TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

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 �0A; -------------- 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