ATHENS, Greece -- NATO's commander in southern Europe met
Greek security leaders Friday to discuss the alliance's role in
helping safeguard the Athens Olympics.
U.S. Adm. Gregory Johnson, commander of NATO's Joint Force
Command based in Naples, Italy, met Greek armed forces chief Gen.
Giorgos Antonakopoulos and Public Order Minister Giorgos
Voulgarakis. No statements were made after the meetings.
Greece is seeking NATO help with aerial surveillance, sea
patrols and protection against a chemical, biological or nuclear
attack at the Aug. 13-29 Olympics, and the alliance is expected to
approve the request.
A Greek defense official, who asked not to be identified, told
The Associated Press that Johnson discussed deploying AWACS
aircraft, warships from NATO's Mediterranean fleet, and the
alliance's multinational chemical and biological battalion.
Government officials have said NATO support will be provided
outside Greece's borders but the defense official said Johnson
discussed the possible deployment of battalion officers near
Athens.
Greece is spending more than $800 million on security for the
games, with more than 50,000 police and soldiers involved.
Concern in Athens was raised following the March 11 bombings in
Spain, and Greece's military is taking a more active role.
Antonakopoulos will travel Saturday to the United States for
meetings with defense officials, including Gen. Richard Myers,
chairman of the U.S. joint chiefs of staff.
The United States is advising Greece on security, along with six
other countries, and is leading an international effort to provide
Athens with potential threat information.