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