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

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