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