ATHENS -- Greece's foreign minister warned that massive security planned for the Athens Olympics could spoil the atmosphere at the 2004 Games and threaten hard-earned civil liberties.

"Athens should not be under military rule," George Papandreou told the daily Ta Nea, in an interview published Saturday.

"We are an open society, we have open borders, and the Olympic games are an open challenge for the entire world," he said. "The need for security measures should not undermine the democratic function of our society."

Greece - which in the past has faced international criticism for lax security - is planning mammoth policing and anti-terrorism measures for the Olympics, which includes deploying 58,000 personnel: 45,000 police officers, 2,000 firefighters, 4,000 coast guard officers and 7,000 soldiers.

"It is natural - and particularly after the September 11 - that there is fear, and even an obsession with security measures," Papandreou said. "We are taking all the necessary steps. We are open to proposals, ideas and co-operation with other countries."

Papandreou's remarks echoed the concerns of many Greeks who cherish their rights and fear oversees interference, following a 1967-74 military dictatorship which had received American assistance.

Athens has budgeted a record $600 US million for security, and indicated the figure could rise further. It is getting assistance from the U.S., Britain and five other countries.

Papandreou suggested recent U.S. media reports warning of serious lapses in Greek security were exaggerated.

"The closer we get closer to the games, the more reports there will be," he said. "Before every Olympic games, no matter where they are held, there are such news reports. It happened before Sydney, before Atlanta and before Salt Lake."

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