Greek post office to investigate contractor for negligence over parcel-bomb affair

ELTA's management said the post office was cooperating fully with Greek security forces to investigate the incident, while it would exercise all its legal rights with regard to the firm in charge of operating its security screening system.
The announcement also noted that ELTA's electronic system for screening air mail sent abroad was the "latest-generation cutting-edge technology." It included an x-ray scanner and an Explosives Trace Detector approved by the competent European authority for certifying air travel security screening equipment, while it was last updated on January 17. 
The system is installed and operates at the Athens international airport "Eleftherios Venizelos" and its operation has been contracted out to a specialised firm with the certification required by law. This is responsible for conducting the screenings at the airport when mail is delivered in order to be loaded onto aircraft.
"We stress that Hellenic Post follows all the procedures foreseen by the Universal Postal Union and all the security regulations for the transportation of air mail items. We must also point out, however, that similar incidents have happened in many post offices in the world," the announcement concluded.
The package with explosives was sent to German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble on Wednesday from the region of Attica and cited as its sender New Democracy Vice-President Adonis Georgiadis. The package arrived at the ministry mailroom and was found to contain explosive material. It was neutralised by German police.