From: ERRI DAILY INTELLIGENCE REPORT-ERRI Risk Assessment Services-Thursday, February 15, 2001-Vol. 7, No.- 046
GREECE:
Growing Concern About Security At Athens 2004 Olympics
Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet said in his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee last week that as host for the 2004 Olympic Games, the Greek government must treat the threat of terrorism against athletes as a "major vulnerability." Tenet said the U.S. government has held discussions with "the relevant Greek ministers about their need to take this terrorist threat far more seriously than it's been taken in the past, that the Olympics are a major vulnerability. There is a lot of work that needs to be done, a lot of work."
For many years, the U.S. government has pressed the Greek government to take stronger measures against terrorists. Last May, in the 1999 edition of "Patterns of Global Terrorism," the U.S. State Department called Greece "one of the weakest links in Europe's efforts against terrorism." Most Americans are unaware that Greece has a serious domestic terrorism problem and, worse, a critical counter-terrorism problem. Barely a week goes by in Greece without an arson or bomb attack claimed by self-proclaimed anarchists and other groups. The late-night blasts, often targeting foreign businesses or citizens, rarely cause casualties but continue to add to collective worries about overall security.
Many counter-terrorism and Greek analysts believe that the clock is ticking toward some kind of potential disaster at the Athens Games in 2004. Americans should be made aware of the Greek security problem because the United States is the main target of terrorists. In the past 26 years, four U.S. officials have been murdered, more than 30 wounded in attacks in Greece intended to kill, and many more have been targeted. The U.S. spends more money on embassy security in Athens than anywhere else in the world, more than in Colombia or Lebanon.
The main Greek terrorist group is called 17 November. It is considered one of the most successful violent political groups in the world because none of its members have ever been arrested or identified. 17 November hates foreign influences of all kinds and has targeted Americans, Europeans and many Greeks in scores of attacks.
And what about Greek law enforcement capabilities? That's a good question. Most experts are not terribly impressed considering their 26 year record against 17 November -- they've batted zero. In their manifestoes, the terrorists have reportedly ordered the police to look the other way, and it appears they've been obeyed. Witnesses said to be known only to the police get threatening phone calls from the terrorists. Has the Greek media ever put pressure on the police to do something about the terrorists? It has been said that much of the Athens press may actually sympathize with the terrorists.
Some people would find this hard to believe. But case in point -- last June, Stephen Saunders, a British defense attaché, was murdered by 17 November. Scotland Yard sent a team of top investigators to Athens. They made progress, developing relevant wiretaps and other technical evidence. Greek police sources then allegedly leaked details of the British efforts to two local newspapers, which printed everything for the benefit of the killers.
So, the main question that remains to be answered is terrorism a serious threat to the 2004 Olympic Games? CT experts say...yes, absolutely. Even if 17 November chooses not to attack the Games directly -- it might be bad for their image -- international terrorists definitely will view the Athens Olympics as a legitimate and attractive target. Athens airport has also long been known for its lax security.
Late last week, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell moved to defuse this developing row with Greece over security and calm the diplomatic waters. Powell diplomatically said: "I am confident that the authorities will do everything to make sure that the games go off in a safe manner. Anything we can do to assist them with the experience that we have from the past or any other assistance we can give will be made available to the government, but I have confidence in their ability to make this happen."
© EmergencyNet News Service, 2001. All rights reserved. Redistribution or
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