The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Wednesday announced an unprecedented joint action plan to help ensure a high level of nuclear security at the 2004 Olympic Games.  

Cooperation between the IAEA, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission and the Greek Olympics Games Security Division followed a request for assistance from the two Greek authorities to the IAEA last summer.

The action plan is designed to protect facilities and materials, to detect illicit trafficking and malicious use of radioactive materials, and to ensure that emergency response forces are effective and efficient.

Much of the work in Greece has been undertaken in cooperation with some IAEA member states -- with substantial support provided by the United States and France in the fields of equipment, training and technical advice.

The head of the Greek commission, Leonidas Kamarinopoulos, said there was little chance a dirty bomb would be used. This month, Greece increased its Olympic security budget to more than US$1.2 billion. About 70,000 police officers and soldiers will patrol Athens and Olympic venues during the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2004)