Nato to provide security for Olympics, Euro 2004

Nato agreed yesterday to provide security for the Athens Olympics and Euro 2004 soccer tournament in Portugal as part of a renewed offensive against terrorism following last month's train bombings in Madrid.

But foreign ministers of the alliance, meeting for the first time since the accession of seven eastern European states on Monday, made no other specific operational commitments in a wide-ranging "Declaration on Terrorism".

Among the steps agreed to step up the fight against terrorism, they listed "providing Nato assistance with security for selected major events such as Euro 2004 in Portugal and the Athens Olympics".

Athens has requested help from the alliance to guard the August 13-29 Games, including air and sea patrols and equipment to protect against attacks from weapons of mass destruction.

Despite spending three times as much on Olympic security as Sydney did in 2000 because of increased concerns since the September 11, 2001, attacks on US cities, Greeks are sensitive about international interference in domestic affairs.

The government was forced to reassure parliament last month that Nato forces would not be deployed on Greek soil.

Portugal has also sought AWACS surveillance planes to boost security at soccer's European championship finals from June 12 to July 4 and has indicated it wants similar cover for Lisbon's "Rock in Rio" music festival this summer.