TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS--USG SITUATION REPORT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000406 SIPDIS NOFORN SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR S/S-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA E.O. 12958: DECL: X1 TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS--USG SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) #5, 02/11/2006 REF: ROME 398 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 USG Olympic Security Operations Center (OSOC) 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: unified USG interagency Olympic Security Operations Center (OSOC); sub-set of OSOC, Joint Operations Center (JOC); sub-set of OSOC, Threat Integration Center (TIC); Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC); First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS); Turin Olympics Organizing Committee (TOROC); International Olympics Committee (IOC); Public Affairs/Public Diplomacy (PA/PD); Consular Affairs (CA). KEY EVENTS -------------- ¶4. (U) The atmosphere in Turin was one of euphoria tempered by relief after 02/10/2006 spectacular Opening Ceremonies heralded the START of the 2006 Winter Olympics Games. Despite rumors of planned anarchist protests and the presence of 40,000 spectators and 150 heads of state, including FLOTUS, the Ceremonies proceeded without incident. While Italian officials continue to publicize the stringent security measures in place to ensure the safety of athletes and visitors, anecdotal information provided by USG assets in the field have indicated that security preparations are not yet perfect. SECURITY -------------- ¶5. (U) Terrorist Activity: No activity has been identified. OSOC personnel remain ON alert for immediate recall for surge support to existing 24/7 JOC and TIC, should Olympics-related incident occur. ¶6. (S/NF) Threats: While there is no reporting available to indicate a specific, credible terrorist threat to the Olympic Games, the US Government has received additional, uncorroborated information regarding alleged plots to conduct operations elsewhere in Italy. Please refer to TD-314/10053-06 for furthere details regarding the ongoing Italian investigation of Islamic individuals in Milan. Aside from concerns about terrorist activity, local media continues to publish information ON opposition demonstrations planned throughout the next two weeks. While the potential for disruptive actions by anarchist and anti-globalization groups remains high, Italian authorities at highest levels of government continue to categorically state that disruptions of the Games will not be tolerated. This determination is evidenced in the visibly increased security throughout Turin. ¶7. (U) Demonstrations/Protests: Relatively minor anti-Olympics and anti-US sponsor protests remain a constant in Turin. Security forces won the day ON 02/10/2006, as the Olympic Torch completed its run through Italy with no further diversions or incidents along the route. As a testament to the tough statements of Italian officials regarding the sanctity of the Games, police prevented a final attempt to disrupt the Torch Run by protesters who wanted to use chains to block the route. In the course of their protest, the demonstrators also burned an American flag and displayed their own alternative torch. ¶8. (SBU) ON 02/10/2006, OSOC field elements reported that approximately 100 protesters conducted an anti-Olympics and anti-TAV (high speed train) march near Piazza Castello (Medals Square) and the University of Turin (which will be visited by FLOTUS ON 02/11/2006). The on-scene agents noted that a sizeable police presence was in place to monitor the orderly demonstration. ¶9. (U) Incidents: ON 02/10/2006, employees of Coca-Cola informed OSAC that Italian authorities had arrested two individuals in possession of an unknown number of bags containing nails. The nails were allegedly to be used during the final stages of the Torch Run. OSOC is working with Italian authorities to obtain additional information ON the arrestees and their specific intentions. ¶10. (U) ON 02/10/2006, the OSOC liaison to the Italian National Olympics Information Center (an information clearinghouse containing law enforcement representatives from 13 countries) reported that an unidentified hacker attempted to illegally access the Italian law enforcement management system. Italian police monitoring the system identified and blocked the access attempt. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶11. (SBU/NF) USG security activities -- ongoing liaison with host government entities, Olympics security officials, US corporate security and the FLOTUS USSS security detail -- continue, to include feedback and consultations ON observed areas for improvement. ¶12. (SBU) ON 02/10/2006, OSOC elements in the field had the opportunity to witness first-hand the Italian security measures in place for the Opening Ceremonies. Based ON this anecdotal reporting, it is apparent that minor operational issues remain, despite the robust Italian security effort. According to OSOC venue agents, the magnetometers at the stadium apparently broke down due to the large volume of individuals being screened or were deliberately taken offline to prevent long lines. Latecomer spectators were subsequently ushered in with no further screening. In addition, a suspicious individual carrying a backpack was observed loitering near the tunnel from which the Olympic athletes emerged into the stadium. After 10 minutes without Italian intervention, OSOC agents alerted Italian security elements to the situation and the individual was escorted from the premises. Follow-up with Italian security revealed that the individual had neither credentials to enter the venue nor tickets to the Opening Ceremonies. OSOC has raised these issues with Italian counterparts and a reminder to remain vigilant and report incidents of concern has been forwarded to OSOC agents in the field. VIPs -------------- ¶13. (SBU) FLOTUS and the Presidential Delegation arrived in Turin ON 02/10/2006 and attended the Opening Ceremonies; they are scheduled to depart ON the evening of 02/11/2006. Daughter Barbara Bush will remain in the city ON private travel until 02/15/2006. ¶14. (SBU) Despite an enormous amount of press reporting ON her itinerary and rumors of protests to coincide with her arrival, the first day of the FLOTUS visit proceeded without incident. Italian authorities have indicated that they are concerned about events ON 02/11/2006, as this is the day that FLOTUS and the Presidential Delegation will conduct a number of public appearances, to include attendance at three Olympic events (speed skating, the US versus Switzerland hockey match, and pairs skating). She will also visit a local university, where protest groups have previously conducted anti-Olympics demonstrations. To counter potential problems, Italian officials have visibly increased security in the areas to be visited by FLOTUS and have imposed temporary street closures along her route of travel. USSS is working closely with OSOC and Italian authorities to prevent any adverse action against FLOTUS and her delegation during their public appearances, particularly in light of last night,s magnetometer problems at the Open Ceremonies. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶15. (U) OSOC remains concerned about the unresolved theft of a pass from a TOROC vehicle. Eyewitness accounts of USG personnel attending the Opening Ceremonies underscored the fact that possession of a vehicle pass would allow individuals to approach large numbers of spectators without being challenged by security officials. Italian authorities have downplayed the importance of the theft by stating that additional security measures would prevent hostile elements from actually accessing a venue. However, USG personnel noted that their vehicle pass allowed them to enter the Opening Ceremonies without going through additional screening. OSOC will continue to remind TOROC and local authorities of our interest in this matter. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶16. (U) Media coverage ON 02/11/2006 focused mainly ON the successful completion of the Opening Ceremonies, emphasizing the enthusiasm and excitement of the people of Turin now that the Games have commenced. Items of interest in the press include commentary ON the Opening Ceremonies, articles ON continuing security concerns, the first day of the FLOTUS visit, and the FLOTUS schedule. The following summary contains highlights from local media: ¶17. (U) Olympics: La Repubblica opened with an article entitled "Games, Passion is Here," heralding the START of the Olympics. The report also focused ON public satisfaction that protests did not take center stage ON Turin,s big day. La Stampa's coverage was euphoric. National, local press and media highlighted the successful Opening Ceremonies. ¶18. (U) Security Concerns: La Repubblica and Il Giornale devoted substantial coverage to the fact that anti-Olympics groups failed in their efforts to disrupt events ON the day of the Opening Ceremonies. According to La Repubblica, the opposition groups efforts to take action against Turin and the Olympics finally devolved to a mere display of pig heads in a vat of Coca-Cola. However, despite the triumph of security ON 02/10/2006, the opposition groups have continued to voice their intentions to conduct disruptions of the Games, to include large-scale protests scheduled to take place in nearby Val de Susa ON 02/17/2006-02/19/2006. ¶19. (U) Italian Government officials have repeatedly condemned the anarachist actions and have reiterated that security forces will remain ON high alert. Quoting Minister of Interior Pisanu, Il Riformista remarked that law enforcement authorities are concerned that logistics are the weak point of the security planning. ¶20. (U) FLOTUS: The presence of FLOTUS at the Opening Ceremonies garnered a great deal of general positive comment, with photo features of FLOTUS and members of the Presidential Delegation. Details of the FLOTUS schedule during her time in Italy, including a meet and greet planned to take place at the USG office ON 02/11/2006, continue to be published. La Repubblica specifically carried FLOTUS, comments that she is not concerned about protests during her visit and expressing her thanks to the Polizia di Stato (State Police) for their hard work to ensure her security. ¶21. (U) The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 39-011-55-99-368. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶22. (U) The CA office in Turin was fully staffed during the Opening Ceremonies in order to provide any necessary American citizens services. CA logged its first request for service in the Turin office ON 02/10/2006, after an American citizen,s purse was stolen. The individual came into the CA office ON 02/11/2006 for assistance with the application for a new passport. It should be noted that while the CA office in Turin is able to provide assistance in applying for replacement passports, the passports themselves are produced by consular staff at the Consulate General in Milan. ¶23. (U) ON 02/10/2006, the American Citizens Services office in Milan issued four emergency replacement passports to Olympics travelers bound for the Opening Ceremonies. Three of the four passports were issued to replace those stolen while one was a replacement for a passport lost during travel to Italy. All Americans received their new passports in time to travel to Turin to attend the Olympics Opening Ceremonies. ¶24. (SBU) In light of recent publicity surrounding the suspension of US athlete Zach Lund ostensibly for the use of a prohibited substance, OSOC has raised the possibility that the US Olympic Committee (USOC) may request security assistance in the eventuality that additional athletes are accused of or arrested for drug use. Should this occur, CA would have access to the athlete in order to render American citizens services and the OSOC would work with the USOC to sequester the individual and mitigate the consequences of the doping allegation. ¶25. (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