TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 ROME 000504

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) #13, 02/19/2006

REF: ROME 503


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 took place without disruption on
02/18/2006. Large crowds were drawn to downtown Turin to
celebrate Olympic Night, a TOROC-sponsored event featuring
free concerts, tasting sessions for local cuisine, and a
movie marathon. Most restaurants and bars remained open
throughout the night. Despite the number of visitors, the
celebration occurred without incident.


5. (U) Italian Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli resigned
his position on 02/18/2006, a day after rioting outside the
Italian Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, resulted in 11 deaths.
Calderoli, whose wearing of t-shirts printed with the
controversial Prophet Mohammad cartoons prompted the violent
Libyan demonstration, stated that he was resigning of his own
accord, not because the Italian Government had demanded it.
MOI officials informed OSOC that Italian diplomatic
facilities around the world have augmented their security as
a result of the Benghazi incident but that no additional
measures will be taken at this time at Olympic venues.


6. (U) The second day of the "No TAV" symposium ended
uneventfully on 02/18/2006. Italian law enforcement in the
mountain region remain alert to the potential for protests,
but it is unlikely that acts of violence will occur before
the symposium ends on 02/19/2006.


SECURITY
--------------

Terrorist Activity/Threats:


7. (SBU) There is no reporting to suggest a specific,
credible threat to Olympic sporting events or participants.
Italian security forces remain alert to the potential for
disruption by activist groups and OSOC continues to
coordinate with Italian counterparts to identify activity
that could impact on the safety of U.S. interests within the
Olympic theater.

Demonstrations/Protests:


8. (U) On 02/18/2006, the Critical Mass bike ride occurred
near Piazza San Carlo, location of the daily live broadcast
of NBC,s Today Show. The demonstration was peaceful and
uneventful. OSOC field elements were on hand to monitor the
event and marked Italian police patrols were stationed there
to prevent any disruption.


9. (U) Protesters conducted a pro-Palestinian/pro-Iraqi
march through Rome on 02/18/2006; a U.S. flag was burned
during the course of the protest. The groups conducting the
march were fringe elements of the far left that are not
recognized by the extreme left parties of the opposition
coalition. Italian police estimate that 1500 people
participated; the march concluded peacefully.


10. (U) The number of anti-Olympic protests in Turin has
diminished in size and frequency over the past ten days. In
a press conference on 02/17/2006, Italian Interior Minister
Pisanu commented that the decrease was due to the stringent
Italian security procedures in place for the Games, as well
as the actions of local residents to discourage activity that
could embarrass Turin and Italy. OSOC continues to work with
Italian authorities to obtain information on protests and
disruptive activity that could impact on the security and
movements of U.S. athletes and spectators.

Incidents:


11. (SBU) According to OSOC representatives, on 02/16/2006,
Visa International hospitality guests reported that two rooms
in the Star Majestic Hotel in Turin were broken into; the
thieves absconded with credit cards and personal items worth
approximately $4,000. One guest reported that she noticed
three people wearing TOROC jackets at the time of the
incidents, though there were no TOROC meetings scheduled.
OSOC sent out an alert on the incidents to U.S. corporate
sponsors in Turin. OSOC relayed the information to TOROC
head of security for additional investigation.


12. (SBU) On 02/18/2006, OSOC field agents in the mountain
venue of Sestriere reported that a hole had been made in the
venue fence in order to allow a garbage truck to access the
compound; the hole was located near the area used to lodge
U.S. athletes. Security forces were not posted by the breach
to prevent access to the compound and OSOC agents were able
to walk unhindered through the gap. OSOC immediately
contacted the head of TOROC security to report the problem
and to stress USG concern about the security risks presented
by the unguarded breach in the venue,s zone of control.
TOROC security quickly resolved the issue by positioning a
vehicle to close the gap.


SECURITY OPERATIONS
--------------


13. (SBU) OSOC CNIO liaison received additional information
from the MOI regarding the 02/17/2006 anonymous telephonic
report of an attack against Olympic venues. According to the
MOI, the unidentified female caller reported that she had
overheard a conversation between two men in a bar, during
which the men spoke about using a bus to conduct an attack
against the Pinerolo Palaghaccio venue (site of curling).
The caller claimed that the attack was due to occur at 1800
hrs that evening. Italian security forces immediately
conducted a sweep of all Olympic venues, with negative
results. Despite requests by international CNIO law
enforcement representatives, the MOI does not plan to conduct
additional investigation as the call was anonymous and could
not be traced. OSOC CNIO liaison will continue to work with
MOI counterparts to ensure that OSOC is made aware of any
additional threats or incidents against Olympic venues or
participants.


14. (U) According to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, on
02/18/2006, Italian authorities in Milan arrested a Tunisian
on charges of illegal immigration after law enforcement
personnel intercepted a phone conversation in which the
subject stated that the Angel of Death would come for him on
Saturday or Sunday. Concerned that the individual,s
comments may have been a reference to a potential suicide
operation, Italian authorities arrested him as a preventative
measure. The article provides no information as to why
authorities were monitoring the Tunisian,s phone line.
According to Corriere della Sera, the detention was
undertaken with cooperation from the Bologna prosecutor,s
office and the Carabinieri. Commenting on the arrest,
Italian Interior Minister Pisanu noted that the matter is
still under investigation and that the incident should not
cause undue alarm. The Bologna prosecutor,s office stated
that the charges against the Tunisian could change if their
investigation reveals evidence of subversive activity. OSOC
is requesting additional information from the MOI through
OSOC CNIO liaison.


15. (SBU) Anecdotal reporting by OSOC personnel visiting
mountain venues suggests that transportation into and out of
the mountains remains chaotic. According to the OSOC
employees, they observed long lines of spectators waiting for
buses following Olympic events in Sestriere and watched as
random buses were stopped on the road and people boarded with
no attempt to check identification or tickets. OSOC will
continue to work with Italian counterparts to determine how
they intend to improve transportation and access control in
the mountains.


VIPs
--------------


16. (SBU) The U.S. Ambassador to Italy is scheduled to leave
Turin on 02/19/2006, following a three-day visit to attend
Olympic events. The Ambassador,s visit received no press
coverage and occurred without disruption.


17. (SBU) The White House Delegation to the Closing
Ceremonies, led by former New York Mayor Rudolph Guiliani, is
scheduled to arrive in Turin on 02/24/2006. Press coverage
in anticipation of the delegation,s arrival has been
minimal. OSOC is working with Italian counterparts to ensure
that the delegation,s visit takes place without disturbance.


PENDING MATTERS
--------------


18. (SBU) OSOC continues to work with Italian counterparts on
the investigation of the theft of a TOROC vehicle pass.


PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
--------------


19. (U) The resignation of Italian Reform Minister Roberto
Calderoli was the lead story in Italian media on 02/19/2006;
commentary on the resignation was generally positive, as
there has been broad spectrum political and popular
condemnation of his actions. Italian Foreign Minister
Fini,s 02/18/2006 visit to a Rome mosque also received wide
coverage, as it was well received by Roman Muslims and was
supported by a broad segment of Italian society. Also
featured prominently in the press was the 02/18/2006 phone
call by Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi to Libyan President
Gadhafi, in which Berlusconi emphasized the good relations
between Italy and Libya. Berlusconi was also quoted in Il
Giornale as hoping that Calderoli,s resignation will
pre-empt further retaliation against Italian companies and
military forces abroad.


20. (U) Coverage of Olympic sporting events and of the
Olympics medal winners continues to be generally positive.
On 02/19/2006, Corriere della Sera and wire service AP
focused on a blitz of anti-doping raids conducted against the
Austrian Olympic biathlon and cross-country skiing teams.
The raids, which failed to reveal the presence of illegal
substances, were coordinated by the IOC, the Turin
Prosecutor,s Office and the Carabinieri. Il Giornale
featured a story about TOROC,s request for an additional 19
million Euro to fund the remainder of the Games.


21. (U) Security-related features continue to garner
interest. Media coverage of Italian Minister of Interior
Pisanu,s 02/17/2006 press conference on Olympic security
received positive comment in Italian dailies. (Pisanu stated
during the conference that Olympic security was being well
handled and that there would be no diminishment of security
measures prior to the end of the Games.) On 02/19/2006, Il
Giornale and Turin-based national daily La Stampa featured
Pisanu,s comments in Bologna following the Benghazi
demonstration. Pisanu noted his concerns about political
violence and stated that certain antagonistic groups will
insert themselves into political rallies in order to conduct
subversive acts. Il Giornale also commented on the
Department of Public Security,s request that security at all
state institutions, including political parties, be augmented
in light of the Benghazi attack.


22. (U) PA Olympics office continues monitor local media and
press briefings on Olympics-related issues. PA is working to
schedule media opportunities for the White House Delegation
to the Closing Ceremonies, including at the reception planned
for 02/15/2006. PA has also sent speaker program proposals
to the agents of three U.S. Olympic athletes. The Public
Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 39-011-55-99-368.


CONSULAR AFFAIRS
--------------


23. (U) CA received two requests from American citizens
(Amcits) for emergency services on 02/18/2006. One Amcit
came to the Consular Office in Turin to receive emergency
notarial assistance while another applied for a passport
after his was stolen in Rome.


24. (SBU) On 02/18/2006, CA learned of two Amcits fined by
police for selling Olympic tickets without proper TOROC
licenses; one individual was stopped in the mountain venue of
Sestriere while the other was located in Turin. Separately,
OSOC field agents in Sestriere reported that Italian
authorities had detained three Amcits on charges of
unlicensed ticket selling. OSOC field elements are
following-up to determine the status of the subjects and OSOC
will work with CA to resolve the discrepancy between the
numbers of Amcits allegedly detained.


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