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US ambassador sees no specific al Qaeda threat to 2004 Olympics
Athens, Sept 14: The militant al Qaeda network represents no specific local threat to next year`s Olympic Games in Greece, the US ambassador to Athens told a newspaper yesterday.
Athens, Sept 14: The militant al Qaeda network represents no specific local threat to next year's Olympic Games in Greece, the US ambassador to Athens told a newspaper yesterday.
Commenting on a New York Times report last month claiming al Qaeda operatives and affiliates were known to operate in Greece, ambassador Thomas Miller was quoted by ''Imerisia'' daily as saying: ''I have no information that supports that article.
''We live in a dangerous world...And it is more productive for people like me to cooperate closer with the Greek Government to make sure the games are safe -- and that is what we are doing.''
Earlier this week, Miller said the US team would be guarded by its own security forces in Athens, despite the biggest ever Games security plan, worth over 600 million, drafted by Greek organisers.
The United States is the second country after Australia to say it will deploy its own forces to protect its Olympic team.
About 45,000 security officers -- three times as many as in Sydney in 2000 -- will be deployed during the 15 days of the Games.
Games organisers say security, especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001 on US cities, is a top priority.
Recent media reports questioning security arrangements have prompted Prime Minister Costas Simitis to reassure critics that his country will efficiently deal with any potential threat.
Bureau Report
Commenting on a New York Times report last month claiming al Qaeda operatives and affiliates were known to operate in Greece, ambassador Thomas Miller was quoted by ''Imerisia'' daily as saying: ''I have no information that supports that article.
''We live in a dangerous world...And it is more productive for people like me to cooperate closer with the Greek Government to make sure the games are safe -- and that is what we are doing.''
Earlier this week, Miller said the US team would be guarded by its own security forces in Athens, despite the biggest ever Games security plan, worth over 600 million, drafted by Greek organisers.
The United States is the second country after Australia to say it will deploy its own forces to protect its Olympic team.
About 45,000 security officers -- three times as many as in Sydney in 2000 -- will be deployed during the 15 days of the Games.
Games organisers say security, especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001 on US cities, is a top priority.
Recent media reports questioning security arrangements have prompted Prime Minister Costas Simitis to reassure critics that his country will efficiently deal with any potential threat.
Bureau Report