TURIN 2006 PARALYMPIC GAMES - USG SITUATION

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000759 SIPDIS SENSITIVE PASS TO TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) AND GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE (GAO); DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR S/ES-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER PARALYMPIC GAMES SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 PARALYMPIC GAMES - USG SITUATION REPORT (SITRIP) # 1, 03/10/2006 ¶1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on security, public diplomacy, and consular activities in Turin, Italy, for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. ¶2. (SBU) The interagency Olympic Security Coordination (OSC) Office can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at the following numbers: USG Joint Operations Center (JOC): 39-011-55-99-793/794/564 (tel); 011-39-011-55-99-590 (fax) USG Threat Integration Center (TIC): 39-011-55-99-790/791 (tel); 011-39-011-55-99-590 (fax). ¶3. (SBU) Attached is a key for USG acronyms used within this cable: the inter-agency Olympic Security Coordination Office (OSC); the USG inter-agency Olympic Security Operations Center OSOC, including the 24/7 Joint Operations Center (JOC) and Threat Integration Center (TIC); the National Information Center for the Winter Olympics (CNIO), which is a Government of Italy (GOI) hosted multinational center; the Turin Olympics Organizing Committee (TOROC); the International Olympics Committee (IOC); the US Olympic Committee (USOC); European high-speed train project that is controversial in mountain towns near Olympics sites (TAV - Italian acronym); the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Public Affairs/Public Diplomacy (PA/PD); Consular Affairs (CA); and the Italian Ministry of Interior (MOI). SECURITY ISSUES -------------- ¶4. (U) Terrorists Activity: No activity has been identified. ¶5. (SBU) Threats: The US Government is not aware of any specific information that indigenous or international terrorist groups are planning to target the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games and/or members of the US team. In addition, there is no current information to indicate a threat VIPS, US sponsors, and visiting US citizens. The OSC is coordinating with its Italian counterparts to monitor and resolve concerns regarding potential terrorists strikes linked to the Games and the upcoming Italian general elections. ¶6. (U) Demonstrations/Protests: The OSC is not aware of any scheduled protests or plans to disrupt the opening ceremony. Italian authorities remain on heightened alert throughout Turin to ensure the safety of spectators and VIPs attending the Olympic event. ¶7. (U) The USG interagency OSC, JOC, and TIC will operate seven days a week from 0800 to 1700 hours. The hours of operation will be extended to include any night events. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶8. (U) There are no unresolved issues at this time. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- -------------- ¶9. (U) The US official delegation to the IXth Winter Paralympic Games arrived in Turin on the morning of March 10. They will attend the Opening Ceremonies and depart on Sunday, March 12. PA staff, with assistance from the Turin Olympic Committee (TOROC),planned a 45-minute panel press conference for the US delegation. It was held at the Torino Esposizione, and approximately 20 journalists attended. Many of the journalists will work out of the Media Center located in the Sestriere mountains during the Olympics. However, on March 10, members of the press corp. will travel to Turin to cover the Opening Ceremonies which begin at 1800 hours. In the afternoon of March 10, PA has arranged for the US official delegation to meet with the Polytechnic University of Turin (the "Politecnico"), one of Italy's leading technical universities, for a one-hour presentation and discussion on the University's research in design and engineering for disabled access, and it's work in prosthesis design. The US delegation will be hosted by University Rector Francesco Profumo at the Castello del Valentino, where Italy had its "Casa Italia" (Italy House) during the Olympics; representatives from General Motors Powertrain Europe, which has a partnership with the University, will also be present for the discussion. Following the presentation, Secretary of Education, and Delegation Head, Margaret Spellings will have a one-on-one interview, arranged by PA, with Turin-based national daily newspaper La Stampa (circulation 400,000). Local Media Coverage ¶10. (U) Media coverage in run up to the Paralympics has mainly focused on the upcoming Paralympics Opening Ceremonies and planned music concerts; the presence of President of Italy Ciampi at the Opening Ceremony, arriving national delegations; some specific Italian Paralympians and medal hopefuls and their stories; and all the events and the more than 40 nations participating. A few articles have also focused on Turin's challenges with disabled access. Articles state that the city administration wants to make sure the Paralympics is a success and is doing everything they can to make sure there are no access problems at the airport, train stations, venues, etc.. The Italian national dailies - La Repubblica, Il Giornale, La Stampa and Il Giorno - have all carried articles on the Paralympics, mainly focusing on the athletes and their personal stories. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶11. (U) The Consular Office for the duration of the Turin Paralympics is co-located with the Public Affairs office in the same building as the OSC and Olympics Coordination Office in Turin. The Consular Section is staffed by four staff members and one consular officer. The office will be open from 0900 to 1800 hours. The office provides emergency services for US citizens, and has established an extensive network of contacts with hotels, hospitals, and local law enforcement officials. Contact information: Telephone number: 011-5599-330. FAX: 011-5599-551. Additional information may be found at HTTP://Milan.USConsulate.Gov. As of this filing, the Turin Consular Office has not received any requests for service. SPOGLI