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