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