PRESS BRIEFING BY UN SECURITY CHIEF

Michael McCann, Chief of the United Nations Security and Safety Service, briefed correspondents this afternoon at Headquarters about security arrangements for the 58th General Assembly’s general debate, which will take place from 23 September to 3 October.

Citing the large number of high-profile speakers that are expected to participate in the debate, Mr. McCann explained that security would be tight, especially on Tuesday, 23 September, but promised that his officers would enforce the arrangements with a smile.

The United Nations Secretariat Building would be closed to visitors from 21 September to 6 October, as would the garage, he said.  First Avenue would be closed between 42^nd and 49^th Streets to all vehicles except for those who have been issued a special pass.  On Tuesday, 23 September, when United States President George Bush is scheduled to arrive, First Avenue will be closed between 34^th and 49^th Streets.  Authorized vehicles entering the Secretariat drive will be searched.

Mr. McCann encouraged correspondents to approach the Secretariat Building from the North and to use the entrance on 46^th Street, where metal detectors would be in place to scan television cameras and other equipment.  The entrance would be open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will remain opened later as needed.  Only those resident correspondents that did not carry equipment would be allowed to enter through the 42^nd Street entrance.

However, he said, the entrance on 42^nd Street might be subject to closure at different times during the day to allow motorcades with heads of State and other dignitaries to enter the Secretariat Building.  Sidewalks on the west side of First Avenue would be open for pedestrians throughout the debate and there would be crossing points to the east side of the Avenue on 42^nd, 46^th and 49^th Streets.

Delays entering the Secretariat Building were to be expected on Tuesday, 23 September, and Mr. McCann advised staff members and delegates to arrive around 8 a.m. that day in order to avoid them.

Correspondents who had been issued temporary passes would need to renew them by Friday, 19 September, in order to enter the Secretariat Building on Monday, 22 September.  In addition, special area passes would be required for access to the press stakeout areas by the delegates’ entrance, the delegates’ dinning room and restricted areas on the second floor of the Secretariat Building.  The passes would be available on the third floor of the Secretariat Building.

In response to the correspondents’ request, Mr. McCann agreed to forgo the need for special ushers to escort resident correspondents to and from the stakeout areas and to allow those without equipment to circulate throughout the second floor and the stakeout areas without special passes.  A circular detailing the arrangements in writing would be circulated before the end of the week.

Mr. McCann asked for the correspondents to be patient with the security officers and to alert them if they noticed something out of the ordinary.  He said that kinks in the system were inevitable and assured correspondents that his officers would strive to provide excellent security.