VIENNA, May 3: German security preparations for the World Cup finals are going well, a senior U.S. Homeland Security official said on Wednesday.

“It is the work of governments to make sure that we are taking prudent precautions, and I have every reason to believe that the host nation for the World Cup is doing exactly that,” Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson told reporters.

He was speaking before talks with EU counterparts on security cooperation in areas including terrorism and passports, just over a month ahead of the tournament's opening game on June 9.

Without being “unduly” concerned about security at the event in Germany, all large public gatherings such as the World Cup or the Super Bowl require “prudent measures”, Jackson said.

Jackson's comments come days after the head of the EU's police agency, Max-Peter Raztel, gave a thumbs-up to Germany, saying he had no concerns and that everything was in place.

Swedish Justice Minister Thomas Bodstrom told reporters last week that EU countries would send police officers on the ground to help the German police. Jackson said he was considering technical assistance and exchanges of best practice.

“I would like to watch what they do because I can certainly learn some good lessons,” he said.

US President George W. Bush will ask German Chancellor Angela Merkel to do more for women who may be exploited through prostitution during the World Cup when she visits Washington on Wednesday, US Congress human rights committee chairman Christopher Smith said earlier.—Reuters