ATHENS, Greece – The security force that will accompany the U.S. Olympic team will be unarmed, the head of an American delegation said Thursday.
The decision would comply with Greek demands that only its forces carry weapons during the Aug. 13-29 Olympics.
The issue of whether foreign agents can carry weapons during the games has caused friction between Greek authorities and nations planning to bring their own security details.
Herman Frazier, who is leading a five-day inspection visit by the U.S. Olympic Committee, said the American "supplemental" security forces would have no firearms. The U.S. team plans to bring at least 100 agents to the first summer games after the Sept. 11 attacks.
"These people will not be armed," Frazier told The Associated Press.
He said the U.S. delegation, composed of more than 150 coaches, logistics personnel and others, discussed security issues with Olympic organizers and U.S. officials in Athens. He declined to give specifics on the talks.
"We feel people are on top of the issues at hand," he said. "We have all the confidence in the world that these will be secure games."
Frazier's comments came just hours ahead of the scheduled arrival FBI Director Robert Mueller, who is expected to raise perceived Olympic security gaps during a two-day stop in Athens.
The list of U.S. concerns includes measures to counter possible terrorist snipers on hills surrounding Athens and whether Greece is ready to handle large-scale casualties after a possible biological or chemical attack.
Also on Mueller's agenda is the danger posed by the constant flow of illegal immigrants into Greece from Balkan neighbors to the north and by sea from the Turkish coast to the east. There are fears terrorists aiming at Olympic targets could possibly use the clandestine routes.
Athens is spending an unprecedented $775 million to protect the games. It is working with a seven-nation advisory task force that includes the United States and Israel.
Frazier said the U.S. contingent had spoken with FBI officials but would not meet in Athens with Mueller. The U.S. Olympic Committee members are scheduled to leave Greece on Friday.
"We have close cooperation with the FBI," said Eleftherios Economou, spokesman for the Greek Police.
Frazier said that the delegation toured the Olympic Village, venues and practice facilities. Construction crews have been working around the clock to overcome serious delays that brought a sharp reprimand from the International Olympic Committee three years ago.
"They've made tremendous strides since I was last here in August," said Frazier. "And we feel the local organizing committee has done a good job, and they should be prepared."
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