Nato to provide security for Euro 2004 and Athens Olympics

Nato will provide security for Euro 2004 and the Athens Olympics under proposals ratified today by alliance governments.

The organisation made the pledge at its North Atlantic Council meeting, which brings together the foreign ministers of alliance governments, in Brussels today.

In a statement released today, foreign ministers said that the atrocities perpetrated in Madrid, and in the recent spate of bombings in Iraq and Uzbekistan, once again showed the "acute threat posed by terrorism to innocent people around the world".

The statement added: "We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those killed in the attacks in Madrid, to those who were wounded, and to all the people of Spain. As our governments condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001, and in Istanbul in 2003, we also condemn these and other murderous acts of terrorism, including those recently committed in Iraq and Uzbekistan."

The joint declaration stated that "more can and should be done" by the international community in its fight against terrorism.

Nato has resolved to: improve intelligence sharing between Allies through the recently established Terrorist Threat Intelligence Unit; enhance response to national requests for Nato support for help to protect against, and following, a terrorist incident; address the threat posed by terrorist use of civil aircraft; and enhance capabilities to defend against terrorist attacks.

Nato said that it is resolved to fight together, "for as long as necessary", the terror scourge and would continue to be "multifaceted and comprehensive", including political, diplomatic, economic and, where necessary, military means.

"Any operations undertaken in the defence against terrorism will have a sound legal basis and fully conform with the relevant provisions of the United Nations Charter and all relevant international norms and standards," the statement added.

The measures published today builds on pledges agreed by the alliance heads of government at Prague in November 2002. It is anticipated that the measures will be prepared for the Istanbul summit in June.

(gmcg)