NATO, Ukraine to Study WMD Threats to Euro 2012 Soccer Tournament

Source: Global Security Newswire, 29 March 

 
Ukraine and NATO next month plan to look at means for defending major sporting events against WMD attacks as they prepare security for the upcoming Euro 2012 soccer tournament, Interfax reported on Monday (see GSN, March 12).
 
A three-day program of exercises and study is scheduled to begin on April 18 in Kiev.
 
Competition in Ukraine and Poland is to begin on June 8 and to end on July 1. Attendance is expected to exceed 1 million spectators, according to previous reports.
 
NATO has previously indicated it would work to protect the tournament against unconventional weapons threats.
 
"Football is very popular in Europe, and demand to see the matches is huge. We hope that the Ukrainian hosts of the tournament will do everything for the convenience of their guests. Relevant conditions, including in the security sphere, should be created for a successful holiday," Ihor Dolhov, Ukraine's chief envoy to NATO, told Interfax.
 
There are multiple spheres to defending the games against threats, including "security of teams, fans, and the prevention of possible illegal visitors coming to Ukraine," according to the diplomat.
 
"From the viewpoint of security, it would be better if the public, supporters, football players don't notice anything, at the same time, all conditions for their safety are being created," Dolhov said.
 
The intent of the April security program would be to glean best practices from Austria, Germany, the United States and other nations with experience over the last decade in organizing major sporting competitions, and similar recommendations from the United Kingdom and other states planning such events, Dolhov said.
 
Among these issues is countering biological, chemical and radiological attacks on an event (Interfax, March 26).