BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 06 BEIJING 003139

NOFORN
SIPDIS

DEPT, FOR, DS/IP/EAP, DS/DSS/DO, DS/TIA/OSAC, DS/P/MECU,
DS/TIA/ITA, DS/DO/P, DS/ICI/CI, DS/T/ATA, DS/TIA,
DS/TIA/PII, DS/CC, EAP/CM, S/CT, CA/OCS/ACS/EAP, PASS TO
TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (TSA) OPERATIONS
CENTER, HONG KONG FOR RSO AND LEGAT AND USSS, SHANGHAI FOR
RSO, SHENYANG FOR RSO,CHENGDU FOR RSO, GUANGZHOU FOR RSO,
USSS HQS FOR INV, OPO, HNL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2038
TAGS: ASEC CASC CH CMGT ECON KOLY OVIP PREL PTER
SUBJECT: BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT
15, 08/15/2008

REF: A. BEIJING 3117

B. BEIJING 3106

Classified By: DCM Dan Piccuta for reason 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (SBU) The following cable provides information on
security, public diplomacy, political, and consular
activities related to the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games
as of 08/15/2008.


2. (U) The interagency USG Joint Operations Center (JOC) can
be contacted on a 24-hour basis at the following numbers:

- JOC Direct Line: 011-86-010-6532-6966.
- U.S. Embassy Beijing: 011-86-010-6532-3431, JOC extension

6200.
- JOC fax: 011-86-010-6532-4763.
- STE and fax: 011-86-010-6532-5163.

KEY ISSUES
--------------

3. (SBU) Barbara Bachman--the U.S. citizen injured in the
08/09/2008 knife attack at Beijing's Drum Tower--departed
Beijing for the United States in the early hours of
08/15/2008 via an SOS international medevac charter after
weather conditions initially delayed her flight; she was
accompanied by one of her daughters. The remains of Todd
Bachman--who was fatally stabbed in the incident--will depart
Beijing on 08/15/2008 via a United Airlines flight to
Chicago; Elisabeth Bachman McCutcheon--daughter of Barbara
and Todd Bachman and wife of U.S. Men's Indoor Volleyball
coach Hugh McCutcheon--will also be on the flight. The U.S.
Ambassador visited Mrs. Bachman at the hospital prior to her
departure to thank hospital staff and to offer his
condolences; the visit was well-received by the family. On
08/14/2008, the Ambassador likewise visited the Bachman
family's Chinese tour guide--who was also injured in the Drum
Tower attack--in her hospital room at Sino-Japanese Hospital.
The tour guide was visibly thrilled by the Ambassador's
visit to check on her well-being and the Ambassador spoke
with her for some time, expressing condolences and commending
her presence of mind for calling police to the scene
immediately after the incident. Doctors advised an Embassy
Consular Officer that the tour guide should be released from
the hospital in the next few days.


4. (U) I Went to the Olympics and all I Got -- Was Struck
by Lightning: The U.S. Embassy's American Citizens Services
(ACS) unit was notified that three U.S. citizens were the
victims of lightning strikes while visiting the Mutianyu
section of the Great Wall on 08/14/2008. One of the
individuals--an NBC cameraman--was talking on his cell phone
when struck and was initially found unconscious. The three

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were taken to Peking Union Medical Center for treatment and
U.S. Embassy personnel who were at the hospital reviewed
their status. The Embassy's Regional Medical Officer has
reported that two of the victims were released and the
third--who reportedly suffered a seizure and first-degree
burns--was held overnight for observation. ACS has scheduled
a hospital visit for the afternoon of 08/15/2008.


SECURITY ISSUES
--------------

5. (SBU) Threats: There is no significant threat
information to report.


6. (SBU) Incidents: Third Bomb Hoax in Hong Kong: On
08/14/2008, the Regional Security Officer (RSO) in Hong Kong
reported the discovery of a third hoax bomb device. The
device was placed at a bus stop in front of the Hua Chiao
Commercial Center, approximately two miles away from the
location of a device found earlier in the day near the
Sheraton and Island Shangri La hotels (ref. a). The device,
which had wires attached, was contained in a green bag with a
note stating: "Bomb--Don't get close." Police sealed off the
area and dispatched an Explosives Ordnance Disposal unit to
the scene; a controlled detonation of the package was
conducted. The RSO will meet with Hong Kong police on
08/15/2008 for an update on the investigation into the hoax
devices.


7. (SBU) Update on Report of Explosives in Qingdao: In
response to media reports of an explosive device placed near
a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant in Qingdao (ref.
b),representatives of the Overseas Security Advisory Council
(OSAC) assigned to the JOC received clarification on the
incident from YUM Foods (protect)--owner of the KFC
franchise. According to the YUM Foods representative, the
local manager of the Qingdao restaurant reported that
authorities evacuated nearby shops and restaurants after
finding a "suspicious" package outside a bus station close to
the KFC. The incident was resolved when police determined
that the package was a box of books left at the bus station
by two students, who subsequently returned to retrieve their
belongings. Per the request of YUM Foods, this information
is for situational awareness only and should not receive
further dissemination.


8. (S/NF) Uighurs Detained in Macao: According to
intelligence reporting, on 08/05/2008 the Chinese Ministry of
State Security (MSS) requested the Macao Secretariat for
Security investigate three Uighurs in Macao who had
telephonic contact with two Uighurs detained in China for
their involvement in a recent attack in the Xinjiang Uighur
Autonomous Region. The MSS asked Macao officials to

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determine if the three had any connection to the attack in
Xinjiang or to any other hostile activity. Macao police on
08/06/2008 detained the three Uighurs, determined that they
were working legally as parking attendants for a U.S.-owned
casino, and found no derogatory evidence against them. The
three were subsequently released, though a senior Hong Kong
police official indicated that they were deported to
Xinjiang. (Please see TD-314/06055-08, dated August 14, for
additional details.)


9. (SBU) Olympic Protests: More Americans Detained and
Quickly Deported: China's official state-run media agency
reported three Americans, one Canadian and one British
national were detained early on the morning of 08/15/2008
after unfurling a large Free Tibet banner on an Olympic
billboard in front of the new CCTV building. As on all
previous occasions involving the detention of pro-Tibetan
protesters affiliated with "Students for a Free Tibet," ACS
received a telephone call informing the U.S. Embassy of the
protest and providing personal information on the U.S.
citizen protesters. The Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB)
has notified ACS that the three Americans were deported from
China via the 1300 hours Air China flight from Beijing to New
York. British consular officials have indicated to ACS that
they believe their national will be put on the 08/15/2008
flight to Frankfurt.


SECURITY OPERATIONS
--------------

10. (SBU) Increased Security Granted by MPS: The Chinese
Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has granted a request by
the Olympic Security Coordinator (OSC) for enhanced crowd
control measures and additional security personnel for the
venue movements of high profile U.S. athletes such as Michael
Phelps, Kobe Bryant, and Jennie Finch (ef. a). The MPS
notified the OSC that securiy will be increased at the
swimming venue to accommodate the movements of Michael Phelps
and that security forces will focus on keeping fans at a
reasonable distance from the athletes. The MPS also advised
the OSC that they are considering issuing "infinity"
credentials to Diplomatic Security (DS) FLOs assigned to the
Paralympics; "infinity" accreditation grants FLOs access to
all venues. Currently, DS plans to have 18 FLOs in the field
for the Paralympics to cover a total of 24 venues.


11. (SBU) U.S. Women's Soccer Update: According to the USG
Field Liaison Officer (FLO) assigned to the U.S. Olympics
Women's Soccer team, the team arrived in Shanghai and FLOs
are reviewing security measures with their Chinese and
international counterparts. On 08/14/2008, FLOs met with
representatives of the International Federation of
Association Football (FIFA) and Beijing Organizing Committee

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for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) at the Shanghai stadium for a
walk-through of the venue. The FLOs also received four
upgraded credentials allowing them stadium field access; the
RSO in Shanghai received temporary venue credentials and
upgraded passes, as well.


12. (SBU) FLOs Depart China: The OSC reported that FLOs
assigned to the U.S. Men's Soccer and the U.S. Badminton
teams will be departing Beijing following the elimination of
the teams from competition. Per the Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) signed with the Chinese Government, FLO
accreditation is venue-specific and FLOs cannot be switched
to other venues to provide security liaison once they receive
their credentials. However, MPS has authorized one exception
for a FLO originally assigned to U.S. Men's Soccer to remain
and assist at high-profile venues.



13. (S/NF) Chinese Security Measures in Beijing: U.S.
Defense Attache (DAO) officers in Beijing continue to observe
the status of Chinese security measures at Olympic-related
and public sites around the city. On 08/13/2008, DAO
personnel reported the People's Armed Police (PAP) and PSB
presence around Tiananmen Square, the Drum and Bell Towers,
and Ritan Park has decreased after an initial staging of
units for large-scale crowd and riot control during the
Opening Ceremony. However, the PAP and PSB presence remains
larger than that observed prior to the Olympics. DAO
officers also noted that some areas of Beijing closed during
the Opening Ceremony on 08/08/2008 were now open to the
public; the Drum and Bell Towers, where authorities promised
increased security after U.S. citizens were stabbed on
08/09/2008, remain closed with "security volunteers" and some
roving PSB officers staged around the site. Ritan Park--one
of the designated "protest parks" during the Games--appeared
to be free of any disturbances. In some contrast to recent
media reporting on increased security at park entrances--to
include the use of hand-held devices to scan visitors--DAO
personnel noted that while a security check was maintained at
the park gate, visitors were not required to undergo any sort
of inspection. (Please see IIR 6 814 1804 08, dated August
13, for additional details.)


14. (S/NF) Security for Olympics Closing Ceremony: The
Olympics Closing Ceremony will take place without a
comprehensive dress rehearsal, according to a 08/12/2008
press report. The report contrasted the Closing Ceremony
with the Opening Ceremony, emphasizing that the tone of, and
public access to, the Closing Ceremony will be more relaxed.
However, DAO has noted the city,s security posture during
the Closing Ceremony will probably be similar to that of the
Opening Ceremony. (Please see IIR 6 814 1793, dated August
14, for additional information.)

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VIPS
--------------

15. (SBU) SecState to Miss Closing Ceremony: On
08/15/2008, the U.S. Embassy informed the Chinese Ministry
of Foreign Affairs (MFA) that Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice will not lead the USG Delegation to the Olympics Closing
Ceremony. It is not yet clear who will head the Delegation,
which also includes Secretary of Health and Human Services
Michael Leavitt and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao. The
Delegation is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on 08/22/2008
and will depart the city on 08/25/2008.


16. (SBU) Treasury Secretary Leaves China: The U.S.
Secretary of the Treasury, Henry Paulson, will depart Beijing
on the evening of 08/15/2008.


PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
--------------

17. (U) PAS Supports Cultural Olympiad: As part of the
Chinese Ministry of Culture's efforts to promote the Cultural
Olympiad, the U.S. Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS)
invited the famous Sparrow Quartet, led by singer Abby
Washburn, to represent the United States. Opening on the
night of 08/14/2008 to a packed audience at the U.S.
Ambassador's residence, PAS has arranged for the group to
play at venues in Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Fushan. Their
tour will return to Beijing where they will play for Team USA
athletes and their families at the USA House.


CONSULAR AFFAIRS
--------------

18. (SBU) Unusually Fast Consular Access: Chinese Public
Security Bureau (PSB) handling of a U.S. citizen currently in
custody for assaulting a Beijing taxi driver (ref. a) has
been strikingly different from normal practice. Several
hours after being taken into detention, the American was
allowed to keep possession of his cell phone and was able to
make two calls to ACS. Further, once the individual's father
was informed of his son,s detention, the police allowed him
to see his son immediately. Finally, the PSB approved the
Embassy's request for consular access and a Consular Officer
is scheduled to visit the American on the afternoon of
08/15/2008. Prior to the Olympics, ACS, unvarying
experience with detention cases has included no calls to or
from detained individuals, no visits by family or friends,
and no consular visits to the detained in fewer than four
days.


19. (U) Xinjiang Warden Message: On 08/15/2008, ACS released

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a Warden Message to all U.S. citizens registered with the
U.S. Embassy to inform them of recent incidents of violence
in China's far western Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region and
to advise them to carefully consider plans to travel to this
area. The message is available at the Embassy's website at:
http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/081508u 2.html.


POLITICAL AFFAIRS
--------------

20. (C) Petitioners Dissuaded from Traveling to Beijing:
According to a U.S. Embassy contact at the Chinese Ministry
of Environmental Protection (protect),China,s Central
Government is sending cadres out to the provinces to meet
directly with protest petitioners in an effort to dissuade
them from traveling to Beijing during the Olympic and
Paralympic Games. According to the source, each ministry has
been paired with a province, and must send cadres there to
hear petitioners, grievances. (Please see Beijing 3118,
dated August 14, for additional details.) Separately, U.S.
Embassy Political Officers conducting routine visits to the
three officially-designated "protest ones" established by
the Chinese Government ave observed no protests or
preparations for protests at any of the sites. Though the
PSB refuses to release any information regarding applications
to use the zones, information obtained from human rights
groups, media, and Embassy contacts indicates that Chinese
citizens applying to protest risk detention and/or removal
from Beijing. (Please see Beijing 3121, dated August 14, for
additional information.)


21. (U) Xinjiang Crackdown: Xinjiang Communist Party
Secretary and Politburo Member Wang Lequan told local
officials to "crack down hard" on "separatists, terrorists
and religious extremists" to ensure stability during the
Olympics, according to an 08/14/2008 official Beijing news
service report. Wang, who made the remarks at a meeting on
08/13/2008, called for unnamed "preemptive measures" and for
"weaving a tight legal net" to enable the general public to
resist "the reactionary propaganda and incitation" of the
alleged terrorists.


22. (U) Press Freedom: International media reported that
International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokeswoman Giselle
Davies said on 08/14/2008 that the IOC disapproves of any
attempts to hinder journalists who are working within Chinese
laws and regulations. She made the statement in response to
a question about the detention and rough treatment of a
British journalist by Chinese police on 08/13/2008 (ref. a),
adding that the IOC "hopes this has been addressed. We do
not want to see (such an incident) happening again."
RANDT