TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000473 SIPDIS NOFORN 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: DECL: X1 TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) #10, 02/16/2006 REF: ROME 456 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. ¶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 Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC); the National Information Center for the Winter Olympics (CINO),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); the Transportation Security Administration (TSA); Public Affairs/Public Diplomacy (PA/PD); Consular Affairs (CA); and the Italian Ministry of Interior (MOI). KEY EVENTS -------------- ¶4. (U) Olympic events transpired on 02/15/2006 without disturbances. The overall security posture for the Games remains high at all venues and Italian authorities remain alert to attempts by opposition groups to protest and disrupt events. Regarding the recent publication by international media of additional prisoner abuse photos at Abu Ghraib prison, OSOC is monitoring local coverage of the photos and is working with Italian counterparts to identify any change to the security environment in Turin due to the photos, publication. SECURITY -------------- Terrorist Activity: ¶5. (U) No activity has been identified. Italian officials remain vigilant for indications of terrorist operations. OSOC personnel are available for immediate recall to supplement existing 24/7 JOC and TIC staff should an Olympics-related incident occur. Threats: ¶6. (SBU) There is no credible, specific information suggesting that terrorists intend to target the Olympic Games. Italian law enforcement authorities remain on high alert and continue to work with their international counterparts to monitor the actions of anti-Olympics activist groups. Demonstrations/Protests: ¶7. (S/NF) Please see TD-314/10977-06 for information regarding the Italian authorities continuing efforts to monitor anarchists and anti-globalization groups in Turin. The cable also provides details regarding possible "No-TAV" and anti-globalization activities for the forthcoming weekend. OSOC continues to work with Italian law enforcement to obtain information on ongoing anarchist activities throughout the Olympic theater. ¶8. (U) Independent Media Center (Indymedia.org),which has previously provided schedules and information on anti-Olympics protests, has invited activists to an "evening on the dark side of the Olympics" on 02/16/2006 near the Humanist House, an organization that promotes human rights through nonviolent means. The planned meeting will include comment by the author of the book "Power Games," which claims that the Olympics violate human rights and promote the enrichment of multi-national corporations rather than regional development. The event venue is not located adjacent to any Olympic venues or sites of interest. OSOC continues to work in conjunction with Italian law enforcement entities to identify and monitor activist events related to the Olympics. ¶9. (U) The global grassroots movement Critical Mass is planning a bicycle-ride/demonstration in Turin on 02/18/2006. Critical Mass is a pro-alternative-transportation and anti-pollution movement. During its events, a number of cyclists converge on a location at a predetermined time, then ride slowly through busy city streets, essentially bringing traffic to a standstill. Critical Mass rides are generally peaceful, although rides in some cities have provoked confrontation from vehicle drivers or police. OSOC is interacting with Italian counterparts to obtain information on the bike route to be used by Critical Mass. Incidents: ¶10. (U) According to the daily newspaper La Stampa, a bomb scare occurred at Turin,s Caselle airport on 02/15/2006, after police were alerted to an unattended backpack in the parking lot. Police blocked off the area and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit personnel responded to the scene. The EOD inspected the bag and found it to contain popcorn. OSOC had been previously alerted to this incident by USG representative based at Turin,s Caselle airport. ¶11. (U)The internet version of La Stampa reported that on 02/14/2006, two Italian fighter jets intercepted an aircraft that was taking aerial photographs for NBC in restricted airspace. The incident reportedly occurred while the Men,s Downhill-Slalom Combined event was taking place. Separately, Italian Ministry of Interior officials have commented to OSOC CINO liaison that yesterday,s overflight activity (reported in sitrep) was routine and not cause for alarm. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶12. (SBU) The Italian Ministry of Interior, with support from Turin,s chief of police, has provided OSOC with TETRA radios. These radios give USG field liaison officers capability to utilize the existing Italian law enforcement TETRA communications system, and supplement existing comms. ¶13. (U) Italian security forces continue to evaluate their Olympic security posture in order to identify potential vulnerabilities. According to Naples-based daily Il Mattino, in preparation for the Olympics, all participants and vendors were required to submit their names and identification in order to be accredited. The report asserts that the bus drivers who transport athletes and trainers were not required to give this information to officials prior to the start of the Games. After speaking with Ministry of Interior (MOI) counterparts, OSOC CINO liaison notes that this report appears uncorroborated, as bus drivers were vetted prior to the Olympics. OSOC CINO liaison will continue to pursue the matter with the MOI to determine whether the news report identified a true security gap. ¶14. (SBU) On the heels of the Prophet Mohammad cartoon controversy, OSOC is focused on repercussions of the recent release of new photos showing prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. OSOC is monitoring all source information for any indication of anti-US threats stemming from the publication of the photos. Operationally, OSOC representatives are interacting with Italian counterparts to monitor the local response to the photos and to ensure that U.S. security concerns are being addressed. VIPs -------------- ¶15. (SBU) Daughter Barbara Bush departed Turin without incident on 02/15/2006. ¶16. (SBU) The White House delegation for the Closing Ceremonies, led by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, is scheduled to arrive in Turin late on the evening of 02/24/2006. On 02/25/2006, the delegation will participate in a reception hosted by the USG and on 02/26/2006, they will attend the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games. The delegation is currently scheduled to depart Turin immediately after the Closing Ceremonies. To date, there has been no Italian press coverage of the delegation. The delegation,s public schedule is still in development. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶17. (U) OSOC continues to work with Italian counterparts on the investigation of and mitigating security measures regarding the theft of a TOROC vehicle pass. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶18. (U) Overall press coverage on 02/16/2006 focused on domestic Italian politics, with news on the Abu Ghraib prison photos dominating the front pages. Olympics-related reporting continues to gain prominent coverage, with articles focused primarily on the sporting events themselves. ¶19. (U) The following is a summary of media activity for 02/16/2006: --La Stampa reported that stones thrown at the USOC-sponsored USA House broke windows on the building. According to the article, with several theories about who threw the stones. The facts, according to OSOC liaison with Italian authorities indicate that an individual three times ejected from the USA House compound threw a stone, with no damage resulting, after jumping the fence in response to being expelled from the premises. --National newspaper Il Giornale published a portrait of a woman who is allegedly directing USG security operations at the Olympics for the FBI. OSOC does not recognize the individual as a USG employee. The paper also commented that satellite security coverage of the Olympics is working well. --La Repubblica and most newspapers reported that Prime Minister Berlusconi has asked for the resignation of the Italian Reform Minister Calderoli, who announced he would wear T-shirts emblazoned with the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad. --La Repubblica also reported that on 02/18/2006, protesters will conduct a pro-Palestinian/pro-Iraqi march through Rome. The groups conducting the march are fringe elements of the far left that are not recognized by the extreme left parties of the opposition coalition; the march appears to be exclusive to Rome and is not expected to impact on operations in Turin. ¶20. (U) PA continues to work with USOC and others to schedule interviews with US athletes for the Italian press. The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 39-011-55-99-368. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶21. (U) CA had no requests for passport assistance on 02/15/2006. Consulate General Milan issued an emergency passport using an application approved by the Consular Office in Turin. The passport will be delivered to Turin on 02/16/2006. ¶22. (U) On 02/15/2006, CA worked with Turin police to gain information about a second detention of alleged American citizens. Police officers investigating reports of Olympic tickets being sold without proper licenses detained all people present in a downtown store*including the potential Amcits. CA has requested a copy of the police report naming the individuals involved in order to verify their citizenship and, if appropriate, provide them with a list of local attorneys. ¶23. (U) CA has received a report from the Italian police that confirms the information on the arrest of American citizens previously reported via in the sitrep dated 02/14/2006. Police indicated that three of the four detained individuals produced U.S. passports, while the fourth possessed a U.S. resident card. All were released and one person received a fine. An interpreter and an attorney were provided to the Amcits. ¶24. (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