TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 000868 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) # 10, 03/19/2006 REF: ROME 00865 ¶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 Saturday, March 18. In yesterday's events,the US women three-trackers dominated the podium with a gold and bronze medal in the standing Slalom,and the US sledge hockey team took the bronze.The Closing Ceremonies for the IX Winter Paralymic Games will take place on March 19, from 2000 to 2200 hours. Italian authorities and the Olympic Security Coordination office continue to focus on Olympic security to ensure a successful end to the Paralympics. There is a nationwide journalist strike in Italy on March 18-19. Several newspapers were not published. La Stampa reports that Turin will mobilize 250 police officers for the Closing Ceremonies.Fifty police officers will be dedicated to "illegal commercial activities." The OSC is attempting to verify this with its Italian counterparts. There were no requests for Consular services for March 18. 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 or the Closing Ceremonies. 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 final day of the Paralympics or the Closing Ceremonies. Italian authorities remain on heightened alert throughout Turin to ensure the safety of spectators, athletes, and VIPs attending the Games and the closing events. On March 18, in Rome,there was a large, but peaceful demonstration against the war in Iraq. In Milan,there was a small authorized general protest. ¶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) Italian journalists have staged a nationwide strike during the weekend of March 18-19. Consequently, the Sunday edition of several newspapers were not published. ¶10. (U) Sunday's edition of La Stampa focused on the Closing Ceremonies which is scheduled to begin March 19, at 2000 hours in the Medals Plaza, Piazza Castello. The newspaper reports that 250 police officers will be mobilized to provide security for the festivities. This will include 50 police officers solely dedicated to "illegal commercial activity." It is widely reported that American rocker Patti Smith will highlight the evening concert which runs from 2200 to 2300 hours. ¶11. (U) The Closing Ceremonies will be partially broadcast live on Italian national television. RAI Director General Alfredo Meocci has reportedly received a large number of calls to include one from Turin Mayor Chiamparino requesting some live coverage of the Closing Ceremonies. ¶12. (U) Turin Paralympics Committee President Tiziana Nasir has advised that Turin has been approached by the Sledge Hockey World Federation to possibly host the 2008 Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship. It appears that sledge hockey was a very popular event at this years Paralympics. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶13. (U) Consular Section Turin had no requests for Saturday, March 18. ¶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