Extremists rocket Paris Govt offices

Press, 17 April 1980, Page 8

Extremists rocket Paris Govt offices

NZPA-Reuter , Paris A. three-man commando group armed with a bazooka fired rockets at Government buildings in central Paris yesterday, and the Direct Action extremist ‘ group claimed responsibility. The police said that rockets were pumped into two blocks ■ housing Transport Ministry offices shortly after dawn. Almost simultaneously- a powerful blast rocked a computer centre used by the Ministry to regulate holiday traffic. All three buildings were damaged; but no-one was hurt in the attacks, which occurred . shortly before cleaning staff ’were due to come, on duty. An anonymous caller telephoned a French news agency. to claim responsibility far the acts on behalf of

Direct Action,a shadowy group believed to have . links with the Italian Red Brigades urban guerrillas. The caller said such attacks would continue until the release of 15 suspected members or sympathisers of Direct Action, charged two weeks ago with bomb attacks, attempted murder and subversion.

The police said that, from eye-witness accounts-of the rocket attacks on the Ministry buildings close- to the River Seine, the weapon used appeared to be a So-viet-made bazookaDirect Action is believed to have carried out a - long, series of assaults on French public buildings in’ recent months, including one in, March on the office of the Co-operation Minister (Mr Robert Galley). , ' ,