TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000503 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) #12, 02/18/2006 REF: ROME 487 ¶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. (SBU) On 02/17/2006, Italian law enforcement officials reported having earlier received anonymous information regarding a possible bus-borne explosives threat to Olympic venues in Turin. Italian security forces were placed on elevated alert, though no additional information was received to corroborate the threat. OSOC liaison learned that although Italian law enforcement officers assessed the timeframe for the threat as having expired, they opted to go to a higher alert level to avoid the appearance of complacency by their personnel. ¶5. (U) Adverse weather conditions in the mountains delayed a number of Olympic alpine events and resulted in the diversion of some competitions to alternate venues. ¶6. (U) There were no reports of disturbances connected to the "No TAV" symposium being conducted by activist groups in the mountain region; organizers of the series of meetings have stated that they do not intend to conduct demonstrations during the weekend. SECURITY -------------- Terrorist Activity/Threats: ¶7. (SBU) Italian law enforcement in Turin increased their alert level at all Olympic venues during the evening of 02/17/2006 after receiving an anonymous telephonic report about a possible attack involving a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED); initial information shared with OSOC field agents by Italian counterparts indicated that possible targets were the Palaghaccio venue--site of figure skating, ice dancing and short track speed skating--and the Pinerolo venue--site of the curling competition. However, in OSOC follow-up with senior Italian law enforcement officials, it was determined that no specific target was identified by the caller and that the timeframe for the attack had already expired. ¶8. (SBU) There continues to be no indication of specific, corroborated terrorist activity in relation to the Olympic Games. Italian countermeasures enacted in response to the 02/17/2006 telephonic threat underscores that security forces are not complacent and that they remain proactive in addressing security concerns. OSOC continues to work with Italian and international counterparts to monitor the actions of anti-Olympics activist groups and OSOC personnel are available for immediate recall to supplement existing 24/7 JOC and TIC staff should an Olympics-related incident occur. Demonstrations/Protests: ¶9. (U) The "No Olimpiadi" activist group held a second peaceful demonstration during the afternoon of 02/17/2006 near the Mole Antonelliana, a prominent landmark in downtown Turin. There was no disruption of nearby medal ceremonies as a result of the protest. ¶10. (U) The first day of the "No TAV" and environmental symposium being held in the mountain region occurred without incident on 02/17/2006. OSOC continues to interact with Italian law enforcement to monitor the activities of the "No TAV" and other groups that could potentially disrupt Olympic events. ¶11. (U) Press reports continue to publicize the Critical Mass bike ride scheduled to occur on 02/18/2006 at Piazza San Carlo, site of the NBC Today Show broadcast. The event is expected to be peaceful; OSOC field elements routinely monitor the Piazza and marked Italian police patrols are stationed there to prevent disruption. OSOC feels that security currently in place is adequate to respond to problems stemming from the bike ride. ¶12. (SBU) OSOC field liaison agents posted to the Oval Lingotto speed-skating venue investigated information from a 02/17/2006 Il Giornale article (reported in REFTEL) that activists hung "No TAV" signs at the stadium. After speaking with Italian security elements in the field, the agents were unable to confirm the existence of the signs or that activists had compromised security measures designed to prevent such incidents. Further inquiry has revealed that prominent "No TAV" signs have been hung from a house adjacent to the venue compound; according to the OSOC agents, skinheads and neo-Nazi sympathizers are known to reside in the house. In conversation with OSOC elements, Italian authorities at Oval Lingotto stated that they do not consider the residents of the house to be a threat to the venue, athletes, or spectators. Incidents: ¶13. (U) There are no Olympics-related incidents to report as of 02/18/2006. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶14. (SBU) In response to the receipt of an anonymous telephonic report, Italian law enforcement in Turin increased their security posture on 02/17/2006. The heightened security stance was also in reaction to the 2/17/2006 attack against the Italian Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, where demonstrators reportedly entered the consulate grounds and set fire to the building and a consulate car. The U.S. Liaison Office in Tripoli reported that the demonstration was in response to Italian Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli,s remarks and t-shirts featuring the Danish cartoons depicting the Prophet Mohammed. The Italian Embassy advised that all personnel are accounted for and Libyan security forces are in control of the situation. According to news reports, 11 protesters were killed in the attack. Italian officials in Turin are concerned that unrest could spread to Italy and could present a security risk for the Olympics; in order to combat complacency among Italian forces in the field, all Italian security forces will remain at heightened alert levels. OSOC continues to engage with Italian security officials to identify and prevent hostile actions against U.S. interests stemming from the cartoon controversy, the release of prisoner abuse photos in Abu Ghraib prison, and the publication of articles alleging U.S. mistreatment of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. ¶15. (SBU) OSOC information sharing and security procedures resulted in a successful OSOC response to the Italian threat report. OSOC field agents reported the increase in Italian security at venue sites to JOC/TIC staff, OSOC Command Group personnel contacted Italian law enforcement counterparts for additional information and all OSOC elements responded effectively to address U.S.-related concerns at Olympic venues. Bottom line: the OSOC system worked. ¶16. (SBU) On 02/17/2006, OSOC CNIO liaison raised concerns with the MOI regarding two recent incidents in which Italian explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams investigated suspicious packages that were later identified as empty briefcases or suitcases. (Previously reported in situational reports dated 02/13/2006 and 02/17/2006.) When asked by OSOC liaison if they have noticed a pattern to such incidents, MOI advised that they do not believe these incidents are indicative of an attempt to test police response or capabilities. OSOC liaison stressed USG concern regarding the incidents and requested that the MOI continue to inform OSOC of similar events through OSOC CNIO liaison. OSOC will continue to closely coordinate with Italian counterparts on this issue. VIPs -------------- ¶17. (SBU) The U.S. Ambassador to Rome arrived in Turin on 02/17/2006 and is scheduled to attend several Olympic events before departing the city on 02/19/2006. There has been no media attention paid to the Ambassador,s visit and activist groups are unlikely to disrupt his agenda. OSOC is working with Italian authorities to identify potential security concerns that may impact on the Ambassador,s movements. ¶18. (SBU) The White House delegation for the Closing Ceremonies, headed by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, will arrive in Turin on the evening of 02/24/2006. Initial indications are that the delegation will attend speed skating and hockey events prior to the Closing Ceremonies. Media focus on the delegation,s activities is expected to increase in the days before their arrival. PA continues to work with Italian news outlets to publicize the delegation. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶19. (U) OSOC continues to work with Italian counterparts on the investigation of the theft of a TOROC vehicle pass. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶20. (U) Olympics-related news in Italian papers was eclipsed by front page stories on the 02/17/2006 attack on the Italian Consulate in Benghazi. A number of dailies ran features on Italy,s Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli and the controversy created by his Prophet Mohammad cartoon t-shirts. La Repubblica featured a photo of Calderoli wearing one of the shirts, while La Stampa and Corriere della Sera contained interviews in which Calderoli stated that he does not feel responisible for the deaths of protesters in Libya. ¶21. (U) PA representatives attended a press conference conducted on 02/17/2006 by the Public Media Center (previously noted in REFTEL). Speakers included Italian Minister of Interior Pisanu, as well as others with responsibility for Olympic security. Pisanu lead the conference, remarking positively on security arrangements in place for the Games and noting that though no major incidents had occurred to date, security standards would not be decreased prior to the end of the Olympics. He also noted that 90 million Euros have been spent on Olympic security. When asked why there have not been more activist protests in Turin, Pisanu commented that local citizens had discouraged such activity, as it would negatively impact on the Olympics and on Italy. He also stated that though the population of Turin had increased over the past ten days, the level of crime in the city had actually decreased; he attributed this to the security measures put in place by Italian law enforcement. Pisanu closed him comments by thanking foreign law enforcement delegations present in Turin for their support; OSOC and the USG were not specifically mentioned. ¶22. (U) PA Olympics office continues to attend relevant press briefings, to handle media enquiries and to plan media coverage of the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies. USOC-based PA staff are supporting U.S. athlete press conferences, facilitating interaction with Italian media, to include translating and disseminating U.S. team information. The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 39-011-55-99-368. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶23. (U) On 02/17/2006, CA received a total of five requests for emergency passport services from American citizens (Amcits). Pickpockets had stolen the passports of three of the Amcits while the fourth passport had been lost. The fifth request involved a family who needed to register and obtain a passport for their child prior to conducting immediate travel to the U.S. due to family emergency. Consular staff in Turin referred them to Consulate General Milan to process the Consular Report of Birth Abroad and to obtain a passport. ¶24. (U) CA has learned of another case involving an Amcit allegedly selling Olympic tickets without a TOROC license; this brings the total number of such incidents to four. The Amcit visited the Consular Office in Turin to show them his police report; he had been given an administrative sanction by police and was fined more than 3,000 Euros. ¶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