Terrorists

* Re “Greece Fiddles as Terrorists Work,” editorial, June 15: Greece has every reason to rid itself of this scourge, for the main targets of the terrorists have been Greeks. The November 17 terrorist group has never proclaimed an institutional agenda; its attacks have been made exclusively on targeted individuals. That is why this group, relying on the actions of a very few members without wider connections, has been so difficult to track down. You are wrong to ascribe the failure to apprehend terrorists to a lack of will on the part of the Greek authorities, which you claim results from “domestic politics” and “anti-American sentiment.”

The brutal assassination of Brig. Stephen Saunders has steeled the government’s determination. The Greek government has moved rapidly to intensify anti-terrorist resources and methods--including the impending signing of an agreement for police cooperation with the U.S., an initiative for joint action in the European Union, doubling to $2.8 million the reward for information leading to the arrest of the terrorists, as well as measures to increase the effectiveness of the existing legal framework, such as witness protection.

As to the Athens 2004 Olympics, visitors to Greece and TV viewers will see the new Greece that is emerging, a country that has no relation whatsoever with the stereotypes your editorial implies.

ACHILLES PAPARSENOS

Press Counselor

Embassy of Greece, Washington