TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000865 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) # 9, 03/18/2006 REF: ROME 00827 ¶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) Paralympic events took place without incident on Friday, March 17. Laurie Stephens (Wenham, Mass) claimed her third medal of the IX Paralympic Games with a silver in the Giant Slalom.Today's Italian media focused almost exclusively on the three medals won by the Italian team. Italian authorities and the Olympic Security Coordination office continue to focus on Olympic security throughout the weekend to ensure a successful end to the Paralympics. Advance agents with the Olympic Security Coordination office have put together an initial site survey for the Closing Ceremonies (paragraph 8). There were no requests for Consular services for March 17. The final Situation Report from the USG office supporting US participation in the Turin Winter Paralympics will be 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 nationalelections 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 18-19: 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) Preparations for the Closing Ceremonies:Piazza Castello,the Royal Castle,and Palazzo Madama will be the sites for the Closing Ceremonies for the IX Winter Paralympic Games. However, the actual venue will be held at the Piazza Castello which has the capacity to hold 9,000 people and consists of a viewing area for the general public,a grandstand area for VIP seating and press,and the performance and medals stage. (Comment:As of this Situation Report, no US VIP attendance is expected at the Closing Ceremonies. End comment.) The Closing Ceremonies will begin at 1900 hours with a concert which will last one hour. The venue is open to the general public,and there will be no security screening of visitors who attend the event. (Note: Last week's concert at Piazza Castello drew record breaking crowds.) The Closing Ceremonies will begin at 2000 hours and last two hours. From 2200 to 2300 hours, there will be a final concert. Italian police will be out in force for the duration of the Closing Ceremonies and the concert that follows. ¶9. (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 -------------- ¶10. (U) Italian media coverage related to the Paralympics on Saturday, March 18 focused almost exclusively on the three medals - gold, silver, and bronze - won yesterday by the Italian team. ¶11. (U) The Rome based center-left daily La Repubblica carried an article entitled "Italy, Filled-Up with Medals; You See, We Really Are Athletes." The article goes on to quote all three Italian medal winners and how they see things changing in Italy as a result of the Paralympics and people's views of the disabled. The three Italian athletes noted that the public will come to see the Paralympians as real athletes and not just "pity" them. ¶12. (U) In the Turin-based daily La Stampa, Italian Paralympian Silvia Parente is quoted as saying that she would like to take on sailing in the 2008 America's Cup. Daila Dameno expressed hope that the Italian Olympic Committee will sign the pending agreement with the Italian military allowing them to provide support to the Italian Paralymic program. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶13. (U) Consular Section Turin had no requests for Friday, March 17. ¶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 at HTTP://Milan.USConsulate.Gov. SPOGLI