Press Briefing on ga security, media arrangements

 

Correspondents entering the Headquarters Building with equipment during the General Debate from 20 September to 1 October must use the entrance at 47^th Street and First Avenue, Phyllis Moore, Inspector of the Security and Safety Service, told correspondents today at a Headquarters press briefing.  She was joined at the briefing on security and media arrangements during the General Assembly, by Abdellatif Kabbaj, Chief of Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit (MALU).

The arrangement would allow for equipment to be checked before it is allowed into the building, she said.  Non-resident correspondents must also use the 47^th Street entrance to access the building.

Resident correspondents without equipment, but with valid United Nations passes, would be able to access the building, either through the Visitors’ Entrance at 46^th Street and First Avenue or through the entrance at 42^nd Street and First Avenue.

The HeadquartersBuilding would be closed to the public from 4 p.m. on Sunday, 19 September until close of business on 1 October, continued Ms. Moore.  The building would, however, open daily to correspondents and other Headquarters users at 5 a.m. during the period.  The police would close First Avenue, between 42^nd Street and 46^th Street, to vehicular traffic during the two weeks of the General Debate.

The 38^th floor, the 2^nd floor of the Conference Building, the 2^nd floor of the General Assembly Building and the Delegates Entrance, as well as the Indonesian Lounge and all bilateral areas had been designated as restricted areas and would be off limits to all correspondents, stated Ms. Moore.  Those areas were also off limits to members of delegations not in possession of secondary access passes.

Except for members of delegations at the level of permanent representatives and above, as well as high-ranking United Nations officials with gold passes, all those going into the restricted areas would be required to go though screening points.  In addition, all press requiring access to the restricted areas, without equipment for interview and appointment purposes must be escorted by representatives of the Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit.

She said that the Security and Safety Service would review correspondents’ access to the 2^nd floor, if the number of dignitaries lessens during the second week of the General Debate.

The South Lounge has been designated as the area for press interviews.  Correspondents could also conduct interviews on the 2^nd floor, close to the Security Council.  Chairs, tables and other facilities had been provided in the area, Mr. Kabbaj said.

Ms. Moore added that, if a correspondent had an appointment with a delegation that would require access to a restricted area, the delegation would need to contact MALU to make arrangements for clearance and escort for the correspondent.

Resident correspondents and holders of press pool passes will have access to the Delegates Entrance stakeout area through the Vienna Café, she continued.  No secondary passes would be required of such members of the press.  Non-resident correspondents would also need press pool passes to access the stakeout area between the Security Council and the tapestry.

The hours of operation of the Pass and ID Office had already been distributed to correspondents in information circular, she noted.

In response to questions from correspondents, Mr. Kabbaj said that correspondents should not leave their equipment in the building for safekeeping, but must either take it away with them each day or store it in their offices.  Any equipment left lying around would be taken to the office of the Safety and Security Service and logged in as lost and found, added Ms. Moore.

Booth passes would be available to correspondents for the Delegates Entrance, the General Assembly in the morning and afternoon and for any special events, Mr. Kabbaj added.  Correspondents would be able to obtain the passes at the 3^rd floor Liaison Desk.

There would be a media centre with all the necessary facilities to record the General Assembly proceedings in Conference Room 1, he continued.  The computers will, however, be located in the press area on the 3^rd floor.

Ms. Moore added that access to the garage would be through 48^th Street and that the garage would close at 8 p.m. on Sunday, 19 September and reopen at 4 a.m. on 20 September.  It would then remain open until close of business on 1 October.

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