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President Bill Clinton arrived in Athens yesterday for an official visit as violence erupted at a demonstration organised by leftwing political parties in protest against the US-led bombardment of Yugoslavia.
"Clinton Go Home" said a giant banner draped across Lycavettos hill, a landmark visible from the hotel where the presidential party is staying. Shortly before Mr Clinton's aircraft landed in Athens riot police clashed with demonstrators outside the parliament building.
The visit has provoked a surge of anti-American feeling, reflecting both pro-Serbian sentiment and lingering resentment over US support for the military junta that ruled Greece in the 1970s.
It was delayed and shortened, from three days to less than 24 hours, at the request of the Greek government, following firebomb attacks around Athens and a dispute over security arrangements.
Mr Clinton's unpopularity in Greece contrasted sharply with his warm reception in Turkey, Greece's old rival in the region, where the president's visit lasted five days.
Greece's decision to withdraw from a proposed anti-terrorism pact with the US, meant to have been one of the main practical achievements of Mr Clinton's visit, has further reduced its substance. The Greek government gave no explanation for its move, but it will feed the suspicions of some US officials that Athens has, for whatever reason, no stomach to deal with terrorism.
US officials have described co-operation on law enforcement, counterterrorism and security as one of the most important issues in the US relationship with Greece. Washington has sought to increase co- operation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Greek police in the effort against terrorism, but the lack of the anti-terrorism protocol will make such efforts difficult.
The US has made previously unsuccessful efforts to secure an anti- terrorism protocol. US officials are especially concerned about the so-called November 17 terrorist organisation, which Washington says is responsible for the murder of four US embassy officers, one Greek employee of the US embassy and more than 20 other people in Greece.
Though the group has been active for more than 20 years none of its members has been arrested. Some US officials have expressed frustration at the lack of progress in the Greek investigation of the organisation.
The visit has not been helped by other diplomatic disagreements. A proposed address by Mr Clinton to the Greek parliament - to match that made in Turkey - was cancelled after the Speaker, a member of the hard-left faction in the governing Socialist party, insisted that Mr Clinton's secret service contingent disarm before entering the building.