Italy says on alert for terror at Winter Games

ROME - Italy is prepared for any kind of terrorist attack linked to the Winter Olympics and is ready to re-introduce border controls if necessary ahead of the games that begin in two weeks, top security officials said.

The security and Interior Ministry officials briefing reporters also said that security agents coming in with teams for the Feb 10-26 games in the Turin area of northern Italy would not be allowed to carry their own weapons.

They said Italy was ready for any eventuality that might disrupt the games and had set up a special squad to react to nuclear, biological, chemical or dirty-bomb threats.

"At this time we are not aware of any terrorist threat," one top security official said.

"But experience teaches us that the overlapping of several big, important events, such as the elections (and the Olympics) can be a temptation, a time of danger, and this is why our level of attention is at a very high level," he said.

The campaign for Italy's national elections in April will start officially on Feb. 11, one day after the games start.

Another factor adding to security concerns is the fact that Italy, an ally of the United States in the Iraq war, has repeatedly been mentioned as a potential target for a militant Islamist attack.

Bombs set by militants linked to al Qaeda killed 191 people in 2004 before Spain withdrew from Iraq and 52 people were killed by suicide bomb blasts on the London transport system last July.

"There is no doubt that more attention will be given to some teams than others," one official said.

But he said security for the teams would be handled by Italian forces liaising with unarmed security experts from other countries.

"Security will be guaranteed by Italian police authorities and the entry to Italy of other armed (security) persons from other countries will not be allowed," one security official said.

Palestinian militants killed 11 Israeli athletes they had taken hostage during the 1972 Games in Munich. One person died and dozens were injured by a bomb at the Atlanta Games in 1996.

The official said the only exception would be if "they are part of the entourage of visiting dignitaries such as heads of government and heads of state".

The officials were asked if Italy would consider suspending the Schengen agreement, under which 15 European countries scrapped border controls.

"Italian authorities have repeatedly evaluated the possibility of re-introducing border controls but at this time no decision has been taken. Right now, we don't think it is necessary but nonetheless it has not been excluded," one security official said.

Under Schengen, people can travel without having to show their passports other than for security controls when boarding aircraft.

More than 9000 extra police will be on hand to protect the games, including more than 300 police skiers.

- REUTERS