Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME390
2006-02-09 16:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rome
Cable title:  

TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS--USG SITUATION REPORT

Tags:  ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS E F T O SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000390 

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR S/S-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2007
TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS
SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS--USG SITUATION REPORT
(SITREP) #3, 02/09/2006

REF: ROME 377

Classified By: Deborah Graze, Consul General Milan for reason 1.4 (d)

UNCLAS E F T O SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000390

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR S/S-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2007
TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS
SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS--USG SITUATION REPORT
(SITREP) #3, 02/09/2006

REF: ROME 377

Classified By: Deborah Graze, Consul General Milan for reason 1.4 (d)


1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on
security, public diplomacy, and consular activities in Turin,
Italy, for the 2006 Winter Olympic Games as of 02/09/2006.


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: Olympic Security Coordination Office (OSC); Joint
Operations Center (JOC); USG Threat Integration Center (TIC);
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC); First Lady of the
United States (FLOTUS); Turin Olympics Committee (TOROC);
International Olympics Committee (IOC); Public Affairs/Public
Diplomacy (PA/PD); Consular Affairs (CA).

SECURITY ISSUES
--------------


4. (U) Terrorist Activity: No activity has been identified.


5. (SBU) Threats: The US Government is unaware of any
specific, credible threat information directed against the
Olympic Games in Turin, or in the primary Olympics mountain
sites of Bardonecchia and Sestriere. In addition, there is
currently no information available to suggest a threat to
FLOTUS and the Presidential Delegation scheduled to arrive in
Turin on 02/10/2006.


6. (SBU) Demonstrations/Protests: In light of the violent
protests in response to the cartoons depicting the Prophet
Mohammad and recent incidents against Italian interests in
Afghanistan, Italian authorities are sensitive to the
prospect that similar events could occur in Italy. As of
early February, members of the Islamic community in Turin had

approached local imams to request that demonstrations be
organized in response to the cartoons, publication. Though
the congregants indicated that the protests would be legal
and peaceful, the imams rejected the idea due to concerns
that rogue elements may attempt to cause violence.


7. (SBU) Anarchist groups continue to plan disruptive
activities targeting the Games, to include attacking
Coca-Cola stands during the Opening Ceremonies. TOROC and
the IOC have expressed their concerns regarding the negative
press generated by the ongoing protests against Coke. As a
result, they have reportedly asked the company to consider
withdrawing from the last two days of the Olympic Torch Run.
While Coca-Cola will comply with the request if necessary,
the OSC feels that this action will be perceived as a success
by the dissident groups and that it will ultimately encourage
increased targeting of Coke. The OSC remains engaged with
the Italian Polizia di Stato (National Police) and DIGOS
(General Investigations and Special Operations) on the
planned protests, as well as on all known and developed
threats against US corporate sponsors.


8. (SBU) Incidents: On 02/09/2006, the Bank of America
Hospitality House was cordoned off due to the possible
presence of a gas canister in the back seat of a parked
vehicle. Italian police closed the street until the item was
determined to be benign.

9. (SBU) According to Corriere della Sera, on 02/06/2006,
Italian authorities deported two Algerians on charges of
document fraud; the individuals allegedly had connections to
the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC),an
Algeria-based Islamic extremist organization with a sizable
presence in Europe. OSC notes that these deportations
represent ongoing efforts by Italian authorities to disrupt
and dismantle terrorist cells and criminal organizations
within the country.


SECURITY OPERATIONS
--------------


10. (SBU/NF) USG security activities -- ongoing liaison with
host government entities, Olympics security officials, US
corporate security and the FLOTUS USSS security detail --
continue.


VIPs
--------------


11. (SBU) FLOTUS and the Presidential Delegation arrived in
Rome on 02/08/2006 and are expected in Turin on 02/10/2006;
they plan to depart Italy on/about 02/12/2006. Local news
media continue to provide information on the FLOTUS
itinerary, noting that she will attend the Opening Ceremonies
on 02/10/2006 and will have a full schedule of meetings and
appearances on 02/11/2006.


12. (SBU) On 02/10/2006, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
is scheduled to arrive in Turin on private travel. OSC has
provided assistance to state troopers accompanying Gov.
Romney during his stay in Italy.


PENDING MATTERS
--------------


13. (U) OSC continues to work with Italian counterparts to
monitor and resolve potential security concerns related to
the Games and the period immediately prior to the Italian
General Elections. In light of ongoing anti-Olympics and
anti-Coca-Cola protests, Italian authorities remain on a high
state of alert in advance of tomorrow's Opening Ceremonies.
Despite the exhortations of public officials for a cessation
of the protest activity, further demonstrations are expected
to occur during the upcoming days.


14. (U) OSC continues to coordinate efforts with Italian
authorities to investigate the reported theft of a vehicle
containing a Turin Olympic Committee access pass.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
--------------

15. (U) The US Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached
at 39-011-55-99-368. The US office at the TorinoPiemonte
Media Center is open and is monitoring non-Olympics related
news stories.


16. (U) Daily news media has focused on the FLOTUS visit,
security concerns related to the Olympics, and the ongoing
cartoon controversy. Both the media and Italian officials
continue to note the absence of any specific threats against
the Games. The following summary contains highlights from
local media:


17. (U) FLOTUS: Turin-based daily La Stampa featured an
exclusive interview with FLOTUS in which she expressed her
enthusiasm for her visit to Italy, promoted the positive role
of the Games in fostering cooperation between countries, and
noted the close US-Italian bilateral relationship. She also
took the opportunity to comment on the cartoon controversy,
remarking that the issue has emphasized the need to develop
dialogue among nations. In a separate article, La Stampa
also published a copy of the anti-Olympics anarchist
manifesto entitled "No to the Olympics of War, Bush Go Home."
Media entities continue to publish information regarding the
FLOTUS itinerary and Italian security forces remain on high
alert in advance of her visit.


18. (U) Security Concerns: The OSC office was the topic of
the La Repubblica article "Even US Intelligence in the Field,
The Level of Observation Remains High." Subtitled "A Task
Force of FBI, CIA, and TSA Watches Over the Games," the
report claimed to quote a high level US security official who
stated that the potential exists for terrorist activity
during the Games and that public safety officials continue to
guard against possible incidents. The tone of the article
was positive and concluded with praise for the Italian
security forces. This story was neither approved nor
admitted to by USG security officials based in Turin; USG
security personnel have been reminded to not discuss security
information or operations with members of the media.


19. (U) Public Statements: Interior Minister Pisanu is using
increasingly strong language when calling for an end to
anti-Olympic protests. Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica
published Pisanu,s comments outlining the capabilities of
the security personnel in place for the Games and noting that
there are 20 high-risk targets in Turin, including the
Olympic Villages and the media village where NBC is housing
many of its 3,000 employees. Corriere della Sera pointed out
that these venues could be targeted by improvised explosive
devices or by sabotage to critical infrastructure. However,
Italian law enforcement entities remain fully engaged in
their efforts to prevent hostile activity.


20. (U) According to L,Unita, the rerouting of the Olympic
torch around the town of Avigliana prompted mayors of the
Piedmont region to implore protesters to temper their
disruptive actions in advance of the Games. The mayors,
statements echoed the calls of national figures for calm
during the Olympics.

CONSULAR AFFAIRS
--------------


21. (U) CA remains engaged in dialogue with Turin emergency
service agencies. They also recently hosted a
representational event for the international Consular corps,
met with the Central Police command, and distributed consular
information cards at airports, train stations, and info
kiosks. As of this filing, the Turin Consular Office has not
received any requests for American citizen service.


22. (U) The Consular Office may be contacted at the following
numbers: 011-5599-330 (tel.); 011-5599-551 (fax). Additional
information may be found at http://milan.usconsulate.gov.
SPOGLI