TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000770 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 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) #3, 3/12/2006 REF: ROME 00769 ¶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). KEY EVENTS -------------- 4.(U) The first day of Nordic ski competition at the 2006 Winter Paralympic Games wrapped up today with the US team earning a pair of top-five finishes in women's biathlon. On Saturday,the US Delegation split its schedule. While Secretary of Education Spellings attended sledge hockey, SIPDIS and met with Paralympic Academy student's and athletes, other members of the Delegation including Paralympic medalist Chad Colley and fellow Vietnam veteran Kirk Bauer went to view the alpine ski event and meet with athletes. All members of the US Delegation were hosted by the mayor of Turin's office at an evening concert. The concert was attended by the largest crowd ever to see an event in the Medal's Plaza. The US Delegation had a wheels up shortly after 11 am on Sunday, March 12. Today's news is dominated by Saturday's "No Global" riots in Milan. Approximately 10 people, including some policemen were injured in the rioting. Several stores were also damaged. No Americans were hurt. There is no indication that the demonstrators plan to disrupt the Paralympics. For more information on the riots, see the section Public Affairs (paragraph 10). SECURITY 5.(U) Terrorist Activity: No activity has been identified. 6.(SBU) Threats: There is no credible, specific information suggesting that terrorists intend to target the Paralympic Games. 7.(U) Demonstrations: In light of Saturday's riots in Milan, DS/OSC representatives met with Italian authorities to review security procedures for the Paralympics. Italian authorities are not aware of any planned demonstrations for Turin or the Paralympics. Nevertheless, they remain on heightened alert throughout Turin to ensure the safety of spectators, athletes, and VIPs attending the Paralympics. ¶8. (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 -------------- 9.(U) There are no unresolved issues at this time. PUBLIC AFFAIRS -------------- ¶10. (U) Saturday's "No Global" riots in downtown Milan dominated the Italian media today. Pictures of burned out cars and masked protesters throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at police and shops, including one through a window of a local McDonald's restaurant at Porta Venezia,was front page news. The local press reports that approximately 10 people, including some policemen were injured in the riots. Several stores were also damaged. Police arrested 45 people, and local merchants and citizens expressed outrage at the protesters. The press also reported on the death of Slobodan Milosevic, along with numerous theories on how he died. ¶11. (U) Outside of the Turin-based national daily La Stampa, national press coverage of the IXth Paralympic Game is extremely thin. We currently see no media coverage of the USG Delegation and the La Stampa interview with Delegation Head Margaret Spellings has not been published today as we were told. PA is following up. ¶12. (U) Milan-based center-right Corriere de la Sera has a brief article on the Paralympics in its Health Section, which mentions that 7500 students are able to attend some of the Paralympic events that to the sponsorship of Coca-Cola. ¶13. (U) Turin-based national daily La Stampa notes the concern of citizens of the limited television coverage of the Paralympics, and the lack of inspiring stories of the Paralympic athletes, who are the "true heroes and deserve more." CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶14. (U) Consular Section Turin has no requests for Saturday, March 11, 2006. ¶15. (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 opened 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 on HTTP://Milan.USConsulate.GOV. SPOGLI