Press Release (2000) 083 19 Sep. 2000

Informal meeting of Defence Ministers (IM 2000) Birmingham, United Kingdom, 10-11 October 2000 Second Media Advisory 1. Information Defence Ministers of NATO will hold an informal meeting in Birmingham, United Kingdom, on 10 and 11 October 2000 under the chairmanship of the NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson of Port Ellen. The Right Honourable Geoffrey Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom will host the meeting. The Conference area and the Media Centre will be located in the International Convention Centre (ICC), Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA. 2. Accreditation and security checks Applications for accreditation (to include two passport photographs) should be made before 28 September 2000, using the attached form which should be returned to the following addresses: a. For media representatives based outside the United Kingdom: Mr. François Le Blévennec NATO Press and Media Service B-1110 Brussels Belgium Tel. +32 02 707 50 38 Fax +32 02 707 50 57 e-mail: press@hq.nato.int b. For media representatives based in the United Kingdom: Ms Anna Kucewicz IM 2000 Media Manager Ministry of Defence Room 3124 Whitehall London SW 1A 2HB United Kingdom Tel. +44 (0) 20 721 800 82 Fax +44 (0) 20 721 800 57 e-mail : natoim2000@netscapeonline.co.uk Please note that accreditation forms without passport photographs will not be accepted. Press passes previously applied for will be available for collection from10:00 hours on Sunday, 8 October, at the Media Accreditation Centre. This will be located in the "Busy Bees" crèche which is adjacent to the Quay side entrance to the ICC. To gain access to the accreditation facilities and media areas, representatives should initially enter the police cordon around the ICC via staffed barrier adjacent to Service Bay B. This can be found off Cambridge Street, at the rear of the ICC. An ID card or passport and a press card (or letter of accreditation from a recognized 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. Access for deliveries only will be from Sunday, 8 October. 3. Media centre The Media Centre staffed by NATO and UK personnel will be located on the Quay side entrance of the ICC. Opening hours for the Media Centre are: Monday, 9 October 09:00 - 24:00 hours Tuesday, 10 October 06:00 - 24:00 hours Wednesday, 11October 06:00 - 20:00 hours The Media Centre will be equipped with adequate workspace, communications and transmission facilities. Telephones will be credit card activated or cash if no credit card available. Television and radio offices will be made available upon request to the host broadcaster. For specific questions regarding television or radio facilities please contact: Mr. Mike Jessey Evolutions Television Limited 5 Berners Street London W1P 3AG United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 20 758 033 33 Fax: +44 (0) 20 763 719 42 e-mail: mike.jessey@evolutions-tv.co.uk For specific power and telephone requirements please contact: Ms Sandra Garner, The ICC, Broad Street Birmingham B1 2EA United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0) 121 644 50 56 Fax : +44 (0) 121 644 61 26 e-mail: sg-5056@mail.necgroup.co.uk 4. News conferences and press briefings All news conferences and press briefings will take place in the Media Centre. 5. Transport - parking - visas Media representatives are advised to use their own means of transportation to and from the airport. On Sunday, 8 October, trains from London will not be going directly to Birmingham New Street Station, but will terminate at Birmingham International and passengers will be transported by bus to Birmingham New Street. Private parking will not be available adjacent to the ICC, however there are pay car parks in the vicinity. Please check with the nearest United Kingdom embassy or consulate regarding visa requirements.   6. Accommodation Media representatives are advised to book their hotel rooms as soon as possible through: Birmingham Convention and Visitor Bureau The Mall, International Convention Centre, Broad Street, Birmingham B1 2EA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)121 665 61 16 Fax: +44 (0)121 643 32 80 e-mail: iccvic@bmp.org.uk 7. Payments Visa, Master Card and Amex credit cards will be accepted for payment. Currency exchange is available throughout the downtown area. 8. Programme and pools The final programme of the meeting will be provided upon accreditation. Media events will begin on 9 October 2000. Requests for pool cards for media events should be made at the Information Desk in the Media Centre. 9. Enquiries Mr François Le Blévennec NATO Press and Media Service B-1110 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 02 707 50 38 Fax : +32 02 707 50 57 e-mail: press@hq.nato.int Ms Anna Kucewicz Media Manager Ministry of Defence Room 3124 Main Building Whitehall London SW1A 2HB United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0) 207 218 00 82 Fax: +44 (0) 207 218 00 57 e-mail : natoim2000@netscapeonline.co.uk 10. Attachments Accreditation form (.PDF) Hotel booking form (.PDF) List of hotels (.PDF)