Press Release

Athens, March 24, 2004

An extensive inter-branch readiness exercise focusing on Olympic security, code-named “Hercules` Shield 2004”, was successfully concluded yesterday (March 23, 2004). The exercise was organized by the Olympic Games Security Division within the framework of preparations for the Olympic Games.

It marked the seventh such exercise in a row, and the first Olympic security exercise that was held jointly with other countries as part of the framework of international cooperation for Olympic Games security. In particular, it was jointly held with the United States (a member-state of the Olympic Advisory Group) as well as with the participation of observers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Israel and Canada.

Some 1,500 personnel and staff from various law enforcement agencies and bodies and responsible for Olympic security participated -Hellenic Police, the Hellenic Coast Guard, the Fire Brigade, the National Intelligence Service, the Joint Chiefs of the General Staff office, the Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC), the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity, the Ministry of Culture/General Secretariat for the Olympic Games, the General State Chemical Laboratory, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission, the Civil Aviation Authority and the National Meteorological Service. Another 500 personnel from cooperating countries also participated.

Additionally, following a decision by Minister of Public Order Georgios Voulgarakis, representatives of countries on the Olympic Advisory Group participated for the first time as “actors”. Observers from China, Russia, Italy and Canada attended the Olympic Advisory Group`s sessions as observers.

The wide-ranging inter-branch exercise was held within the framework of international cooperation. It was based on a scenario necessitating an anti-terrorism response; with a sequence of incidents to neutralize asymmetrical threats and consideration to dealing with consequences/losses. Along with an escalating level of difficulty and demands on the tactical and operational levels, tactical, operational, strategic and political decisions were, all within a simulated Olympic environment.

The exercise began on March 10, 2004 with a series of drills by Hellenic Police`s Special Forces and the Hellenic Coast Guard`s Special Force under the operational command of the Hellenic Police`s Special Crimes Interdiction Directorate. The entire Olympic Security System was involved in the exercise, including participation of the Olympic Strategic Security Center (OSKA), the Olympic Security Center and the operational centers of the Coast Guard, Fire Brigade, Armed Forces, National Intelligence Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, the new Coordination Body for Public Health and the Athens 2004 Olympic Organizing Committee (ATHOC).

Serious crisis scenarios were dealt with within the framework of the exercise, along with the contribution of US special forces, which cooperated effectively with their Greek special forces counterparts.

Beginning on March 16, several other scenarios unfolded, ones including: malfunctions in hi-tech security systems; detonations of home-made explosive devices; a chemical attack resulting in major losses, an air hijacking, an epidemic, and other forms of extreme crises. These crises scenarios were intended to test the endurance of relevant forces, as well as the capability and adequacy of available means and infrastructure. These simulated incidents were neutralized with the assistance of foreign assistance as well, especially in terms of issues dealing with repercussions/losses and providing humanitarian aid.

The Olympic Security Coordinating Council also convened for the first time during the exercise under the chairmanship of Minister of Public Order Georgios Voulgarakis, and with the participation of the Ministers of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralization; Foreign Affairs; National Defense; Health and Social Solidarity; Justice; Transports and Communication; Merchant Marine; the Ministry of State; as well as that of the alternate culture minister, the president of ATHOC, Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, and the relevant anti-terrorism public prosecutor.

The Olympic Security Coordinating Council was charged with confronting, according to the scenario, serious issues related to Olympic security following a recommendation by the Chief of Hellenic Police, Lt-Gen. Fotis Nassiakos, under his authority as chairman of the Olympic Security Crisis Management Council.

Five basic axes of the Olympic Security Planning played a primary role during the exercise:

• The first was in the sector of security, particularly regarding issues of anti-terrorism reaction; prevention and deterrence (Hellenic Police, the Coast Guard, the Fire Brigade, the National Intelligence Service and the Joint Chief of the General Staff office).
• The second sector revolved around civil defense, where the Ministry of Interior`s General Secretariat for Civil Defense, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity and other state agencies, dealt with serious issues involving repercussions and losses of international dimensions.
• The third sector focused on the Games` operation, with responsibility lying with ATHOC`s games management center. This sector is paramount to the normal holding of the Olympic Games and is clearly affected by security issues.
• The fourth and crucial sector involves the actions initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding issues that deal with the promotion of international assistance; ones deemed particularly significant during the course of this exercise.
• The fifth and very significant sector deals with communications policy and management during these scenarios by the Ministry of Public Order`s press office, and in close cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affair`s Crisis Management Group; ATHO`s Communications and Press sector, as well as with the active participation of all relevant agencies and bodies.

The scenario for this exercise, to a great extent, met the instructional targets set. Conclusions that will be drawn in the evaluation process will help in making necessary improvements and adaptations to Olympic security planning, and to procedures for developing a framework for international assistance.

The exercise, by all accounts, was successful. It demonstrated that international cooperation is a most potent weapon against any possible threat that could disrupt the secure and normal holding of the Olympic Games.

More for information: tel.: 2106977505
Fax: 2106929764
E-mail: elasgrty@mopo.gr