s, in this light, it is highly possible for them to work as lawyers, journalists etc. currently. This situation would help the organization to maintain its secrecy.

In October 1992, sociologist Epaminondos Skitouli was detained on charges of having ties with the November 17. In the aftermath, allegations that former PASOK deputy and Central Committee Member Mihail Haralambidis was having ties with the organization, reached a peak. Haralambidis denied the allegations.

Haralambidis is famous with his support to Anti-Turkish Armenian, Pontus and Kurdish elements.

Haralambidis was a member of the PAK (Paneliniko Apelefterotiko Kinima- Panhelenic Independence Movement) which was forming the nucleus of PASOK and which was having ties with the Italian Red Brigades organization.

And there are similarities between the statements of November 17 declarations and views of Haralambidis, increasing the suspicions. Greek press often reported that PAK played a key role during the establishment of the November 17 terror organization and it was having ties with the Red Brigades. On the other hand, far-right Stohos newspaper on Aug. 1994 reported that "November 17 was founded by Greek Cypriot archbishop Makarios and was organized by Vasos Lissarides who at the time was the advisor to Makarios. Lissarides is the current leader of Greek
Cypriot Socialist EDEK Party. The goal was to murder Turkish politicians, officers and diplomats who served during Turkey's intervention to Cyprus as well as CIA agents who were dictating the Greek army which performed a coup against Makarios in 1974."

According to Stohos newspaper, the organization completed its organization in Athens by the efforts of socialist deputy Panagulis and he was also mentioned as the responsible for the murder of American R. Welch in December 1975. Newspaper claimed that the organization was using guns sent from Southern Cyprus by diplomatic courier boxes during its activities.

According to the newspaper, the British Intelligence Service has the information revealing the validity of this information. Newspaper also added that after Panagulis died in 1976 in a suspicious traffic accident, PAK organization which was founded by Papandreu took the control of the November 17.

Weekly Karfi newspaper in its January 13, 2002 issue report a news story about a 30-page highly confidential report prepared by Gen. Grilakis. Report gave detailed information about the financial sources, cell houses, training of the organization. The report also mentioned about terror organization relations with foreign intelligence services and organic tie between the November 17 terror organization and PAK.

After pressures on Greece to capture the members of the November 17 terror organization which is active for long years and known with its Anti-U.S. tendency, mounted, the Greek Police Department had to sign an agreement with the U.S. for cooperation on terrorism. Within this framework, a new security system aiming at ending the November 17 terror organization and maintaining the security for the olympic games, was formed.

Anti-terror unit affiliated to the Public Order Ministry planned to give priority to new regulation in the field of anti-terrorism after seeing that there is a gap between Greece and its other European counterparts in terms of infrastructure and collecting information.

On the other hand, a new movement named "OS EDO" was founded by those who lost their families at the terrorist attacks as none of the members of the November 17 terror organization was not captured.

Set up with the aim of attracting interest to the terrorist actions, informing and making people sensitive on terrorism as well as setting official authorities into motion, th formation has an internet page, which is "www.osedo.gr"

As a group composed of the relatives of those who lost their lives in terrorist attacks, "Os Edo" appeared on the scene by laying a wreath to the 'unknown soldier' monument in front of Greek Parliament on December 20, 2001

ACTIVITIES OF THE NOVEMBER 17 TERROR ORGANIZATION

November 12, at its early years (1975-1985) staged limited number of terror attacks targeting American and Greek officials. During 1976-1980 when November 17 was not involved in any attacks or activities, ELA and a number of organizations which only staged one or two activities were active.

Organization which staged attacks against Turkish diplomats vehicles in May 1988, wore a "Chauvinism" dress during this period when Turkish-Greek relations were enjoying a smoother environment. On June 28, 1988 after the murder of American Marine Officer W. Nordeen, the organization issued a press release saying that, "our activities will go on until the last Turkish soldier leaves Cyprus and last American soldier departs from Greece."

The November 17 continued its attacks against Turkish targets in 1991. Organization planned a bomb attack against the armed vehicle belonging to the Turkish Embassy to Athens in July 1991 and murdered Deputy Turkish Press Attache to Athens Ambassador Cetin Gorgu.

November 17 didn't conduct any activity through out 1993 but starting from early 1994, it staged various different attacks against targets from different countries.

The organization claimed the responsibility for the murder of former Head of the Greek Central Bank Vranopulos on January 24, 1994 and announced that their "future targets would be among economists and tax collectors who oppressed on poor people."

After rocket and bomb attacks against American and Dutch insurance companies located in Athens on April 10, 1994, the organization stated that their attacks were targeting the workplaces of countries that opposed Serbia and it would carry out similar attacks in the future.

It is claimed that the November 17 attempted to rocket attack against British plane ship, the Ark Royal, which was ported at the Pire harbor between April 2 and 3, 1994.

The organization didn't claim the responsibility for bomb attack against a car belonging to German Miele company on April 29, 1994 but the Greek police announced that the bomb used during the attack was the same type of bomb November 17 used in their attacks. It was claimed that this attack was staged in order to protest Germany for its ill-behaviour to Kurds.

November 17 claimed the responsibility of the rocket attack against the IBM building in Athens on May 18, 1994.

In July 4, 1994, the organization murdered Turkish Embassy Undersecretary to Athens Omer Haluk Sipahioglu.

The organization stated in its declaration issued on July 4, 1994, after the murder of Sipahioglu that:

- Western media while covering the war that took place in the former Yugoslavia, tried to give the impression that there is an ethnic cleansing targeting Muslims and Croatians with the intention of hiding the murders committed in the past. It only showed NATO forces staging military offensive against "Killer Serbians" who are hold responsible for "Killing Muslims in Bosnia" to public due to "humanitarian reasons,"

- While all these were happening in Bosnia, the same media turned deaf ear to another murder that has been going on for 20 years and taking place not so far away. Turkish expansionalism and "ethnic cleansing" carried out by Turk against Greek Cypriots were also murder,

- Western World didn't take any precaution similar to the one it imposed on Bosnia such as economic embargo or military offensive, against Turkey which invaded two third of Cyprus in 1974 and carried out a clear "ethnic cleansing" against Greek Cypriots,

- All Greeks are aware of the fact that the murders at Cyprus were committed upon the support of the United States and other European countries forces and these countries helped Turkey for armaments in order to cast the country to the role of becoming West's gendarme in the region,

- Meanwhile, the country is facing another national cleansing murders and Turkish militarism is committing similar crimes in Turkey as well as in Kurdistan which is under Turkey's occupation. Troops affiliated to the Turkish Armed Forces used the same method they once used in the Armenian issue against the gangs of the Kurdistan National Independence Front who are fighting for their sacred right such as autonomy which is a natural right in the light of Serves Treaty signed in 1920,

- Turkish soldiers demolished hundreds of villages systematically in Kurdistan, they forced Kurds to abandon their villages and just like they did in Northern Cyprus, they tried to change the demography of the region and these national cleansing efforts, recently, turned into a genocide amid no serious reaction from the Western World,

- However, Turkey which is accused of "national cleansing" murders both against Greek Cypriots and against Kurds, was invited to Bosnia to participate in the United Nations Peace Force in Bosnia
and this event revealed how rotten the Western forces were,

- The crime which is named as the Turkish expansionalism, is not withdrawing, in contrast, it is voicing demands which are against the interests of Greece by various different new thesis everyday
with the support of Turkey's ally, the United States,

- The organization decided to execute Omer Haluk Sipahioglu, a member of the military and political system of Turkey and one of the most important members of the Turkish Diplomatic Mission in Athens which is aiming at boosting Turkish expansionalist policy in the country and Sipahioglu was responsible for the "National cleansing" murders committed against Greek Cypriot community as well as Kurdish people,

- The organization would continue to organize attacks against military and political targets until invasion ends on the island,

- We sincerely hail the activities of Kurdish fighters and this activities were not committed against friend Turkish people but against the fascist acts of Turkish regime which is the blend of politics and military.

In the declaration, there was a notice as, "Theofilos Georgiadis Commandos" near to the organization's emblem; it was the first time the November 17 used a second name.

Pro-YDP Elefteros Tipos Newspaper, between Nov. 27 and Dec. 4, 1994, published a serial revealing that the November 17 terror organization was having ties with the former West Germany Intelligence Service - STASI in the past. Then, the organization planned a rocket attack against the private Mega television station which was belonging to the group also holding the shares of the Elefteros Tipos newspaper. It was claimed that Papandreu and Mitsotakis were involved in bribery.

It was believed that the November 17 was responsible for the rocket attack against the U.S. Embassy to Athens in February 1996. Although, the organization didn't claim the responsibility, it was later, understood that the rocket that hit the Embassy was one of the rockets that was stolen from a military base close to Larissa. November 17, earlier, claimed the responsibility for the theft which took place in May 1997.

The organization also claimed the responsibility over the murder of the murder of Greek Tycoon Constantinos Peratikos on May 28, 1997. This murder, typical to Haluk Sipahioglu assassination, took place at one of the busiest streets of Athens and assassins escaped without a hitch. Suspects of the Sipahioglu murder, are not still seized. And if we consider the fact that terrorists acted comfortably, suspicions that the organization was having links with the Greek official organs gained more importance.

Moreover, Greek police found out that a 45-caliber gun was used during the murder of Peratikos. The gun, previously, was used in 11 other different murders committed by the November 17 terror organization. Murders of Haluk Sipahioglu and Press Attache Cetin Gorgu were among these murders.

November 17, in a declaration, claimed the responsibility for the attacks against Mc Donalds, General Motors, Chrysler and Opel offices which they claim to serve the benefits of the U.S. benefits and rocket attack against Citibank branch at Athens in 1998.

The mentioned declaration also said:

- Foreign policy actions of Simitis government, especially, its prospect on Turkey are totally wrong,

- According to various different public opinion polls, majority of Greek people are not approving this policy of the Greek government,

- Greek people are disturbed by the United States' image as a super power, moreover they believe that Turkey's move to invade Cyprus and its claims in Aegean were rooted due to the
irresponsibility of the U.S.,

- The U.S aims at dominating the Aegean in order to control the transfer route of Middle East oil and it targets at damaging the sovereignty of Greece by placing Turks into the region. In this light, the organization opposes the American imperialism,

- Views such as increasing importance of Turkey is disturbing the U.S. and European countries are totally wrong,

- Government neglects ordinary citizens and only serves to the benefits of business circles and giant investors such as the owners of Intracom. It sacrifices national sovereignty rights in order not to harm the benefits of these circles,

- Business circles and some media organs were supporting the government only for their own benefits. These circles hide facts and shortcomings of the government such as the Ikizce crisis, within this framework.

Greek officials viewed November 17 terror organization's attack against the Citibank branch as a reaction to the U.S. Ambassador to Athens Nicholas Burns' criticisms about Greek domestic and foreign policy. They pointed out that the attack came when Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Ismail Hakki Karadayi was visiting Athens to participate in the Western European Union (WEU) Chiefs of General Staff meeting.

November 17 sent a letter to Elefterotipia newspaper in the aftermath of May 1997 Peratikos incident. It said: Simitis Government's the U.S.-urged manner during the Kardak rocks crisis caused political and military defeat of Greece. Moreover, the letter criticized Simitis warm approach towards negotiating Turkey. It was claimed that the U.S. was behind all these developments and this country was guilty for Greek helicopter crash in the midst of Kardak rocks crisis.

After the Peratikos murder, the November 17 didn't involve in an attack that claimed lives and focused on a number of foreign targets located in Greece.

After bomb attacks to Olympic Airlines bureau and Ionya in Athens on May 17, 1998, 425 kilograms of Ammonite, an element used for making explosives, were stolen from the depots of the Larko Factory located in Larimna on June 10, 1998. The terror organization didn't claim the responsibility but it was believed that it was the members of the November 17 organization who were involved in this theft. The Associated Press news agency defined the organization as a "bloody semi-military organization" in its news report about the theft.

Starting from the early 1999, the November 17 terror organization stated that the main reasons of its attacks were the capture of chieftain of the PKK terror organization Ocalan and the U.S. role and policies that the Greek government followed.

In a manifesto organization issued in March 1999, the organization condemned naming the PKK as a terror organization and it introduced Ocalan as the leader of the Kurdish people. The manifesto also included various different accusations against the Simitis administration.

On April 1, 1999, the organization launched a rocket attack against the headquarters of PASOK party which is located at the Harilaou Trikupou Street. No injuries or damages took place. The Greek press reported that the organization was having 2.36 inch-56 rockets which were produced some 40 years ago and 3.5 inch 23 rockets. The organization was having enough armaments to stage a number of attacks for years but the possibility of failure just like the unsuccessful attack to PASOK building, urged the November 17 to seek ways to increase its operational opportunity and ability.

Latest attacks of the organization were as follows: rocket attacks against the British Midland Bank on May 6, 1999, against French Banque Nationele de Paris and American Chase offices and against Germany Embassy residence in Athens on May 16. It also attempted to assassinate the British Embassy Defence Attache Stephan Saunders in June 2000.

CHRONOLOGY OF ATTACKS LAUNCHED BY THE NOVEMBER 17 TERROR ORGANIZATION:

- Murder of American official Richard Welch on December 23, 1975

- Slaying of Evangelos Malios who was police official in Athens during the Military coup era. The murder took place on December 14, 1976.

- Three assailants opened fire on Gen. Pantelis Petrou who was an intelligence office during the military coup era and also deputy police chief. Petrou and his driver died on December 16, 1980 as a result of the attack.

- Two motorcyclists attacked George Tsantes, a member of the U.S. navy and killed him and his driver on November 15, 1983.

- Two gunmen injured Robert Judd, a member of the U.S. Land Force, on April 3, 1984.

- Greek publisher Nikos Momferatos and his driver shot to death by two gunmen on February 21, 1985.

- One died and 13 injured as a result of a bomb attack against a police vehicle on November 26, 1985.

- Greek tycoon Dimitris Angelopoulos shot to death on April 8,1986.

- Time bomb explosion at the tax office and Transportation Ministry on October 5, 1986.

- Greek doctor Zakharis Kapsalakis injured on February 4, 1987, as a result of an attack organized by the November 17 in order to protest the shortcomings of Greek health system.

- Bomb attack against a military bus carrying the U.S. Air Force staff, on April 24, 1987. 16 Americans and 2 Greeks were injured.

- Murder attempt against George Cross, an official from the Fight Against Drug Smuggling Agency, on January 21, 1988. Cross was rescued as the bomb didn't explode.

- Murder of Greek tycoon Alexandros Athanasiadis on March 1, 1988 by a motorcyclist gunman.

- Unsuccessful bomb attacks against two vehicles belonging to two Turkish diplomats on May 23, 1988. Bombs didn't explode.

- Murder of the U.S. Navy Officer William Nordeen on June 28, 1988.

- Six members of the organization stormed a police station in Viron and stole automatic guns on August 13, 1988.

- Prosecutor Costas Androulikadis wounded on January 10, 1989 as a result of an attack.

- Prosecutor Panayiotis Tarasouleas was injured on January 18, 1989. Another prosecutor was murdered in January 1989 by the May 1 organization probably having links with the November 17 terror organization.

- Bombing of three buildings belonging to a renowned businessman on February 22, 1989 by the organization in order to protest the high prices in Greece.

- Bomb attack against the car of Public Order Minister Pestos on May 8, 1989. Pestos, his driver and another person who was in the car were injured.

- Pavlos Bakoyannis, member of the Greek Parliament and the son-in-law of Prime Minister Mitsotakis was shot to death on September 26, 1989.

- The organization stole 150 rockets from the depots of Larissa Military base on December 24, 1989.

- Two bazookas were stolen from the National Military Museum on February 3, 1990.

- 23 fire bombs and four different other explosives were exploded in the Ekali suburb of Athens were wealthy Greeks were living, on May 15, 1990. The organization was aiming at protesting the tax irregularities.

- Rocket attacks against offices of Procter and Gamble company on June 10, 1990.

- Rocket attack against Greek tycoon Varid Vardinogiannis on November 20, 1990. Vardinogiannis and his guard slightly injured.

- Rocket attack against the European Community Bureau on December 16, 1990. Two were injured.

- Eight bomb attacks against the U.S. and ally targets between January 25 and March 12m 1991. Ronald Steward, a member of the U.S. Air Force, died in an attack.

- Placing bomb to a tourist bus on March 22, 1991 in order to protest companies that rejected the strike.

- Rocket attack against Pentelikon Hotel on March 31, 1991.

- Bomb attack against a trailer at the Pire Port on April 26, 1991 in order to protest those who resist the strike.

- Rocket attack against Public Electricity Company on May 2, 1991.

- Rocket attack against Siemens office on May 7, 1991.

- Rocket attack against Halips Cement Factory on May 16, 1991.

- Rocket attack against the Lowenbraeu Beer Factory located at the North of Athens, on May 31, 1991. It was organization's first attack that took place outside the borders of Greater Athens Municipality. November 17 terror organization, on November 23, 1990, announced that it would include German targets to its activity area if Germany rejects to pay the compensation it owes
as a result of World War II.

- Bomb attack against the armed car carrying the staff of Turkish Embassy to Athens, on July 16, 1991.

- Murder of Cetin Gorgu, deputy Press Attache to Athens on October 7, 1991.

- Rocket attack against Finance Minister Paleokrassas on July 16, 1992.

- Rocket attack against the No. 6 tax office at Pire on Mart 9, 1993.

- Two gunmen with motorcycles murdered the former head of the Central Bank Vranopoulos on January 24, 1994.

- Two rocket attacks against two insurance companies (one American, the other Dutch) in Athens on April 10, 1994.

- Bomb attack against a car belonging to German Miele, on April 21, 1994.

- Rocket attack against IBM building in Athens on May 18, 1994.

- Murder of Turkish Embassy Attache to Athens, O. Haluk Sipahioglu, on July 4, 1994.

- Rocket attack against MEGA TV facilities on March 15, 1995.

- Two motorcyclists wearing masks storm to Balaskas Navy Education Base at Skaramanga region and stole 44 million Drachmas.

- Rocket attack against the U.S. Embassy to Athens on February 5, 1996. (The organization claimed the responsibility under the name, "National Struggle Organization.)

- Greek tycoon Constantinos Peratikos was shot to death in Pire on May 28, 1997.

- Bombing of a workplace belong to Mc Donalds in Athens on February 3, 1998.

- Bomb attack against General Motors Distribution Office in Athens on February 19, 1998.

- Bombing of CHRYSLER and OPEL galleries in Athens on March 12, 1998.

- Rocket attack against Citibank bureau in Athens on April 7, 1998.

- Bomb attacks against Olympic Airlines and Ionya Bank office on May 17, 1998. "May 1998" and "Fighting Guerrillas of May" as well as November 17 terror organization, claimed responsibility.

- 425 kilograms of Ammonite, an element used for making explosives, were stolen from the depots of the Larko Factory located in Larimna on June 10, 1998. The November 17 didn't claim
the responsibility but it was believed that the organization was responsible for the theft.

- Rocket attack against the headquarters of PASOK in Athens on April 1, 1999 but the rocket didn't explode.

Latest attacks of the organization were as follows: rocket attacks against the British Midland Bank, against French Banque Nationele de Paris and American Chase offices on May 6, 1999.

- Rocket attack against German Embassy to Athens located in Halandri street, on May 16, 1999.

- Assassination of British Embassy Defence Attache Stephan Saunders on June 8, 2000.

TIES WITH ANTI-TURKISH ORGANIZATIONS

Far-right Stohos weekly newspaper, in its February 1992 issue, said that the November 17 organization and the DEV-SOL joined forces and both of the organizations organize attacks when ties between Turkey and Greece get tensed.

Former Public Order Minister S. Papathemelis claimed in February 1996 that, "MIT [the Turkish National Intelligence Organization] had the chance to seize into the November 17. Guns stolen by the organization from a Greek troop in Rafina were found at a cell house of DEV-SOL, openly revealing the ties between two organizations. DEV-SOL was totally under the control of the MIT."

On the other hand, a number of manifestos of the November 17 terror organization highlighted the solidarity with the "Kurdish Struggle." Indicators that emerged after the Murder of O. Haluk Sipahioglu revealed that the November 17 and the PKK were, at least, were fighting against the common target, although there is no evidence showing that they have joined forces in any of the
terrorist attacks.

The organization, after staging a bomb attack against the car belonging to the staff of Turkish Embassy to Athens, on July 16, 1991, published a manifesto. It said:

- Embassy staff were at the diplomatic wing of Turkey's military-diplomatic administration and were directly responsible for the murders targeting Greek Cypriots and Kurdish people.

- This attack was a support message to Kurds living in Turkey and Turkish illegal organizations.

Murder of Sipahioglu revealed some interesting elements about connection between the November 17 and the PKK:

Kani Yilmaz who at the time was the Europe Representative of the PKK, in an interview on June 27, 1994 - a few days before the murder, to a Greek television station said that they were planning a big attack in the near future in the name of Theofilos, the head of the Cyprus-Kurdistan Solidarity Committee who was murdered in May 1994 by the Turkish Intelligence Service.

November 17 claimed the responsibility of the attack in the name of "Theofilos Georgiadis Commandos." It was the first time, the terror organization used a second name near its organization emblem.

On the other hand, eyewitnesses stated that the assailants may be people of Kurdish origin as they didn't speak but threaten the crowd with moves. It was believed that the assailants were not
speaking Greek.

"Sipahioglu was responsible for the ethnic cleansing carried out against Greek Cypriots and Kurdish people and the organization hails the fighters of Kurdistan," manifesto issued after the Sipahioglu murder said.

Meanwhile, the November 17 and the PKK were sharing the same view about the attacks against German targets in Greece in 1994. It was claimed that the attack against a vehicle belonging to German Miele Company in Athens on April 20, 1994 (the November 17 didn't claim the responsibility but same explosives previously used by the organization were used in the attack) was staged in an effort to protest Germany's pressure policy on Kurds.

It was interesting that PKK Europe Representative K. Yilmaz, in his speech on June 27, 1994, about Georgiadis, condemned Germany for declaring the PKK as a terror organization. It was more than a coincidence that Germany Embassy to Athens were besieged by a group of Kurds on July 4, 1994, the same day, the terror organization shot Sipahioglu to death.

November 17, after attacking the MEGA TV facilities in March 1995, claimed that: they are supporting their brother Kurds who are suffering due to Turkish Army's violence; big powers that attempted to demolish Iraq on the ground that it invaded Kuwait, promoted fascist Turks to invade the Northern Iraq and apply a genocide against the Kurdish people; the U.S. army dictated the Turkish army after monitoring the moves of Kurdish gangs; West European countries are supporting this genocide against Kurds by giving funds and armament; Kurdish people are fighting for their natural rights to form an autonomous state.

TIES WITH THE INTERNATIONAL TERROR ORGANIZATIONS AND INTELLIGENCE SERVICES:

It was claimed that the November 17 terrorists received training at camps located in Czechoslovakia and some Middle East countries. It was stated that they were based in Athens but having connections at the Southern Cyprus.

On the other hand, it is claimed that the Greek Counter-Guerrilla which is reportedly having ties with the November 17 terror organization, is having bases in Dragona, Ghianyssada and Paximadia as well as Keros Island which is at the south of Naxos Island.

Moreover, it is alleged that the November 17 have ties with ELA and Greek Left Movement, SAKE in Greece while it has connections with the Italian Red Brigades, Western Germany's Red Army and Abu Nidal organizations. Similar to the Red Brigades, the November 17 terror organization stole guns and explosives from the depots of military and police force. Meanwhile, it is known that Abu Nidal organization, previously, was giving training to the members of the November 17 in camps located in Syria and Bekaa. On the other hand, the November 17 was supporting aid to Abu Nidal 7members in Greece.

It was claimed that Greek Fotis Platonyatis who was getting financial support from the SAKE (Sinepis Aristeri Kinisi Elades) organization, had murdered Cetin Gorgu, deputy Turkish Press Attache to Greece, in October 1991 in Athens. The November 17 claimed the responsibility of the slaying. It is stated that the same person was chasing other Turkish diplomats in Greece. SAKE was born due to differing views between the members of the Greek Foreign Communist Party Youth Organization (KKE-KNE) in 1979. It has active in the legal status. There are evidences revealing that SAKE was directed by the EIP and it has ties with some Turkish extreme left organizations such as DEV-SOL in Greece and PKK. It is claimed that SAKE, in the past, was having connections with the West Germany Intelligence Service and currently has ties with Iran.

Elefteros Tipos newspaper supporting main opposition YDP, reported in October 1994 that the November 17 terror organization was having ties with the former West Germany Intelligence Service (STASI). News report claimed the following:

- November 17 established its ties with the STASI by the help of the Red Army,

- The organization cooperated with the STASI in the assassination of the U.S. military attache,

- Members of the organization received training in the Selva Osuira headquarters located in the former West Germany and Karlo Vivari and Lince headquarters located in Czech Republic.

- Members of the organization teared off the visa page from their passports in order to hide the fact that they have travelled to these countries,

- November 17 was receiving a brief information about the target from the STASI computer system before the attack against the U.S. targets before every action.

Meanwhile, news reports at the Greek media also revealed that the November 17 was having ties with Iran. According to these news Reports, the members of the organization held meetings with the Iran Intelligence Service members in Tehran in December 1993 and the organization started staging attacks against German targets after these meetings. It is interesting that attacks against German companies took place in March and April of 1994 in Greece.

On the other hand, Cihad Cibril, son of FHKC-GK leader Ahmad Cibril, flew from Damascus to Athens on May 1995 to meet with the members of the November 17 in order to maintain coordination between two organizations. He was carrying a passport belonging to one of the Gulf countries.

Greek media in Oct. 1996 reported that Israel Intelligence Service has the information revealing that the November 17 terror organization was having ties with the Hezbollah Organization based in Iran and some Palestinian organizations as well as Tehran based Islamic Independence Coordination Committee. According to the news reports, the very first contact between the November 17 and other terror organization was held in Cyprus in late 1995 and their second meeting took place in Tehran in 1996. It was claimed that contact with the leading Hezbollah organization member Imad Mugnieh was held in the second meeting. Anti-American feelings were the common points that urged these organizations to come together, press reports stated. These reports were denied by the Greek Public Order Ministry.

Meanwhile, there are suspicions that the November 17 terror organization has members and supporters among the Greek officials including the ones from the Greek Intelligence service (EIP) as well as among the members of the ruling party PASOK as none of its members were apprehended and no reliable information was found out about its structure, members and its supporters.

Simitis who was elected as the prime minister after Papandreu and who also replaced him in PASOK in a party convention in June 1996, underlined that with his new term marked the end of the "invisible decision making center in the party." His statements were commented as the proof that PASOK which was identified with Papandreu, was having many invisible decision making mechanisms.

Simitis' statement, once more reveal that PASOK and the November 17 terror organization may have links.

Other indicators supporting Simitis' statements are as follows:

- After March 29, 1995 resignation of Papathemelis who at the time was the Public Order Minister, Sifis Valirakis was appointed to this post. Valirakis was reportedly have ties with the PKK and the
November 17 terror organization and it was claimed that he received training in camps affiliated to the Palestinian terror organizations.

- It was claimed that after Papathemelis collected an important information about the November 17 terror organization, A. Livanis who at the time was the advisor to prime minister and who was a close man of Papandreu, had warned him to stop this operation.

- It was alleged that Valirakis who replaced Papathemelis had halted the operation.

- Papandreu who at the time was the prime minister of the country rejected Papathemelis' request to meet. Papathemelis was expected to present a report on terrorism.

In the light of all these developments, it can be said that the Greek administration, intentionally, didn't carry out an adamant fight against the November 17 terror organization and some high ranking officials such as Livanis and Valikaris may have played an important role in the organization's activities.

Meanwhile, it is interesting that the names of the Stohos (Target) newspaper and the Greek Intelligence Service were always mentioned in every report about the November 17 terror organization.

All the Turkish diplomatic mission members to Athens including Sipahioglu was introduced as "Turkish agents" in the weekly Stohos newspaper starting from the early 1994. Their names and their addresses were openly revealed by the paper and they became the open target for anti-Turkish organizations active in Greece, especially for the PKK>

Moreover, Stohos newspaper reported some confidential information about the November 17 terror organization and this raise question marks how it is possible for the newspaper to obtain this
information.