Security for Olympics
Feb 26th, 2004 | 03:23 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2003
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Security for Olympics
I was awarded an all-expenses paid trip for my husband and I to the Olympics in Athens and I know its hard to believe but I'm thinking of not going. We are a little leary of terrorists etc... Unfortunately I have to decide in the next 3 days whether to go or not. Am I crazy to turn down the opportunity? Would appreciate any thoughts or feedback!
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Mar 14th, 2004 | 01:33 AM
#9
Joined: Mar 2004
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According to an interview to the Greek newspaper ?Eleftherotypia? (http://www.enet.gr/online/online_p1_articles.jsp?c=110) , Omar Bakri, the man who seems to be ?the voice? of Osama Ben Laden, says that ?I believe that Osama won?t strike against Athens. He will probably choose targets in USA, in UK or France and every other country that has involved with any undertaking against muslims. However, if the Greek governement changes attitude, then it will be an issue?
Mar 14th, 2004 | 01:43 AM
#10
Joined: Jan 2003
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oddy,
Correct me if I'm wrong, but does Osama have a monopoly on terrorism?
Not that I would change my plans to do what I want to do, as I'm going to Portugal for the European Championship in June, but I don't understand your post.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but does Osama have a monopoly on terrorism?
Not that I would change my plans to do what I want to do, as I'm going to Portugal for the European Championship in June, but I don't understand your post.
Mar 14th, 2004 | 04:58 AM
#11
Joined: Mar 2004
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message to: AAFrequentFlyer
You are right! There are many possible sources of terrorism. Regarding terrorism in Greece (from my knowledge) can be either domestic terrorism or foreign terrorism.
Domestic terrorism has been defeated since the two major terrorist groups are in jail. Moreover, there is no reason (for example a social problem, or a problem with minorities and so forth) for the establishment of a new group. As far as the foreign terrorism is concerned, the major threat is generated from groups like Al-Kaida, where their problem, as they say, stems from the behaviour of western countries towards the muslim world. That is why I quoted a text from that interview, since the journalist asked Omar Bakri whether Athens can be deemed as a target due to the Olympic Games. From my point of view, there are many other problems that a visitor must think before visiting Athens (quality of hotels, high prices, limited places to stay, etc) rather than thinking whether he/she will be secure or not.
Please note, that this is my opinion and does not neccesarily reflect what other people believe. However, as an Athenean citizen who lives in this place, I though that it could be useful to pen my point of view.
Thanks
You are right! There are many possible sources of terrorism. Regarding terrorism in Greece (from my knowledge) can be either domestic terrorism or foreign terrorism.
Domestic terrorism has been defeated since the two major terrorist groups are in jail. Moreover, there is no reason (for example a social problem, or a problem with minorities and so forth) for the establishment of a new group. As far as the foreign terrorism is concerned, the major threat is generated from groups like Al-Kaida, where their problem, as they say, stems from the behaviour of western countries towards the muslim world. That is why I quoted a text from that interview, since the journalist asked Omar Bakri whether Athens can be deemed as a target due to the Olympic Games. From my point of view, there are many other problems that a visitor must think before visiting Athens (quality of hotels, high prices, limited places to stay, etc) rather than thinking whether he/she will be secure or not.
Please note, that this is my opinion and does not neccesarily reflect what other people believe. However, as an Athenean citizen who lives in this place, I though that it could be useful to pen my point of view.
Thanks
Mar 14th, 2004 | 05:40 AM
#12
Joined: Jan 2003
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oddy,
I believe you and I know there are many more issues that are coming back to haunt the Greek government and intelligence community. September 17 group was able to operate unhindered for about 25 years, and not till Greece decided to host the Olympics and under growing pressure from foreign governments, were the greek authorities able to "crack" the so elusive terrorist group. The group klled many American/British as well as some other military and intelligence officers, which went unpunished for all this time. There is very strong evidence that the ruling socialist party was "very" sympathetic to the group. True, most of the members were tried and imprisoned recently, but I see them as scapegoats in a bigger game. The arrests of these members of September 17 could also bring retaliation from the remaining few. HOPE NOT!
Then there is the question of PKK. Very well documented affiliation between the group, the groups training camps and the Greek military. They are also a very pro-Marxist, anti-American/Western as well as anti-Turkish group. Again, it's also true that the ties were mostly severed, because of the outside pressure and the dsire to hold the olympics, but they are still there and just as dangerous as ever. Maybe, because of it's ties to Greek military, they will be "ordered" to "keep out", but in situations like this, there are always the few that have a desire to make a statement.
And finally going back to the al-queda question. The orgnization is very loosely based. Many fractions have somewhat different agendas then even their ideological leader Osama bin Laden. Just because he did not put the word out, it doesnot mean that the other splinter groups won't try anything.
I hope your country has a very succesful, great Olympic Festival, and I was glad when they asked for NATO's assistance for extra security help after the Madrid tragedy, but Osama is far from being the only one capable of messing things up for the peace loving Greek natives as well as spectators from all ove the world that will assend on your beautiful country very soon.
You are correct in one aspect. As a tourist I would be more worried about your taxi drivers than any terrorists
I believe you and I know there are many more issues that are coming back to haunt the Greek government and intelligence community. September 17 group was able to operate unhindered for about 25 years, and not till Greece decided to host the Olympics and under growing pressure from foreign governments, were the greek authorities able to "crack" the so elusive terrorist group. The group klled many American/British as well as some other military and intelligence officers, which went unpunished for all this time. There is very strong evidence that the ruling socialist party was "very" sympathetic to the group. True, most of the members were tried and imprisoned recently, but I see them as scapegoats in a bigger game. The arrests of these members of September 17 could also bring retaliation from the remaining few. HOPE NOT!
Then there is the question of PKK. Very well documented affiliation between the group, the groups training camps and the Greek military. They are also a very pro-Marxist, anti-American/Western as well as anti-Turkish group. Again, it's also true that the ties were mostly severed, because of the outside pressure and the dsire to hold the olympics, but they are still there and just as dangerous as ever. Maybe, because of it's ties to Greek military, they will be "ordered" to "keep out", but in situations like this, there are always the few that have a desire to make a statement.
And finally going back to the al-queda question. The orgnization is very loosely based. Many fractions have somewhat different agendas then even their ideological leader Osama bin Laden. Just because he did not put the word out, it doesnot mean that the other splinter groups won't try anything.
I hope your country has a very succesful, great Olympic Festival, and I was glad when they asked for NATO's assistance for extra security help after the Madrid tragedy, but Osama is far from being the only one capable of messing things up for the peace loving Greek natives as well as spectators from all ove the world that will assend on your beautiful country very soon.
You are correct in one aspect. As a tourist I would be more worried about your taxi drivers than any terrorists
Mar 14th, 2004 | 06:11 AM
#13
Joined: Jan 2003
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In reading all these stories about horrendous terrorist acts and worries about travel, the RAM portion of my brain bleeped back to the (pre 911) Bennett and Bloom report (rapidly discredited) that women over 40 were more likely to "be killed by terrorists" than get married. I wonder if those two now regret having made that unfortunate comparison...
Mar 14th, 2004 | 06:50 AM
#14
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 57
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message to: AAFrequentFlyer
Since you believe that you seize this issue, I would like to give you some areas of thought. Before that, I have to mention that I think this discussion is based on politics rather than on information for tourists. Thus, the first poster who was concerned about security won?t be helpful at all and I apologise for the shift of our discussion; and for that reason, I am not going to analyse it any further (except from a couple of things I would like to mention).
As you may know from recent history and your research, there was no terrorist activity in Greece that affected tourists. Moreover, there was no blind hit like the one in Spain that killed many people.
Anyway, I am not going to comment the rest of your post in public (not at this forum, which is for tourism and not for politics), but if you want, we could have a private chat, so I?ll be able to build up my argument and listen your interesting theories. Thanks again and sorry to be pain in the neck.
Since you believe that you seize this issue, I would like to give you some areas of thought. Before that, I have to mention that I think this discussion is based on politics rather than on information for tourists. Thus, the first poster who was concerned about security won?t be helpful at all and I apologise for the shift of our discussion; and for that reason, I am not going to analyse it any further (except from a couple of things I would like to mention).
As you may know from recent history and your research, there was no terrorist activity in Greece that affected tourists. Moreover, there was no blind hit like the one in Spain that killed many people.
Anyway, I am not going to comment the rest of your post in public (not at this forum, which is for tourism and not for politics), but if you want, we could have a private chat, so I?ll be able to build up my argument and listen your interesting theories. Thanks again and sorry to be pain in the neck.
Mar 14th, 2004 | 07:17 AM
#15
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
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oddy,
No need to continue this. I believe the Olympics will be spectacular, after all they are back to where they started.
I won't be able to witness the event in person (I only have so much free time), and also it's not because I fear any terrorists, but because as I stated above, I really am scared of your taxi drivers
Unless, you will be in Portugal in June. We could have more discussions over a beer between games. How do you see Greece in the tournament?
No need to continue this. I believe the Olympics will be spectacular, after all they are back to where they started.
I won't be able to witness the event in person (I only have so much free time), and also it's not because I fear any terrorists, but because as I stated above, I really am scared of your taxi drivers
Unless, you will be in Portugal in June. We could have more discussions over a beer between games. How do you see Greece in the tournament?
Mar 14th, 2004 | 11:10 AM
#16
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 57
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No, I do not think we have any chances having Portugal and Spain in the same group. I think it will be ok if we avoid humiliating our selves like the one we faced in USA, if you know what I mean.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to visit Portugal this June. I have already made plans to visit friends in UK. However, if you ever come to Greece, you are more than welcomed to stay with us, and show you around a few things that you cannot see when you are just a tourist. Also, I agree with you and I believe that we could have great discussions with booze or a couple of beers to join us.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to visit Portugal this June. I have already made plans to visit friends in UK. However, if you ever come to Greece, you are more than welcomed to stay with us, and show you around a few things that you cannot see when you are just a tourist. Also, I agree with you and I believe that we could have great discussions with booze or a couple of beers to join us.
Mar 14th, 2004 | 12:06 PM
#17
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,885
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Thanks for the invite, and the same is true if you ever decide to visit beautiful Florida.
My "adopted" team is, will be England. Born in Poland, raised in US, I actually have 3 teams to choose from on internatioal level. Unfortunately Poland has not done very much in the last 15 year or so, US is always exciting to watch, but this is the European Championship, so that leaves me with England. The reason for being England fan?, I'm a huge ManU fan. Watched ManU earlier today. There is something wrong with the team. The season is very much over for them. Oh, well. I guess you can't be a champion every year.
Anyway, keep in touch.
My "adopted" team is, will be England. Born in Poland, raised in US, I actually have 3 teams to choose from on internatioal level. Unfortunately Poland has not done very much in the last 15 year or so, US is always exciting to watch, but this is the European Championship, so that leaves me with England. The reason for being England fan?, I'm a huge ManU fan. Watched ManU earlier today. There is something wrong with the team. The season is very much over for them. Oh, well. I guess you can't be a champion every year.
Anyway, keep in touch.
