U.S. Attache Killed in Athens : Bomb in Parked Car Set Off as Officer Leaves His Home on Way to Embassy

The U.S. military attache in Greece was killed today on the street where he lived by a remote-control bomb in a parked car. The blast blew his armor-plated auto off the road as he drove to work.

The officer, identified by the U.S. Embassy as Navy Capt. William E. Nordeen, 51, was decapitated and thrown about 10 yards from his car, witnesses said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast, but suspicions fell on leftist groups that have terrorized American military personnel in Greece in recent years.

Both cars were rolled over by the blast and lay charred with their doors and wheels blown off. Nordeen’s bulletproof Mazda was blown off the narrow street and landed partially across a roadside fence in the suburb of Kefalari.

Retirement Near

U.S. Embassy spokeswoman Kitty Munshi said Nordeen had been defense and naval attache at the embassy since 1985. In Wisconsin, Nordeen’s mother said he was due to retire in August.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater condemned the assassination as a “senseless act of brutality” and said the United States would “work with Greek authorities to bring the murderers to justice.”

The Greek government also condemned the assassination.

The U.S. Embassy said Nordeen was survived by his wife and a 12-year-old daughter. His wife declined to speak to reporters at the scene.

Blast Near Home

Nordeen left his house alone and was on his way to work at the U.S. Embassy when the explosion was triggered about 8:10 a.m. several doors down from his home, police said.

Windows were broken within 100 yards of the explosion and telephone and power lines were shredded.

Other witnesses at the scene said the house opposite where the blast occurred and another house nearby were vacant, and one could have been used by the assailants to hide. Police declined comment.

Two people have been killed and nearly 100 wounded in attacks on American officials and military personnel in Greece since 1975.

Responsibility for most of the attacks was claimed by the terrorist group November 17, whose demands include the removal of U.S. military bases from Greece.

Nordeen’s killing came four days after Greek and American negotiators ended a seventh round of talks on a new U.S. bases agreement to replace an accord that expires Dec. 31. The talks ended without reports of significant progress.