TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

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