Informal Meeting of Defence Ministers (IM 2002) Warsaw, Poland, 24 - 25 September 2002

NATO Defence Ministers will hold an informal meeting in Warsaw, Poland, on 24 and 25 September 2002 under the chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen. Mr. Jerzy Szmajdzinski, Minister of National Defence of Poland will host the meeting.

Applications for accreditation should be made before Thursday, 12 September 2002, using the attached form which should be returned to the following addresses:

1. For media representatives based outside Poland:
   Mr. François Le Blévennec
   NATO Press and Media Service
   B-1110 Brussels
   Belgium
   Tel.: +32 (0)2 707 50 38
   Fax: +32 (0)2 707 50 57
   e-mail: press@hq.nato.int
2. For media representatives based in Poland:
   Maj. Grzegorz Pulawski
   "IM 2002" Media Manager
   Ministry of National Defence
   218, Niepodleglosci Av.
   00-909 Warszawa 60
   Poland
   Tel.: +48 22 6 874 530
   Fax: +48 22 6 874 674
   e-mail: meeting.media@wp.mil.pl

Press passes previously applied for will be available for collection from 09:00 hours on Wednesday, 18 September, at the Media Centre located in Warsaw, 9/13, Zwirki i Wigury Str. An ID card or passport and a press card (or letter of accreditation from a recognised media organization) should be presented and must be shown at any time upon request of security personnel.

All media representatives are informed that security personnel at the Media Centre will examine and may test equipment and personal effects carried onto the site. To avoid delays, media representatives are requested to arrive with sufficient time to clear the security checks. Television or radio broadcasters, wire services and photo agencies with bulky equipment are particularly urged to move most of it into the Media Centre as early as possible.

The Media Centre staffed by NATO and Polish personnel will be located in Warsaw, 9/13, Zwirki i Wigury Str., about 1,5 km from the "Okecie" Airport.

Opening hours for the Media Centre are:

Monday, 23 September 09:00 - 24:00 hours Tuesday, 24 September 06:00 - 24:00 hoursWednesday, 25 September 06:00 - end of operations

The Media Centre will be equipped with adequate workspace, communications and transmission facilities. Telephones will be activated by a pre-paid system. Television and radio editing offices will be made available upon request to the host broadcaster.

The host broadcaster, Polish Television, will install and operate comprehensive broadcast facilities inside the Conference Centre and the Media Centre for services during the meeting.

For specific questions regarding television or radio facilities please contact:

Television: Radio:Ms Grazyna BACZYNSKA
Telewizja Polska S.A.
International Unit / EBU Office Manager
Tel.: + 48 22 5476023, 5476021
Fax: + 48 22 5477111
GSM: + 48 601 600286
e-mail: grazyna.baczynska@waw.tvp.pl
Mr Boguslaw TWOREK
Polskie Radio S.A.
Production Outside Broadcast Dept. Manager
Tel.: + 48 22 6459295
Fax: + 48 22 6455913
GSM: + 48 602 411188
e-mail: tworek@radio.com.pl
Mr Andrzej SOLCZAK
Tel.: + 48 22 6453397
GSM: + 48 602 41116
e-mail: solczak@radio.com.pl

All news conferences and press briefings will take place in the Media Centre.

Media representatives are advised to use their own means of transportation to and from the airport. A dedicated "IM 2002" Information Desk will be set up at the arrival hall on 23 September.

Private parking will be available close to the Media Centre.

Please check with the nearest Polish embassy or consulate regarding visa requirements.

Media representatives are advised to book their hotel rooms as soon as possible through:

Official PCO of Informal Meeting of NATO Defence Ministers
Polish Tourist Cooperative GROMADA
7, Cicha Str.
00-353 Warsaw,
Poland
attn: Dorota Szweda
Tel.: + 48 22. 828 6750/ 826 6635 ext 285-287,
Fax: + 48 22 827 0135,
e-mail: conferences@gromada.pl

Visa, Euro/Master Card, American Express and Diners credit cards will be accepted for payment. In the Media Centre a bancomat will be installed. Currency exchange is available throughout the downtown area.

The final programme of the meeting will be provided upon accreditation.
Media events will begin on 24 September 2002.
Requests for pool cards for media events should be made at the Information Desk in the Media Centre.

Mr François Le Blévennec
NATO Press and Media Service
B-1110 Brussels
Belgium
Tel.: + 32 (0)2 707 50 38
Fax: + 32 (0)2 707 50 57
e-mail: press@hq.nato.int
Maj. Grzegorz Pulawski
"IM 2002" Media Manager
Ministry of National Defence
218, Niepodleglosci Av.
00-909 Warszawa 60
Poland
Tel.: + 48 22 6 874 5 30
Fax :+ 48 22 6 874 674
e-mail : meeting.media@wp.mil.pl