The EU and NATO should be asked to assist with security at the 2012 London Olympics as a “matter of urgency,” a senior figure in the British government said.
“It is increasingly clear that the 2012 Olympics could be a prime target for terrorists,” Michael Jopling, chairman of the House of Lords EU committee said. “It is vital that the government takes every possible step to ensure that other EU member states are fully prepared to assist the UK in the case of a potential attack.”
Jopling said he was concerned arrangements had not already been made with the EU Monitoring and Information Centre (MIC).
The MIC had chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear decontamination teams on standby during the Euro 2004 soccer championships in Portugal.
“We are surprised that this process is not already in hand and we recommend the government begin liaising with the MIC as a matter of urgency,” Jopling said. “The lack of co-operation between the EU and NATO is especially worrying in the area of civil protection and crisis management, where there is virtually no contact between the bodies involved. This cannot be allowed to continue.”
A report by the committee also said that security arrangements for areas around the Olympic park in Stratford, east London, need to be addressed immediately. Olympic officials have voiced concerns that neighboring areas would be left vulnerable if security is concentrated on the park.
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