ATHENS, Greece -- Greece's prime minister promised today to hold safe and successful Olympics despite "choking deadlines" in construction and admissions by his ministers of delays in security preparations at two key sites.

	Petros Giannakouris, Associated Press An armed Greek special forces coast guard officer stands guard at the port of Piraeus. The port will host at least eight cruise ships with some 13,000 visitors and officials during the Olympics. Click photo for larger image.

"Not a single hour can be wasted," Premier Costas Caramanlis said in an interview with a magazine issued by organizers of the Aug. 13-29 Games. "Everyone knows that four months before the Olympic Games we are facing chocking deadlines."

But he added: "I want to be clear, our main concern and highest priority in Olympic preparations is to secure the complete safety of the country, of athletes and visitors ... Greece will guarantee safe games."

Caramanlis took personal charge of troubled Olympic preparations after his conservative party won general elections a month ago, ending 11 years of Socialist goverment. His priorities are to overxome urgent delays in vital Olympic projects -- including the main stadium and marathon route -- and security.

Greece is spending more than $800 million to mount massive policing at the games, is receiving assistance from the United States and six other countries, and is seeking the active support of NATO and the European.

Ministers involved with security said preparations have fallen behind at two crucial sites, the Olympic Village and Athens' main port of Piraeus, but refused to give any details and insisted everything will ready by August.

"Time is pressing us ... we have noted delays," said Christos Markoyiannakis, the deputy public order minister, who inspected the Olympic Village and facilities that will house some of the 50,000 security personnel tasked to protect the games.

The remarks were echoed by Merchant Marine Minister Manolis Kefaloyiannis, in charge of security at Piraeus which will host at least eight cruise ships with some 13,000 visitors and officials.

"There were delays in security but all necessary measures will be taken," Kefaloyiannis said. "All the cruise ships will dock here, and as you understand they are targets for a possible terrorist attack."

He said a major drill involving the coast guard and other agencies will be held in Piraeus and other ports before the games.