TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 ROME 000487 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 OLYMPICS SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) #11, 02/17/2006 REF: ROME 473 ¶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); National Information Center for the Winter Olympics (CNIO)-a Government of Italy-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 occurred without disruption on 02/16/2006. As reported in previous situation reports, Italian authorities have been concerned about the possibility of anti-Olympics and anti-TAV demonstrations occurring during the weekend of 02/17/2006-02/19/2006. Information passed from the MOI to OSOC indicates that there are no anti-TAV protests planned for this timeframe, though a variety of groups will participate in a series of meetings on environmental issues, located near Olympic mountain venues. OSOC is working diligently with Italian counterparts to monitor activist events throughout the upcoming weekend. SECURITY -------------- Terrorist Activity/Threats: ¶5. (SBU) There is no indication of terrorist activity in relation to the Olympic Games and no specific, credible information suggesting that terrorists intend to target the Games. Italian officials continue to monitor the Muslim community in country and remain on alert for indications of terrorist operations and planning. Italian authorities have a record of assertively tracking individuals tied to terrorist groups, and taking action to deter and disrupt planning. OSOC is working with Italian and international counterparts to fight complacency, and both continue to monitor the actions of anti-Olympics activist groups and investigate incidents in an effort look to improve operations. OSOC personnel are available for immediate recall to supplement existing 24/7 JOC and TIC staff should an Olympics-related incident occur. Demonstrations/Protests: ¶6. (U) The "No Olimpiadi" activist group held a peaceful demonstration during the afternoon of 02/16/2006 near the Mole Antonelliana, a prominent landmark in downtown Turin. The group,s members handed out flyers and there was no disruption of nearby medal ceremonies as a result of the protest. According to OSAC, "No Olimpiadi" intends to conduct another demonstration on 02/17/2006 in the same location. ¶7. (U) OSOC learned through liaison with the MOI that the "No-TAV" environmental symposium scheduled to occur on 02/17/2006-02/19/2006 in the mountains near Turin will not include demonstrations, as the organizers fear that protests will draw negative publicity to the groups, cause. MOI sources indicate that individuals from the Basque region of Spain, an official of the Colombian wildlife movement, and a possible Sinn Fein representative from Northern Ireland will participate in the meetings. UK law enforcement officials assigned to CNIO are attempting to verify the participation of Northern Ireland individual. While the organizing groups do not intend to demonstrate, it is possible that other, non-related organizations may attempt to conduct disruptive protests. Italian authorities continue to closely monitor the situation and OSOC is working with MOI to obtain additional information on the meetings and their participants. ¶8. (U) On 02/16/2006, the dissident website Independent Media Center (Indymedia.org) posted a repeat call by global grassroots movement Critical Mass for protesters to conduct a bicycle-ride/demonstration in Turin on 02/18/2006 (reported in REFTEL). The new posting calls for the protest to begin at Piazza San Carlo--site of the NBC Today show broadcast--rather than at another Piazza as previously reported. OSOC is attempting to discern the reasons for the change in venue and time. OSOC field liaison agents with Italian security/law enforcement authorities are constantly monitoring activity in the Today Show piazza and reviewing security posture accordingly. Incidents: ¶9. (SBU) In a follow-up to REFTEL informaionreardngthe 0215200 La Stampa article about a bomb scare at Turin's Castelle Airport, TSA representatives at the airport confirmed to OSOC that an unattended backpack in the airport parking lot prompted Italian officials to call in their explosives ordnance disposal (EOD) team. Investigation by the EOD unit determined that the backpack contained popcorn. TSA was aware of the incident at the time of occurrence and SIPDIS had previously reported the results of the Italian investigation to OSOC. ¶10. (SBU) In clarification of information reported in REFTEL regarding a rock-throwing incident at the USOC-sponsored USA House, additional information from OSOC field agents indicated that a stone was thrown at a police vehicle stationed at USA House, rather than at the building itself. As previously reported, on 02/16/2006, La Stampa published an article on the incident containing inaccurate information, including a statement that the rock throwing targeted the official quarters of the U.S. delegation. ¶11. (SBU) NBC security personnel reported to OSOC that on 02/16/2006, a police EOD unit responded to a suspicious suitcase found abandoned in the general vicinity of the Olympics Superstore. After evacuating the area, the EOD team determined that the suitcase was empty. OSOC CNIO liaison is working with MOI counterparts to obtain additional information on the incident. ¶12. (SBU) On 02/16/2006, an OSOC employee reported that his wallet was stolen while riding on public transportation in Turin and a report was filed with Turin police. The wallet contained currency, credit cards, an ATM card, and a drivers license. This incident highlights consular information reported in previous situation reports that the incidence of petty crime on public transportation in Turin appears to have increased since the start of the Olympics. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶13. (U) OSOC CNIO liaison followed-up with the MOI regarding the veracity of a report in the Naples-based daily Il Mattino that some Olympics event bus drivers had not been properly screened before receiving credentials (see REFTEL). The MOI advised that all of the drivers working under TOROC contracts had been properly identified prior to the Games; however, Italian officials have become aware that TOROC and the contract bus company have been rotating drivers in an effort to keep up with the demand for transportation and that not all of the replacement drivers were screened. The MOI is now actively working with TOROC to ensure that only those drivers who have been properly vetted are used for the remainder of the Games. ¶14. (SBU) Due to the recent increase in petty criminal incidents reported by American citizens in Turin, OSOC elements are collaborating on a new product to track the location of incidents and street crime against Americans. The product could help map locations where Americans may be at particular risk for pickpocketing and similar crimes, and will be shared with both USG security and consular personnel. VIPs -------------- ¶15. (SBU) U. S. Ambasssador to Rome is scheduled to arrive in Turin on the evening of 02/17/2006; he will attend several Olympic events before departing the city on 02/19/2006. There is no information to suggest that activist groups are aware of or intend to disrupt the Ambassador,s visit; OSOC is working with Italian authorities to identify potential security concerns that may impact on the Ambassador,s movements. ¶16. (SBU) The White House delegation for the Closing Ceremonies, headed by former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, is expected to arrive in Turin on the evening of 02/24/2006. To date, there has been little coverage of the delegation in Italian press; PA is working with Italian media to publicize the delegation,s arrival. As the arrival of the delegation draws closer and press plans are finalized, OSOC expects that more attention will be focused on the delegation. OSOC and Italian law enforcement are engaged on security operations for the delegation. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶17. (U) OSOC continues to work with Italian counterparts on the investigation of the theft of a TOROC vehicle pass, and implications for security procedures. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶18. (U) The front pages of most Italian dailies continue to feature photos of Olympic medal winners while focusing primarily on domestic political stories. Articles on Olympics events can be found inside the cover, and features on Olympic security can still be found in a number of papers, though they no longer hold first priority in terms of reporting. The following is a summary of Olympics-relevant media activity for 02/17/2006: --Wire service ANSA, and major newspapers La Repubblica and La Stampa had articles on Olympic ticket scalpers and popularity in the U.S. of the practice. The articles noted American citizens (Amcits) involved in scalping and La Repubblica described the confiscation of tickets and police charges against several American citizens for illegally selling tickets. La Stampa quotes an Italian gold medalist from Salt Lake City as praising a more open approach to ticket sales in the U.S. The story noted that while scalpers are active in Turin, police have been active in identifying and disrupting their activities. (See related information in consular report below.) --Il Giornale reported that activist groups hung "No TAV" signs at the Olympics speed skating Oval Lingotto venue. There is no indication of how the groups were able to get through security in order to place the signs. (OSOC field liaison agents at the Lingotto are following up, to confirm information and the possible impact on access controls.) --Weekly magazine Panorama published an interview with Italian Minister of Interior Pisanu regarding his views of security in Italy. The Minister commented on topics ranging from Islamic terrorism to the Olympic security effort. Pisanu stated that Olympic security is under control, that the greatest threat to the Games comes from activist and anti-globalization groups, and that sophisticated security plans are in place to deal with attempts at disruption and to counteract terrorist planning. ¶19. (U) PA continues to interact with both local and U.S. media on requests for information. On 02/16/2006, Fox News followed up with PA for additional details regarding the rock-throwing incident at the USA House. PA indicated that the incident was still under investigation by Italian authorities and that no further information was currently available. ¶20. (U) On 02/17/2006, the Public Media Center in Turin will conduct a press conference regarding Olympics secrity, or jurnalits notaccredited to cover Olympic sporting events. OSOC representatives from PA and OSAC will attend the meeting. ¶21. (U) PA continues to work Italian press to publicize the naming of the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies. OSOC will remain alert to any planned activist disruptions that may result from increased press coverage of the delegation's activities. ¶22. (U) The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 39-011-55-99-368. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶23. (U) Two Amcits requested consular services on 02/16/2006. One request was for new visa pages to be added to a passport, while the other involved emergency notarial services for a U.S. reporter. Though the Consular Office in Turin is not able to grant requests for routine notarial services, assistance can be offered in limited, emergency cases. ¶24. (U) On 02/16/2006, CA learned of two new cases of Americans charged with illegally selling Olympic tickets; three such incidents have been reported since the beginning of the Games. (Italian law makes it illegal for individuals to sell Olympic tickets without first obtaining a license from TOROC; this is the case even if the tickets are being sold below face value.) According to the MOI, one Amcit was fined for his activity; he subsequently visited the Consular Office to obtain information on the Italian legal system and was given factual information and a list of English-speaking attorneys. The second Amcit was fined for his ticket-selling activity and was given an expulsion order from Italy due to his non-compliance with an often-overlooked law stipulating that visitors must register their presence within eight days of arrival in country. (This requirement to register is noted in the CA Consular Information Sheet for Italy.) OSOC is working with CA to obtain an official copy of the police report for USG review. ¶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