Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME487
2006-02-17 10:28:00
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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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

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