A looming political and diplomatic incident between the leftist Greek government and the US administration may be looming over the provisional release of notorious “Nov. 17” assassin Savvas Xiros.

The prospect of the one-time church mural painter, by day, and ultra Marxist urban terroist by has generated heightened criticism by Washington.

US ambassador to Greece David D. Pearce held a press conference on Monday, where he clarified his country’s position on the “humanitarian” release for Xiros in favor of a home remand.

Pearce stated that in case the Greek government insists on releasing Xiros, this will be viewed as “unfriendly act” by the US government. He also said a relevant bill passed by a government majority in Parliament last week may lead to the release of terrorists and other criminal elements.

“These are violent terrorists and criminals and they belong in jail, not in the safety of their homes. This is a serious security issue, not a humanitarian one”, he said, commenting on the possibility of a Xiros release.

Xiros was severely injured by his own … bomb, one he was planting at the port of the Piraeus in June 2002.

“Sentenced terrorists and murderers must serve out their sentences in prison and not in their homes surrounded by loved ones and comrades”, he commented and concluded by saying that “the release of these murderers would defile the memories of their victims and trespass on the rights of the families of the murdered”.