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 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