United States President Barack Obama is arriving in Athens at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, according to reports. In Greece, draconian security measures have swung into place ahead of his two-day visit. These include the deployment of thousands of police, road closures and restrictions regarding demonstrations.
Measures being taken for Obama’s protection:
1. Demonstrations have been banned in Athens on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of security preparations. This move comes following the call of anarchist groups for demonstrations for the November 17 anniversary of the 1974 student uprising against Greece’s dictatorship.
2. 4,500 Greek police officers have been deployed in Athens, working alongside 300 American agents and 150 health workers who arrived in Greece on Friday night. There are police shooters stationed on-top of buildings guarding and watching out for any unusual and suspicious movements in the street below.
3. Traffic will be cordoned off in streets that the U.S. President will travel through and specially trained dogs will be walked through the areas and check for suspicious devices at least thirty minutes before the president passes through.
4. There will be public transport stoppages as the green electric railway (ISAP) shuts down along with the tram line from 10 a.m. on Tuesday. There will be no ISAP after 9 p.m. on Wednesday. On Friday, public transport will be cut on the Athens metro, ISAP train line and tram lines from noon until 4 p.m.
5. Obama will be staying at the Asteras seaside resort at Vouliagmeni on the Athens Riviera. Security has been beefed up in the area and the resort has been turned into a fort.
6. For his transport in Athens, the U.S. President will be traveling in an armored Cadillac limousine, known as the “Beast,” with 20cm thick doors and 13cm windows able to withstand gunfire, bombs and rocket launches. It is equipped with a night camera and the ability to emit teargas. The passenger cabin is able to withstand a chemical attack and there is a satellite phone with a special intercom system. The gas reservoir is specially guarded in case of an accident or if there are shots fired at it.
7. Obama’s plane is armored and has a nuclear reaction system as well as a hospital unit equipped to deal with even the most unexpected situations.
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