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

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 000586 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NOFORN 
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: DECL: X1 
TAGS: ASEC CASC CMGT ECON IT KOLY OVIP PTER OLYMPICS
SUBJECT: TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT 
(SITREP) #19, 02/25/2006 
 
REF: ROME 568 
 
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. 
 
¶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); 
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 
02/24/2006. 
 
¶5. (U) Italian authorities are focused on Olympic security 
through the weekend, to ensure a successful end to the Games. 
 Security in Turin and the mountain venues be strict to 
prevent disruption of the final days of sporting events or of 
the Closing Ceremonies. 
 
¶6. (U) On 02/25/2006, Turin will host a second "White Night" 
celebration, in which restaurants and stores will extend 
their hours.  Reduced train fare is also offered to 
participants coming from outside Turin.  As a result, large 
crowds are expected, as well as a significant Italian 
security presence. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies 
arrived in Turin late on 02/24/2006. 
 
 
SECURITY 
-------- 
Terrorist Activity/Threats: 
¶8. (SBU)  There is no indication that terrorist organizations 
intend to conduct attacks against Olympic venues, spectators 
or athletes in the final days of the Games.  On 02/24/2006, 
Italian daily Corriere della Sera reported that Italian 
security forces conducted a counterterrorism raid on the 
apartment of a Syrian national suspected of plotting 
terrorist attacks against targets in Milan and Olympic sites 
in Turin.  According to the paper, no evidence was uncovered 
in the raid to support the allegations that the Syrian had 
terrorist affiliations.  Italian authorities deported the 
suspect to Syria on 02/24/2006. 
 
Demonstrations/Protests: 
 
¶9. (S/NF) Italian authorities remain alert to the possibility 
that activist groups may attempt to disrupt Olympic events in 
the final days of the Games.  Italian security officials in 
Turin are more concerned about public order and security 
during the Closing Ceremonies on 2/26/2006 than they were 
with the Opening Ceremonies.  Refer to TD-314/13515-06 for 
additional information. 
 
¶10. (U) The Independent Media Center (Indymedia.org) 
continues to post anti-Olympic calls for action, noting that 
groups should take advantage of the media presence in Turin 
to publicize their causes.  Comments posted on the site urge 
protesters to organize regional and national level 
demonstrations before the end of the Winter Games.  OSOC 
continues to work with Italian counterparts to identify 
possible planned protests or activist events that could 
impact on the movements of USG VIP visitors, U.S. Olympic 
sponsors, or athletes. 
 
Incidents: 
 
¶11. (SBU) OSOC learned through MOI contacts that the Fiat 
Mirafiori factory received a telephonic bomb threat on 
02/23/2006.  The anonymous caller stated that there were two 
bombs in the building.  Italian Explosive Ordnance Disposal 
(EOD) personnel responding to the call found a hoax device 
consisting of a can of solvent with two wires exposed.  The 
device was determined to be inert and the scene was declared 
safe.  Italian authorities believe that the incident was 
related to ongoing trade union disputes with Fiat.  An 
investigation of the incident is ongoing. 
 
¶12. (U) On 02/23/2006, an OSOC employee was the victim of an 
attempted purse snatching.  The employee stuck the 
perpetrator in the chest, at which point the assailant fled 
empty-handed.  The OSOC employee sustained no injury or loss 
of property.  OSOC reported the incident to CA. 
 
¶13. (U) On 02/24/2006, the U.S. men,s bronze medal curling 
match on was interrupted by a streaker.  According to media 
reports, Italian security officials ejected the naked man 
from the venue into the cold, mountain air. 
 
 
SECURITY OPERATIONS 
------------------- 
 
¶14. (SBU) OSOC continues to coordinate with Italian 
authorities and U.S. Olympic sponsors to identify and deter 
disruptive activity in the final days of the Olympics.  In 
addition, OSOC remains focused on providing security 
assistance for U.S. VIP delegations visiting Turin for the 
Closing Ceremonies.  OSOC is also working with USOC and 
Italian law enforcement to address security measures for the 
upcoming Paralympics. 
 
¶15. (SBU)  On 02/25/2006, OSOC will provide a USG assessment 
of potential threats against the Closing Ceremonies to the 
MOI and CNIO law enforcement counterparts.  Former New York 
Mayor and White House delegation member Rudolph Giuliani will 
chair the CNIO briefing. 
 
¶16. (S/NF) Italian officials are planning the demobilization 
of the security reinforcements currently stationed in Turin 
to support the Olympics.  Some law enforcement units will 
likely cease coverage of their assigned venues after Olympic 
competitions at the sites have ended.  Other units may remain 
in Turin to provide service during the Paralympic Games in 
March. 
 
 
VIPs 
---- 
 
¶17. (SBU)  The White House Delegation to the Closing 
Ceremonies arrived in Turin on 02/24/2006 without incident. 
 
¶18. (SBU)  On 02/25/2006, the delegation will attend a 
USG-hosted reception, as well as a PA-scheduled press meeting 
and an Olympic event.  Delegation head Rudolph Giuliani will 
chair the CNIO security briefing on 02/25/2006 and will make 
an appearance on NBC,s Today Show.  There is no indication 
that activist groups intend to disrupt the delegation,s 
visit.  OSOC continues to coordinate with Italian law 
enforcement to identify planned activist events that may 
impact on the delegation,s movements during their stay. TSA 
is engaged with Italian and USG authorities to facilitate the 
delegation,s arrival and departure from Turin. 
 
 
PENDING MATTERS 
--------------- 
 
¶19. (U)  No matters pending at this time. 
 
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
------------------------------- 
 
¶20. (U) Olympic security garnered attention in Italian media 
on 02/25/2006.  The lead Olympics-related story was featured 
in Turin local daily La Stampa, which reported that Italy is 
on maximum security alert for the Closing Ceremonies.  The 
article discussed the closure of Turin airspace on 02/26/2006 
and printed photos of an Italian anti-aircraft battery. 
¶21. (U) La Repubblica and Il Giornale carried brief articles 
on the expulsion from Italy of a Syrian national suspected of 
plotting terrorist attacks in Milan and Turin. (See paragraph 
8.) The MOI underscored that the deportation of the Syrian 
was part of Italy's plan to prevent and combat Islamic 
extremism. Il Giornale di Piemonte reported that the "Olympic 
truce" between Italian authorities and activist groups will 
end on 02/27/2006. 
 
¶22. (U)  Olympic sports-related reporting remains generally 
positive.  La Stampa featured a complementary article on U.S. 
gold medal skier Julia Mancuso, focusing on her Italian 
heritage.  Another article printed positive comment on Joey 
Cheek's donations to support children in Darfur and the 
"Right to Play" charity.  USOC released a statement regarding 
U.S. skier Jeret Peterson's departure from the Olympic 
Village and his plans to return to the U.S. following his 
involvement in an altercation with an acquiantance. 
 
¶23. (U) PA continues to work to publicize the activities of 
the White House Delegation to the Closing Ceremonies.  PA has 
scheduled several media opportunities for the delegation, 
including an interview for Rudolph Giuliani on the weekend 
Today Show.  Local and international television coverage is 
planned for the delegation at the USG reception on 
02/25/2006, followed by a group media availability meeting 
with interviews at the Piedmont Media Center on 02/26/2006. 
The MOI has also invited the press to cover Rudolph 
Giuliani's chairing of the daily security briefing for CNIO 
and USOC has planned media coverage for the delegation at the 
Main Media Center.  The editor of La Stampa has commented 
that he is happy with the support and accessibility provided 
by PA staff. 
 
¶24. (U) PA remains engaged in scheduling interviews for U.S. 
Olympic and Paralympic athletes. PA successfully programmed 
two Paralympians on the NBC Today Show's 02/24/2006 
broadcast.  PA remains in contact with publicists for U.S. 
Olympians Joey Cheek and Chris Witty to participate in an 
Italy-wide speaking tour following the Games. 
 
¶25. (U) The Public Affairs Office in Turin may be reached at 
39-011-55-99-368. 
 
 
CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
---------------- 
¶26. (U) On 02/24/2006, CA was notified of the death of an 
American citizen (Amcit) at the Bank of America hospitality 
house.  It appears that the individual died of a heart 
attack, though CA is awaiting the official report on cause of 
death.  CA is working the next of kin, who are present in 
Turin, to make arrangements for the repatriation of the 
remains. 
¶27. (U) CA received four requests for services from Amcits on 
2/24/2006.  Consular staff was contacted by an Amcit who was 
hospitalized in Turin due to a nut allergy; the Amcit 
reported that he expected to be released later in the day. 
Another Amcit was hospitalized in the mountains due to severe 
abdominal pain.  Consular staff spoke with the doctor at the 
hospital and learned that the Amcit would be transferred to a 
separate facility for further testing.  CA later confirmed 
that the American is suffering from a kidney stone and that 
he will return to the U.S. on 02/25/2006.  Another Amcit 
retrieved his passport, which had been turned in to the 
Consular Office on 2/23/2006.  CA also performed an emergency 
notarial service for a fellow USG colleague working in Turin 
during the Olympics. 
 
¶28. (U) One of the two Amcits who received an administrative 
fine for re-selling Olympic tickets on 02/23/2006 visited the 
Consular Office to pick up a list of English-speaking 
attorneys in Turin.  He insisted that his office was a 
pick-up location for those who had already purchased tickets 
and that he had not actually re-sold the tickets. 
 
¶29. (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