Info on entering Iraq URGENT

I suppose all the people who could of given sound advice are no longer on Lightstalkers.
Should of known better.

OK back to the drooling drivel….what pen to use on photographic prints, look at my big new camera, Lieca M8 “Is it any good”

Yep, should try agencies who covered assignements over there… (Magnum, VII, etc), there should be no reason they don’t answer you ?

All the best, and be careful over there !
(and send a link when you come back :p)

Cheers !

mark,

the obvious place to start is the FCO. they are normally on the case,and non-hysterical.use their website for the basics,then give them a bell for a more ‘off the record’ opinion.

‘Lieca M8 “Is it any good” ’ -the answer to this simple.it’s better than your spelling
;)
,but only because it’s a platform for their lenses

Michael The FCO is the last place I would seek advice. I’ll end getting kidnapped or something.

is Leica really spelt like this…who gives a shit!

How are you anyway?

mark,

i have gotten loads of great ‘unofficial’ advice from people at the fco. you just have to track down the right person.once you get past the desk jockeys,there are some very knowledgeable people there.

i am good by the way :)

got any contacts in panama? i tried asking here,but came up with absolutely zilch!

Sorry mate can’t help you with Panama, have you tried the FCO :)

if you’re going to the IZ, getting in is not much of a problem, you need a passport and if people picking you up at the airport have mid-level security clearances, they can escort you through the ECPs.

Thanks Luke

How do I arrange transport to and from the airport? What documents do I need to get on an embed?

This is still in discussion stage with the mag and if I do get the commission it will be a 1 story and out.

if you plan to arrive at civilian airport, the safe way is to call AKE before you go, ask for a quote and pass the figures to your client. embeds are handled by CPIC embed desk, you can have a look at the paperwork side of it by checking out “for the media” section at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/

Thank you.

where would one look for current info about entering Iraq or Aghanistan from people actively covering those two war zones?

If your intention is only to shoot while on embed it is probably easier to secure the embed, then coalition forces will fly you in and out, from Kuwait, no visa needed.

Mnf-Iraq will need a bunch of paperwork, including a credential letter from client and proposal, and will then see if they can make the embed work.

non embedded is a whole other mess. visas, security, etc.

Last time I checked (could have changed), unless you’re on embed, or with a contractor or embassy, there no lodging in the Green Zone.

Tom

Thank you very much for that information.

Any idea what kind of proposal is usually accepted and what kind of thing is rejected?

Lightstalkers can be a good source of information instead of the dire-tripe you read on here most of the time.

accepted / rejected is not so much a question of your client’s story idea (having said that, stories about how amazingly things are improving over there and how many soccer balls soldiers hand out on patrols have certain ability to bypass the waiting list, if you know what I mean), but also about the the actual units and locations you want to go for. the more specific unit / location request, the more it may take to get an all clear, while when you just give a broad indication of location and explain what is it that you’re working on – the bigger the chances, in theory at least, of getting somewhere (fast), but if you go too broad, this will often come with a level of risk as to what exactly are you going to be shown. it’s not north korea style, but I’d say there’s a considerable level of subtle, non-direct control over what you can and what you can’t do.

correct me if i’m wrong, but even with the most basic of embeds, won’t they get you from BIAP to the Green Zone press center where you get accredited?

Luke that is fantastic info. Obviously I cannot say what the story may or may not be on here but you may be able to give me some more specific advice.

I am always around if you want to meet for a coffee(I’ll buy) and I can run it by you.

I’m on 07891 362022

Alan, you’re right about biap to green zone transfer, but this only applies when you fly into the military side of the airport. other than that it’s route irish and you know what that means: “insurgents and traffic jams… bang bang one two three yeah…”

Hi everyone

Thank you all for the info. I have had several very good PM’s as well that have been extremly helpful.
Just waiting for the magazine to sanction the idea and get the commission.

Thanks again

Mark