TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000587 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) #20, 02/26/2006 REF: ROME 586 ¶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); European high-speed train project that is controversial in mountain towns near Olympics sites (TAV - Italian acronym); 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 02/25/2006. Large crowds were present in Turin overnight to celebrate the "White Night" festival, in which restaurants and stores remained open for extended hours. No disturbances were reported in conjunction with the celebration. One of the U.S. corporate Olympics sponsors, Budweiser, hosted a final high-profile (see PA summary) event with widespread advance publicity and OSOC received no reports of incidents. The Bud house is next door to, and on same property as, the privately-managed USA House, often mistaken as a USG facility. ¶5. (U) The Closing Ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games will take place from 2000-2200 hrs on 02/26/2006. Italian security forces are on highest alert to ensure that no disruptions occur during the final day of the Games. U.S. and Italian VIPs will attend the Closing Ceremonies. A total of 20 VIPs are expected to attend, including Prime Minister Berlusconi and the White House Delegation. ¶6. (U) The Presidential Delegation for the Closing Ceremonies, led by former New York City Mayor Giuliani and including Ambassador Spogli and race car champion Mario Andretti, concluded a successful first day of activities. Giuliani was widely quoted in the press and among Italian authorities for calling the Italian security organization a "model" for future events. At a concert hosted by the Turin Mayor with the national Carabinieri band, senior security officials noted with satisfaction the Giuliani comment. USG contacts with local officials throughout the day were positive and noted the theme of continued vigilance for the final day of Olympics ceremonies. USG interaction with Italian officials was marked by appreciation for the excellent coordination both between USG and GOI/TOROC and inter-agency coordination on each side. SECURITY -------------- Terrorist Activity/Threats: ¶7. (SBU) There is no indication that terrorist organizations intend to target the Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games. Italian authorities remain proactive in identifying, detaining and deporting individuals of concern. Security forces continue to monitor the Islamic community in Italy for indications of terrorist activity. Demonstrations/Protests: ¶8. (U) Although the number of anti-Olympics and anti-TAV protests has significantly decreased during the course of the Olympics, activist websites continue to post calls for demonstrations to occur prior to the end of the Games. OSOC has no information regarding protests scheduled to occur in conjunction with the Closing Ceremonies. Incidents: ¶9. (U) VISA International security representatives reported to OSOC that on 02/23/2006, an individual wearing a TOROC uniform gained entry into both the Hotel that houses VISA hospitality guests and the VISA Olympics hospitality center. The subject talked with guests and helped himself to food and drink. When approached by security officials, the individual initially refused to show his credentials; he later identified himself to VISA security officials as a TOROC volunteer. A check of the TOROC database confirmed that the individual is an event services volunteer. TOROC is coordinating with Italian authorities to determine whether the subject may be involved in the rash of hotel room break-ins reported over the past two weeks. VISA will provide additional information to OSOC when it becomes available. ¶10. (SBU) On 02/25/2006, Italian security officials reported to OSOC that unknown individuals entered the U.S. Ski Jump Team equipment storage facility in a mountain venue and stole $75,000 worth of equipment. Italian authorities arrested two individuals and recovered some of the equipment. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶11. (SBU) OSOC obtained partial information regarding the e-mail threat made to a U.S. Olympic curling athlete on 02/23/2006. Available information has not led to a positive identification of the sender. OSOC is continuing attempts to identify the sender of the e-mail for further investigative action. ¶12. (SBU) On 02/25/2006, OSOC presented an unclassified threat briefing on the Closing Ceremonies to the MOI and CNIO. White House delegate Rudolph Giuliani chaired the meeting, which was also attended by the U.S. Ambassador to Rome and the U.S. Consul General in Milan. The OSOC representative to the CNIO was invited to provide an unclassified summary of the USG assessment of the security SIPDIS environment for the final weekend of the Winter Olympics. Both Giuliani and Ambassador Spogli complimented Italian security efforts for the Games, while emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. Italian authorities affirmed that vigilance would be maintained. ¶13. (SBU) TOROC advised OSOC that security procedures for the Closing Ceremony will mirror those of the Opening Ceremony, with appropriate augmentation or adjustments based on lessons learned from the Opening Ceremonies experience. The 2/23/2006 rehearsal for the Ceremonies occurred without incident. ¶14. (SBU) TSA representatives in Turin will monitor a three-day surge period of exit flights from Turin on 02/27/2006-03/01/2006. TSA will conclude operations in Turin on 03/01/2006. Local authorities anticipate an extraordinarily large volume of flights from the Turin airport on Monday after the conclusion of the Winter Games. VIPs -------------- ¶15. (SBU) The first day of the White House Delegation,s visit took place without incident on 02/25/2006. On 02/26/2006, the delegation will take part in a press availability meeting at the Piedmont Media Center, followed by a meet-and-greet for USG personnel. They will attend the Closing Ceremonies this evening. The delegation is scheduled to depart Turin immediately after the Closing Ceremonies. PENDING MATTERS -------------- ¶16. (U) There are no matters pending as of 02/26/2006. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶17. (U) Coverage of the Olympic Games on 02/26/2006 focused on the Closing Ceremonies and Rudolph Giuliani,s positive remarks about Italian security efforts. In private conversations with USG, senior Turin and TOROC officials noted the crucial role played by U.S. media in the positive image of Turin and Italy as hosts to the Olympics, and expressed satisfaction with the positive coverage of major U.S. media. ¶18. (U) Regarding security issues, La Stampa carried an article noting the "off limits" area around the Olympics stadium. The article noted that extraordinary security measures will be in place for the Closing Ceremonies, including the placement of anti-aircraft batteries, the closure of airspace, and the presence of 1,300 security forces, many plainclothes. The special Olympics insert of La Repubblica featured a lengthy article on departures from the Turin airport on 02/27/2006, noting large number of flights scheduled to depart from Turin on that day. ¶19. (U) Turin-based national daily La Stampa on front page featured an interview with White House Delegation leader Rudolph Giuliani, including a photo, in both its Italian version and its special English supplement. The articles quoted Giuliani,s statements that Turin is a good model for future Olympics and that the Turin Games will result in even stronger U.S.-Italian ties. Il Giornale also highlighted the comments of Giuliani and the U.S. Ambassador complimenting the work of Italian law enforcement in conjunction with the Games, and noted the strong partnership between the U.S. and Italy on security issues. ¶20. (U) PA has facilitated a large amount of media coverage for the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies. On 02/25/2006, the delegation received local television coverage at the USOC Main Media Center; PA also facilitated a live interview on NBC,s Today Show with delegation leader Rudolph Giuliani. Giuliani was also interviewed by FOX Television, wire-service APTN, and Italian daily La Stampa at the USG-hosted reception. Other delegation members participated in pull-aside interviews at the reception, including a sports news favorite, Mario Andretti. PA has another media program planned for the delegation on 02/26/2006. ¶21. (U) Several papers reported the presence of Brad Pitt and George Clooney at the Budweiser House party on 02/25/2006. U.S. model Cindy Crawford was photographed while walking around Turin on 02/25/2006. ¶22. (U) The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 39-011-55-99-368. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶23. (U) On 02/25/2006, CA received a call from an American citizen (Amcit) seeking medical attention for her 7-year-old daughter. Consular staff referred the Amcit to the Children's Hospital in Turin and is following up to ensure that the child receives necessary care. ¶24. (U) Local police contacted CA on 02/25/2006 to report that a lost U.S. passport had been found at a store near Medals Square; it was turned in to the Consular Office and CA is contacting the owner. Local authorities also recovered a U.S. driver,s license and credit cards. CA has notified the owner that his property may be picked up at the Consular Office. ¶25. (U) CA continues to follow-up on 02/24/2006 the death of an Amcit at the Bank of America hospitality house. With CA-OSOC coordination, Italian authorities issued the mortuary certificate and other documents necessary to finish the Consular Report of Death. CA met with local funeral home officials and made arrangements for transportation of the body to Vicenza Army Base, where embalming will take place before the remains are repatriated to the U.S. These actions fulfilled a special request of the family with extraordinary help from Italian officials over the weekend. ¶26. (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