Revolutionary Organization 17 November (17 November, N17)
Goals and Objectives. 17 November is a tiny anti-Western, leftist terrorist organization that opposes the Greek establishment, Greek ties to the United States and the EU, and the Turkish presence in Cyprus. The group seeks the removal of U.S. military bases from Greece. It apparently derives its anti-American stance from U.S. backing of the Greek military junta that ruled the country from 1967 to 1974.
Favored Tactics. 17 November tends to favor symbolic attacks rather than attacks designed to coerce or cripple the Greek government or foreign interests. Its attacks have involved assassinations and bombings.

Brief History. 17 November formed in 1975 and conducted more than 100 high profile attacks in Greece since then, killing a total of 23 people. The group attacked the Greek government as well as foreign government and private targets. In the summer of 2002, with the help of the FBI and Scotland Yard, Greek police arrested 14 members, including several key leaders. The arrests were very important, representing the first significant headway by the government against the group in over 26 years. As a result, Greek authorities have declared victory over 17 November; but the group has since issued a statement declaring that it is "still alive." The Greek government is especially concerned about 17 November as the country prepares for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The group had contributed to an impression among foreigners that Greece is unsafe, and the Greek government hopes that the 2002 arrests and 2003 convictions demonstrate a dramatic reduction in the threat and a serious national commitment to security.

Favored Tactics. 17 November tends to favor symbolic attacks rather than attacks designed to coerce or cripple the Greek government or foreign interests. Its attacks have involved assassinations and bombings.

Anti-American Activities. Four of the 23 killed in 17 November attacks have been U.S. citizens. In 1975, the group assassinated Richard Welch, CIA station chief in Athens.422 The group’s statements attack the United States and ties between Greece and the United States.

Areas of Operation. 17 November operates in Greece, primarily in Athens.

Strength and Composition. The group’s strength is unknown, according to the State Department, but is presumed to be small. Other sources estimate its strength at 20 or fewer members, many related to one another, and no more than 100 supporters. A number of arrests in 2002 may have crippled the group and substantially reduced its numbers. Arrested members of the group have been strikingly ordinary, including school teachers, shop keepers, and a telephone operator, all of whom led ostensibly mundane lives in mainstream society.

Connections With Other Terrorist Organizations. 17 November has no known ties to other terrorist group.

State Supporters and Other Sources of Funding. The group is believed to fund itself through bank robberies.

Originally Designated as an FTO. October 8, 1997.

Re-designated. October 8, 1999, October 5, 2001.

Issues of Concern for Congress. While the Greek government has apparently made great strides in arresting members of this group and potentially crippling it, as the Summer 2004 Olympics in Athens approach, the question of its operating capability will loom large.