The Vancouver Olympics Cables: Day 11

From Feb. 22, 2010, as published April 28, 2011 by WikiLeaks

10VANCOUVER96 2010-02-22 22:10 2011-04-28 00:12 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Consulate Vancouver

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