This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS E F T O SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 000390 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR S/S-O, S/CT, EUR, DS, AND CA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2007 
TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS
SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS--USG SITUATION REPORT 
(SITREP) #3, 02/09/2006 
 
REF: ROME 377 
 
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 as of 02/09/2006. 
 
¶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: Olympic Security Coordination Office (OSC); Joint 
Operations Center (JOC); USG Threat Integration Center (TIC); 
Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC); First Lady of the 
United States (FLOTUS); Turin Olympics Committee (TOROC); 
International Olympics Committee (IOC); Public Affairs/Public 
Diplomacy (PA/PD); Consular Affairs (CA). 
 
SECURITY ISSUES 
--------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Terrorist Activity: No activity has been identified. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Threats: The US Government is unaware of any 
specific, credible threat information directed against the 
Olympic Games in Turin, or in the primary Olympics mountain 
sites of Bardonecchia and Sestriere.  In addition, there is 
currently no information available to suggest a threat to 
FLOTUS and the Presidential Delegation scheduled to arrive in 
Turin on 02/10/2006. 
 
¶6. (SBU) Demonstrations/Protests: In light of the violent 
protests in response to the cartoons depicting the Prophet 
Mohammad and recent incidents against Italian interests in 
Afghanistan, Italian authorities are sensitive to the 
prospect that similar events could occur in Italy.  As of 
early February, members of the Islamic community in Turin had 
approached local imams to request that demonstrations be 
organized in response to the cartoons, publication.  Though 
the congregants indicated that the protests would be legal 
and peaceful, the imams rejected the idea due to concerns 
that rogue elements may attempt to cause violence. 
 
¶7. (SBU) Anarchist groups continue to plan disruptive 
activities targeting the Games, to include attacking 
Coca-Cola stands during the Opening Ceremonies.  TOROC and 
the IOC have expressed their concerns regarding the negative 
press generated by the ongoing protests against Coke.  As a 
result, they have reportedly asked the company to consider 
withdrawing from the last two days of the Olympic Torch Run. 
While Coca-Cola will comply with the request if necessary, 
the OSC feels that this action will be perceived as a success 
by the dissident groups and that it will ultimately encourage 
increased targeting of Coke.  The OSC remains engaged with 
the Italian Polizia di Stato (National Police) and DIGOS 
(General Investigations and Special Operations) on the 
planned protests, as well as on all known and developed 
threats against US corporate sponsors. 
 
¶8. (SBU) Incidents:  On 02/09/2006, the Bank of America 
Hospitality House was cordoned off due to the possible 
presence of a gas canister in the back seat of a parked 
vehicle.  Italian police closed the street until the item was 
determined to be benign. 
¶9. (SBU)  According to Corriere della Sera, on 02/06/2006, 
Italian authorities deported two Algerians on charges of 
document fraud; the individuals allegedly had connections to 
the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), an 
Algeria-based Islamic extremist organization with a sizable 
presence in Europe.  OSC notes that these deportations 
represent ongoing efforts by Italian authorities to disrupt 
and dismantle terrorist cells and criminal organizations 
within the country. 
 
 
SECURITY OPERATIONS 
------------------- 
 
¶10. (SBU/NF) USG security activities -- ongoing liaison with 
host government entities, Olympics security officials, US 
corporate security and the FLOTUS USSS security detail -- 
continue. 
 
 
VIPs 
---- 
 
¶11. (SBU) FLOTUS and the Presidential Delegation arrived in 
Rome on 02/08/2006 and are expected in Turin on 02/10/2006; 
they plan to depart Italy on/about 02/12/2006.  Local news 
media continue to provide information on the FLOTUS 
itinerary, noting that she will attend the Opening Ceremonies 
on 02/10/2006 and will have a full schedule of meetings and 
appearances on 02/11/2006. 
 
¶12. (SBU)  On 02/10/2006, Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney 
is scheduled to arrive in Turin on private travel.  OSC has 
provided assistance to state troopers accompanying Gov. 
Romney during his stay in Italy. 
 
 
PENDING MATTERS 
--------------- 
 
¶13. (U) OSC continues to work with Italian counterparts to 
monitor and resolve potential security concerns related to 
the Games and the period immediately prior to the Italian 
General Elections.  In light of ongoing anti-Olympics and 
anti-Coca-Cola protests, Italian authorities remain on a high 
state of alert in advance of tomorrow's Opening Ceremonies. 
Despite the exhortations of public officials for a cessation 
of the protest activity, further demonstrations are expected 
to occur during the upcoming days. 
 
¶14. (U) OSC continues to coordinate efforts with Italian 
authorities to investigate the reported theft of a vehicle 
containing a Turin Olympic Committee access pass. 
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
------------------------------- 
¶15. (U) The US Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached 
at 39-011-55-99-368.  The US office at the TorinoPiemonte 
Media Center is open and is monitoring non-Olympics related 
news stories. 
 
¶16. (U) Daily news media has focused on the FLOTUS visit, 
security concerns related to the Olympics, and the ongoing 
cartoon controversy.  Both the media and Italian officials 
continue to note the absence of any specific threats against 
the Games. The following summary contains highlights from 
local media: 
 
¶17. (U) FLOTUS: Turin-based daily La Stampa featured an 
exclusive interview with FLOTUS in which she expressed her 
enthusiasm for her visit to Italy, promoted the positive role 
of the Games in fostering cooperation between countries, and 
noted the close US-Italian bilateral relationship.  She also 
took the opportunity to comment on the cartoon controversy, 
remarking that the issue has emphasized the need to develop 
dialogue among nations.  In a separate article, La Stampa 
also published a copy of the anti-Olympics anarchist 
manifesto entitled "No to the Olympics of War, Bush Go Home." 
 Media entities continue to publish information regarding the 
FLOTUS itinerary and Italian security forces remain on high 
alert in advance of her visit. 
 
¶18. (U) Security Concerns: The OSC office was the topic of 
the La Repubblica article "Even US Intelligence in the Field, 
The Level of Observation Remains High."  Subtitled "A Task 
Force of FBI, CIA, and TSA Watches Over the Games," the 
report claimed to quote a high level US security official who 
stated that the potential exists for terrorist activity 
during the Games and that public safety officials continue to 
guard against possible incidents.  The tone of the article 
was positive and concluded with praise for the Italian 
security forces.  This story was neither approved nor 
admitted to by USG security officials based in Turin; USG 
security personnel have been reminded to not discuss security 
information or operations with members of the media. 
 
¶19. (U) Public Statements: Interior Minister Pisanu is using 
increasingly strong language when calling for an end to 
anti-Olympic protests.  Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica 
published Pisanu,s comments outlining the capabilities of 
the security personnel in place for the Games and noting that 
there are 20 high-risk targets in Turin, including the 
Olympic Villages and the media village where NBC is housing 
many of its 3,000 employees.  Corriere della Sera pointed out 
that these venues could be targeted by improvised explosive 
devices or by sabotage to critical infrastructure. However, 
Italian law enforcement entities remain fully engaged in 
their efforts to prevent hostile activity. 
 
¶20. (U) According to L,Unita, the rerouting of the Olympic 
torch around the town of Avigliana prompted mayors of the 
Piedmont region to implore protesters to temper their 
disruptive actions in advance of the Games.  The mayors, 
statements echoed the calls of national figures for calm 
during the Olympics. 
 
CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
---------------- 
 
¶21. (U) CA remains engaged in dialogue with Turin emergency 
service agencies.  They also recently hosted a 
representational event for the international Consular corps, 
met with the Central Police command, and distributed consular 
information cards at airports, train stations, and info 
kiosks.  As of this filing, the Turin Consular Office has not 
received any requests for American citizen service. 
 
¶22. (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