The Vancouver Olympics Cables: Day 17

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

10VANCOUVER116 2010-02-28 22:10 2011-04-28 00:12 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Consulate Vancouver

UNCLAS VANCOUVER 000116

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 #18

¶1. (SBU) This is the final report providing security-related
information for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games as of noon
February 28, 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
(JOC) can be contacted on a 24-hour basis at 604-692-2509, ext 4013
until 0800 March 1.

¶2. (U//FOUO//LES) Canadian and USG authorities are currently
unaware of any specific, credible threats to the Games as the
Closing Ceremonies approach Sunday, February 28, at 5:30 p.m. BC
Place will open to ticket holders at 1:30 p.m. Anti-Olympics
demonstrations scheduled for Sunday are not expected to affect the
Closing Ceremonies; however, Canadian authorities assess
anti-Olympic activism today will be more widespread, and possibly
more disruptive, than previously anticipated.

SECURITY ISSUES

¶3. (U) USA, Canada to face off in Gold Medal Hockey Game -
The Gold Medal match between teams USA and Canada is underway at
Canada Hockey Place (CHP). Concerns remain as to the potentially
contentious nature of today's game and its impact on public order.
Downtown liquor stores are restricting alcohol sales through the
weekend in an attempt to mitigate potential incidents. CHP is
located within blocks of Vancouver's entertainment district,
primary pedestrian corridors, and many hotels.

Protests:

¶4. (U//FOUO//LES) February 27 Protest Activity - The "Pirates
of Justice" flash mob occurred without incident yesterday adjacent
to Canada Place.

¶5. (U//FOUO//LES) The anti-homelessness advocacy group Red
Tent staged a peaceful "Olympic Wrap-Up" demonstration at Canada
Pavilion (near CHP) at noon. Approximately 25 to 30 activists
arranged 142 red tarps as a fence around the outside fence
surrounding Canada Pavilion's Live Site entertainment venue.
Vancouver Police were present during the demonstration.

¶6. (U//FOUO//LES) Current Protest Activity - The "Games Over!
Resistance Lives!" demonstration is scheduled to take place from 1
to 5 p.m. today at the intersection of Smithe and Cambie Streets,
several blocks south of BC Place. Early information indicated
organizers intended the event to be inoffensive to both police and
the public; however, 171 attendees are currently confirmed and may
block the intersection. Black Bloc advocates are likely to
participate, although there is no indication that they intend to
engage in violent or illegal tactics during this event. Online
discussions of the event indicate a high proportion of participants
may proceed afterwards to the Tent Village to join its supporters,
a decision that could turn into an impromptu march.

Incidents:

¶7. (U) No Olympics-related security incidents occurred during
this reporting period.

Threats:

¶8. (SBU) At this time, there are no known specific, credible
transnational terrorist threats against the Vancouver Olympics.

SECURITY OPERATIONS

¶9. (SBU) Diplomatic Security remains engaged in daily USOC
team movements.

¶10. (SBU) Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet
Napolitano, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius,
and US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice will depart Vancouver March
¶1. The VIP delegation is scheduled to attend several events,
including the Men's Gold Medal Hockey match at Canada Hockey Place
and the Closing Ceremonies.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS/PUBLIC DIPLOMACY

¶11. There is no significant information or activity to report.

CONSULAR ISSUES

¶12. There is no significant information or activity to report.

POLITICAL/GENERAL ISSUES

¶13. Team USA will finish the Winter Games with 37 medals, the
most in Winter Olympics history.

¶14. A schedule and results of all competitions throughout the
Games can be found at

http://www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-schedule -results/.

CHICOLA