A BOMB exploded outside the Peruvian embassy in Athens yesterday and responsibility was claimed by a little known group backing the leftist guerrillas holding hostages in Lima.
Police said one passer by was slightly injured.
The device, placed in front of the entrance to the embassy situated on the second floor of a six storey building, caused serious damage.
A man claiming to represent the Fighting Guerrilla Formation (AMS) phoned a newspaper and a radio station shortly before the blast expressing solidarity with the Tupac Amaru (MRTA) rebels holding 83 hostages in the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima since December 17th. The police were alerted and the embassy was evacuated.
The AMS made its first appearance last month when it claimed a bomb blast at the Athens Polytechnic College during ceremonies to mark the anniversary of a student revolt against Greece's military regime in November 1973.
The caller yesterday criticised "the way members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement are held in Peruvian prisons."
Meanwhile in Lima, the Marxist rebels holding 83 VIP hostages at the Japanese ambassador's home held out for a 13th day despite signs of progress following their first direct contact with the government.
The MRTA guerrillas placed three signs in an upper window of the residence spelling out the reasons for their continued stand.
The signs read: "Our prisoners do not receive the same humane treatment"; "Social fighters also deserve freedom"; and "The people want peace with social justice".
The messages underscored a more conciliatory stance by the rebels in recent days, angling more for improved conditions for jailed comrades and recognition of their movement as opposed to earlier demands for the release of all their prisoners and sweeping changes to Peru's economic system.