As safe as human beings can make it

By Robert Gehrke

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge says the Olympics that begin today in Salt Lake City will be "as safe as human beings and technology can make it," but the threat of terrorism is inescapable.

The federal government has spent more than $300 million on security preparations for the Games, including $50 million added to the budget after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"We may not eliminate risk entirely, because there is no such thing as an absolute fail-safe guarantee in Salt Lake City or anywhere else," Ridge said Thursday during a speech on the eve of the opening ceremonies to the 2002 Winter Games.

But he pointed to the Olympics preparations as an example of post-Sept. 11 security, with 60 agencies and communities involved in the effort.

Ridge’s office and the FBI has issued a security alert extending through the end of the Olympics. Ridge visited Salt Lake City in January and put his stamp of approval on security preparations. A few weeks later, Attorney General John Ashcroft dispatched additional security personnel after he spent a week touring venues.

Security officials have said there have not been any credible threats against the Games. But CIA director George Tenet testified before a Senate Intelligence Committee on Wednesday that reports show al-Qaida is trying to reorganize and plan attacks on the United States, and that the Winter Games "fit the terrorists’ interest in striking another blow within the United States that would command worldwide media attention."

Ridge said President Bush deemed additional security funding worthwhile because the United States has invited the world to the Olympics, and honoring that pledge was in keeping with the president’s plea for citizens "to keep being Americans."

Part of the security measures involves a militarized look, with thousands of National Guard troops patrolling the venues and working behind the scenes.

"The reason we’ve got (support) from the Department of Defense at Salt Lake City is because we wanted to provide the best security measures the Olympics have ever seen," he said.