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Scotland Yard helps Greece train against Olympics terror

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, November 25, 2002

ATHENS Ñ Greece has conducted an exercise meant to determine the success of counter-terrorism measures planned for the Olympic Games in 2004.

"We have demonstrated that when we make the right preparations, when we act with precision, when we handle all contingencies in an incident in the right way, then we emerge victorious," Greek Public Order Minister Mihalis Chrysohoidis told reporters. "

"This exercise was the product of at least a year's worth of preparations with British officers from Scotland Yard."

Officials said British security experts participated in the exercise, which was based on a British model. Both Britain and the United States have served to help bolster Greek security in advance of the games. U.S. ambassador to Athens Thomas Miller said over the weekend that his country and Greece have resolved all of their differences regarding the need to fight insurgency groups.

The exercise was meant to test the response by police and security forces to an insurgency attack on the city and the area of the Olympic games.

The exercise took place at the international airport and seaport in Athens and was deemed successful. Officials said the exercise will test Greece's response to two scenarios. One is the hijacking of an aircraft; the other, is a bomb threat against a ship.

In all, 1,800 police and security officers participated in the exercise. They also included emergency services, special forces, the civil aviation authority and Olympic Airways.

The scenario included an attempt by insurgents to capture a ship in the port of Piraeus.

At that point, police and special forces were meant to regain control of the ship and kill the attackers.

"I think that the exercise is one step forward for an even more professional Greek police force, for even better preparation ahead of the Olympics, preparation for the police and other authorities taking part in security for the games," Chrysohoidis said.

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