Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #15

UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000106 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 #15 ¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon February 25, ¶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 U.S. Government (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 Protests: ¶3. (U) February 24 Protest Activity - 200 activists reportedly attended the "Share the Gold" human chain protest in the Downtown East Side yesterday evening. No significant disruption was associated with the event. The protest was approximately .5 miles from Canada Hockey Place, the nearest Olympic venue. ¶4. (U//FOUO//LES) Current Protest Activity - An anti-Olympics demonstration at Grandview Park and subsequent march to the nearby Britannia Community Services Centre Rink is scheduled from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. February 25. A small number of activists will reportedly protest the use of the rink for Olympics practice, though it will not likely affect those scheduled. This demonstration is being touted on the militant activist website www.no2010.com; however, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Vancouver Police are monitoring the situation and have sufficient security measures in place. ¶5. (U) Additionally, open sources report flash mobs may occur at the corner of Georgia and Granville at 5 p.m. and the corner of Robson and Granville at 5:30 p.m. These events are generally peaceful in nature but may cause minor traffic disruptions. ¶6. (U) Anticipated Protest Activity - 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. ¶7. (U) A group calling itself "Pirates of Justice," costumed advocates of better working conditions for cruise ships employees, is advertising a flash mob for 12 p.m. on February 27. While the location is currently undisclosed, previous activity occurred in the vicinity of Canada Place (note: this location, along the water, is not the same as Canada Hockey Place). Prior events sponsored by this group were festive in nature and not associated with any significant violence. ¶8. (U) A "Games Over! Resistance Lives!" demonstration is scheduled to occur from 1 to 3 p.m. 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 advertised on www.no2010.com. Incidents: ¶9. (U//FOUO//LES) The Vancouver Police Department reports various incidents involving stolen Olympics tickets later resold for profit. Canadian authorities have arrested several individuals since February 20 for suspected dealings in stolen Olympic tickets. Threats: ¶10. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics. SECURITY OPERATIONS ¶11. (SBU) Other than scheduled USOC and team movements, no major Olympics-related security operations have transpired during this reporting period. ¶12. (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 ¶13. Public Affairs-The brief detention of a US athlete was reported by numerous news sources on February 25,th spurring several calls to the Consulate from other media organizations. Post has declined comment, citing privacy laws. CONSULAR ISSUES ¶14. USOC officials reported that a US bobsledder, named in the press, was briefly detained and released the night of 24 February for a domestic incident. Consular assistance was offered, but declined by the Amcit. POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES ¶15. Cooler weather and rain have returned to 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