VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010: CANADIAN REQUEST FOR

UNCLAS OTTAWA 000481 SIPDIS STATE PASS UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE STATE FOR WHA/CAN, IAESCG, S/CT, DS/IP/WHA AND DS/P/MECU DNI FOR SEIC DOD FOR OSD/POLICY AND JCS/J5 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KOLY PTER ECPS CA SUBJECT: VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010: CANADIAN REQUEST FOR SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED STATES POSTAL INSPECTION SERVICE REF: A. OTTAWA 10 ¶B. OTTAWA 426 ¶1. (SBU) Introduction and Action Request: The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) conveyed to Embassy on June 16 Diplomatic Note No. GGA-0028 seeking United States Postal Inspection Service support to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver. The dipnote sought the provision of a U.S. Postal Service Mobile Mail Screening Station, with operating personnel, for the period January 16 through March 26, 2010. Post requests Department convey the dipnote to the Postal Inspection Service via ExecSec Memo for a U.S. dipnote response within the 30-day suspense in the text of para 2. ¶2. (SBU) Begin Canadian dipnote text: Note No. GGA-0028 The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America and has the honour to refer to recent discussions between officials of our Governments, concerning military-to-military and other assistance in support of providing security for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia. The Department wishes to advise the Embassy that Canada hereby requests the provision of the U.S. Postal Services' Mobile Mail Screening Station, with operating personnel, from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, for a period between January 16 and March 26, 2010. This screening station, with trained operators, will ensure a safe and secure environment for Olympic staff, athletes, customers and facilities throughout the duration of these Games. The equipment contained in one 53' transportable trailer module will enable operators to detect any physical, chemical biological, radiological, nuclear or explosive threat. Canada Post Postal Inspectors are familiar with this equipment and have observed it operate at high profile events within the continental United States. The Department wishes to draw attention to the fact that confirmation of the availability of the requested capabilities is of critical importance to the planning process for the security of the Games and the preceding exercise. The Department would therefore be grateful for a response to this note within 30 days. The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. OTTAWA, June 11, 2009 End dipnote text. Visit Canada,s North American partnership community at http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/nap / BREESE