Oly: Greeks preparing huge security operations for Athens Games

AAP General News (Australia)
02-13-2004
Oly: Greeks preparing huge security operations for Athens Games

By Mike Osborne

SYDNEY, Feb 13 AAP - In ancient times warriors would lay down their weapons during
the Olympics but as the Games come home to Greece, the hosts are planning the country's
biggest peace-time security operation.

In the four years since former Olympics boss Juan Antonio Samaranch declared the Sydney
Games the best ever, the world has been turned on its head by September 11, the Bali bombings,
and US-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Always a crucial part of organising an Olympics after the 1972 Munich Games when Palestinian
terrorists killed 11 Israeli team members, security is now paramount.

The Greek government is planning the biggest security operation in Olympic history
at a cost of about $A1 billion - three times the budget in Sydney.

Nearly all of Greece's defence resources will be deployed or put on alert during the
games from August 13-29, according to Defence Minister Yiannos Papantoniou.

A special Olympic force - comprising army, air force and navy personnel - will help
guard Olympic venues, protect officials and athletes, carry out patrols and provide bomb
disposal experts.

The military will assist about 41,000 police, coast guard officers, firefighters and
other personnel.

Pilots will fly surveillance aircraft and warplanes over Greece during the games with
air defence systems, including anti-aircraft batteries, forming part of the Olympic security
network.

And navy ships will help protect harbours and patrol sea lanes, Papantoniou said in
a recent briefing.

More than 600 military doctors and personnel will be on standby in case of a terrorist
attack or disaster. The doctors will bolster a 200-strong special unit formed to deal
with biological, chemical or nuclear threats.

Greece's NATO allies will also help, and may provide Airborne Warning and Control System
(AWACS) surveillance planes.

Athens organisers are receiving assistance on security planning from seven countries,
including the US, Britain and Australia, and are working with the CIA to gather information
on potential threats around the world.

Papantoniou says the main threat to the Games is an attack organised from outside his
country, but he believes Olympic visitors should not fear coming to Greece during the
Games.

"Absolutely they should come," he said.

"Greece is generally not in the network of terrorist threats ... but because of the
Olympic Games we may eventually become a target. So we shall protect ourselves mainly
and principally from external threats."

Security exercises and drills are planned this month to make sure preparations are
on track six months out from the opening ceremony.

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge believes "everything humanly
possible" is being done to safeguard the Athens Games, but says security can never be
foolproof.

"I believe the Greek government has done everything, everything humanly possible in
cooperation with other governments, to protect the games," he said last month.

"We are very satisfied from the level of preparations. But, of course, no-one can guarantee
100 per cent security."

Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates was also satisfied with the level
of security in Athens.

"We are as satisfied as one can be with the preparation in terms of security," he said.

"Of course more money has to be and is being spent in that area than we had to in Sydney.

"Last time I was there I met with various police and other security officials and they're
spending a lot of money, they've got a lot of advisers.

"You can't be critical of what they're doing.

"Pleasingly for us they were interested to know what we were doing outside the village
and outside the specific venues.

"So the function where we're going to announce the flag bearer, they'll help us there
and any other functions we might have so I'm very pleased."

Despite the unprecedented security, Athens mayor Dora Bakoyannis has vowed the world's
biggest sporting event won't be held behind closed doors.

There will be a balance between safety and ensuring protection is not so intrusive
that spectators are kept away.

"You can't avoid it (heavy police presence), but you can make it more pleasant," she said.

"It is a joyful event and it is very important for us that it is seen that way and
that people don't feel all those security measures are just to keep them out."

AAP mo/jc

KEYWORD: OLY SECURITY REPEAT

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.