ATHENS, Aug. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- There was no big security threat during the Olympics, but "many occasions that made us loose our sleep", Public Order Minister Voulgarakis said in an interview with Monday edition of big circulation opposition daily "Ta Nea".

    He expressed overall satisfaction because Greece had managed to"have everybody feel safe, without the feeling they live in a military environment."

    "The Olympic Games, and specially their security dimension, wasthe biggest and the most expensive operation in Greece in the lastdecades. Our image depended on its success," Voulgarakis said, expressing "relief" now that the Games are over.

    The minister said the only problem during the Games was the demonstrations scheduled on the occasion of announced arrival of the US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

    "I would have been very upset if there were real incidents, because it wouldn't have represented the real image of what we have achieved," he said.

    Powell was to come to Athens for the Olympic Games closing ceremony and for meetings with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and other high officials. He cancelled the trip on Saturday morning due to "heavy workload", following large-scale anti-American demonstrations that declared him "persona non grata."

    Asked about controversial issue of the cost for security equipment compared to its efficiency, the minister said Greece "had no choice," since "security was the leading issue for governments all over the world".

    Various aspects of any such contract for security equipment could always be disputed, he reiterated, concluding that "the measures were full and efficient", but that the contribution from all the Greek citizens was crucial.

    Security issues had raised public concern prior to the Games over violation of privacy, especially regarding some 1,500 surveillance cameras planted around Olympic venues and on major road arteries.

    Voulgarakis said this issue will remain open until the end of the Paralympics in September, when he will start public discussionwith political parties and privacy protection watchdog about theirfuture use.

    "I want to make it clear that I will not allow for violations of personal rights and Constitution-guaranteed freedoms. There are ways to use these systems for the gain of a whole, without violating citizens' rights," he concluded. Enditem