Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ROME587
2006-02-26 09:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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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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

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