Global Security Newswire

Greek army specialists are scheduled to receive training this week in the Czech Republic to prepare for potential chemical and biological attacks on the Olympic Games to be held this summer in Athens, Agence France-Presse reported (see GSN, May 25).

The 24 soldiers who arrived yesterday are the first of two groups of Greek chemical and medical specialists due to attend a weeklong training course in Prague. Another 24 troops are set to arrive on July 7.

The soldiers are to work directly with toxic materials including sarin, soman, VX and mustard gas. They are to learn how to detect and identify such substances and to decontaminate affected areas.

Protection of the Olympic Games is expected to be the priority for the Greek unit made up of chemical and medical specialists from the Greek naval, air and ground forces, said Lt. Col. Nasos Konstantinov, unit commander.

The NATO battalion for chemical warfare, which largely consists of Czech experts, might also help safeguard the games (Agence France-Presse/Herald Sun, May 31).