From Feb. 18, 2010, as published April 28, 2011 by WikiLeaks
UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000080
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 #8
¶1. (SBU) The following report provides security-related
information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon
on February 18, 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
Protests:
¶2. (U) 17 February Protest Activity – A small group of
demonstrators held a rally in front of St. Marks Church at the
University of British Colombia (UBC) – some several hundred meters
from the UBC Thunderbird Arena, an Olympics venue. The peaceful
rally, which drew approximately 30 people, was organized by United
Church of Canada members, UBC Catholic students, Regent College
evangelical students, and the group “Streams of Justice.” The
rally was over at approximately 1500 PST. UBC Thunderbird Arena
hosts women’s ice hockey events, one of which began at 1430 PST
yesterday.
¶3. (U) Separately, members of Fathers-4-Justice (F4J) – an
organization that campaigns against the family law system –
unfurled a banner on the Lions Gate Bridge during the morning
commute. Police responded to the F4J activity, which caused only
minor traffic disruption.
¶4. (U) Current Protest Activity – There are no Olympics-related
protests scheduled for today, February 18.
¶5. (SBU) Anticipated Protest Activity – The next demonstration of
note – a “Rally for National Housing” – is scheduled for noon on
Saturday, February 20 on the north (Georgia Street) side of the
Vancouver Art Gallery. Diplomatic Security will continue to
monitor protest activity and will provide updates as necessary.
Incidents:
¶6. (SBU) Update: Subject Detained at Opening Ceremonies – On the
evening of February 12, an individual attempted to enter the
International Olympic Committee VIP section during Opening
Ceremonies at BC Place. The individual reportedly possessed fake
credentials and was detained by RCMP officers prior to reaching the
dignitary seating area. It is not clear to what extent the subject
used fraudulent accreditation to access the venue or proceed
within. According to media reports, the RCMP determined the
subject – a 48 year-old man – was unarmed, but harbored an
“infatuation” with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden. RCMP officials
advised the man was turned over to Vancouver Police custody and
subsequently admitted to a psychiatric facility. The subject is not
a known activist and did not appear to have malicious intent. The
RCMP reports they do not believe the Vice President was in danger
at any time during the incident.
Threats:
¶7. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible
transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics.
¶8. (U//FOUO//LES) Suspicious Call to TSA Operations Center – At
0945 PST, the DHS/TSA Herndon (VA) Operations Center (TSOC)
notified Vancouver CBP JOC personnel of a suspicious phone call
received by TSOC at 0628 EST today, February 18. The caller
stated, “Please check your Phoenix to Vancouver flights,” and then
hung up. The call was traced to a room at a Charlotte, NC Marriott
hotel. At this time, the nature and credibility of the call are
undetermined, but the information is being addressed as a potential
threat.
¶9. (U//FOUO//LES) Actions Taken: TSA has notified Phoenix Police
and the Phoenix Joint Terrorism Task Force. Through the
Vancouver-based RCMP Integrated Security Unit, TSA has also
notified local law enforcement and Transport Canada regarding the
possibility of the call affecting Canadian carriers. U.S. law
enforcement agencies in Phoenix and Charlotte are investigating the
call alongside the FBI. The USG Vancouver JOC is also coordinating
with Phoenix and Charlotte police and FBI offices. DHS/CBP and
Vancouver Police are coordinating with CBSA on joint enforcement
operations for pre-cleared Vancouver to Phoenix flights. Vancouver
Police identified four flights into Vancouver and four flights
departing Vancouver for Phoenix. TSA is increasing inspection and
screening activities at Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) International
Airport. CBP JOC personnel in Vancouver will provide Olympics
Coordination Center (OCC) in Bellingham, WA with updates and will
request that the OCC provide updates concerning CBP Phoenix-related
activity.
SECURITY OPERATIONS
¶10. (SBU) Other than scheduled USOC and team movements, no major
Olympics-related security operations have transpired during this
reporting period.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY
¶11. The section received a number of calls from press organizations
(Globe & Mail, NY Times, Canadian Press) about reports that an
improperly credentialed person had been able to come within a few
meters of Vice President Biden during the Games’ opening ceremony.
The section referred all calls to RCMP and the Integrated Security
Unit.
¶12. Rumors are making the rounds that President Obama may yet make
an appearance at the Olympics. One reporter claims that word is
making the rounds that a gold medal match between the Canada and
the United States would bring the President to Vancouver. To those
calls that we are receiving on this, we are responding with a flat
‘untrue.’
¶13. Team USA’s record medal winning day yesterday drew mention in
the press, though not nearly as big as in the U.S.
CONSULAR ISSUES
¶14. Nothing significant to report.
POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES
¶15. Team USA leads the world with 5 Gold and 14 overall medals.
¶16. 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.