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| Europe |
| Emergency Olympics summit after Istanboom |
| 2003-11-25 |
| From World Tribune Greece has launched an examination of its security arrangements in the aftermath of the series of Al Qaida’s suicide strikes in neighboring Turkey. There were serious US concerns already before the booming. Greece will host a meeting next week from eight countries on security for the Olympic Games in 2004 to determine whether new measures should be imposed. The meeting will discuss the Al Qaida suicide strikes in Istanbul. The meetings will include advisers from Britain, Israel and the United States. The British delegation will include members of Britain’s Scotland Yard. The United States has been unhappy over Greek security arrangements at the Olympic Games, Middle East Newsline reported. The complaints concern security breaches at Athens International Airport and other major facilities. The Greek newspaper Ethnos reported that 200 FBI agents have arrived in Greece to monitor the security situation. We could use the 200 for other more pressing things, it would seem to me. The newspaper said Greece was considering whether to invite NATO to ensure security at the Olympics, scheduled for August. Greece has budgeted nearly $800 million for security at the Olympics. They better dig into their pockets deeper or ask for EU financial volunteers. This is going to be one helluva budget with everything that was generated by the recent string of booms. Officials said that budget could increase over the next six months as Greek authorities seek to close security gaps pointed out by the Olympic Games advisory committee. |
| Posted by:Alaska Paul |
| #2 Athens is acting like a Thanksgiving turkey the night before - flapping around all over the place without a head, and looking totally moronic. Security should have been tightened three years ago, and constantly been worked on as problems came up. If A-Q really wanted to do something there, they probably started sending in people last year, if not earlier. How long were the 19 'aviators' in the US before 9/11? How long were the people in Kenya and Tanzania before the Embassy bombings? Glad to know they've finally awoke from their self-imposed dreamworld, but they've got a LOT of work to make up before they can claim any real 'security'. Good luck, guys, you're really, REALLY gonna need it. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-11-25 10:55:02 PM |
| #1 We should provide 'lodging' for our athletes on a carrier from 6th Fleet. Or better yet a cruise ship NEXT to a carrier. Don't leave them overnight in Athens. |
| Posted by: commo 2003-11-25 9:10:21 PM |