ATHENS, Greece, June 16 (UPI) -- The United States has stepped up pressure on the Greek government for permission to have armed guards for U.S. Olympic athletes.
Greek government officials have played down U.S. security demands, saying as the United States was been intimately involved in the security preparations for the games, there was no need for a separate security force.
Public Order Minister George Voulgarakis said the United States has not raised the issue of a separate security force at the Olympics, WorldTribune.com said. But Greek media have quoted government sources as saying Athens pledged to allow U.S. security officers to bring their weapons, although the force must be limited to certain areas of the Olympic Village and must stay close to U.S. athletic teams.
Israel has also announced its team will have armed escorts for the August games.
