I. Official Schedule
The Thirty-fifth Regular Session of the General Assembly
(OAS/GA) will be held on June 5-7, 2005 in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida.
The official schedule will be available on the OAS Web page:
www.oas.org (“General Assembly”) or, directly, at the URL
www.oas.org/xxxvga
II. Working Languages and Documents
The proceedings of the General Assembly will be conducted in the
four official languages of the Organization: Spanish, French,
English, and Portuguese. Simultaneous interpretation and sound
distribution will be provided in those languages.
III. Participants
The Member States listed below will participate in the
Thirty-fifth Regular Session of the General Assembly:
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Argentina
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Bolivia
• Brazil
• Canada
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Jamaica
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United States
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
IV. Site of the General Assembly Session
The opening session will be held on Sunday, June 5, 2005 in the
Grand Floridian Ballroom at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County
Convention Center.
The working meetings of the OAS Member State delegations will be
held at the Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, where the Press
Center will also be located. The press conference that will be
held after the closing session will also take place at
Convention Center.
V. Information for the Media
Information on press activities and events during the
thirty-fifth regular session of the OAS General Assembly can be
found at the following addresses:
www.oas.org
www.oas.org/xxxvga
OAS Department of Communications and
External Relations
Office of Public Information, Washington, D.C.
Director of Communications and External Relations :
Irene Klinger
Officer in charge of the Office of Public Information
James P. Kiernan
Public Information Coordinator for the OAS/GA:
Luiz Coimbra, (202) 458 3508,
lcoimbra@oas.org
Press Officers:
Lucrecia Baracat, (202) 458 6824, fax: (202) 458 6421,
lbaracat@oas.org
Javier Montes, (202) 458 6194, fax: (202) 458 6421
jmontes@oas.org
The host broadcaster will provide news on the General Assembly,
which will be transmitted all day live and pre-recorded.
In addition, the OAS Office Public Information and the U.S.
Press Office, located in the Convention Center, near the Press
Center, will be open June 5-7 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Staff
of the OAS and the U.S. Press Office, as well as volunteers will
be available to provide information on press services and other
general inquiries.
VI. Media Credentials and Access to the Meetings Site
A. Accreditation Process
The media representatives interested in attending the regular
session of the General Assembly must apply online by completing
the Press Credential Form. As an alternative they may also send
it by fax to (202) 458-6421, OAS Office of Public Information,
by May 25, 2005. The credential form can also be found at the
following address:
http://www.oas.org/XXXVGA/english/presscredential.asp.
Please note that all representatives of the media must submit a
completed application on the specified form in order to receive
credentials. These credentials must be worn at all times for
access to meetings and events to which they have been invited
and are authorized to attend. There will be no exceptions to
this policy.
B. Credentials
Press credentials will be distributed at the Sheraton Yankee
Clipper Hotel, Clipper Room “B” (1140 Seabreeze Blvd. Ft.
Lauderdale) on June 3 from 12:00 noon until 9:00 PM and on June
4, 5, 6 and 7 from 8:30 AM until 5:30 PM.
For further information, please contact Mrs. Lucrecia Baracat,
at telephone (202) 458-6824 or by e-mail at:
Lbaracat@oas.org or Mr.
Javier Montes, telephone (202) 458 6194 or
Jmontes@oas.org.
For security reasons and to control access to the site of the
General Assembly meetings, the members of the press must carry
their own identification cards. These cards must be visibly
displayed and used at all events together with the OAS
credential.
Correspondents requesting credentials in Ft. Lauderdale must
present the relevant identification at the Sheraton Yankee
Clipper, Clipper Room B, and are likely to face processing
delays in obtaining their press cards.
VII. Media Center
The Media Center will be located in the Convention Center, Hall
B (lobby level). The Media Center includes a Press Room and a
Broadcast Room. It will be open round the clock from 8:00 a.m.
on June 4 to midnight on June 8. The media entrance and
screening areas are located at the rear entrance of Hall B.
The host country has reserved space for the media and Internet
access will be provided. Persons covering the meetings are urged
to bring their own laptops as there will be only a limited
number of computers with online connections. Technicians will be
available to assist with Internet connections.
The Media Center will house 200 work spaces (classroom seating),
available free of charge on a strictly first come first served
basis. There will be large screens to allow the journalists to
follow meetings, press conferences, arrivals, etc, as well as a
display with information. Workspaces in the Media Center may not
be reserved in advance.
A documents counter in the Media Center will provide journalists
with hard copies of several OAS/GA documents as well as copies
of statements made by the heads of delegation, as these are made
available by delegations. The daily list of activities,
press-releases and other news material will also be available
from the documents counter. All these materials will also be
made available electronically on the OAS/GA web site:
www.oas.org/xxxvga
The Media Center will make available to representatives of the
media such services as: electrical outlets (110 volts, 60
cycles), telephone outlets, LAN network outlets, some computers
work stations with Internet access, fax machine, printers and
copy machine, document distribution, and host broadcaster
services, including closed circuit radio and video coverage of
the plenary. Basic video editing services and satellite
transmission will also be provided upon request, subject to
availability and at the user’s expense.
Note: Plug adapters and modem connectors will not be available
for sale in the Media Center. So, please, bring it with you.
Journalists should also consider bringing mini-plug and
telephone adapters.
VIII. Press Conference Room
The official Press Conference room will be located in the
Convention Center (rooms 113-114). Upon request and subject to
availability, simultaneous interpreting will be available in the
four official languages of the Organization (Spanish, English,
French, and Portuguese).
In addition, this room will be available to the delegations.
Foreign Ministers and other head of delegations will use the
room for their press-conferences or to make statements.
There is an official Press Briefing scheduled for Saturday, May
4; 11:00 AM with the participation of high level officials from
the OAS and the US State Department.
Daily Briefings: In the Press Conference Room, on a daily basis,
starting Sunday, May 5 through Tuesday, May 7, the OAS Director
of Communications and External Relations will organize a
gathering with representatives of the media, to discuss the
agenda of the General Assembly. (9:00 AM, daily)
IX. Host Broadcaster
The production companies Strong Communications and Primestream
Corp. will act, jointly, as the host broadcaster during the
General Assembly. The services will be available at the Press
Center from 2:00 p.m. on June 4.
The Host Broadcaster will provide full audio and video coverage
of the most important events of the regular session of the
General Assembly, including the opening ceremony, the working
sessions, the closing session, and press conferences. The feeds
will be available in the Media Center, free of charge.
For the opening ceremony and all the working sessions in the
plenary, audio feeds to the plug ins will be in floor plus all
four OAS official languages. On the other pool feeds, subject to
availability, two audio channels will be available. All video
material will be provided in NTCS format (Beta SP standard).
Pool feeds will be available in recorded format afterwards, at a
handling charge.
The facilities for video editing and satellite transmissions
will be located in the Convention Center.
Mult boxes will be provided at the Media Center. Mult boxes will
provide audio/video feeds of selected events and the procedures
of the opening ceremony, plenary session and final press
conference. Audio drops will be in XLR format and video will be
BNC.
For more information on recording, video editing services and
video copies, please contact Robert Huskey (407 858 9866 / 407
509 8921) at Strong Communications.
Satellite Services (and Fiber Optics to Miami Switch): The host
country will provide upload links via satellite with a
multi-destination signal, live transmission, during the opening
session (one hour) and the closing session (one hour), as well
as 15 minutes a day of pre-recorded and edited material
(b-roll), from June 5 to 7. The same material will be also sent,
at the same times, by Fiber Optics, to the Miami Switch.
SATELLITE SCHEDULE
Sunday, June 5
Test & Calibration G3/PAS9
Start: 13:55 (EDT) / 17:55 (GMT)
End: 14:00 (EDT) / 18:00 (GMT)
TX Time: 5
Press Summary (B-Roll) G3/PAS9
Start: 14:00 (EDT) / 18:00 (GMT)
End: 14:15 (EDT) / 18:15 (GMT)
TX Time: 15
Test & Calibration G3/PAS9
Start: 17:15 (EDT) / 21:15 (GMT)
End: 17:30 (EDT) / 21:30 (GMT)
TX Time: 15
OAS GA Opening ceremony (Live) G3/PAS9
Start: 17:30 (EDT) / 21:30 (GMT)
End: 18:30 (EDT) / 22:30 (GMT)
TX Time: 60 min.
Aprox +30 min.
Monday, June 6
Test & Calibration G3/PAS9
Start: 13:55 (EDT) / 17:55 (GMT)
End: 14:00 (EDT) / 18:00 (GMT)
TX Time: 5
Press Summary (B-Roll) G3/PAS9
Start: 14:00 (EDT) / 18:00 (GMT)
End: 14:15 (EDT) / 18:15 (GMT)
TX Time: 15
Tuesday, June 8
Test & Calibration G3/PAS9
Start: 13:55 (EDT) / 17:55 (GMT)
End: 14:00 (EDT) / 18:00 (GMT)
TX Time: 5
Press Summary (B-Roll) G3/PAS9
Start: 14:00 (EDT) / 18:00 (GMT)
End: 14:15 (EDT) / 18:15 (GMT)
TX Time: 15
Test & Calibration G3/PAS9
Start: 17:45 (EDT) / 21:45 (GMT)
End: 18:00 (EDT) / 22:00 (GMT)
TX Time: 15
OAS GA Closing and Final Press Conference (Live) G3/PAS9
Start: 18:00 (EDT) / 22:00 (GMT)
End: 19:00 (EDT) / 23:00 (GMT)
TX Time: 60
Aprox. +30 min.
Satellite coordinates are as follows:
Panamsat PAS-9: Transponder 24C; D/L: 4173,5 MHz; SLOT: D:
Symbol Rate: 6.1113 Mb/Sec; FEC 3/4; Pol.: H.
Panamsat G3
Galaxy 3: Transponder 21C; D/L 4120 MHz; Pol.: H
Footprints:
Galaxy 3:
http://www.panamsat.com/global_network/galaxy3c_c.asp
PAS 9:
http://www.panamsat.com/global_network/pas9c_c.asp
Fiber Optics: signal will be available at the Miami Switch
Other services to be provided are: On demand access to satellite
teleport for network feed origination and Playout.
For more information on transmission, fiber optics and
reservations for satellite transmissions, please contact Claudio
Lisman
(clisman@primestream.com) at Primestream Corp.
X. Internet: Webcast, Website, Photos and Document
Distribution
The OAS Office of Public Information has dedicated an Internet
website to the General Assembly (www.oas.org/xxxvga)
with live and on-demand audio and video webcast of the opening
ceremony, the plenary sessions, final press conference, and
broad coverage of all the proceedings of the Assembly.
High resolution photos of the events will be posted on the
General Assembly webpage immediately after they are recorded,
for distribution, free of charge, to the media, with the
corresponding credits.
Official documents, draft resolutions, reports, speeches, press
releases, and other documents will also be posted on the
Internet page in real time, for distribution to the media.
The General Assembly Web page will be located at the following
address: www.oas.org (click on
General Assembly) or
www.oas.org/xxxvga
Webcast services: Primestream Corp. will provide live and
on-demand webcasting services that will enable remote attendance
of the OAS General Assembly. The streaming media content will
include the opening ceremony, plenary sessions and
press-conferences.
Webcast transmission will be available via the
www.oas.org website. Web
portals are encouraged to include links to this web based
broadcast service. To incorporate this link to your website,
please email:
clisman@primestream.com
Radio stations and television stations desiring to rebroadcast
this webcast feed are authorized to do so.
XI. Media Coverage in Plenary Room
A photo opportunity will be organized at the start of the
plenary sessions, every morning; and a limited number of still
photographers, escorted by OAS Public Information liaison staff,
will be allowed to take photographs from the plenary room. These
operations will be coordinated from the OAS Public Information
Office near the Media Center. Owing to space limitations, still
photographers, video and printed media representatives may not
remain in the plenary to cover the meetings.
XII. Arrangements for Coverage of Bilateral Meetings
Photo opportunities will be available for bilateral meetings
between delegations of the member countries and/or observer
countries that are open for coverage. Media representatives
covering these meetings will be asked to assemble at the Media,
from which point OAS Public Information Liaison Officers will
escort them to the location. A schedule of bilateral meetings
will be issued daily.
XIII. Opening Ceremony
For the Opening Ceremony of the XXXV OAS General Assembly (June
5), access to the Grand Floridian Ballroom at the Fort
Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center will be restricted
to invitees only due to special security measures and space
limitation. All visual media coverage of the arrival of the
heads of delegations and of the Opening will be done by the host
broadcaster. Pool coverage will be fed on a closed circuit for
viewing and recording in the Media Center
XIV. Security Requirements
All participants will be required to wear credentials issued by
the OASGA Coordinating Office in order to gain access to OAS/GA
and office areas. To ensure the security of all attendees, any
person entering the OAS/GA venues will be required to undergo
security screening (metal detectors, briefcase/handbag
inspection, etc.) at meeting and event access control points.
The Bureau of Diplomatic Security of the Department of State
will provide overall venue security. Delegates and guests will
be responsible for the security of their own documents and
equipment.
XV. Access to Special Events
Invitations will be required for participation in special
events. For protocol and security reasons, the invitations must
be presented at the entrance to the various events.
XVI. Lost Identification Cards
In the event that an identification card is lost, the Assembly’s
security office must be notified immediately. The place will be
thoroughly searched before a new card is issued.
XVII. Automobile Access
The vehicles authorized to enter the restricted security area
shall have special identification. Passengers in these vehicles
may not enter the sector unless they all have their OASGA press
identification cards.
XV. Air Transportation
It is recommended that participants reserve their round-trip
flights as early as possible, directly with the airlines or
their travel agencies. Use of the Fort Lauderdale International
Airport, located only ten minutes from the official hotels and
convention center is recommended. (All official hotels provide
transportation services from the Fort Lauderdale airport.) Miami
International Airport, the destination of many international
flights, can also be used, but transportation to Fort Lauderdale
must be arranged by individual travelers.
XVI. U.S. entry and departure requirements
A. Visa Requirements
Press representatives of the countries whose citizens need entry
visas for the U.S. must submit their applications and beforehand
to the nearest embassy or consulate.
Visa guidance is attached in appendix A.
Participants must obtain their visas before traveling to the
U.S.
B. Restrictions on Bringing Agricultural Products into the
United States:
The entry of agricultural products into the U.S. is restricted
because prohibited items can harbor animal and plant pests that
could be harmful to American agriculture. Therefore, any meats,
fruits, vegetables, plants, animals and plant and animal
products brought into the U.S. must be declared.
The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends against
bringing any agricultural products into the U.S. so as not to
delay clearance through the Federal inspection system.
Fruits, Vegetables and Plants: Some types of fruits, vegetables
and plants are permitted but many are prohibited. Some plants
require permits as a condition of entry. Plants must be free of
soil.
Soil, Sand, Minerals and Shells: Soil is permitted. A small
amount of beach sand is permitted. Rocks, minerals and shells
are permitted.
Meat and Animal Products: Most meat products are prohibited.
Hunting trophies and hides are severely restricted.
Live Animals and Birds: Live animals and birds can only enter
subject to certification, permits, inspection and quarantine
rules that vary with the animal and its origin.
Other Biologic Materials: A permit must be obtained to bring in
most organisms, cells and cultures and other types of biologic
materials.
For information about importing specific types of agricultural
products, please contact the U.S. Embassy in your capital or the
USDA at (301) 436-8645 or (301) 436-7885.
XVII. Communications
International phone calls may be made from the conference site.
They may be made either collect or at the caller’s expense from
the telephones installed for the event.
XVIII. Currency
The currency is the U.S. dollar. International credit cards are
accepted at most hotels and businesses.
XIX. Local Ground transportation
Transportation will be provided between the Convention Center
and the official hotels. The schedule will be available at the
information desks in the Conference Center. The official hotels
provide shuttle service to and from the Fort Lauderdale
International Airport.
Media officers who stay in hotels that are not on the official
list must make their own arrangements for transport and for
payment of the service.
XX. Hotel Arrangements
A. Reservations
The host country has made advance room allocations for members
of the media in the official hotels listed below. Room
reservations at the official hotels should be made directly with
the Ft. Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.
In addition, hotel reservation forms must be completed and sent
to the National Coordinating Office by fax at (202) 647-1301, or
by e-mail:
oasgaxxxv@yahoo.com.
B. Hotels and Rates.
|
Hotel |
Single/double |
Suite |
Breakfast included |
Website |
|
Embassy Suites Hotel
1100 S.E. 17th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Telephone: (954) 527-2700
Fax: (954) 760-7202 |
One-bedroom suite
$139.00
Plus 11% lodging tax |
One-bedroom suite
$139.00
Plus 11% tax |
YES |
www.embassysuitesftl.com
|
|
Hyatt Pier 66
2301 S.E. 17th St. Causeway
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Telephone: (954) 525-6666
Fax: (954) 728-3551 |
Garden single/double
$141.00 |
One-bedroom suite with parlor
$1,000.00
Plus 11% tax |
NO |
www.pier66.com |
|
Marriott Marina
1881 Southeast 17th St.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Tel.: (954) 463-4000
Fax: (954) 527-6705 |
$112.00
Plus 11% lodging tax |
$350 – 950
Plus tax |
NO |
www.marinamarriott.com
|
|
Renaissance Hotel
1617 S.E. 17th St.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Telephone: (954) 626-1700
Fax: (954) 626-1717 |
$143.00
Plus 11% lodging tax |
Junior Suite
$193
One-bedroomSuite
$243
Plus tax |
NO |
www.renaissancehotels.com/fllbr |
|
(Press Hotel)
Sheraton Yankee Clipper
1140 Seabreeze Blvd.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Telephone: (954) 524-5551
Fax: (954) 523-5376 |
$86.00
Plus 11% lodging tax |
One-bedroom suite
$300.00
Exec. Suite
$400.00
Plus tax |
NO |
www.sheratonclipper.com |
|
Hotel room reservations will be assigned
strictly in the order in which requests are received. The hotel
bill must be paid directly by each participant before departure.
A valid credit card number must be given with each reservation
to ensure confirmation. To facilitate the procedure, a form is
attached hereto (appendix).
All room reservations, without exception, must be confirmed
before May 1, 2005. After that date, advance reservations will
be released and the National Coordinating Office will not be
responsible for reservations at the designated hotels.
C. Hotel Accounts
Each individual is responsible for settling their room, business
service, incidental and other charges directly with the hotel.
The host country cannot incur any expenses or make payments on
behalf of any member of the press.
Upon check-in, each individual will be required to confirm their
account and arrange with the hotel for its settlement. All
accounts must be settled by payment in U.S. dollars, negotiable
travelers checks or major credit card. Personal checks cannot be
used to settle obligations unless prior arrangements are made
with the hotel management.
D. Hotel Business Centers
Most of the Fort Lauderdale-area hotels used by the delegations
have business centers on their premises. Among the billable
services available are secretarial and clerical support,
copying, FAX transmission and receipt, internet access and
typing.
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Visa Services
Public Inquiries Division
General Information about Getting a Visa to Come to the U.S
Summary for Organization of American States General Assembly
Participants
Since September 11, 2001, visa applications have been subject to
a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. The timeframes
for visa processing today are difficult to predict with accuracy
for any individual applicant, and could vary significantly by
country. The State Department is working hard with other
government agencies to rationalize clearance procedures in ways
that continue to protect U.S. borders, our first priority, while
facilitating legitimate travel. We continue the proud tradition
of welcoming visitors to the United States, with secure borders
and open doors.
For many nonimmigrant visa applicants, a personal interview is
now required as a standard part of visa processing, and contact
will need to made by the traveler with the U.S. Embassy or
Consulate to schedule an appointment for an interview.
Applicants who need additional screening are informed at the
time they submit their applications. These steps can take
additional time to process a visa. We stress the importance of
each person desiring to travel to the U.S. reviewing his/her
visa status and making an early visa application, if one is
required. Advance planning is the essential ingredient to having
your visa when you need it!
Please note that Embassy Consular Sections overseas have sole
responsibility for issuance of visas, and they generally are the
first point of contact for visa processing status. Visa Services
at the Department of State is not able to expedite the
processing of visa applications.
Foreign Government Officials - Ministers and Delegations
• Heads of government Ministers, and other government officials
generally do not require interviews when applying for visas, if
their travel is official. However, a consular officer
can request an interview.
• Ministers, delegates, and government officials supporting the
delegation must present a diplomatic note from their governments
requesting a visa for the purpose of the meeting. There is no
fee for these visas. Travelers should apply as soon as possible
to the U.S. Embassy in their country of residence.
Travelers who are not Foreign Government Officials
• With the exception of some Canadian citizens, persons desiring
to attend from the private sector will need a visitor visa. They
should apply as soon as possible to the U.S. Embassy in their
country of residence. For visa waiver countries, citizens
meeting the visa waiver criteria will not need a visa. See
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html
for the visa waiver program procedures. Media and journalists
will need a media (I) visa. For application procedures and much
more, refer to
http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_media.html.
For additional information, Canadian citizens should refer to
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_canadians.html.
• After identifying that a visa is needed, foreign travelers
should contact the Embassy Consular Section in their country to
determine visa procedures and processing timeframes. We
recommend contacting the Consular Section via Internet at
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_embassies.html.
For a few countries, foreign travelers will need to contact the
Consular Section by telephone or in person. For information
regarding wait times for visa interview appointments and
processing times, please refer to
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php.
• The Department of State recommends our web site as the first
source of up-to-date visitor visa information. Information about
visitor visas, what a person needs to apply, and fees is
available on our website at
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_visitor.html.
Please, send this information before May 25, 2005 or
return this
form to
Lucrecia Baracat
Information Specialist (Press)
OAS Office of Public Information
to the fax (202)458-6421 or by e-mail:
lbaracat@oas.org |
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