Athens tests new security system after transport drill

ATHENS, Greece -- Security officials tested a new communication and surveillance system Monday that will serve as the nerve center for authorities at next month's Olympic Games.

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The $312 million network - developed by a consortium led by San Diego-based Science Applications International Corp., or SAIC - is undergoing field tests after months of delays and other disputes.

On Sunday, police practiced moving athletes and games officials from Olympic Village and another site to the main Olympic stadium - a drill that involved 2,000 personnel and 90 buses.

"We practiced moving people ... for the opening ceremony, a key event to get things started on the right footing," Marton Simitsek, a top Olympic planner, said Monday. "I think it went well."

The exercise was used to begin trials of traffic and security systems which include more than 1,000 street and venue cameras, sensors and other devices hooked up to a command center.

The network also includes a 200-foot blimp, mounted with high resolution cameras and chemical agent "sniffers," which continued test flights Monday.

The backbone of the communications network is a radio system aimed at linking police, armed forces and other services. Security is costing Athens a record $1.5 billion and will involve 70,000 police and soldiers.

SAIC's system was to be delivered by May 28, but was only declared operational last week. Some company officials blamed the delay on construction setbacks at Olympic venues.

Police have questioned whether the entire network will be in place by the Aug. 13-29 games.

But Public Order Minister Giorgos Voulgarakis denied making any changes to the original planning.

"We are adhering strictly to the time table," he told the daily Kathimerini Sunday. "Our staff is highly trained and in place. We are ready."

Amnesty International and other rights groups said they feared that increased security measures for the Olympics could infringe on civil rights.

"The games are escorted by extensive security measures that are unprecedented for Greece. Even though it is recognized as the right of the country to take measures that are deemed necessary, there is, however, fear that the measures affect negatively basic human rights," said the Greek branch of Amnesty International in an announcement.