Government's police guard strategy backfiring

The government's strategy of boosting the presence of the Greek Police (ELAS) at potential targets appears to be the key reason for its ineffective response to an escalation of violence by self-styled anarchists in recent weeks.

As regards the act of vandalism against the residence of US Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt on Wednesday by members of the anarchist group Rouvikonas, a recent change in police strategy appears to be at least partially to blame. Up until two months ago a police car would patrol the area around the US Embassy and adjacent ambassador's residence.

However, following two recent incidents involving Turkish nationals who tried to enter the embassy grounds, authorities decided to keep the vehicle parked near the embassy. As a result, when members of Rouvikonas hurled paint at Pyatt's residence early Wednesday in an action that it described as solidarity...