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Unprecedented
Security Umbrella for Olympics in Athens SYDNEY: : The 2004 summer Olympics in Athens will be the most protected in the Games history, thanks to unprecedented security arrangements costing two billion dollars. In order to make the Games as safe and secure as possible, Greek officials have been consulting anti-terrorism and other multi-national teams of experts to gauge the likelihood of attacks at or near any of the 60 sporting and non-sporting venues. Teams from the US, Britain, Russia, Australia and Israel have been identified as the ones in the high-risk category. Assessments of each country's team and its problems will be completed by the end of January but will be looked at again in February. According to Peter Ryan, former New South Wales police commissioner and now a key security adviser to the Athens Olympics, the entire process would continue until the Games begin on August 13, 2004. He said once the Games begin, up to 50,000 personnel would be involved in ensuring the safety of participants. One expert team is examining issues unique to every competing country. For instance, "What are the problems in the countries and could the problems be brought to the Olympics?" "We can't just have a venue. We have an event which is likely to bring people from other parts of the world and they in turn may bring their own problems," Ryan was quoted as saying by the Age. Of particular concern is Greece's proximity to Iraq. "A possible war would probably spread to neighbouring countries who would see it as an attack on Islam. Chances are not just that Iraq will be affected. It's likely to overflow into a couple of other countries, with more terrorist activities well outside Iraq and that's when it becomes dangerous," he added. Greece is planning for all crises. For example, last November, training exercises that involved the simulated hijacking of a plane and ship were held in Athens with assistance from anti- terrorism experts from London's Scotland Yard. There is even a committee dealing with biochemical and nuclear attacks. The US, Australia, the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Israel are providing intelligence and information support to the Greek Government. Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent on security infrastructure and technology, command and control communication systems, data management systems, closed circuit TV, new command centres, mobile centres, aerial support and bolstering the coast guard. Despite the focus on security and terrorism, Ryan said Athens was a safe place to visit. -ANI |
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