Special security task force given green light for Greek Olympics

The Council of State approved the special Olympic force called DAOA, which will be headed by the chief of police, the chief of the fire brigade as well as high-ranking military officials. The International Olympic Committee approved the security plans during a two-day inspection visit last week amid press reports claiming Greece was lax in fighting terrorism.

Greece has signed cooperation agreements with the United States and Israel and five other countries as part of its efforts to fight terrorism, newspaper reports said. Olympic coordinator Jacques Rogge had demanded security be included in the agenda ahead of his visit last week after a Greek parliament official was injured in a bomb attack last month. The terrorist group November 17 is believed to be behind the attack. The group has killed at least 25 Greeks and foreigners since first emerging in 1975. None of its members have ever been caught.

(dpa)