Elder Bush to stay on luxury ship during Olympics

[Jason]

ATHENS - As part of security measures for the Olympics, former US president George Bush, leader of the US delegation, and several other 'top-level guests' will be housed aboard cruise ships in the neighbouring port of Piraeus.

US President George W. Bush named his father, mother Barbara and twin daughters Jenna and Barbara last month to lead the US team to the Aug 13-29 Games in Athens.

French President Jacques Chirac is among the high-profile guests expected to stay on the Queen Mary 2, the world's largest ocean liner.

The Greek navy did not indicate whether President Bush would also be invited to stay on the ship.

Piraeus is undergoing extensive security checks and is being guarded by a thousand guards and police officers.

Navy minesweepers yesterday carried out a check of the port, Greece's largest, as well as part of the coast near Athens.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Tuesday said Greece had completed all venues and was ready to host an extraordinary and safe Olympics.

'The Olympic installations and infrastructure are ready to welcome, host and serve the Olympic family, the athletes, the journalists and the spectators coming from around the world...

'Together we will achieve the common aim of hosting extraordinary Games under conditions of maximum security,' he said. -- AFP, Reuters