Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics: Situation Report #12

UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000096 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 #12 ¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon on February 22, 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) U.S. Defeats Canada 5-3 in Group A Hockey; No Significant Incidents - Local law enforcement authorities had expressed concern over the potentially contentious nature of last night's U.S. - Canada match and its impact on public order. To mitigate the potential for alcohol-fueled incidents, Canada Hockey Place ceased alcohol sales early in the third period. Additionally, the Vancouver Police Department enacted a 7 p.m. closing time for public and private liquor stores in the downtown area and increased the number of officers on duty. Despite the presence of some 200,000 people on the streets, the evening passed without significant incident. Protests: ¶4. (U) February 21 Protest Activity - No Olympics-related protests occurred February 21. ¶5. (U) Current Protest Activity - There are no Olympics-related protests scheduled for today, February 22. ¶6. (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. ¶7. (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. ¶8. (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: ¶9. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during this reporting period. 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 various competition venues as well as the closing ceremonies. PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY ¶13. There is no significant information or activity to report. CONSULAR ISSUES ¶14. No significant cases to report. No problems after the US-Canada hockey game. POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES ¶15. In a surprising upset Sunday, the U.S. men's hockey team defeated Canada 5-3 and advanced to the quarterfinals on Wednesday against an unknown opponent. Following the game, Vancouver was remarkably quiet Sunday night. ¶16. A record number of passengers are expected to depart Vancouver (YVR) Airport on March 1, the day after the Closing Ceremonies. Crowds anticipated to be as large as 39,000, surpassing the previous one day high of 26,000, have led airport officials to advise travelers to arrive at the airport up to 4 hours before their flight. ¶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