Don't panic

Greek PM says Athens will be safe, on time

ATHENS (Reuters) -- Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis went on a whirlwind tour of several Athens Olympic sports venues Monday in an effort to ease international concerns over tight deadlines and security.

Simitis, who placed Olympic preparations on top of his agenda a day after returning from holidays, said Athens would be ready to organize good and secure games.

"The projects will be completed on time and Greece will be ready and safe for the Olympic games," Simitis said during a visit to the beach volleyball stadium, the sailing complex and the future Athens promenade.

After a disastrous start in test events aimed at checking the venues' readiness -- the rowing event was almost cancelled due to adverse weather conditions -- organizers have been satisfied with the cycling, show jumping and archery competitions in the past few days.

"Problems still exist today. That's why we hold sports events ... we don't have the illusion that everything is perfect," Simitis said.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) officials have tried hard to instil a sense of urgency in organizers, who are rushing to complete dozens of sports venues and crucial road projects ahead of next August.

IOC chief inspector Denis Oswald is due to meet Simitis later Monday to discuss progress.

Oswald, who in the past has sharply criticized the speed of preparations but more recently praised the pace of progress, said Athens would be ready on time.

"If the Greeks don't waste any more time then they should be ready," he told the German newspaper Die Welt over the weekend. "I am confident they will make it."

Security spotlight

But hard-pressed organizers (ATHOC) are still tackling the tricky issues of security and housing.

Several newspapers around the world say organizers have not yet grasped the potential threats to the games and have provided only "patchy" plans, but Greek officials have rejected those claims as unsubstantiated.

Even Greek opposition parties, usually locked in a bitter war of words with the government over Olympic preparations, rejected a series of articles in the international press challenging the games' security plans as "an orchestrated effort to attack the Games."

More than 45,000 security officials will be on duty during the Athens Olympics, three times as many as in the Sydney in what is the biggest security operation for any Games.

Sensitive to global security concerns after the September 11, 2001 attacks on U.S. cities, Greece has drawn up the Games' most expensive security plan estimated at US$600 million.

"We will not allow anyone to behave irresponsibly," Simitis said.

But organizers have yet to finalize the make-up of the consortium that will implement the US$255 million security contract with Finland's Nokia (NOK1V.HE) in talks to replace U.S. electronics firm Motorola (MOT.N) in the group.

They have also not yet launched a crucial private homes rental scheme to cover a shortfall of hotel accommodation in the city.

The two companies chosen for the scheme to manage the rental of private homes during the games, have merged and are due to discuss the final contract with organizers on August 19, ATHOC sources told Reuters.

 

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