A spokesman for the Greek armed forces said following a visit of an alliance commander to Athens that NATO’s security plan for the Athens Games is expected to be put together in May. The alliance will provide air and sea surveillance to protect the Games from chemical, biological or radiological attacks. According to the spokesman AWACS surveillance plans, NATO’s Mediterranean fleet STANAFORMED and the alliance’s battalion for biochemical warfare are part of the plan.
The Times newspaper reported Friday that counter-terrorist experts are so concerned at the standard of security offered by Greek authorities that marksmen may be dispatched to protect British athletes in the Olympic village. This has angered the Greek government who insist that no armed foreign police would be allowed on its territory. A senior Scotland Yard source told The Times, “we will take whatever measures are needed to protect the team”. Athens 2004 organizers denied Friday that they had received complaints about security from British athletes. A senior Greek official told AFP anonymously that the article was “blackmail”.
The Times said earlier this week that construction delays in Athens mean there will be less time to install CCTV and train security guards before the Games start on August 13. Security experts are concerned that exposed sites will be scouted by terrorist before the Games.
A program aimed at keeping the greater Athens area streets clean during the Games began Thursday with the purchase of extra equipment and the possibility of hiring additional staff. The program will cost 26 million euros.
And finally, special road signs are due to be set up around Athens to direct visitors and residents to the hospitals which will be providing medical assistance during the Games. There will be 18 designated “Olympic hospitals”.
