In 2001 a rocket was fired at the home of the German ambassador

Ms Papandreou also revealed that the Greek authority is setting up a new unit with special responsibility for co-ordinating all security for the event.

"We are very certain that we will take all the security measures necessary for the Olympic Games," she said.

Terrorism

Since the attacks on 11 September, security for the games has become a mounting concern for fans and athletes who plan to attend.

Security is also a major concern in Greece because of the activities of group November 17 - anti-capitalist activists who are believed to be behind the murders of 22 people since the 1970s.

Greece has come under strong criticism because of its failure to catch anyone connected to the organisation.

We're going to have a very good games

Vasso Papandreou

This includes those responsible for the murder of British military attach� Brigadier Stephen Saunders in Athens in June 2000.

Vasso Papandreou strongly dismissed as "ridiculous" allegations that November 17 are able to operate with impunity because of connections within the government.

"This is damaging the image of Greece," she said.

"We know that and we have made a lot of progress in the last three years. Do you think we would like the image of Greece to be damaged by this organisation?"

Good games

In spite of such criticism, Ms Papandreou said that the Olympic Games in 2004 will be a success, stressing that the Greek temperament would help them to cope with the pressure.

"The Greeks have some special characteristics. We are late to start to plan correctly and then we catch up and we manage," she said.

"We're going to have a very good games."

You can hear the HARDtalk interview in full at the following times:

BBC News 24 (times shown in GMT)
23 April 0430, repeated 2230

BBC World (times shown in GMT)
23 April 0430, repeated 1130, 1630, 1930, 0030 .