Australian Prime Minister John Howard fuelled diplomatic tensions with Greece on Friday by again warning of the possibility of a terrorist attack at the Athens Olympics that start on August 13.
Howard appealed to the Greek government and the Greek ambassador to Australia not to take offence at his comments, saying he was not expressing any new level of concern but merely stating the obvious about security for the Games.
But Athens has already made clear its displeasure about such warnings from Canberra and a Greek government spokesperson has described Howard’s comments as ”unhelpful”.
”I can think of no development in the security situation in Greece which could prompt these comments from Mr Howard,” the spokesperson told The Australian newspaper on Thursday after Howard said he was worried about the safety of Australia’s Olympic team in Athens.
Howard said he was not convinced the team would be fully protected.
Greece has mounted a massive security operation for the Games, with security personnel set to outnumber athletes by about seven to one.
But ticket sales are reported here to be well down on expectations, partly because of security concerns.
The spat with Greece came just days after Spain and the Philippines protested angrily to Australia about its criticism of their decision to ”give in” to hostage takers in Iraq by recalling their troops early.
Howard told a Melbourne radio station on Friday he intended no offence, but repeated there was no guarantee a terrorist attack would not occur in Athens, although the Greek government was taking all possible precautions.
”I don’t mean any offence to the Greek government. I am just stating the obvious,” he told Melbourne radio station 3AW.
”I can’t guarantee there won’t be a terrorist incident in Australia. To expect me to in effect guarantee there won’t be a terrorist incident that might affect Australians somewhere else in the world is therefore unreasonable.”
Howard agreed the whole of Australia could be a little bit edgy until the Olympics were over.
”To run away from that and to sort of pretend, oh no, there is absolutely no prospect of anything happening and there is nothing to be worried about, is just unrealistic,” he said.
”With respect, the Greek ambassador should understand that. I don’t mean any offence. I understand their difficulties. I respect what they say about ticket sales. But I have a responsibility to just call it exactly as I see it.”
The New York Times reported last week that Greece would allow foreign guards accompanying the United States, Israeli and possibly British teams to carry weapons during the Olympics, which run from August 13 to 29.
Greece’s official position is that foreign armed guards will not be allowed.
Howard said the latest information was that the risk to Australian athletes was assessed at medium, less than that for the Americans and some others, but Australian security officials in Athens would not be armed.
”I am told as of now they will not allow arms to be carried by any others,” he said. ”That situation might change.” — Sapa-AFP