Spurred by the attacks in Spain, Greece yesterday formally asked for Nato help in providing security for this summer’s Athens Olympics.
The unprecedented request, made two days after the conservative New Democracy party assumed power, came as the government also stepped up security measures at airports, harbours and borders.
Citing the need for further protection following the bombings, Greek foreign ministry officials said Athens had applied to Nato for additional aerial, naval and ground support during the August games.
”This contribution will concern air control and joint patrolling of the sea and for protection against a nuclear, biological or chemical attack,” officials said. A spokeswoman at Nato headquarters in Brussels said the request would be looked at ”very seriously”.
Greek diplomats said the Madrid blasts had been the final spur for the conservatives to override fierce domestic opposition to foreign forces pro tecting the games. The defence minister, Spilios Spiliotopoulos, said: ”The security plan’s structure will not be modified but it will be strengthened.”
Under the reinforced measures, a Nato naval force, including the US 6th Fleet, would patrol Greece’s territorial waters, and Awacs planes would provide sea surveillance. Nato’s Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre would also be placed on standby in the event of chemical, biological or nuclear attack.
Athens has spent about R5,6-billion on security for the games, more than three times the amount spent by Sydney. Around 50 000 security personnel, including 16 000 Greek troops, will be on guard. Security planners have described the games as a prime terrorist target, and Greece has allowed a seven-nation advisory group to guide it on security.
The request to Nato was made public as around 2 000 troops, including commandos from the US and Britain, conducted a security drill in Athens. – Guardian Unlimited