The Operations Division of the EL.AS has two types of special security units. The main objective of the special tasks and missions units is to maintain or restore order in case of riots, mass protests, and other types of civil disturbance. The Special Forces Squad, which receives military commando training, is deployed in airports and other sensitive points to deal with emergencies such as hijackings, terrorist activities, and attacks against public officials and foreign diplomats (see Terrorism , this ch.). The squad's tactics and equipment resemble those of the police SWAT teams.

Another specialized police force, the Counterterrorism Squad, is under the jurisdiction of the Security Department of the Ministry of Public Order. Equipped and trained to deal with the activities of terrorist groups, this unit emphasizes investigative work that is conducted in close cooperation with counterpart agencies in other countries. In October 1994, the Ministry of Public Order began negotiating changes in the verbal agreement by which United States Central Intelligence Agency and Federal Bureau of Investigation units assisted in terrorism investigations (To avoid changes of United States interference in domestic security matters no formal agreement has existed.)

In August 1994, the Papandreou government announced a new support program to reduce crime and terrorism. The program included restructuring of the antiterrorism forces, emphasizing specialized personnel; coordination with other police forces in antiterrorism activities; and the addition of 2,000 personnel to antiterrorism and general crime forces. The changes were not implemented in 1994, however.

Data as of December 1994

NOTE: The information regarding Greece on this page is re-published from The Library of Congress Country Studies and the CIA World Factbook. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Greece Special Security Forces information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Greece Special Security Forces should be addressed to the Library of Congress and the CIA.