TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000827 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) # 7, 03/16/2006 REF: ROME 000810 ¶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) The 2006 Paralympic Winter Games continue to receive minimal press attention, proceed without disruption,while engaging the appreciation of Italian public viewing events outside the context of otherwise dominant political election campaign.U.S. Paralympian Steve Cook (Salt Lake City, Utah) took first place in the men's standing 10K race, earning his second gold medal in Turin. He won the men's 5K race earlier in the week, ending a 14-year gold medal draught for the US Nordic Ski Team. Consular services: March 15, an Amcit's passport was lostor stolen in Turin. The Amcit will receive a new passport on Monday, March 20. 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.Italian law enforcement and security officials remain attentive to the possibility of attacks timed to affect the national elections scheduled for April 9; there is no specific information indicating such possibility. ¶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. Elsewhere in Italy there are demonstrations planned March 16-19:against the war in Iraq (in Rome); anarchist demonstrations are planned in Milan, and a pro-merchant demonstration is planned in Milan as a protest against violence last weekend. 8.(U) The USG interagency OSC, JOC,and TIC operates seven days a week from 0800 to 1700 hours.The hours of operation will be extended to include any night events. PUBLIC AFFAIRS -------------- 9.(U)General media coverage in Italy continues to focus on the ongoing elections campaign. International news notes U.S. position on new UN human rights entity.Olympics news still lingers in the press.National daily,Turin-based La Stampa's New York correspondent Paolo Mastrolilli wrote an article on the recent N.Y. Times post-Olympic interview with U.S. skier Bode Miller. In the article, Miller discussed his performance and partying in Turin, the protests against his attitude,threats from the public, and the possibilities of sponsors and the U.S. ski federation dropping him. ¶10. (U) La Stampa also carried an article by Italian Olympic Committee President Gianni Petrucci on March 15 visit with Italian Paralympians at the Sub-Alpine Athletes Village. According to the article, there is appreciation for the public support and strong ticket sales in Italy for the Paralympics. The article discusses what can be doneto translate this support into a more sustained and financially-sponsored infrastructure for disabled athletes with collaboration from both the government and private sector. Olympic Committee President Petrucci is quoted as saying that financial sponsorship is improving and he is trying to get an agreement with the Italian military to support disabled athletic training facilities, since the Italian military reportedly already has some of the infrastructure in place. The article notes appreciatively that at this Parlympics a gold medal is worth 70,000 Euros for an Italian athlete, a sliver 30,000 Euros, and a bronze 20,000 Euros. ¶11. (U) La Repubblica reported on Petrucci's visit to the Sub-Athletes Village. While there, Petrucci stated,"Turin has organized the best Paralympics ever." The article also noted that Italian President Ciampi made it a point to telephone and congratulate every Italian medal winner during both the Olympics and Paralymics. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶13. (U) Consular Section Turin had one action for Wednesday, March 15. An Amcit had his passport lost or stolen while in Turin. The victim and his mother will remain in Turin until Wednesday, March 22. Consulate Milan is coordinating with Turin and the Amcit's new passport will be available by Monday, March 20. ¶14. (U) The Consular Office for the duration of the Paralympics is co-located with in the same building as the OSC and Olympics Coordination Office in Turin. Four staff members and one consular officer comprise the Consular Section. The office is 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 atHTTP://Milan.USConsulate.Gov. SPOGLI