TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000511 SIPDIS NOFORN 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: DECL: X1 TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT (SITREP) #15, 02/21/2006 REF: ROME 507 Classified By: Deborah Graze, Consul General Milan for reason 1.4 (d) ¶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 (CNIO),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 occurred without incident on 02/20/2006. ¶5. (SBU) Our OSOC CNIO liaison reports the Italian MOI has requested that international law enforcement representatives assigned to CNIO continue to focus on the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Games. Although the MOI has no information to indicate an increased threat to the event, it has asked CNIO to pay particular attention due to the profile of the event. SECURITY -------------- Terrorist Activity/Threats: ¶6. (S/NF) There is no indication that terrorist groups intend to target the Olympic Games. The Consulate General in Milan has confirmed that a Tunisian national arrested on 02/18/2006 on illegal immigration charges remains in Italian custody; on 02/25/2006, the Milan courts will determine if the individual's detention will be upheld. Italian authorities remain alert to the potential for terrorist activity. See IIR 5 398 6522 06 and TD-314/10053-06 for information on possible extremist plots elsewhere in Italy. ¶7. (U) On 02/20/2006, the Independent Media Center (Indymedia.org),which has posted numerous calls to action against the Olympics, disseminated an article entitled "2006 Olympics Legalized plundering and devastation!". The text claims that a "destructive attack" is the only means left for activists who want social change. The posting ends by exclaiming, "We will burn the future in Piazza Castello!" (Piazza Castello is site of Olympics medals ceremonies.) OSOC continues to work with Italian law enforcement to identify and monitor activist events that could impact on the safety and security of U.S. interests in the Olympic theater. Demonstrations/Protests: ¶8. (U) According to Italian daily Corriere della Sera, the Italian National Chief of Police released a memorandum alerting local police chiefs to the possibility of violent street demonstrations in response to the controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad. Law enforcement officers were directed to increase surveillance measures and pay special attention to demonstrations and Italian Government facilities, diplomatic missions, and regional institutions that may become targets of retaliation. These measures are preventive in nature; dialogue between OSOC and Italian security services has indicated that there are currently no anti-Olympics or cartoon-related demonstrations planned by the Muslim community in Turin or surrounding cities. Incidents: ¶9. (SBU) On 02/20/2006, Italian law enforcement reported to OSOC that three individuals (not/not American citizens) had several items stolen from their hotel rooms, including USA House credentials. OSOC passed this information to the USA House security personnel. OSOC will verify that the stolen passes are canceled, to prevent their future use. ¶10. (SBU) On 02/20/2006, OSOC received reports of two suspicious incidents at the Bank of America hospitality house. The first incident involved unidentified individuals who were allegedly making a delivery to a church adjacent to the hospitality house; however, the subjects did not unload anything from their vehicles and subsequent investigation by hospitality house security officials revealed that there were no deliveries scheduled for that day. The second incident involved repeated walk-bys of the hospitality house by an unidentified individual who appeared to be Middle Eastern. OSOC has passed the license plate information from the first incident to DIGOS (Italian General Investigations and Special Operations) for follow-up. OSOC has also coordinated with Bank of America hospitality house security regarding future high-profile events, as it is possible that members of the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies will visit this site. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Italian officials continue to focus on Olympic security operations. In coming days, security efforts will be concentrated on preparing for the Closing Ceremonies and the end of the Olympic Games. OSOC is working in coordination with Italian authorities, TOROC, and USOC to ensure the security of U.S. sponsors, spectators, and athletes as the Olympics draw to a close. ¶12. (SBU) As media attention on Olympic hospitality houses has increased, OSOC has noted a steady increase in security at these facilities. Media interest in the high profile sponsor events at the hospitality houses has resulted in a number of reported incidents involving photography of buildings and personnel. Due to their public nature and high profile, these facilities remain viable soft targets. OSOC continues to work with Italian authorities to identify security vulnerabilities at U.S. sponsored hospitality houses. VIPs -------------- ¶13. (SBU) The White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies, led by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, is scheduled to arrive in Turin on 02/24/2006. OSOC, USG control officer, and PA are working with USOC, TOROC, and Italian counterparts to ensure that officials are aware of and facilitating the delegation,s schedule. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶14. (SBU) OSOC continues to work with Italian counterparts on the investigation of the theft of a TOROC vehicle pass and credentials. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶15. (U) Domestic politics continue to dominate Italian press, overshadowing coverage of Olympic events. Most major dailies and TV media highlight Italian medals winners and the reconciled ice dancers' performance. Media focus, in addition to highlighting the Pope's call for peaceful dialogue and mutual respect between different religious followers, remains attuned to the recent anti-Italian demonstrations in Libya and the actions of former Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli and his Northern League Party. Italian dailies on 02/21/2006 reported that the Northern League will remain in the Italian ruling coalition, with the implication that additional immigration restrictions will be considered in exchange. ¶16. (U) Olympics coverage continues to focus on the recent doping scandal involving Austrian athletes, with emphasis placed on the investigation of the contents of syringes thrown out during an anti-doping raid on 02/18/2006. The placement of the banned Austrian Olympic coach into a psychiatric facility in Austria has likewise received media play. ¶17. (U) On a positive note, major daily La Stampa carried a feature on a donation made by Olympics sponsor McDonalds to the library of a local children,s hospital. ¶18. (U) PA is drafting the U.S. Ambassador,s byline, which will be submitted to Italian papers for publication. The byline will highlight the Ambassador,s impressions of Turin during the FLOTUS visit and his personal visit over the past weekend. PA Olympics office is attending relevant press briefings, handling media inquiries and planning media coverage of the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies. USOC-based PA staff is 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 -------------- ¶19. (U) On 02/20/2006, the Consular Office in Turin received eleven requests for emergency services. Two Amcits applied for emergency passports and two U.S. passports were recovered and returned to their holders. An Amcit,s driver,s license and insurance card were recovered and turned in to the Consular Office; staff contacted the Amcit,s relatives in the U.S. to request a local phone number and left a message at his hotel room in Turin. ¶20. (U) In the mountain venue of Oulx, two Amcits were issued administrative sanctions for allegedly re-selling Olympic event tickets without proper license. In Turin, two additional Amcits--including one who had been previously sanctioned--were issued administrative fines for the illegal sale of Olympic tickets. Three of the four individuals visited the Consular Office to request a list of English-speaking attorneys in Turin. CA notes that a total of 15 Amcits have received administrative sanctions related to illegal ticket sales. ¶21. (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