Athens Olympic Leader Urged to Protect Herself

The head of the organizing committee for the 2004 Athens Olympics was urged Friday to protect herself against possible terrorism.

“Everybody who is conspicuous in this country might become the target of a terrorist attack,” said Stratis Stratigis, a former chairman of Athens organizers. “Of course, she might be a target, and she better guard herself.”

Gianna Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, the organizing committee president, is the wife of multimillionaire Greek industrialist Theodoros Angelopoulos, whose uncle was shot and killed in 1986 by the terrorist group November 17.

The group is Europe’s most elusive terrorist organization and has killed 22 people since it first appeared in 1975 with the assassination of the CIA station chief in Athens.

The Athens organizers would not comment on Stratigis’ statements.

Secretary of State Colin Powell on Friday played down any security concerns.

“I am confident that the authorities will do everything to make sure that the games go off in a safe manner,” Powell said from Washington. “I have confidence in their ability to make this happen.”

He said the U.S. is prepared to assist Greece in any way as it prepares for the games.