Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #3

UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000064 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 #3 ¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon on February 13, 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. SECURITY ISSUES Olympic Protests: ¶2. (SBU) March to BC Place Mostly Peaceful - The "Take Back Our City" march at 3 p.m. yesterday, February 12, drew an estimated 1,000 people before police stopped it near BC Place, the site of the Opening Ceremonies. Several protesters threw small items and police arrested a few demonstrators, but the march was mostly peaceful and dispersed by 7:40 p.m. ¶3. (SBU) Current Protest Activity - Bands of protesters, some affiliated with the "Heart Attack" march and the "2010 Autonomous Day of Action," are reportedly circulating throughout the city, some numbering up to 250. Reports of violence and property damage - in the form smashing windows of retail stores, damaging cars, and throwing objects at police officers - are being received. Police escorts are accompanying several groups, and anti-riot police are stationed at key locations in downtown Vancouver. The Vancouver Police Department and Royal Canadian Mounted Police have made several arrests. ¶4. (SBU) Anticipated Protest Activity - The 19th Annual Women's March is scheduled from noon to 4 p.m. tomorrow, February ¶14. The march will begin at the Carnegie Community Centre and proceed through the Downtown Eastside. Anti-Olympic protesters are discouraged from attending. Incidents: ¶5. (SBU) There are no incidents to report. Threats: ¶6. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics. SECURITY OPERATIONS ¶7. (SBU) U.S. Vice President Joe Biden arrived at Whistler Mountain today and is attending several Olympic events. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ¶8. The presence of Vice President Biden was mentioned several times during and after the Olympics' opening ceremony, and the Vice President was briefly shown on-screen during the march-in of Team USA on CTV. Prior to the opening ceremony, the VP's meet and greet with Team USA athletes was covered by Getty, NBC and Associated Press journalists, which post's public affairs staff worked to get into the event. CONSULAR ISSUES ¶9. There is no significant information or activity to report. POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES ¶10. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics officially opened with a 3 hour celebration at BC Place. During a dramatic display of lights and music, athletes from around the world were greeted by tens of thousands of energetic spectators, as well as international leaders, and celebrities. The elaborate ceremonies placed a special emphasis on the diversity of Canadian cultural history, especially aboriginal. ¶11. Post Political/Economic Officer Beau Fancher observed anti-Olympic protests in downtown Vancouver immediately prior to Friday's Opening Ceremonies. An estimated 1,000 protesters, many carrying banners and yelling slogans of various causes from pro-environment, pro-aboriginal, to anti-capitalist, protested the Opening Ceremonies. The march was met by massed police lines in a sometimes tense, but otherwise peaceful demonstration. The protesters were contained and unable to seriously impede access to the Ceremonies. The protest was centered at the meeting point of a main entrance to the Ceremonies and the provincial representative Alberta House. Many of the protesters carried signs and banners critical of the controversial development of Alberta oil reserves, known as "tar-sands." A senior representative from the BC Civil Liberties Association, a group that has been highly critical of Vancouver Police Department's (VPD) planned handling of potential protests, expressed praise for VPD's "measured" response to the protesters at the Opening Ceremonies. ¶12. Following arrival in Vancouver, Vice President Biden and rest of the Presidential Delegation attended an afternoon USOC hosted US athletes' pep rally. The Vice President addressed approximately70 US athletes, wishing them well in their upcoming competitions and taking the opportunity to speak with each team individually while taking team photos. The Vice President and Dr. Biden then attended the GOC hosted Heads of Delegation reception before proceeding to the Opening Ceremonies. Vice President Biden and the rest of the Presidential Delegation attended the Opening Ceremonies and stayed through the entirety of the festivities. Competitions begin this morning with the first medals awarded in the final round of men's ski jumping. A schedule and results of all competitions throughout the Games can be found at http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule -results/. CHICOLA