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Note: The folloiwng post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1796603/posts

Military plans 'robust' assistance at 2010 Games
CanWest News Service via National Post ^ | 2007-03-07 | Peter O'Neil

Posted on 03/07/2007 3:45:55 AM PST by Clive

OTTAWA — The Canadian military will provide "robust and wide-ranging support" to the RCMP to combat potential terror attacks against the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler, according to newly released internal documents.

An analysis by one of Canada's most senior military officials says international terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda will likely see the Olympics as an opportunity to target Canada and other countries.

"Canada was ranked the fifth most important 'Christian' target, behind the U.S., Britain, Spain and Australia by an al-Qaeda document in 2004, and is the only nation amongst this group yet to be attacked," wrote Lt.-Gen. Marc Dumais, commander of Canada Command, in an Oct. 26, 2006, document obtained by the Montreal newspaper La Presse.

"As a visible participant in the international campaign against terrorism, Canada could become a direct or indirect target for terrorist attack."

The 2010 Games, according to the analysis, "could offer opportunities for terrorists (international and domestic) and extremists to further their agendas at a high profile event either against Canada or another participating nation(s)."

The document also warns that the Games could draw interest from organized crime groups, who could "take advantage of the large volumes of funds being disseminated to make illicit profits."

Dumais stressed that the RCMP is taking the lead security role, and noted that the Mounties "must be understand [as] a sporting event, not a security one."

So military support for security "will need to be discrete to the general public," though the Canadian Forces will be publicly visible at ceremonial functions.

A separate briefing note, also obtained by La Presse under the Access to Information Act, said the Canadian Forces (CF) will be working closely with the RCMP in security planning.

"Given heightened post-9/11 security measures for major international events of this nature, the CF can expect requests from the RCMP to provide robust and wide-ranging support."