Ex-Mossad chief to protect NBC in Athens

Ha'aretz ^ | Last Update: 04/06/2004 17:12 | By TheMarker

[Cinnamon Girl]

Athena, a company co-owned by former Mossad chief Shabtai Shavit and Yossi Maiman's Merhav group, recently won a tender issued by the American television network NBC to plan and run security for the network's facilities at the upcoming Olympic Games in Athens.

Shavit will advise NBC on security measures, and Athena may also send its own security teams to the games.

Athena did not disclose the terms of the contract, but industry sources said it was for a substantial sum - as well as being extremely prestigious.

NBC decided to hire Athena due to persistent reports that terrorist organizations intend to try to carry out a major attack at the games.

The network has made an enormous investment in its Olympic coverage, and is eager to protect it. NBC paid $1.1 billion for the rights to broadcast the games in the United States - of which only $700 million will be refunded should the games be canceled - and production of the broadcasts is expected to cost another $200 million. In return, the network hopes to take in some $1.4 billion in advertising revenue.

Athena was founded by Shavit after he left the Mossad, and Merhav bought into the company several years later. The company offers strategic and security consulting throughout the world, including consulting services for airports and classified facilities in the United States.

[Cinnamon Girl]

I enjoy watching SOME of the olympic sports. But Athens has to be one of the most dangerous, terrorist ridden places to hold the big show.

[Charles H. (The_r0nin)]

I hear the grenade toss will be a medal event this year...

[whadizit]

Gosh, that must be a hard job....to protect anti-semites.

Ewwwww!

[lizma]

I remember as kid Athens was a hot spot for terrorism. But if I had to hire anyone for my security it would be a Mossad guy.

It's sorta ironic that they don't give doodly support for Israelis until the need them. Then, all of a sudden, they understand them. How typically Marxist.

[not2worry]

As I have advocated on these threads before, the US out to just stay away from Greece this summer. The only medals awarded this year should be to our brave men and women in the Military defending our freedoms around the world.

IMHO, we are not cowards by not going to the games. We are street smart Americans who have figured out the cat and mouse games these Terrorists like to play.

The only team to go should be the U. S. Olympic sharp shooters.

Isn't Soros Greek? He's probably on the Welcome George Bush To Greece Committee.