Greeks fume at UK Olympic plan

2004-04-16 10:11

London - Armed British police officers to protect the country's team in the Olympic Games in Athens in August are being considered by Scotland Yard.

The Times newspaper said on Friday 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.

The Greek government has angrily insisted no armed foreign police would be allowed on their territory.

"Any presence of foreign armed security guards for the athletes' protection is strictly prohibited," Eleftherios Ikonomou, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Order and headquarters of the Greek police, told The Times.

"There are 202 countries participating in the Games so you can imagine what would happen if we had armed security guards for every country."

'Whatever means neccessary

However, a senior Scotland Yard source told The Times: "We will take whatever measures are needed to protect the team."

The Times claimed earlier this week that construction delays in Athens mean there will be less time to install CCTV and train security guards before the Games open on August 13.

Security experts fear that exposed sites will be scouted by terrorists before the Games.

Greek Transport Minister Michalis Liapis admitted Thursday that public transport security measures for the Olympics were behind schedule.

"I gave clear instructions asked for the works to be speeded up, so that protection and security are at the highest level possible during the Games," he added.

The Athens Games will be the most heavily-guarded event in the 108-year history of the Olympics.

A specially formed Olympics advisory group of seven countries - Australia, Britain, France, Germany, Spain, Israel and the US - meets monthly in Athens to provide advice about security measures. Russia also provides expertise.

More than 50 000 members of the security forces and emergency services will be directly involved in protecting the athletes, officials and visitors.

Armed Greek guards will also be placed on team buses on their way to and from stadia.

- AFP