Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME586
2006-02-25 10:59:00
SECRET//NOFORN
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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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000586 

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) #19, 02/25/2006

REF: ROME 568

Classified By: Deborah Graze, Consul General Milan for reason 1.4 (d)

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000586

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) #19, 02/25/2006

REF: ROME 568

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 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 took place without disruption on
02/24/2006.


5. (U) Italian authorities are focused on Olympic security
through the weekend, to ensure a successful end to the Games.
Security in Turin and the mountain venues be strict to
prevent disruption of the final days of sporting events or of
the Closing Ceremonies.


6. (U) On 02/25/2006, Turin will host a second "White Night"

celebration, in which restaurants and stores will extend
their hours. Reduced train fare is also offered to
participants coming from outside Turin. As a result, large
crowds are expected, as well as a significant Italian
security presence.


7. (SBU) The White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies
arrived in Turin late on 02/24/2006.


SECURITY
--------------
Terrorist Activity/Threats:

8. (SBU) There is no indication that terrorist organizations
intend to conduct attacks against Olympic venues, spectators
or athletes in the final days of the Games. On 02/24/2006,
Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that Italian
security forces conducted a counterterrorism raid on the
apartment of a Syrian national suspected of plotting
terrorist attacks against targets in Milan and Olympic sites
in Turin. According to the paper, no evidence was uncovered
in the raid to support the allegations that the Syrian had
terrorist affiliations. Italian authorities deported the
suspect to Syria on 02/24/2006.

Demonstrations/Protests:


9. (S/NF) Italian authorities remain alert to the possibility
that activist groups may attempt to disrupt Olympic events in
the final days of the Games. Italian security officials in
Turin are more concerned about public order and security
during the Closing Ceremonies on 2/26/2006 than they were
with the Opening Ceremonies. Refer to TD-314/13515-06 for
additional information.


10. (U) The Independent Media Center (Indymedia.org)
continues to post anti-Olympic calls for action, noting that
groups should take advantage of the media presence in Turin
to publicize their causes. Comments posted on the site urge
protesters to organize regional and national level
demonstrations before the end of the Winter Games. OSOC
continues to work with Italian counterparts to identify
possible planned protests or activist events that could
impact on the movements of USG VIP visitors, U.S. Olympic
sponsors, or athletes.

Incidents:


11. (SBU) OSOC learned through MOI contacts that the Fiat
Mirafiori factory received a telephonic bomb threat on
02/23/2006. The anonymous caller stated that there were two
bombs in the building. Italian Explosive Ordnance Disposal
(EOD) personnel responding to the call found a hoax device
consisting of a can of solvent with two wires exposed. The
device was determined to be inert and the scene was declared
safe. Italian authorities believe that the incident was
related to ongoing trade union disputes with Fiat. An
investigation of the incident is ongoing.


12. (U) On 02/23/2006, an OSOC employee was the victim of an
attempted purse snatching. The employee stuck the
perpetrator in the chest, at which point the assailant fled
empty-handed. The OSOC employee sustained no injury or loss
of property. OSOC reported the incident to CA.


13. (U) On 02/24/2006, the U.S. men,s bronze medal curling
match on was interrupted by a streaker. According to media
reports, Italian security officials ejected the naked man
from the venue into the cold, mountain air.


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


14. (SBU) OSOC continues to coordinate with Italian
authorities and U.S. Olympic sponsors to identify and deter
disruptive activity in the final days of the Olympics. In
addition, OSOC remains focused on providing security
assistance for U.S. VIP delegations visiting Turin for the
Closing Ceremonies. OSOC is also working with USOC and
Italian law enforcement to address security measures for the
upcoming Paralympics.


15. (SBU) On 02/25/2006, OSOC will provide a USG assessment
of potential threats against the Closing Ceremonies to the
MOI and CNIO law enforcement counterparts. Former New York
Mayor and White House delegation member Rudolph Giuliani will
chair the CNIO briefing.


16. (S/NF) Italian officials are planning the demobilization
of the security reinforcements currently stationed in Turin
to support the Olympics. Some law enforcement units will
likely cease coverage of their assigned venues after Olympic
competitions at the sites have ended. Other units may remain
in Turin to provide service during the Paralympic Games in
March.


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


17. (SBU) The White House Delegation to the Closing
Ceremonies arrived in Turin on 02/24/2006 without incident.


18. (SBU) On 02/25/2006, the delegation will attend a
USG-hosted reception, as well as a PA-scheduled press meeting
and an Olympic event. Delegation head Rudolph Giuliani will
chair the CNIO security briefing on 02/25/2006 and will make
an appearance on NBC,s Today Show. There is no indication
that activist groups intend to disrupt the delegation,s
visit. OSOC continues to coordinate with Italian law
enforcement to identify planned activist events that may
impact on the delegation,s movements during their stay. TSA
is engaged with Italian and USG authorities to facilitate the
delegation,s arrival and departure from Turin.


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


19. (U) No matters pending at this time.

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


20. (U) Olympic security garnered attention in Italian media
on 02/25/2006. The lead Olympics-related story was featured
in Turin local daily La Stampa, which reported that Italy is
on maximum security alert for the Closing Ceremonies. The
article discussed the closure of Turin airspace on 02/26/2006
and printed photos of an Italian anti-aircraft battery.

21. (U) La Repubblica and Il Giornale carried brief articles
on the expulsion from Italy of a Syrian national suspected of
plotting terrorist attacks in Milan and Turin. (See paragraph
8.) The MOI underscored that the deportation of the Syrian
was part of Italy's plan to prevent and combat Islamic
extremism. Il Giornale di Piemonte reported that the "Olympic
truce" between Italian authorities and activist groups will
end on 02/27/2006.


22. (U) Olympic sports-related reporting remains generally
positive. La Stampa featured a complementary article on U.S.
gold medal skier Julia Mancuso, focusing on her Italian
heritage. Another article printed positive comment on Joey
Cheek's donations to support children in Darfur and the
"Right to Play" charity. USOC released a statement regarding
U.S. skier Jeret Peterson's departure from the Olympic
Village and his plans to return to the U.S. following his
involvement in an altercation with an acquiantance.


23. (U) PA continues to work to publicize the activities of
the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies. PA has
scheduled several media opportunities for the delegation,
including an interview for Rudolph Giuliani on the weekend
Today Show. Local and international television coverage is
planned for the delegation at the USG reception on
02/25/2006, followed by a group media availability meeting
with interviews at the Piedmont Media Center on 02/26/2006.
The MOI has also invited the press to cover Rudolph
Giuliani's chairing of the daily security briefing for CNIO
and USOC has planned media coverage for the delegation at the
Main Media Center. The editor of La Stampa has commented
that he is happy with the support and accessibility provided
by PA staff.


24. (U) PA remains engaged in scheduling interviews for U.S.
Olympic and Paralympic athletes. PA successfully programmed
two Paralympians on the NBC Today Show's 02/24/2006
broadcast. PA remains in contact with publicists for U.S.
Olympians Joey Cheek and Chris Witty to participate in an
Italy-wide speaking tour following the Games.


25. (U) The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at
39-011-55-99-368.


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

26. (U) On 02/24/2006, CA was notified of the death of an
American citizen (Amcit) at the Bank of America hospitality
house. It appears that the individual died of a heart
attack, though CA is awaiting the official report on cause of
death. CA is working the next of kin, who are present in
Turin, to make arrangements for the repatriation of the
remains.

27. (U) CA received four requests for services from Amcits on
2/24/2006. Consular staff was contacted by an Amcit who was
hospitalized in Turin due to a nut allergy; the Amcit
reported that he expected to be released later in the day.
Another Amcit was hospitalized in the mountains due to severe
abdominal pain. Consular staff spoke with the doctor at the
hospital and learned that the Amcit would be transferred to a
separate facility for further testing. CA later confirmed
that the American is suffering from a kidney stone and that
he will return to the U.S. on 02/25/2006. Another Amcit
retrieved his passport, which had been turned in to the
Consular Office on 2/23/2006. CA also performed an emergency
notarial service for a fellow USG colleague working in Turin
during the Olympics.


28. (U) One of the two Amcits who received an administrative
fine for re-selling Olympic tickets on 02/23/2006 visited the
Consular Office to pick up a list of English-speaking
attorneys in Turin. He insisted that his office was a
pick-up location for those who had already purchased tickets
and that he had not actually re-sold the tickets.


29. (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