ATHENS, Greece -- The leader of Greece's new government took personal charge of Athens' troubled Olympics preparations Tuesday, and organizers awaited a major U.S.-led security exercise and series of vital test events.
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People wait to vote outside a polling station during Greece's parliamentary elections in Athens on Sunday, March 7, 2004. Premier-elect Costas Caramanlis took personal charge of Athens' troubled Olympics preparations Tuesday, and organizers prepared for a major U.S.-led security exercise and a series of vital test events for the games. The decision by Caramanlis apparently was aimed at cutting through the bureaucracy that has dragged down the pace of work on projects for the Olympics for years. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Associated Press
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Premier-elect Costas Caramanlis announced his new cabinet and appointed himself culture minister, which oversees most projects for the Aug. 13-29 Olympics. He placed trusted aides in other key posts for the games.
The decision by Caramanlis apparently was aimed at cutting through the bureaucracy that for years has slowed the pace of work on Olympic projects.
But the move exposes Caramanlis and his new administration to political risks. Critics most likely will blame him directly for any further problems with Olympic planning.
Caramanlis' comfortable election victory Sunday over the Socialists returned the center-right New Democracy party to power after an 11-year absence. The transfer of power was taking place during a busy month of Olympics preparations, which have been fraught with construction delays and fears about security.
Starting Wednesday, 400 U.S. military and other personnel will join 2,000 Greek officers in security exercises - code-named "Hercules' Shield" - that will be carried out in Athens and other Greek cities hosting Olympic events.
U.S. personnel plan to direct drills that include "catastrophic scenarios" such as hijackings and radiation-spewing bombs, Greek police spokesman Col. Lefteris Ikonomou said. Russian experts also will take part, state radio reported.
Caramanlis' 46-member cabinet - which includes just two women - reflects the urgency over slipping Olympic deadlines. Top worries include construction of a glass-and-steel roof for the centerpiece stadium, another covering for the main swimming pool and work to widen the marathon route.
Ten pre-Olympic test events to assess venue readiness are scheduled for the next two weeks.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge will lead a delegation that is expected in Athens on Saturday. The IOC has long urged Athens to streamline decision making to deal with deadlines.
Caramanlis, 47, had promised to forge a government mostly made up of people from "my generation," but instead handed the some key posts to party veterans.
Giorgos Souflias, 63, a civil engineer and the party's chief strategist, took over the critical ministry of public works, responsible for finishing many delayed Olympics venues.
Another party veteran, 48-year-old Giorgos Voulgarakis, was appointed public order minister. He will oversee massive Olympic security preparations costing more than $800 million - more than three times what was spent to safeguard the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
The government also may get a crash course in dealing with protesters who oppose the Olympics and the vast security network. A demonstration outside the U.S. Embassy was called for Thursday to denounce the presence of U.S. troops in the Greek exercise.
Caramanlis and his new government will be sworn in Wednesday.
