David
November 6, 2003, 09:25 PM
Amazing !!!
from ap.org --
Mueller to Talk Security at Athens Visit
By PATRICK QUINN
Associated Press Writer
ATHENS, Greece
FBI Director Robert Mueller will likely discuss concerns about terrorist snipers and preparedness for a biological or chemical attack during talks this week with Olympic security officials.
Mueller, who arrived Thursday in Athens to review security preparations for the Aug. 13-29 games, also is expected to talk about a Greek refusal to allow the U.S. Olympic team's security force to carry weapons.
The decision on the weapons, confirmed by the head of an U.S. Olympic Committee delegation, came as American involvement in Olympic security expanded to involve the U.S. military - a sign of the growing concern over safety at the world's premier sporting event following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Greece's law enforcement minister, accompanied by senior intelligence, police and military officials, have just completed a two-day planning exercise organized by the United States at its European command headquarters in Germany.
"We have close cooperation and there are a group of officers from the FBI here. We are cooperating closely in the framework of preparing Olympic security," Greek police spokesman Col. Eleftherios Economou told The Associated Press.
He said Mueller will be briefed "on the course of Olympic security planning" during his two-day visit. On Friday, Mueller will honor Greek law enforcement officials for their role in the breakup of November 17, Greece's deadliest domestic terror group.
Besides concerns about snipers and chemical and biological attacks, Mueller's agenda also is expected to include talks about the danger posed by the constant flow of illegal immigrants into Greece through its porous northern borders and by sea from the Turkish coast to the east.
There are fears terrorists could use immigrant smuggling networks and routes to enter Greece ahead of the Olympics.
Athens is spending an unprecedented $775 million to protect the games. It is also working with a seven-nation advisory task force that includes the United States and Israel.
Security planning grew this week to include the U.S. military, which ran a simulated exercise at its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, to help identify any gaps in Greece's preparations.
"The aim of the exercise was crisis management, on a political, strategic and operational level," according to the Public Order Ministry.
Although the United States has been working closely with Greece, the State Department plans to send at least 100 agents to help protect the 650 U.S. athletes who will take part in the Olympics.
Greece has demanded, however, that only its forces carry weapons during the Olympics.
At least two other nations, Australia and Israel, also reportedly plan to send security details, and the issue of whether foreign agents can carry weapons during the games has caused friction.
Herman Frazier, who is leading a five-day inspection visit by the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the U.S. "supplemental" security forces would have no firearms. He said it was the first time such a force was being sent to the Olympics.
"These people will not be armed," Frazier told the AP.
He said the U.S. delegation discussed security issues with Olympic organizers and U.S. officials based in Athens. He declined to give specifics.
"We feel people are on top of the (security) issues at hand," he said. "We have all the confidence in the world that these will be secure games."
Frazier said the members of the U.S. contingent have spoken with FBI officials, but will not meet in Athens with Mueller. The U.S. Olympic Committee members are scheduled to leave Greece on Friday.
He said the delegation also toured the Olympic Village, venues and practice facilities. Construction crews have been working around the clock to overcome serious delays that brought a sharp reprimand from the International Olympic Committee three years ago.
"They've made tremendous strides since I was last here in August," Frazier said. "And we feel the local organizing committee has done a good job and they should be prepared."
Last month, the IOC praised Athens for its progress, but said the schedule remains tight for several troubled projects, including new rail systems.
******
:banghead: :cuss: :banghead:
from ap.org --
Mueller to Talk Security at Athens Visit
By PATRICK QUINN
Associated Press Writer
ATHENS, Greece
FBI Director Robert Mueller will likely discuss concerns about terrorist snipers and preparedness for a biological or chemical attack during talks this week with Olympic security officials.
Mueller, who arrived Thursday in Athens to review security preparations for the Aug. 13-29 games, also is expected to talk about a Greek refusal to allow the U.S. Olympic team's security force to carry weapons.
The decision on the weapons, confirmed by the head of an U.S. Olympic Committee delegation, came as American involvement in Olympic security expanded to involve the U.S. military - a sign of the growing concern over safety at the world's premier sporting event following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Greece's law enforcement minister, accompanied by senior intelligence, police and military officials, have just completed a two-day planning exercise organized by the United States at its European command headquarters in Germany.
"We have close cooperation and there are a group of officers from the FBI here. We are cooperating closely in the framework of preparing Olympic security," Greek police spokesman Col. Eleftherios Economou told The Associated Press.
He said Mueller will be briefed "on the course of Olympic security planning" during his two-day visit. On Friday, Mueller will honor Greek law enforcement officials for their role in the breakup of November 17, Greece's deadliest domestic terror group.
Besides concerns about snipers and chemical and biological attacks, Mueller's agenda also is expected to include talks about the danger posed by the constant flow of illegal immigrants into Greece through its porous northern borders and by sea from the Turkish coast to the east.
There are fears terrorists could use immigrant smuggling networks and routes to enter Greece ahead of the Olympics.
Athens is spending an unprecedented $775 million to protect the games. It is also working with a seven-nation advisory task force that includes the United States and Israel.
Security planning grew this week to include the U.S. military, which ran a simulated exercise at its headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany, to help identify any gaps in Greece's preparations.
"The aim of the exercise was crisis management, on a political, strategic and operational level," according to the Public Order Ministry.
Although the United States has been working closely with Greece, the State Department plans to send at least 100 agents to help protect the 650 U.S. athletes who will take part in the Olympics.
Greece has demanded, however, that only its forces carry weapons during the Olympics.
At least two other nations, Australia and Israel, also reportedly plan to send security details, and the issue of whether foreign agents can carry weapons during the games has caused friction.
Herman Frazier, who is leading a five-day inspection visit by the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the U.S. "supplemental" security forces would have no firearms. He said it was the first time such a force was being sent to the Olympics.
"These people will not be armed," Frazier told the AP.
He said the U.S. delegation discussed security issues with Olympic organizers and U.S. officials based in Athens. He declined to give specifics.
"We feel people are on top of the (security) issues at hand," he said. "We have all the confidence in the world that these will be secure games."
Frazier said the members of the U.S. contingent have spoken with FBI officials, but will not meet in Athens with Mueller. The U.S. Olympic Committee members are scheduled to leave Greece on Friday.
He said the delegation also toured the Olympic Village, venues and practice facilities. Construction crews have been working around the clock to overcome serious delays that brought a sharp reprimand from the International Olympic Committee three years ago.
"They've made tremendous strides since I was last here in August," Frazier said. "And we feel the local organizing committee has done a good job and they should be prepared."
Last month, the IOC praised Athens for its progress, but said the schedule remains tight for several troubled projects, including new rail systems.
******
:banghead: :cuss: :banghead: