Denis Oswald, who heads the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Games, told premier Simitis on Monday he was pleased with the progress of preparation for the Athens 2004 Games, during a one-and-half-hour meeting they had, attended also by Culture Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Athens 2004 Olympic Games Organizing Committee (ATHOC) President Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki.

  Speaking on the rather hot and popular 'security issue', Oswald noted there should be no concern about safety of the Athens 2004 Games, while commenting on certain reports appearing in the foreign press and bringing up the specific issue, he underlined that all the cities which have organized the Games have faced similar critique some months before the Games started.

  With regard to progress of Games-related projects underway in the Greek capital, Oswald's concerns centered solely on parts of works at the Olympic Stadium (OAKA), the Karaiskaki Soccer Grounds in coastal Faliro area and the Athens Tram project.

  In statements after the end of the meeting, Oswald said: ''I am overall happy with the Olympic Games preparation. With regard to security, it remains first priority, but there should be no concern as everyone works hard on that issue.''
For his part, Venizelos commented that the meeting with Oswald was the ''most pleasant one of all such meetings we have had so far. Oswald's assessment is positive. Some minor problems would be dealt with through cooperation''.

Source: Athens News Agency

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