USA: GREEK PM KARAMANLIS CONFIDENT OVER OLYMPIC SECURITY, MEETS BUSH AT WHITE HOUSE.

Record ID: 332599

  • Title: USA: GREEK PM KARAMANLIS CONFIDENT OVER OLYMPIC SECURITY, MEETS BUSH AT WHITE HOUSE.
  • Date: 21st May 2004
  • Summary: (U7) WASHINGTON, D.C. USA (MAY 20, 2004)(REUTERS) GREEK PRIME MINISTER COSTAS KARAMANLIS EXITS WHITE HOUSE AND WALKS TO PODIUM KARAMANLIS SPEAKING TO REPORTERS REPORTERS TAKING NOTES (SOUNDBITE) (English) KARAMANLIS, SAYING: "We discussed, of course, about the Olympic Games which is a very high priority for us. We do appreciate very much the cooperation and assistance of our allies, partners and friends. We are spending, both in terms of resources but also energy and effort, all that is humanly possible to assure good successful games. I am fully confident that we will succeed on that." KARAMANLIS WALKS AWAY FROM PODIUM, PAUSING TO SHAKE A WOMAN'S HAND
  • Embargoed: 5th June 2004 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C. UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAAGEPGQ6IYK10TNXKI9N8HI1RO
  • Story Text: Despite fears of an al Qaeda attack at this summer's
    Olympic Games, Greek Prime Minister Karamanlis says he is
    confident in his nation's security measures.



    U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday (May 20, 2004)
    praised Greece's commitment to a secure Olympic Games in
    Athens later this year. In a 90 minute meeting at the
    White House with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, the two
    leaders discussed Cyprus, Greece's relationship with Turkey
    and the war on terrorism, in addition to security concerns
    for the Olympics.

    "I wish I could attend, but this is a political season,
    so instead I'm sending my father to lead our delegation,"
    Bush said. "I want to thank you for your very close
    cooperation, working together to make sure the games are
    successful, and people are able to travel to your beautiful
    country in as secure an environment as possible. You are
    making very good progress, Prime Minister, and I appreciate
    your hard work. I know your intentions are to have this,
    the best possible games and, for that, I am grateful."
    Greek officials say a U.S. endorsement of Greece's
    security measures would help ease international concern
    over the Athens games.

    Karamanlis said he was confident in his nation's
    security measures, despite fears of an al Qaeda attack.

    "We discussed, of course, about the Olympic Games which
    is a very high priority for us. We do appreciate very much
    the cooperation and assistance of our allies, partners, and
    friends. We are spending, both in terms of resources, but
    also energy and effort, all that is humanly possible to
    assure good successful games. I am fully confident that we
    will succeed on that," Karamanlis told reporters outside
    the White House.

    A small unexploded bomb was found on Wednesday (May 19)
    outside a British car dealership in southern Athens. It was
    the third bomb incident in the city in two weeks and
    stirred further concerns about the games.

    The United States is part of a security advisory group
    which includes Spain, Israel, Britain, Australia, France
    and Germany, set up by Olympics organisers to provide
    training and intelligence.
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