IOC overseer demands full security plan for Athens

ATHENS, Greece (AP) _ The security plan for the 2004 Olympics is incomplete and organizers must deliver a comprehensive strategy this week, the International Olympic Committee's top overseer insisted

Wednesday, April 3rd 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ATHENS, Greece (AP) _ The security plan for the 2004 Olympics is incomplete and organizers must deliver a comprehensive strategy this week, the International Olympic Committee's top overseer insisted Wednesday.

Denis Oswald also demanded Athens planners offer firm commitments to cover a hotel room shortfall rather than just present ``nice words.''

Oswald, the IOC official in charge of Athens' preparations, told The Associated Press that security experts gave a ``mixed report'' at the start of a three-day inspection visit.

Security _ always a top issue for the Olympics _ has taken on an even greater significance following the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks. Athens security experts have repeatedly pledged they will take all necessary measures against terrorism and other possible attacks.

But Oswald saw some holes and asked for a full report by the end of the inspection visit Friday.

``Some aspects have not been properly covered so far ... For example, security in public transport, underground, the trains,'' Oswald said.

He added that better security arrangements were needed on venues that have not been built.

Construction delays ``influence everything'' from ticketing to surveillance camera placement. And in ``most of the venues this planning has not been done,'' Oswald said.

He said worries about construction timetables were particularly acute concerning two venues at the former international airport: the canoe and slalom course and the basketball arena.

Oswald also demanded clear answers on how to resolve a hotel room shortfall for the ``Olympic family,'' which includes sport federation officials and sponsors.

The IOC said it needs nearly 3,000 more rooms. Already, the IOC has been promised 13,000 rooms _ or 80 percent of the existing rooms _ and 3,000 cabins aboard cruise ships.

Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos sent Oswald a letter outlining previously announced remedies: adding rooms to hotels being renovated and setting aside more rooms for the IOC.

The government's plan, however, essentially freezes out spectators from luxury hotels and forces them to take lower-category lodging or rent space in private residences.

``I would like to discuss this letter and have some more precise indication and firm commitments ... I would like to know where is the truth,'' Oswald said.

``Those are nice words, nice plans, but I only believe what I have confirmed ... it is still open,'' Oswald added.

Another ``surprise'' for Oswald was a recent legal challenge by Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos to block a proposed suburban rail line. The line is considered key to easing Athens' notorious gridlock.

The suit, however, claims the railway could actually worsen traffic in some congested areas.

After a meeting with Avramopoulos, Oswald said he was confident that the mayor would try to resolve the issue.

Avramopoulos, however, said he had to look beyond the games for the long-term benefit of the city.

``Athens must take advantage of this big organization and change for the better,'' the mayor said.