From Feb. 24, 2010, as published April 28, 2011 by WikiLeaks
UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000104
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 #14
¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related
information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon
February 24, 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 23 Protest Activity – No Olympics-related protests
occurred February 23.
¶4. (U) Current Protest Activity – Activists plan to stage a “Share
the Gold” human chain protest in the Downtown East Side from 4:45
to 5:15 p.m. today. 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 demonstration
will likely be peaceful, but minor traffic disruptions may occur.
The protest is approximately .5 miles from Canada Hockey Place, the
nearest Olympic venue.
¶5. (U//FOUO//LES) Anticipated 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.
¶6. (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.
¶7. (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 advertised on
www.no2010.com.
Incidents:
¶8. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during
this reporting period.
Threats:
¶9. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible
transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics.
SECURITY OPERATIONS
¶10. (SBU) Other than scheduled USOC and team movements, no major
Olympics-related security operations have transpired during this
reporting period.
¶11. (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
¶12. There is no significant information or activity to report.
CONSULAR ISSUES
¶13. There is no significant information or activity to report.
POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES
¶14. Cooler weather, rain, and fog 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
News and views on Vancouver 2010 (and beyond) from Bob Mackin.