ATHENS Ñ Greek officials said the international tender for security at the
Olympic Games in 2004 has been scrapped. Officials said the offers were far
above initial estimates.
British, French, Israeli, Russian and U.S. companies have been vying for
the multi-million dollar bids to ensure security for the Olympic facilities
as well as at major ports. The bidding went to the final phase, when two
international consortiums were the remaining competitors. They were the U.S.
SAIC and another group led by TRS.
Greek Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos said the government in Athens
will seek to reduce the bids of competitors to conform with initial
estimates of the cost of the Olympic security project. The government
estimate of the project was reported at $220 million, Middle East Newsline reported.
Venizelos did not elaborate but Greek sources said the lowest bid was at
around $300 million. Greece is now expecting to spend about $600 million for
the entire security project. Athens has allocated 4.6 million euros
[$4.55 billion] for the entire Olympic Games. The government is expecting to
recoup at least half of the expenditures through television and other
contracts.
Greek government spokesman Christos Protopapas said the decision to
scrap the tender was to "protect the public interest." Protopapas said the
criteria for the project were not met by the finalists in the tender.
Officials said the government would establish a new committee to
evaluate the technical aspects of the bids. They said the Government Council
for Foreign Affairs and Defense, which approves major defense contracts and
top military promotions, will review the Olympic security project.
The Defense Ministry was granted responsibility for administering the
tender. Officials said the new tender would also be overseen by the ministry
and be completed in time for the Olympic Games.
"We will be ready on time," Protopapas said.
