BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 06 BEIJING 003146 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: 08/16/2038 TAGS: ASEC CASC CH CMGT ECON KOLY OVIP PREL PTER SUBJECT: BEIJING 2008 SUMMER OLYMPICS: USG SITUATION REPORT 16, 08/16/2008 REF: A. BEIJING 3139 ¶B. BEIJING 3065 ¶C. BEIJING 3117 ¶D. 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 08/16/2008. ¶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. (U) Beijing residents woke on 08/16/2008 to a second blue sky morning, following a temperate, clear day on 08/15/2008 described by media as "one of the best days in years." Torrential downpours on 08/14/2008 cleared the air of smog and the sultry humidity finally broke following thunderstorms that lasted through most of the night. According to the Chinese Ministry of Environmental Protection, the air pollution reading in Beijing on 08/15/2008 was the lowest in over two years with a rating of 17 micrograms of particulate matter per cubic meter, down from an officially-reported reading of 95 on 08/08/2008, the date of the Olympics Opening Ceremony. Chinese officials had promised clear skies during the Olympics, but media reports indicate that some athletes have complained about air quality and weather conditions during the first week of competition. The Chinese Government has made numerous attempts to improve air quality in recent weeks, including restricting the use of vehicles, halting construction, and closing factories around the capital. On 08/15/2008, the International Olympics Committee (IOC) reached an agreement with Chinese authorities that it will not publish during the Olympic Games the air quality data it receives from 27 IOC-affiliated monitoring stations scattered throughout Beijing; to date, the IOC's medical commission has not recommended the postponement of any events due to air quality concerns. ¶4. (SBU) The U.S. Embassy Regional Medical Officer (RMO) confirmed Barbara Bachman--one of the American victims of the 08/09/2008 knife attack at Beijing's Drum Tower--arrived safely in Minnesota and is recuperating at the Mayo Clinic BEIJING 00003146 002 OF 006 following her medical evacuation from Beijing on 08/15/2008. A statement released by the Mayo Clinic said Mrs. Bachman received excellent care while in China. The remains of Todd Bachman--repatriated via a United Airlines flight on 08/15/2008--arrived safely in Chicago. The Bachman's son-in-law, U.S. Men's Indoor Volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon, returned to lead his team to a straight set victory over China on 08/15/2008 after missing the previous three matches. The Embassy's Public Affairs Section (PAS) continues to receive media queries and maintains close coordination with U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) media officials. SECURITY ISSUES -------------- ¶5. (U) Threats: There is no significant threat information to report. ¶6. (S/NF) Incidents: Police Report Fourth Bomb Hoax in Hong Kong: According to intelligence reporting and information received from the Regional Security Officer (RSO) in Hong Kong, on 08/15/2008 the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) was informed of a suspicious plastic bag on a vacant mass transit rail train parked for repairs at the Tiu Keng Leng station; a white piece of paper stating in Chinese, "This is a bomb" was attached to the bag. An HKPF bomb disposal unit was dispatched to the scene and a controlled detonation was conducted; it was determined that the bag held newspapers and magazines. The RSO confirmed with police that no hoax device was found. (Please see TD-314/ 060934-08, dated August 15, for additional information.) This incident is similar to the second incident reported on 08/14/2008 in which a bag with a note was left near a bus stop (ref. a). The RSO believes that the intense media coverage of the previous hoax devices has likely sparked "copy cat" incidents such as the one reported on 08/15/2008. Hong Kong authorities have not yet identified any individuals involved with the recent string of reported bomb hoaxes, though local media reports erroneously indicated that someone had been detained in connection to an 08/08/2008 incident at the Causeway Bay rail station (ref. b). ¶7. (SBU) Explosion in Qinhuangdao: According to Chinese-language media reports, an air conditioning unit at an office in the city of Qinhuangdao exploded on 08/13/2008, killing two. While the China Democracy website on 08/15/2008 claimed the explosion was caused by a bomb, Qinhuangdao security forces publicly stated the explosion occurred when the air conditioner malfunctioned and had nothing to do with terrorism. Qinhuangdao Stadium is a venue for both men,s and women,s soccer; neither U.S. Olympic soccer team has played there since 08/09/2008. BEIJING 00003146 003 OF 006 ¶8. (S) Bomb Scare in Shanghai?: Local Shanghai press reports indicated that Shanghai authorities on 08/13/2008 arrested a Chinese national who claimed he had a bomb and took an office manager hostage (ref. c). Police reportedly found no explosives on the man and the RSO in Shanghai received no official confirmation of the incident from Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) representatives. However, the Hong Kong-based Information Center for Human Rights has now reported the bomb allegedly held by the individual was real and claims that nine "terrorist bomb incidents" have occurred in Shanghai from 08/09/2008 to 08/14/2008--although it noted some of those incidents were hoaxes. The Center previously reported a vehicle containing explosives had been found outside the Shanghai Public Security Bureau (PSB),a claim the PSB denied when queried by the U.S. Consulate General in Shanghai (ref. d). Separately, classified tearline reporting indicates that "Olympics security forces in Shanghai found a possible explosive device on 08/15/2008." There is no additional information available regarding the location, nature, or Chinese response to the device. The RSO in Shanghai and JOC agencies will continue to monitor reports of explosives in the city given the discrepancy between media statements and the comments of local officials. ¶9. (SBU) Olympic Protests: There were no reports of Olympics or pro-Tibet protests received by the U.S. Embassy overnight on 08/15/2008. Three U.S. citizens affiliated with "Students for a Free Tibet" were detained and deported by Chinese officials on 08/15/2008 for unfurling a "Free Tibet" banner in front of the new CCTV building (ref. a). A total of 21 Americans have been detained and immediately deported from Beijing in response to protest activity since 08/06/2008. SECURITY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) JOC Tour for Canadians and Olympics Sponsors: On the evening of 08/15/2008, the Olympic Security Coordinator (OSC),members of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC),and personnel from JOC agencies hosted a successful meet and greet for representatives from U.S. corporate Olympic sponsors and the Canadian Government--hosts of the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. The Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) of the U.S. Embassy welcomed the group, who were then taken on an informal tour of the USG inter-agency operations center. Among the visitors were Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Inspector Alex Graham--who will head the Canadian Joint Intelligence Group during the Vancouver Olympics--and Brent Bloxham--the senior RCMP representative who will assist in running the Canadian Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 Games. The BEIJING 00003146 004 OF 006 meet-and-greet concluded with refreshments at the Marine House. ¶11. (SBU) Additional Security Requested by U.S. Women's Volleyball Coach: The USG Field Liaison Officer (FLO) assigned to the U.S. Women's Indoor Volleyball team notified the JOC on 08/15/2008 that Women's Volleyball coach Lang Ping had requested additional protective coverage for her movement through the volleyball stadium following the U.S. win over the Chinese team in preliminary rounds. (Lang Ping is a legendary Chinese national volleyball player who has moved to the U.S. in order to coach the U.S. Women's team.) This request was passed to the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), which responded with increased security personnel to provide "body coverage" for Ms. Ping. The MPS had also responded favorably to an 08/14/2008 OSC request for enhanced crowd control measures and additional security forces for the venue movements of high-profile U.S. athletes such as Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, and Jennie Finch (ref. a). ¶12. (SBU) Status of Injured U.S. Athletes: On 08/15/2008, a U.S. Baseball team member was taken to the hospital with facial lacerations after receiving a game-related injury. According to information available to the JOC, he received stitches and was released; he is currently at the Olympics Village Medical Center and will not return to play additional games. The RSO in Hong Kong has reported that the U.S. Olympics Equestrian team member hospitalized on 08/14/2008 for an infection (ref. c) will likely be released on 08/18/2008. ¶13. (S/NF) Uighurs Under Scrutiny: The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) in mid-August told U.S. officials that it had increased scrutiny of Hong-Kong-based Uighurs to determine if they had ties to attacks in China's Xinjiang Province or to alleged East Turkestan Islamic Party (ETIP) plots to disrupt the Olympics. Approximately 300 immigrants from Xinjiang, including roughly 20 Uighurs, reportedly reside in Hong Kong. The HKPF,s investigation indicated the Uighurs, most of whom are housewives, pose no threat. (Please see TD-314/060859-08, dated August 15, for additional information.) VIPS -------------- ¶14. (SBU) Treasury Secretary Departs: U.S. Secretary of Treasury, Henry Paulson, departed Beijing as scheduled on the evening of 08/15/2008. His departure concluded the U.S. Secret Service protective mission in Beijing. ¶15. (SBU) Former Olympic Stars in Beijing: Former Olympic gymnastics gold medalist Nadia Comaneci and her husband, BEIJING 00003146 005 OF 006 former U.S. Olympian Bart Conner, are in Beijing to attend the Games and to support Chicago's bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY -------------- ¶16. (U) Protest Zone Press Guidance: The State Department issued press guidance 08/15/2008 noting concerns over Chinese citizens who are reportedly being harassed, removed from Beijing or even detained for seeking permission to protest in officially designated protest zones. The guidance calls on China to facilitate the issuance of permits to those seeking to hold peaceful protests. CONSULAR AFFAIRS -------------- ¶17. (SBU) Americans Detained for Ticket Scalping: Four U.S. citizens were among a reported 110 individuals detained by Chinese authorities on 08/15/2008 for re-selling Olympic tickets. Three of the Americans were released early on 08/16/2008; two of the three were required to relinquish their passports and instructed to report to the Chaoyang District Exit/Entry Bureau to pick them up at 1430 local time the same day. The U.S. Embassy's American Citizens Services (ACS) unit has contacted Beijing Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials on behalf of the fourth American, but Chinese authorities have not confirmed her detention. Only one other U.S. citizen has been detained and released for ticket scalping since the beginning of the Games (ref. d). According to Xinhua, China,s official state media, police reportedly plan to set up bilingual placards near venues to warn against ticket resale, which is a violation of the terms of sale of Olympics tickets; previous press reporting has claimed Chinese authorities have been turning a blind eye to such activities. ¶18. (SBU) American with Visa Problems at Airport: The United Airlines station manager at Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) reported to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) representatives that an elderly, possibly indigent U.S. citizen has been camping off and on at BCIA. The woman reportedly entered China on her Chinese passport and is trying to return to the U.S. on her U.S. passport. She has been told by United Airlines staff that she should travel to a third country to switch passports to be able to travel on her U.S. passport. The United Airlines Station manager reported to TSA that they have not seen her for the last 24 hours; U.S. Embassy officers are attempting to locate the American. ¶19. (SBU) NBC Cameraman Recovering: NBC cameraman Darren BEIJING 00003146 006 OF 006 Wargo, who was struck by lightning while visiting the Great Wall (ref. a),is in stable condition. NBC is arranging a medevac for Mr. Wargo, but the departure date is currently unknown. No U.S. Embassy assistance has been requested. POLITICAL AFFAIRS -------------- ¶20. (U) Increased Security Presence in Xinjiang: International media reports security has increased substantially in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region following several violent attacks over the past two weeks. A Hong Kong TV crew said they had to stop at several police checkpoints while driving in Kashi Prefecture 08/14/2008 and were forced to leave their vehicle to have their identification checked. The crew attempted to enter Yamanya Township--location of an 08/12/2008 attack on a security checkpoint--via highway through Shule County, but were intercepted by police personnel and denied entry. ¶21. (SBU) Increased Security Measures In and Around Beijing: Xinhua, China's state-run media agency, reported on 08/15/2008 that the Badaling section of the Great Wall was reopened to tourists on 08/14/2008 after being closed on 08/07/2008 for Olympic cycling events. Visitors now must walk through metal detectors and have their bags checked by hand-held scanners or x-ray machines in order to gain access to the Wall; knives with blades longer than 5 centimeters are no longer allowed at the site. A shopkeeper in a Beijing kitchen store told a U.S. Embassy officer on 08/14/2008 that knives will not be sold until the end of the Olympic Games, due to the 08/09/2008 attack against U.S. citizens Todd and Barbara Bachman and their Chinese tour guide. RANDT