Newz Forum: OLYMPICS: Athens 2004 Games ask NATO for help

Following Thursday's terrorist bombings in Madrid security was increased at train stations and the Spanish Embassy in Athens, but Athens 2004 officials said overall security will stay the same.There are reports that Greece has formally asked NATO for help in protecting the Athens 2004 Games.

The Greek Foreign Minister said, the government has asked for the contribution of NATO for the security of the Olympic Games.Greek military forces have enlisted the help of several hundred American troops in an Athens Olympics security drill.
The operation,codenamed 'Hercules Shield', will involve 2000 Greek troops, with American forces playing a command and control role.Several scenarios are expected to be enacted, including a home-made nuclear "dirty bomb" and a ship hijack.

Hundreds of protesters marched to the U.S. Embassy in Athens Thursday demonstrating against a major Olympic security exercise involving American troops. The two-week drill code-named Shield of Hercules 2004 started Wednesday. More than 400 American soldiers and 1,500 Greek security personnel are taking part in the largest counterterrorism exercise for the Games. Experts from Britain, Israel and Canada are also taking part.

The deadly train bombings in Madrid sent nations around the world scrambling to protect transport networks and sports events from potential terror attacks.And Europe's travel industry, hoping for a rebound after two weak years , worried that Thursday's attacks would scare off tourists, particularly Americans.Police bomb squads and sniffer dog teams expanded patrols at train stations across Greece. France, Poland and the United States heightened security at railways.This was a terrible thing to happen and it will affect everyone arund the world.