Australian and Greek authorities resolved a security squabble on Tuesday that could have threatened the first overseas stage of the Olympic torch relay ahead of the August Athens Games, officials said.
”The outstanding issues have been resolved due to the effort of all parties to ensure a successful Athens Olympics and the part Sydney will play in what will be an historic Athens Olympics,” New South Wales state Premier Bob Carr said.
Carr said an emergency telephone conference involving government officials and representatives of the Athens, International and Australian Olympic committees has resolved the dispute over who will control security during the Australian leg of the torch relay.
”Sydney can now look forward to welcoming the flame back to Sydney on June 4,” Carr said.
The Australian leg of the relay had been in doubt after Sydney authorities refused demands from Athens Games organisers that Greek security personnel protect the flame during its passage through Sydney and Melbourne.
Under a compromise arrangement for Sydney, site of the 2000 Olympics, New South Wales police will have responsibility for security of the relay while the Athens Olympic organising committee will be in charge of operational and logistical elements of the event, Carr said. — Sapa-AFP