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Exercise "Ferghana 2003" Press Advisory 19 Countries to jointly practice disaster relief Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan 28 – 30 April 2003 The exercise “Ferghana 2003” will take place in the Ferghana valley in Uzbekistan between 28 and 30 April. The exercise scenario is based on a devastating earthquake and landslides striking the Ferghana valley in Uzbekistan. As a result, Uzbekistan is confronted with a substantial number of casualties, serious damage and thus requests international assistance. This is the first EAPC exercise conducted in Central Asia. Around 1000 personnel from Uzbekistan, and 225 from 19 other countries will be participating. Countries involved are: Armenia, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United States. The exercise is a Partnership for Peace activity, in the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC). It will also see the participation of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), which will have an active role in ensuring that established concepts and procedures in international disaster response are applied. As such, the exercise will also be an example of practical cooperation between NATO and the UN. This exercise will mark an important step on the way to establishing regional cooperation amongst the various disaster relief units in Central Asia and NATO’s Euro Atlantic Disaster Response Unit. On 18 April, at 11:00 am, a press conference will be held at: Tashkent Municipal Emergency Office (100 meters from the Ministry for Emergency Situations – same street) Tel: + 998 71 139 87 37, Fazil Eshankulov CALENDAR 28 and 29 April 2003: full-scale field exercise to be conducted from 05:00 until 20:00. 30 April 2003: joint demonstration 1 May 2003: departure of participating teams and observers The exercise will take place on five sites in the vicinity of the cities of Ferghana and Vodil, where the topography provides for excellent conditions for conducting the exercise as well as for viewing it. These events will hold several highlights, especially for picture press, to which you are kindly invited. Media accreditation Media accreditation for Ferghana 2003 will be done by the Agency "Jahon", which is part of the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In order to receive accreditation, the following information should be sent to the address provided below, attention of Mr. Abror GULAMOV, the Head of the Agency: passport details, full name in Latin transcription; place of work; point where the visa required is to be issued as well as date and time of arrival and departure; goal of visit. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Information Agency "Jahon" Uzbekistanskaya Street, 9 700029 Tashkent, Uzbekistan fax: (+998 71) 120 64 43 tel: (+998 71) 139 87 37 www.jahon.tiv.uz Note: Every journalist coming to the Exercise should have two photo pictures. For press queries, please contact: Ariane Quentier NATO Press & Media Section tel.: +32 2 707 1459/ mob: + 32 475 77 77 88 e-mail: a.quentier@hq.nato.int www.nato.int Press Centre There is a Press Centre in Ferghana. It will be equipped with computers as well as with telephones and fax lines. The representatives of media will receive all the material regarding the parts of the exercise they want to cover. Professional camera crew will be filming the last day of the exercise. Their material will be put at disposal of journalists. Press Briefings At the Press Centre, at least one briefing a day will be held, as well as a press conference(s) as needed.