Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #13

UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000102 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR DS/TIA STATE FOR DS/DSS/DO STATE FOR DS/P/MECU STATE FOR DS/DO/P STATE FOR DS/ICI/CI STATE FOR DS/T/ATA STATE FOR DS/TIA/ITA STATE FOR DS/TIA/PII STATE FOR DS/TIA/CC STATE FOR S/CT STATE FOR CA/OCS/ACS/WHA STATE FOR DS/IP/WHA STATE FOR WHA/CAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KOLY CASC CA PTER AMGT PINR OVIP SUBJECT: Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #13 ¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon February 23, 2010. Please visit the following link for additional classified reporting: https://nol.nctc.sgov.gov/ng/cgi-bin/nctcHome .cgi?event=Vancouver_2 ¶010. The interagency USG Joint Operations Center can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at 604-692-2509, ext 4013. ¶2. (U//FOUO//LES) Canadian and USG authorities are currently unaware of any specific, credible threats to the Games. Though the frequency of organized demonstrations has diminished since February 15, ad hoc protest activity at event and public locations remains a concern. Canadian security officials indicate anti-Olympics groups may stage limited demonstrations as the Games draw to a close. SECURITY ISSUES ¶3. (U//FOUO//LES) Calls for Service Up, Crime Down - According to information provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP),a recent snapshot of local criminal activity revealed there were 260 calls for service between midnight and noon on February 22, ten of which occurred within the 150-metre buffer zone around Olympic venues. Nothing of consequence to Olympic security was noted. Additionally, reports of Breaking and Entering were down 73% compared to the same period last year, and there were 74% fewer Theft from Auto incidents. ¶4. (U) Women's Gold Medal Hockey Game: US vs. Canada - On February 25 at 3:30 p.m. PST, the US and Canadian women's teams will face off for the gold medal at Canada Hockey Place. While the women's tournament has not garnered the same level of media coverage as the men's, passions are expected to run high, especially given the recent 5-3 defeat of Team Canada by the US men's squad. Protests: ¶5. (U) February 22 Protest Activity - No Olympics-related protests occurred February 22. ¶6. (U) Current Protest Activity - There are no Olympics-related protests scheduled for today, February 23. ¶7. (U) Anticipated Protest Activity - On February 24, activists plan to stage a "Share the Gold" human chain protest in the Downtown East Side from 4:45 - 5:15pm PST. Demonstrators hope to form a chain of individuals for three blocks along either side of East Hastings Street, between Carrall Street and Gore Avenue. The protest will likely be peaceful, but may cause minor traffic disruptions. ¶8. (U//FOUO//LES) Local law enforcement sources and activist handbills indicate an anti-Olympics protest is scheduled from 3:30 -6:30 p.m. PST, February 24 at Grandview Park. RCMP advised a small number of activists who protest the use of the Britannia Community Services Centre rink for Olympics practice intend to convene at the park - some two blocks from the Britannia Community Centre - and following a brief demonstration, to march from the park to the rink. The protest has been advertised via community handbills and posters, but has not to date drawn significant promise of support. The US men's and women's hockey teams have scheduled practice on February 23 at the Britannia facility; it is unlikely their activities will be affected. RCMP and Vancouver Police are monitoring the situation and have sufficient security measures in place. ¶9. (U) Bicyclists and skaters plan to participate in a "Critical Mass Bike Ride" departing from the Vancouver Art Gallery around 6 p.m. on February 26. This recurring event is taking place as regularly scheduled and is not anti-Olympics in nature; however, the route is unknown and could affect the Men's Hockey Semi-Final game at 6:30 p.m. at Canada Hockey Place. Minor traffic disruptions are expected. ¶10. (U) A "Games Over! Resistance Lives!" demonstration is scheduled to occur from 1 to 3pm PST on February 28 at the intersection of Smithe and Cambie Streets. The event is advertised as a "noisy public festival to celebrate our communities and our resistance." This demonstration is being touted on the militant activist website www.no2010.com. Incidents: ¶11. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during this reporting period. Threats: ¶12. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics. SECURITY OPERATIONS ¶13. (SBU) Other than scheduled USOC and team movements, no major Olympics-related security operations have transpired during this reporting period. ¶14. (SBU) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice will visit Vancouver from February 25 to March 1. These VIPs are tentatively scheduled to attend ice and speed skating venues, as well as the hockey quarter finals and the closing ceremonies. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ¶15. There is no significant information or activity to report. CONSULAR ISSUES ¶16. Nothing significant to report. POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES ¶17. Unseasonably warm weather conditions continue in the Vancouver area. A schedule and results of all competitions throughout the Games can be found at http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule -results/. CHICOLA