TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000594

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) #21, 02/27/2006

REF: ROME 587


1. (U) This is the final sitrep from the USG office
supporting U.S. participation in the Turin Winter Olympics.
The Closing Ceremonies of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games
concluded on a high note on 02/26/2006, as IOC officials
hailed the 17-day Olympic Games as a major success. Italian
security efforts for the Games were widely praised by the
media and by U.S. VIP Rudolph Giuliani, who touted the host
organization for the Turin Olympics as a model of success for
future Games. Press coverage related to the U.S. was
extremely positive, including the lack of attention paid to
the USG security presence, allowing the media to focus
positively on Turin, Italian law enforcement efforts, and the
sporting competitions. U.S. VIP presence at the Opening
Ceremonies - the First Lady's visit to University of Turin
and other Olympics activities - received widespread positive
coverage. The Presidential Delegation to the Closing
Ceremonies, led by former New York City Mayor Rudolph
Giuliani, rounded out the positive coverage of U.S. presence
at the Games, including Giuliani's oft-repeated praise for
Italian security organization.


2. (SBU) USG interagency security preparation and liaison
with Italian authorities was exemplary. We extend deep
appreciation to all the USG agencies who provided such a
wealth of talent and experience to this model organization in
Turin. The inter-agency and interfunctional collaboration
fulfilled its mission of supporting American participation at
the Olympics for a safe and secure experience.


3. (U) With the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, USG
mission turns to supporting U.S. participation in the
Paralympics, including an expected VIP delegation. OSOC
continues liaison with Italian and TOROC authorities, and
will reorganize security preparations for the upcoming
Paralympic Games, to be held in Turin from
03/09/2006-03/19/2006. OSOC is working with Italian
counterparts to ensure the safety and security of U.S.
Paralympic athletes, sponsors, and spectators. CA will
resume public outreach efforts with local Turin tourist and
emergency services, to publicize the fact that Consular
Services will be available to American citizens during the
Paralympics. (Note contact information below)


4. (U) Sitreps will resume with the commencement of the 2006
Paralympic Games, which begin on 03/09/2006.


SECURITY
--------------

Terrorist Activity/Threats:


5. (SBU) The Winter Olympics concluded with no evidence that
terrorist organizations targeted the Games. Italian security
forces were assertive in detecting and deterring threatening
activity in Turin and elsewhere in Italy. Italian officials
remain vigilant on security issues and threats. The number
of Italian law enforcement officers in Turin will be
decreased for the Paralympics; the scope of the events and
number of participants is greatly reduced compared to the
Olympics. There is no indication of a specific, credible
threat to the Paralympics. OSOC will coordinate with Italian
counterparts in the upcoming month to identify potential
security issues related to the Paralympic Games.

Demonstrations/Protests:


6. (U) During the 02/26/2006 Closing Ceremonies, two
individuals attempted to disrupt the event. One incident
involved a streaker and the other involved an approach to the
speaker,s podium. Security forces prevented the individuals
from disrupting the festivities and quickly restored order.
Italian authorities are currently investigating lessons
learned on these access control violations.


7. (U) The incidence of activist protests in Turin
significantly decreased during the Olympic Games. The
"Olympic truce" between protesters and law enforcement
officials expires on 02/27/2006, which could result in a
resumption of "No TAV," environmental, and anti-global
demonstration activity in Turin and the surrounding areas.
OSOC is not aware of any protests scheduled to occur during
the Paralympics. OSOC and Italian counterparts remain
attentive to such plans since, as with the Winter Games,
activist groups may view the increased media presence in
Turin for the Paralympics as an opportunity to promote their
causes.

Incidents:


8. (SBU) On 02/25/2006, USOC informed OSOC that a U.S. female
athlete had a beer thrown in her face while at a bar. Later
in the evening, the athlete,s dormitory room was kicked in;
she was not in her room at the time. Italian law enforcement
officers continue to investigate the incident. CA
coordinated with OSOC and USOC on consular follow-up.


9. (SBU) In the early hours of 02/27/2006, OSOC received a
report of an altercation at a Turin caf. The caller, a
Massachusetts State Trooper, advised that an English-speaking
individual had been stabbed and that caf patrons--including
American citizens (Amcits)--were being held in the caf by
Italian hooligans. Italian police and OSOC personnel
responded to the scene. The wounded individual was
determined to be a UK citizen and was transported to the
hospital. OSOC personnel confirmed that there were no Amcit
casualties or involvement in the altercation.


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


10. (U) With the successful closing of the Olympic Games,
OSOC has turned its attention to providing security
assistance for the Paralympic Games. OSOC will continue to
conduct liaison with Italian authorities in order to identify
activity that could disrupt the Paralympics or endanger U.S.
athletes, sponsors, or spectators. The JOC and TIC are no
longer operating 24/7 as of 27 February 2006. Sitreps will
resume for Paralympics.


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


11. (SBU) The White House Delegation, lead by former New York
Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, attended the Closing Ceremonies on
02/26/2006. Earlier in the day, the delegation participated
in a press-availability meeting at the Piedmont Media Center,
followed by a meet-and-greet for USG personnel. The
delegation departed Turin without incident immediately
following the Closing Ceremonies.


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


12. (U) On 02/27/2006, the vast majority of Italian
Olympics-related media coverage focused on the successful
Closing Ceremonies. Attention was paid to the carnival theme
of the festivities, as well as to IOC President Jacque
Rogge,s positive comments on security and organization.
Coverage of the final Olympic sporting events centered on the
Swedish hockey victory and the Italian gold medal win in the
50km Cross-Country. There was little coverage of security
stories, though most dailies noted the praise for
organization and compliments paid to the Italian security
forces by Rudolph Giuliani.


13. (U) PA successfully closed out its media programming for
the White House Delegation on 02/26/2006. Interviews with
head of delegation Rudolph Giuliani and other members of the
delegation were conducted by very wide variety of Italian
media, and U.S. news media. Sports reporters focused on
Mario Andretti; all delegation members were interviewed at
least once. A half-hour press panel conference was followed
by one-on-one interviews for a two-hour program at the Turin
Piedmont Media Center. Delegation members expressed
satisfaction with their visit.


14. (U) With the conclusion of the Winter Olympics, PA
continues press outreach efforts for the Paralympic Games.
On 02/27/2006, La Stampa carried a positive, PA-facilitated
interview with U.S. Paralympians Ralph Green and Laurie
Stephens. PA also placed them on the NBC Today Show on
02/24/2006. PA continues to negotiate with U.S. speedskater
Joey Cheek to participate in an Olympics speaker program.


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

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


16. (U) CA received five requests for service from Amcits on
02/26/2006. All requests involved lost or stolen passports.
One passport reported stolen was later recovered by the owner
in a mountain venue. The Consular Office in Turin requested
that consular staff in Milan provide an emergency replacement
passport for an Amcit whose belongings were stolen on
2/25/2006 and who had to depart for the U.S. on 2/27/2006.


17. (U) CA continues to work on the 02/24/2006 death of an
American citizen. The body was embalmed at the U.S. Army
Base in Vicenza and returned to Turin; the funeral home is
working on an itinerary so that the family may accompany the
remains to the U.S. The Consular Office completed the
Consular Report of Death and delivered it and accompanying
paperwork to the next of kin in Turin.


18. (U) The Consular Office will remain active during the
upcoming Paralympic Games. As with the Winter Olympics, CA
will conduct outreach efforts with local hospitals, law
enforcement, and emergency services to publicize the fact
that consular services will be available to Amcits during the
Paralympics. The consular phone number will continue to be
accessible during the month of March, though calls will be
transferred to Milan in the interim between the end of the
Winter Olympics and the beginning of the Paralympics.


19. (U) The Consular Office will continue to be available at
the following number: 011-5599-330 (tel.). Additional
information may be found at http://milan.usconsulate.gov.
SPOGLI