PR/CP (2002)108 17 September 2002<br /><br />Exercise "Bogorodsk 2002"<br /><br />1. NATO has consistently placed fight against terrorism at the centre of its activities. The threat posed by terrorism is of a multifaceted nature, our response and preparedness must therefore address different dimensions of both military and non-military nature. Moreover, we are determined to face the challenge of terrorism together with our partners, including Russia.<br /><br />2. Field Exercise “Bogorodsk 2002” is a Russian Federation contribution to the Partnership Work Program (PWP) in the framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC). The exercise will be primarily conducted as a PWP Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Unit (EADRU) activity. It will also involve other existing networks and organizations such as United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).<br />3. The scenario for the field exercise builds upon a demanding terrorist attack on a chemical production facility involving mass casualties, contamination, collapsed structures and evacuation and a request for international assistance. As much as possible, the exercise will build upon experiences and lessons learned by EAPC nations in this field.<br />4. The exercise will be conducted in Noginsk 70 km outside Moscow, in and around the EMERCOM (Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of the Consequences of Natural Disasters) Training Centre, from 25 to 27 September 2002. The official opening will take place in the afternoon of 24 September. A full-scale Field Exercise will start early in the morning of 25 September and end 36 hours later on 26 September. In addition, on 27 September 2002, a joint demonstration will be conducted in the Noginsk Training Centre, where all national and international teams will present their special competence and equipment. <br />General Outline of the Exercise<br /><br />5. Fourteen EAPC countries, including the host nation and two international organisations (the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) will participate with teams. Another 19 countries will participate with observers. Total participation will be:<br /><br />- 700 personnel from the Russian Federation <br />- 300 personnel from assisting nations <br /><br />Exercise aims and objectives<br /><br />6. The general aim of Exercise “Bogorodsk 2002” is to practice the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) procedures and Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Unit (EADRU) capabilities in order to improve EAPC nations ability to respond to a disaster, and to practice the stricken nation’s capability to effectively coordinate international disaster response operations. The specific aim of this Exercise is to improve consequence management following an attack with Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) agents.<br /><br />Media arrangements<br /><br />7. During the whole duration of the exercise, a press centre will be operational in the exercise area. The centre will be equipped with telephone and fax connections.<br />8. Foreign press who want to cover the exercise can be picked up at the airport of arrival (Moscow) and transported to Noginsk. There are possibilities for securing accommodation in hotels in Noginsk itself early booking is however essential.<br />For journalists based in Russia the appropriate point of contact is Mr. Victor Beltsov in the Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of the Consequences of Natural Disasters, Moscow, tel. (007 095) 926 3509; fax + 923 57 45.<br />For journalists from outside Russia please contact NATO Press and Media Service in Brussels, tel. +323 2 707 5041; fax +32 2 707 5057.