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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000503 
 
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) #12, 02/18/2006 
 
REF: ROME 487 
 
¶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 Overseas Security 
Advisory Council (OSAC); the National Information Center for 
the Winter Olympics (CINO), 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. (SBU) On 02/17/2006, Italian law enforcement officials 
reported having earlier received anonymous information 
regarding a possible bus-borne explosives threat to Olympic 
venues in Turin.  Italian security forces were placed on 
elevated alert, though no additional information was received 
to corroborate the threat.  OSOC liaison learned that 
although Italian law enforcement officers assessed the 
timeframe for the threat as having expired, they opted to go 
to a higher alert level to avoid the appearance of 
complacency by their personnel. 
 
¶5. (U)  Adverse weather conditions in the mountains delayed a 
number of Olympic alpine events and resulted in the diversion 
of some competitions to alternate venues. 
 
¶6. (U)  There were no reports of disturbances connected to 
the "No TAV" symposium being conducted by activist groups in 
the mountain region; organizers of the series of meetings 
have stated that they do not intend to conduct demonstrations 
during the weekend. 
 
 
SECURITY 
-------- 
 
Terrorist Activity/Threats: 
 
¶7. (SBU) Italian law enforcement in Turin increased their 
alert level at all Olympic venues during the evening of 
02/17/2006 after receiving an anonymous telephonic report 
about a possible attack involving a vehicle-borne improvised 
explosive device (VBIED); initial information shared with 
OSOC field agents by Italian counterparts indicated that 
possible targets were the Palaghaccio venue--site of figure 
skating, ice dancing and short track speed skating--and the 
Pinerolo venue--site of the curling competition.  However, in 
OSOC follow-up with senior Italian law enforcement officials, 
it was determined that no specific target was identified by 
the caller and that the timeframe for the attack had already 
expired. 
 
¶8. (SBU)  There continues to be no indication of specific, 
corroborated terrorist activity in relation to the Olympic 
Games.  Italian countermeasures enacted in response to the 
02/17/2006 telephonic threat underscores that security forces 
are not complacent and that they remain proactive in 
addressing security concerns.  OSOC continues to work with 
Italian and international counterparts to monitor the actions 
of anti-Olympics activist groups and OSOC personnel are 
available for immediate recall to supplement existing 24/7 
JOC and TIC staff should an Olympics-related incident occur. 
 
 
Demonstrations/Protests: 
 
¶9. (U) The "No Olimpiadi" activist group held a second 
peaceful demonstration during the afternoon of 02/17/2006 
near the Mole Antonelliana, a prominent landmark in downtown 
Turin.  There was no disruption of nearby medal ceremonies as 
a result of the protest. 
 
¶10. (U)  The first day of the "No TAV" and environmental 
symposium being held in the mountain region occurred without 
incident on 02/17/2006.  OSOC continues to interact with 
Italian law enforcement to monitor the activities of the "No 
TAV" and other groups that could potentially disrupt Olympic 
events. 
 
¶11. (U)  Press reports continue to publicize the Critical 
Mass bike ride scheduled to occur on 02/18/2006 at Piazza San 
Carlo, site of the NBC Today Show broadcast.  The event is 
expected to be peaceful; OSOC field elements routinely 
monitor the Piazza and marked Italian police patrols are 
stationed there to prevent disruption.  OSOC feels that 
security currently in place is adequate to respond to 
problems stemming from the bike ride. 
 
¶12. (SBU)  OSOC field liaison agents posted to the Oval 
Lingotto speed-skating venue investigated information from a 
02/17/2006 Il Giornale article (reported in REFTEL) that 
activists hung "No TAV" signs at the stadium.  After speaking 
with Italian security elements in the field, the agents were 
unable to confirm the existence of the signs or that 
activists had compromised security measures designed to 
prevent such incidents.  Further inquiry has revealed that 
prominent "No TAV" signs have been hung from a house adjacent 
to the venue compound; according to the OSOC agents, 
skinheads and neo-Nazi sympathizers are known to reside in 
the house.  In conversation with OSOC elements, Italian 
authorities at Oval Lingotto stated that they do not consider 
the residents of the house to be a threat to the venue, 
athletes, or spectators. 
 
 
Incidents: 
 
¶13. (U)  There are no Olympics-related incidents to report as 
of 02/18/2006. 
 
 
SECURITY OPERATIONS 
------------------- 
 
¶14. (SBU) In response to the receipt of an anonymous 
telephonic report, Italian law enforcement in Turin increased 
their security posture on 02/17/2006.  The heightened 
security stance was also in reaction to the 2/17/2006 attack 
against the Italian Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, where 
demonstrators reportedly entered the consulate grounds and 
set fire to the building and a consulate car.  The U.S. 
Liaison Office in Tripoli reported that the demonstration was 
in response to Italian Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli,s 
remarks and t-shirts featuring the Danish cartoons depicting 
the Prophet Mohammed.  The Italian Embassy advised that all 
personnel are accounted for and Libyan security forces are in 
control of the situation.  According to news reports, 11 
protesters were killed in the attack.  Italian officials in 
Turin are concerned that unrest could spread to Italy and 
could present a security risk for the Olympics; in order to 
combat complacency among Italian forces in the field, all 
Italian security forces will remain at heightened alert 
levels.  OSOC continues to engage with Italian security 
officials to identify and prevent hostile actions against 
U.S. interests stemming from the cartoon controversy, the 
release of prisoner abuse photos in Abu Ghraib prison, and 
the publication of articles alleging U.S. mistreatment of 
prisoners at Guantanamo Bay. 
 
¶15. (SBU)  OSOC information sharing and security procedures 
resulted in a successful OSOC response to the Italian threat 
report.  OSOC field agents reported the increase in Italian 
security at venue sites to JOC/TIC staff, OSOC Command Group 
personnel contacted Italian law enforcement counterparts for 
additional information and all OSOC elements responded 
effectively to address U.S.-related concerns at Olympic 
venues. Bottom line:  the OSOC system worked. 
 
¶16. (SBU)  On 02/17/2006, OSOC CNIO liaison raised concerns 
with the MOI regarding two recent incidents in which Italian 
explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) teams investigated 
suspicious packages that were later identified as empty 
briefcases or suitcases.  (Previously reported in situational 
reports dated 02/13/2006 and 02/17/2006.)  When asked by OSOC 
liaison if they have noticed a pattern to such incidents, MOI 
advised that they do not believe these incidents are 
indicative of an attempt to test police response or 
capabilities.  OSOC liaison stressed USG concern regarding 
the incidents and requested that the MOI continue to inform 
OSOC of similar events through OSOC CNIO liaison.  OSOC will 
continue to closely coordinate with Italian counterparts on 
this issue. 
 
VIPs 
---- 
¶17. (SBU) The U.S. Ambassador to Rome arrived in Turin on 
02/17/2006 and is scheduled to attend several Olympic events 
before departing the city on 02/19/2006.  There has been no 
media attention paid to the Ambassador,s visit and activist 
groups are unlikely to disrupt his agenda.  OSOC is working 
with Italian authorities to identify potential security 
concerns that may impact on the Ambassador,s movements. 
 
¶18. (SBU)  The White House delegation for the Closing 
Ceremonies, headed by former New York City Mayor Rudolph 
Giuliani, will arrive in Turin on the evening of 02/24/2006. 
Initial indications are that the delegation will attend speed 
skating and hockey events prior to the Closing Ceremonies. 
Media focus on the delegation,s activities is expected to 
increase in the days before their arrival.  PA continues to 
work with Italian news outlets to publicize the delegation. 
 
 
PENDING MATTERS 
--------------- 
 
¶19. (U) OSOC continues to work with Italian counterparts on 
the investigation of the theft of a TOROC vehicle pass. 
 
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
------------------------------- 
 
¶20. (U) Olympics-related news in Italian papers was eclipsed 
by front page stories on the 02/17/2006 attack on the Italian 
Consulate in Benghazi.  A number of dailies ran features on 
Italy,s Reform Minister Roberto Calderoli and the 
controversy created by his Prophet Mohammad cartoon t-shirts. 
 La Repubblica featured a photo of Calderoli wearing one of 
the shirts, while La Stampa and Corriere della Sera contained 
interviews in which Calderoli stated that he does not feel 
responisible for the deaths of protesters in Libya. 
 
¶21. (U)  PA representatives attended a press conference 
conducted on 02/17/2006 by the Public Media Center 
(previously noted in REFTEL).  Speakers included Italian 
Minister of Interior Pisanu, as well as others with 
responsibility for Olympic security.  Pisanu lead the 
conference, remarking positively on security arrangements in 
place for the Games and noting that though no major incidents 
had occurred to date, security standards would not be 
decreased prior to the end of the Olympics.  He also noted 
that 90 million Euros have been spent on Olympic security. 
When asked why there have not been more activist protests in 
Turin, Pisanu commented that local citizens had discouraged 
such activity, as it would negatively impact on the Olympics 
and on Italy.  He also stated that though the population of 
Turin had increased over the past ten days, the level of 
crime in the city had actually decreased; he attributed this 
to the security measures put in place by Italian law 
enforcement.  Pisanu closed him comments by thanking foreign 
law enforcement delegations present in Turin for their 
support; OSOC and the USG were not specifically mentioned. 
 
¶22. (U) PA Olympics office continues to attend relevant press 
briefings, to handle media enquiries and to plan media 
coverage of the White House Delegation to the Closing 
Ceremonies.  USOC-based PA staff are supporting U.S. athlete 
press conferences, facilitating interaction with Italian 
media, to include translating and disseminating U.S. team 
information.  The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be 
reached at 39-011-55-99-368. 
 
 
CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
---------------- 
 
¶23. (U) On 02/17/2006, CA received a total of five requests 
for emergency passport services from American citizens 
(Amcits).  Pickpockets had stolen the passports of three of 
the Amcits while the fourth passport had been lost.  The 
fifth request involved a family who needed to register and 
obtain a passport for their child prior to conducting 
immediate travel to the U.S. due to family emergency. 
Consular staff in Turin referred them to Consulate General 
Milan to process the Consular Report of Birth Abroad and to 
obtain a passport. 
 
¶24. (U) CA has learned of another case involving an Amcit 
allegedly selling Olympic tickets without a TOROC license; 
this brings the total number of such incidents to four.  The 
Amcit visited the Consular Office in Turin to show them his 
police report; he had been given an administrative sanction 
by police and was fined more than 3,000 Euros. 
 
¶25. (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