Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME806
2006-03-14 16:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000806 

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) # 4, 03/14/2006

REF: ROME 000771

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000806

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) # 4, 03/14/2006

REF: ROME 000771


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 POINTS
--------------


4. (U) USA received its first victory in Paralympics
curling, and in convincing fashion, defeating a strong
team from Switzerland 6-2. The Swiss beat Great Britain
on Sunday, March 12, ending a 17-game international
championship wining streak owned by the two-time world
champion Brits. Officials from the Turin-based daily
La Stampa advised Consulate Milan that they still plan
to publish the March 10 interview with US Delegation
head Margaret Spellings sometime later this week.
No other media coverage on the US Delegation's visit to
Turin. Paralympic coverage in the media remains thin,
outside of stories about Italian Paralympians.

SECURITY ISSUES
--------------


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 Paralympics.


7. (U) Demonstrations: The OSC is not aware of any scheduled
protests or plans to disrupt the Paralympics. Italian
authorities remain on heightened alert throughout Turin to
ensure the safety of spectators, athletes, and VIPs
attending the Games.


8. (U) The USG interagency OSC, JOC, and TIC will operate
seven days a week rom 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) Representatives from La Stampa advised Consulate
Milan that they still plan to publish the March 10
interview with US Delegation head Margaret Spellings
later this week.There has been no other media coverage on
the US Delegation's visit to Turin. Coverage of the
Paralympics has been thin vice stories dealing with
Italian Paralympians.


11. (U) La Stampa carried an article entitled, "Everybody
is crazy for sledge hockey.The Paralympics fills the Stadium,
only the State television does not realize it." The article
goes on to note that ticket sales for Paralympic events,
especially sledge hockey has been extremely "healthy and
unexpected." Tizian Nasi, head of the Italian Paralympics
Committee stated, "we are very, very happy with how the Turin
public is responding." The article stresses that this healthy
response was completely unexpected, and Paralympic officials
are very happy although they are disappointed with the "apathy
of state television."



CONSULAR AFFAIRS
--------------


12. (U) Consular Section Turin had no requests for Monday,
March 13, 006.


13. (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.




SPOGLI