'Portugal will have security ready for Euro 2004': Portugal's security preparations for the Euro 2004 finals, faulted by a number of top officials as being incomplete just nine-months from the big kick-off, will be ready on time, Interior Minister Antonio Figueiredo Lopes has said. [...]
The government has set aside 3.5 million euros (four million dollars) to buy water canons, batons, riot gear and other security equipment for the police, and has drawn up plans to set up round-the-clock courts that will have the power to quickly extradite potential troublemakers, in order to prepare for the football finals.
