US `sorry' for junta support

Seeking to free Greek relations with Washington from becoming "hostages to history," the US ambassador to Athens yesterday apologised for America's unwillingness to strongly oppose Greece's 1967-74 military dictatorship.

The comments by Nicholas Burns were clearly aimed at establishing a fresh outlook toward the United States, which is taking a higher profile in efforts to ease disputes in the region.

Among the chief Greek criticisms of US policy was America's weak response to the junta, which many Greeks perceived as tacit support for the regime. - AP, Athens