Local protesters are named alongside al-Qaeda as the biggest security threats to the 2010 Olympics in a U.S. government travel advisory.
“Domestic protest groups, supporting various political causes, may attempt to disrupt the Olympics through demonstration or other activities,” reads a fact sheet for Americans travelling to Vancouver’s Winter Games.
“While Canadian security services are highly skilled at protecting large events and controlling demonstrations, even peaceful events can turn violent, and Americans are therefore advised to avoid any areas of public protest.”
The advisory was prepared by the U.S. Department of State and likely posted sometime in the past six weeks, the Globe and Mail reported.
It warns Americans that groups such as al-Qaeda could strike at any time, though no specific 2010 threats have been identified.
“In the post-September 11th world, the threat from international terrorist groups at major public events is always a principal concern,” it reads.
With heightened security at venues, targets of attack could range anywhere from restaurants to churches, the document warns.
Some observers argue terrorists are unlikely to target the 2010 Games, when a major attack in any big city would attract world-wide media attention.
Last July, Olympic security boss Bud Mercer told Vancouver city council violent protests are possible.
“Locally, provincially, nationally and internationally,” Mercer said, “there are groups which are considering and planning to engage in criminal protesting during the 2010 Games.”
Geoff Dembicki reports for the Tyee.
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Dan the socialist
2 years ago
I am so so tired of this US
I am so so tired of this US fearmongering and how the right wing in Canada does the same.
Frank
2 years ago
US Intelligence
And how did the US authorities find out about all these threats?
CIA operatives? SEAL teams?
Nope, they read the comments section of the Tyee naturally.
Van Isle
2 years ago
Does VANOC think that this
Does VANOC think that this fearmongering by US authorities will stop some people coming to the "Games"?
Gary
2 years ago
Dan the socialist
I couldn't agree more. The United States of Americas' foreign policy for at least the last 70 years has caused this terrorist problem. In the 60's and I hear again these days US citizens would backpack through Europe with the Canadian flag (emblem) on their packs for fear of being attacked if they displayed their own nationality.
I personally think this fear mongering is orchestrated in order to get "big brother" into the realm easier.
Skywalker
2 years ago
Must be the same people...
...who told George W. that Saddam had WMD's
max von smartt
2 years ago
amerika epicentre of evil empire
just for the record 911 was an inside job totally, as were the madrid train bombings and attacks on the london tubes; we have most to fear from our own covert sekurity operatives. shoot to dokument overkill at the games. them dutch got it right serving heineken to ease the sorrows.
runner
2 years ago
ze pepper is on ze plate
Isn't the greatest threat to American visitors getting pepper-sprayed by our illustrious security forces as they put down a bunch of typical Canadian letter-writing protesters?
DPL
2 years ago
Each time somebody wants
Each time somebody wants more funding for their favourite program they invent a terrorist plot. Works every time
happy
2 years ago
Frank
"Nope, they read the comments section of the Tyee naturally"
Wicked sence of humor. I loved it
happy
2 years ago
What a pathetic speller I am
sense
(Any grammer teachers around? Should that be "am I")
freebear
2 years ago
Seems to me the best way to avoid these threats,
and save money; is not bothering to host the damn olympics!
p.s. Would Bic pens be able to advertise nowadays their old ad: the Olymbics?
Go ambush marketeers!
max von smartt
2 years ago
troll patrol
the games themselves will be a boring corporate five ring orgy; protestors will be kept at bay with pepper spray, batons, horses gliding on marbles, whatever it takes to sanitize and sell bc to the globe. incidentally we have already climaxed as the most desirable place in the whole free world according to marketeers and promoters. huck!!! chek yur rent if u don't already believe. huck!!!