Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME868
2006-03-19 11:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
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

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