Embassies rush for ASEM preparations

British Ambassador to Korea Charles Humphrey and other officials in the embassy in Seoul rushed to Kimpo International Airport to greet Prime Minister Tony Blair, who arrived at the airport about 4 p.m. The embassy mobilized six buses and six rented cars, in addition to the embassy staff cars, for the coming government officials and mass media personnel.

The British journalists who came to Seoul number about 20, including staffs from the state-run BBC, The Times, The Financial Times and Reuters. They were accommodated at the Hyatt Regent Hotel. The embassy officials were preoccupied with preparations for the prime minister's tight schedule for meetings with leading Korean businessmen and a lecture sponsored by the Federation of Korean Industries.

Some embassy staff in charge of political affairs lodged in the hotel for the immediate aid to the prime minister.

The staff of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul installed emergency liaison rooms in the Inter-Continental Hotel and Renaissance Hotel, where Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and his entourage are staying. The Japanese Embassy set up a task force early this year and made preparations for the Seoul ASEM conference, ranging from the provision of cars and hotels to security checks.

Japanese Ambassador to Seoul Terusuke Terada plans to hold a consolation event for the embassy staff who took trouble for the ASEM preparations.

The Irish Embassy in Seoul faces a predicament over the treatment of the partner of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern. Since her reception is a delicate problem, the embassy staff is taking trouble to prevent the couple's affairs from becoming a gossip of curiosity, as she has yet to be married to the prime minister. The embassy disclosed that she would attend all official functions along with the wives of other foreign leaders.

When the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad expressed desire to look around the garment industrial factories in Korea, the Malaysian Embassy hurriedly squeezed her visit to Doosan Tower in Tongdaemun Market into her itinerary. But her intent has been abortive because of the duplicated schedule for visiting the "angels' home" in Seoul on the same day. The Malaysian first lady felt sorry for his unrequited desire.

The German Embassy formed a 30-man ASEM preparatory team, comprised of officials sent by the Foreign and Public Information ministries of the home government. Headed by the director of the Foreign Ministry's Asian Affairs Bureau, the preparatory team set up a briefing room in the Inter-Continental Hotel from Oct. 17 and is working on the Korea-German summit meeting and the agenda items to be raised at the divisional conferences.

Kwon Ki-Tae kkt@donga.com