Bilateral Agreements have been activated between Greece and the United States that will legitimatize the presence of Americans in Greece in March for a major Olympic Games security exercise.
According to Kathimerini, there had been thoughts of a special law to help bypass any constitutional obstacles, but early elections in Greece doesn’t allow time for such a plan.
The U.S. is now being kept up to date on security preparations and is actively participating in planning and exercises. It has softened its criticism of security for the Athens 2004 Games, reports the newspaper.
Sources involved in security planning for the 2004 Games told the newspaper that the U.S. will be the principal supplier of information to the Greek authorities, since it will be practically impossible to cross-check information provided by them on a specific threat with other sources.
During the Games there will be a flight ban over a large part of Attica and other parts of Greece, to reduce the risk of a terrorist attack by air. Also, a large part of the Greek air space protection mechanism will be devoted to protecting that no-flight zone.
The U.S. will also supply specialized equipment, including detectors that can locate and deactivate specific threats such as atomic weapons, and the experience needed to operate them.
Through the supply of equipment, expertise and information, the U.S. has ensured its constant presence in the security field, inside knowledge, and to a certain extent the management of any crisis, which has reassured them on the ultra-sensitive issue of security.
