3MSP Logistics Memo for ICBL Campaigners

(Tuesday 24 July 2001 Managua, Nicaragua)

To: All 3MSP Participants
From: Jackie Hansen, ICBL
Re: 3MSP Logistics Memo

Dear 3MSP Participants,

We are busy in Managua, Nicaragua preparing for the Third Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty, being held 18-21 September 2001. If you have not already returned your completed Confirmation Form, please do so immediately and send it to jackieSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org or by fax to +505.277.10.03.

Following is information regarding your travel to Managua. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at jackieSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org.

ICBL in Managua

During 3MSP preparations, Handicap International- Managua has graciously allowed us to use their office.

Handicap International
Colonial Los Robles de la Funeraria Don Bosco 25 vrs al este, casa #1 Managua
Nicaragua

Tel. +505.278.41.28
Tel./ Fax +505.277.10.03

ICBL Participation

As in past Meetings of States Parties, the ICBL will have an official non-state delegation. We hope to have a large delegation representing all geographic regions, survivors, deminers, campaigners, researchers and youth.
Due to extremely limited funds we are only able to sponsor approximately 50 particpants.

Throughout the week we will be holding activist training sessions, Landmine Monitor researcher meetings, a Landmine Monitor launch, press conferences, film screening, daily ICBL briefings, youth activism seminar and many, many other events. We've urged you to prepare with several Advocacy Action Alerts. For this and other background please review the memo sent by Liz on 3 July, and posted on the web. More details on ICBL participation will be available in the coming months. As information becomes available it will be posted on the web at www.icbl.org/3msp.

Conference Venue

The Meeting of States Parties will be held 18-21 September 2001 at the Convention Center of the Intercontinental Hotel-Managua, in Managua, Nicaragua. The hotel is located at:
8th Street Southwest #101
Managua, Nicaragua
Tel +505.222-41-51/228-35-30 to 39
Fax +505.228.3087

Registration

Please ensure that you provide ALL the requested details on the Confirmation Form, including all passport details and flight information. A copy of the confirmation form is enclosed at the end of this memo. ALL participants must complete this form and return it to me immediately, as the registration deadline was 23 July.

Travel to Managua

A variety of airlines including American, Continental, Iberia and TACA fly into Managua, Nicaragua. The airport code is MGA. Please arrange your travel as soon as possible as flights may fill up quickly. We strongly encourage ICBL guests to arrive on 15 or 16 September (15 if you wish to participate in ICBL trainings on 16th) and depart on 22 September.

The Nicaraguan government will have a reception area at the airport set-up for conference delegates. Guests staying at the Legend's Hotel will have shuttle service available. Guests staying at other hotels can easily take a taxi from the airport to their hotel ($5.00 US). Delegate kits with ICBL and tourist information will be waiting at your hotel. For those arranging their own accommodation, delegate kits will be available at the 16 September ICBL training sessions or 17 ICBL/LM meetings.

Visas

Individuals from the following countries DO require Nicaraguan visas: Afghanistan, Albania, Angola, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cameroon, China, Colombia, Cuba, Ghana, Haiti, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Yugoslavia.

If you are a citizen of one of these countries and a Nicaraguan Consulate is present in your country, please apply for your visa immediately. Nicaragua has very few embassies worldwide. If there is not Nicaraguan Consulate in your country, please scan and email (preferable) or fax me a copy of the first page of your passport and provide me with ALL your travel details, include flight dates, times, flight numbers and airlines. The Nicaraguan Ministry of Foreign Affairs will write a letter directly to the airline allowing you to board the plane and receive your visa upon arrival in Managua. I will also provide you with a copy of the letter to take with you and present to the airlines upon checking in.

In order to process this smoothly I must have ALL your flight information and a copy of your passport by 1 August at the very latest. Please provide this information immediately!

Please check and see if you require any transit visas. If so, please apply for them immediately and fax me a copy of all transit visas. Please let me know if you require any assistance obtaining transit visas. For those that may have difficulty obtaining US transit visas, please investigate the possibility of flights through Spain and other Central and South American countries to avoid travel within the United States.

For those not requiring Nicaraguan visas, the $5.00 US tourist card fee will be waived for all participants. THE $25.00 US exit tax WILL NOT be waived.

Hotels

The ICBL has block bookings at a number of hotels. Accommodation will be provided for all ICBL sponsored guests. The ICBL will cover the room cost, but you must pay for all incidentals (telephone calls, mini-bar, laundry, etc.). For all non-sponsored guests, please let me know if you require accommodation and please list your hotel choices in order of preference.

All hotels include breakfast in the price. Please let me know on the confirmation form or by separate email if you have already sent your form in, if you have any special dietary requirements (i.e. vegetarian, halal).
All hotels are located within several blocks of each other and are all close to a variety of restaurants and shopping.

1) Legends Hotel
Bancentro Carretera a Masaya, 1 c. al Oeste, 1 c. al Sur Tel. +505.270.0061
Guest Fax +505.270.5695
Reservations Fax +505.270.2262
Email reservationsSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERhotmail.com
URL www.hotellegends.com

Double Room: $75.00 US, plus 15% tax
Single Room: 65.00 US, plus 15% tax

The Legends Hotel is home to Central America's first Hard Rock Cafe. All rooms have telephones, televisions, Internet access (subject to local phone charges), mini-bar, air-conditioning, and work area. Facilities include: -Free airport shuttle. The hotel will have a shuttle waiting at the airport to bring you to the hotel.
-Two wheelchair accessible rooms.
-Hard Rock Cafe. Breakfast (buffet) is served every day from 6:00-10:30.
Lunch and dinner are also served. After 21:30 it is transformed into a discotheque.
-Business Center, open 6:00-22:00 every day. Internet access costs $6.00 per hour and fax and photocopy services are available. Television, VCRs, tape recorders and CD players are available for rent for $25.00-30.00 US per day.
-Outdoor pool with full service bar.
-24 hour room service delivered to rooms or the pool.
-Laundry services.

For room telephone access, guests must provide a credit card deposit, or a cash deposit of $50.00 US for local calls, or $150.00 to include international calls. You will be required to pay extra is you exceed this amount, and will be refunded any amount not used. As it is extremely expensive to phone internationally from hotels and indeed from anywhere in Nicaragua, it is recommended that guests bring their own international calling cards.

Non-sponsored guests must provide me with a photocopy of the front and back of their credit card and a letter of authorization. All major credit cards are accepted.

2) Hotel Brandt's
Los Robles de San Juan
Galeria Casa de los Tres Munods
1 c. abajo #238
Tel. +505.270.2114/16
Fax +505.278.8128
Email bbbhoSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERcablenet.com
URL www.brandtshotel.com.ni

Double Room: $60.00 plus 15% tax
Single Room: $46.00 plus 15% tax

The Hotel Brandt's is a lovely family-run bed and breakfast with large open areas and
gardens. All rooms include telephones with internet access (subject to local charges), televisions, mini-bar, safe, air-conditioning and work area. The hotel has two computers available for guest use with unlimited internet access.

For non-sponsored guests, the hotel accepts Visa and Mastercard.

3) Hotel Los Robles
Restaurants La Marsellaise, 30 m al sur Los Robles N 16
Tel. +505.267.3008
Fax +505.270.1074
Email losroblesSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERbigfoot.com

Double Room: $60.00 US plus 15% tax
Single Room: $52.00 US plus 15% tax

Each room in this guest house, similiarly set up with an open courtyard, has a telephone with internet access (subject to local charges), television, air conditioning, safe and work area. A computer with internet access and fax are available for guest use. Breakfast is served from 6:00-10:30. For non-sponsored guests, the hotel accepts Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

4) Hotel Casa Real
Lomas de Guadalupe
Rotonda Ruben Dario (metrocentro)
2 c. al oeste, 2 c. al Sur, 1/2 c. al este Tel. +505.278.3838/ 3761
Tel. Central +505.278.3760/50
Fax +505.267.8240
Email casarealSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERalphanumeric.com.ni or cararealSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERibw.com.ni

Double Room: $65.00 US plus 15% tax
Single Room: $60.00 US plus 15% tax

All rooms guest house have a desk, television, mini-bar, air-conditioning and telephone
with internet access. One larger double has a jacuzzi. Breakfast is served from 6:00-12:00. The hotel provides a free shuttle to the nearby La Marsellaise French restaurant.

For non-sponsored guests, please provide me with a copy of the front and back sides of your card and a letter of authorization. All major credit cards are accepted.

Additional Hotels
The ICBL does NOT have block bookings at the following hotels, but is willing to book rooms for NON-SPONSORED guests. Please note that the Holiday Inn is the only hotel on this list with wheelchair accessible rooms.

1) Hotel Real Intercontinental Metrocentro Location: 10 minutes drive from the Convention Center and right in the new commercial area of Managua. 90 rooms will be available for Conference participants.

Price: $125.00 dollars. Breakfast, double occupancy and transportation to and airport are included in this tariff.

Tel +505-278-4545 / 270-0101
Fax +505-278-6300 / 270-0276
E-mail reservacionSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERinterconti.com.ni

2) Hotel Princess
Location: 10 minutes drive from the Convention Center an right in the new center of Managua. 90 rooms will be available

Price: $125.00 dollars. Breakfast, double occupancy and transportation to and from the airport are to be convention center is included in this tariff.

Tel +505-270-9745
Fax +505-278-84-44
E-mail reservasprincessmgaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERibw.com.ni

3) Camino Real
Location: 15/20 minutes drive from the Convention Center and fives minutes from the airport. 70 rooms will be available

Price: $90.00 dollars. Breakfast buffet, double occupancy and transportation to and from the airport and to the Convention Center is included in this tariff.

Tel +505-263-1410 / 263-1412
Fax +505-263-1690 / 263-1380
E-mail zlagunaSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERhotelesprincess.com or nlainezSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERhotelsprincess.com

4) Holiday Inn
Location: 10 minute drive from the Convention Center and 3 minutes from the new center of Managua. 90 rooms will be available for participants of TMSP.

Price: $105.00 dollars. Breakfast, double occupancy and transportation to and from the airport and convention center is included in this tariff.

Tel +505-278-4811 ext. 4254
Fax +505-277-3373
E-mail ventasSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERholidyainn.com

5) Hotel Las Mercedes- Best Western
Location: 15 minutes drive from the Convention Center, right across from the airport. 75 rooms will be available for participants of the TMSP.

Price: $65.00 single room y $ 75.00 double occupancy. The tariff includes breakfast, welcome cocktail and transportation to and from the airport and Convention Center is included in this tariff.

Tel +505-233-2080
Fax +505-263-1082
E-mail mercedesSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERmunditel.com.ni

Reimbursements and Per Diem (for sponsored guests only)

Please bring ALL travel receipts and a photocopy of your airline ticket with you to Managua. Without these documents you will not receive a reimbursement. Please send all estimated travel costs immediately as without prior receipt of this information we cannot guarantee full reimbursement.

Jette Hansen, ICBL, will be providing reimbursements and per diems upon arrival in Managua. The reimbursement and per diem venue will be provided at a later date. Sponsored guests will receive a per diem of $30.00 US. While the local currency is the cordoba, US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted. All banks and most commercial establishments will easily convert US dollars into cordobas. Please note that when paying in US dollars you will receive cordobas as change.

Exhibits and Materials

The ICBL has a limited amount of space available to display exhibits and materials. If you have not yet indicated on your confirmation form, please email Dalma Foeldes, ICBL at resourceSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org and myself at jackieSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org if you have items to display.

Thematic/ Working Group Meetings

Please let me know immediately if you plan to hold a working group or thematic meeting in Managua. Meeting space is extremely limited so we must book now.

Transportation

The conference venue is located across the city from the hotels. Every morning, shuttle service will be provided from the Legends Hotel (and other major hotels including the Hotel Princess) to the conference venue. For guests staying at the Hotel Brandt's, Hotel Los Robles and Hotel Casa Real, they are within several blocks of the Legends Hotel. In the afternoon, shuttle service will be provided from the conference venue back to the Legends Hotel. A shuttle schedule will be available soon. For more information please refer to the Nicaraguan government website at http://www.cancilleria.gob.ni/third.html. If you are planning to travel between the two venues during hours when shuttle service is not available, it is quite easy to hail a taxi on the street. Indeed, taxis in Managua honk as they pass possible fares, so getting a cab really takes no effort!

Telephones

Phoning internationallly is extremely expensive in Nicaragua. Participants are advised to bring their own international calling cards with them, as they are not available within Nicaragua. The ICBL will not have phones available for ICBL or personal use. If you require rental of a cellular phone while in Managua, please let me know.

Visiting Nicaragua

Managua, Nicaragua's capital city, has experienced substantial growth since the end of the war. It is an odd city to get around in. The downtown area was destroyed in the 1972 earthquake and was pretty much left in its post-earthquake state. More recent development has occurred around the destroyed area, making the city very large and sprawling. Only major roads are named, and street addresses are almost non-existent, making getting around Managua an interesting experience. All directions are given in reference to various landmarks, including buildings destroyed in the 1972 earthquake! Don't worry if you or your cab driver get lost, be patient and eventually you'll get to your destination!

As a pre-caution, please stick together with others and do not walk around at night. Managua's crime rate is like that of other Central American cities. Not to alarm you, just be alert and careful.

Following is some information about Nicaragua taken from Lonely Planet.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_america/nicaragua/

Nicaragua is best known not for its landscape or cultural treasures, but for the 1979 Sandinista revolution and subsequent Contra war, in which the people rose up in hope only to be derailed by US-orchestrated interference.
The Sandinistas are no longer in power and the prevailing economic ideology, dictated by the likes of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), involves widespread privatization and deregulation. This high-speed 'structural adjustment' has reduced inflation, provided ready cash for the business elite and left much of the rest of the country unemployed or in a state of sticker shock.

The good news is that throughout this period human rights have largely been respected and the country's battles are now confined to the political arena.
Nicaragua is a fascinating destination for those travelers who shun seeing 'sights,' have an awareness of history and enjoy getting to know a country on a grassroots level.

Warning
Since the end of the civil war, armed criminal groups have operated out of the northern sectors of the country, especially along the Honduran border.
Travelers visiting the border region should exercise a special measure of caution.

Full country name: Republic of Nicaragua Area: 129,494 sq km (50,180 sq mi)
Population: 4.8 million (growth rate 2.3%) Capital city: Managua (pop 1 million)
People: 69% mestizo, 17% European descent, 9% African descent, 5% indigenous peoples
Language: Spanish, English Creole, Miskito Religion: Roman Catholic 90%, Protestant 10% Government: Republic
President: Arnoldo Alemán

GDP: US$11.6 billion
GDP per head: US$2500
Inflation: 16%
Major industries: Coffee, seafood, sugar, meat, bananas, food processing, chemicals, metal products, textiles, clothing, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear
Major trading partners: Canada, Japan, Germany, Venezuela, USA, the rest of Central America

Health risks: cholera, dengue fever, hepatitis, malaria, rabies, typhoid Time: GMT/UTC minus 6 hours
Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz (same as North America) Weights & measures: Metric, but the gallon is used for gasoline (petrol)

Managua
The capital of Nicaragua is spread across the southern shore of Lago de Managua and is crowded with more than a quarter of Nicaragua's population.
It's been racked by natural disasters, including two earthquakes this century, and since the 1972 earthquake the city has had no center. Those returning to Managua after a few years will notice marked changes. An improving economy has produced a construction boom. It will be obvious, however, that the recovering economy has not benefited everyone, as poverty is still widespread.

Earthquakes and war have obliterated much tangible evidence of Nicaragua's cultural heritage, especially its colonial architecture - although León retains many fine old buildings. Poetry is one of Nicaragua's most beloved arts, and no other Central American country can match its literary output.
Rubén Darío (1867-1916) is known as the 'Prince of Spanish-American literature,' and recent work by Nicaraguan poets, fiction writers and essayists can be found in most bookshops. Bluefields, the largely English-speaking town on the Caribbean coast, is a center for reggae music.
The Archipiélago de Solentiname in Lago de Nicaragua is famous as a haven for artists, poets and craftspeople. Sandinista street art in the form of modernist murals is especially prominent in the university town of León.

Spanish is the language of Nicaragua, but English and a number of Indian languages are spoken on the Caribbean coast. The main religion is Catholicism, although there are a number of Protestant sects such as the Pentecostals and the Baptists. The Moravian church, introduced by British missionaries, is important on the Caribbean coast.

A typical meal in Nicaragua consists of eggs or meat, beans and rice, salad (cabbage and tomatoes), tortillas and fruit in season. Most common of all Nicaraguan foods is gallo pinto, a blend of rice and beans, with cooking water from the beans added to color the rice. Other traditional dishes include bajo, a mix of beef, green and ripe plantains and yucca (cassava), and vigorón, yucca served with fried pork skins and coleslaw. Street vendors sell interesting drinks such as tiste, made from cacao and corn, and posol con leche, a corn-and-milk drink. Nicaragua boasts the best beer and rum in Central America.

Online Tourist Resources and Reports
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/destinations/central_america/nicaragua/ http://www.guideofnicaragua.com.ni/
http://www.intur.gob.ni/
http://www.lanic.utexas.edu/la/ca/nicaragua/ http://www.nicaweb.com/
http://www.nicaragua.com/
http://www.guegue.com.ni/

Online Conference Resources
http://www.icbl.org/3msp
http://www.cancilleria.gob.ni/third.html

**************************************** Jackie Hansen
Programme Assistant
International Campaign to Ban Landmines

16 July- 4 October 2001
c/o Handicap International
Colonial Los Robles de la Funeraria Don Bosco 25 vrs al este, casa #1 Managua
Nicaragua

Tel. +505.278.41.28
Mobile +505.088.12036
Tel./ Fax +505.277.10.03
Email jackieSPAMFLTER@SPATMFLTERicbl.org