ATHENS Ñ Greece has launched an examination of its security
arrangements in the aftermath of the series of Al Qaida's suicide strikes in neighboring Turkey.
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. 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.
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.
