From Feb. 23, 2010, as published April 28, 2011 by WikiLeaks
UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000102
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 #13
¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related
information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon
February 23, 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//FOUO//LES) Calls for Service Up, Crime Down – According to
information provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), a
recent snapshot of local criminal activity revealed there were 260
calls for service between midnight and noon on February 22, ten of
which occurred within the 150-metre buffer zone around Olympic
venues. Nothing of consequence to Olympic security was noted.
Additionally, reports of Breaking and Entering were down 73%
compared to the same period last year, and there were 74% fewer
Theft from Auto incidents.
¶4. (U) Women’s Gold Medal Hockey Game: US vs. Canada – On
February 25 at 3:30 p.m. PST, the US and Canadian women’s teams
will face off for the gold medal at Canada Hockey Place. While the
women’s tournament has not garnered the same level of media
coverage as the men’s, passions are expected to run high,
especially given the recent 5-3 defeat of Team Canada by the US
men’s squad.
Protests:
¶5. (U) February 22 Protest Activity – No Olympics-related protests
occurred February 22.
¶6. (U) Current Protest Activity – There are no Olympics-related
protests scheduled for today, February 23.
¶7. (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.
¶8. (U//FOUO//LES) Local law enforcement sources and activist
handbills indicate an anti-Olympics protest is scheduled from 3:30
-6:30 p.m. PST, February 24 at Grandview Park. RCMP advised a
small number of activists who protest the use of the Britannia
Community Services Centre rink for Olympics practice intend to
convene at the park – some two blocks from the Britannia Community
Centre – and following a brief demonstration, to march from the
park to the rink. The protest has been advertised via community
handbills and posters, but has not to date drawn significant
promise of support. The US men’s and women’s hockey teams have
scheduled practice on February 23 at the Britannia facility; it is
unlikely their activities will be affected. RCMP and Vancouver
Police are monitoring the situation and have sufficient security
measures in place.
¶9. (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.
¶10. (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:
¶11. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during
this reporting period.
Threats:
¶12. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible
transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics.
SECURITY OPERATIONS
¶13. (SBU) Other than scheduled USOC and team movements, no major
Olympics-related security operations have transpired during this
reporting period.
¶14. (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
¶15. There is no significant information or activity to report.
CONSULAR ISSUES
¶16. Nothing significant to report.
POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES
¶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
News and views on Vancouver 2010 (and beyond) from Bob Mackin.