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U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesman Press Statement

Notice to the Press
February 1, 1999

Background Briefing on Biosafety Protocol Negotiations

A background briefing on the final negotiations for the Biosafety Protocol, a protocol to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) designed to protect biodiversity and regulate trade and other transboundary movement of living organisms modified by genetic engineering, is scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, at 2:00 PM in Room 6824 at the U.S. Department of State (2201 C Street, NW).

The Sixth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety, the final negotiating session for the drafting of the Biosafety Protocol, will take place in Cartagena, Colombia, February 14-19. A special session of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD will meet in Cartagena, February 22-23, to approve the Protocol.

To confirm your attendance and for pre-clearance into the Department, please fax the following information to the attention of Susan Povenmire at (202) 647-4221: name, organization, date of birth, social security number, and citizenship. DEADLINE FOR PRE-CLEARANCE IS 4:00 PM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1. Photo identification is required to enter the building. Please plan to arrive at the C Street entrance of the State Department by 1:45 to allow adequate time for clearance into the building. For further information contact Susan Povenmire, Press and Public Affairs Advisor, OES Bureau, (202) 647-3486.

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