fredzio54
23.06.04, 14:28
Israel to be major partner in Olympic security operation
According to plan, senior IDF officer will be stationed in NATO’s war room;
navy vessels could assist in handling of suspicious ships.
Amir Rapoport
Advertisement
Fifty days prior to the start of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the security
preparation against possible terrorist attacks is taking shape, as is the
growing involvement of Israel's defense establishment in the huge operation.
Maariv has learnt that Israel is a major partner in the international
security operation, together with Greece, the US European Command and the
NATO Southern Command.
The contact between Israel and Greece began a year ago when delegates from
the IDF, ISA and Israel Police offered their assistance to Athens, which
included mainly advice on safe guarding mass events from terrorist attacks.
As the games are nearing, so to does the level of security coordination. A
senior Israeli officer will be stationed in NATO’s Southern Command war room
in Naples Italy. The aim of the plan, which has yet to be finally approved,
is to receive Israeli assistance in case of an attack in Greece or the
Mediterranean.
Due to the geographical location of Greece, it is possible that it would need
all the help it can get, especially from the Israeli Navy, to handle
suspicious ships.
Senior defense officials said last (Wednesday) night, “We are always willing
to assist in the war on terror. Countries across the world appreciate both
are willingness and our expertise”.
In addition to assisting the Greek government, the defense establishment is
putting an emphasis on the safe guarding of the Israeli Olympic team, due to
severe terror threats against it. The Israeli security team will be the
largest Israel has ever deployed to the Olympics.
