“Steak-out” in Vienna

Monday 18/06/07 – Tuesday 19/06/07 

Story:   A “steak-out” in Vienna

 Monday 

Yet again my correspondent and I travelled to Vienna.

Yet again we were there for the IAEA and of our two usual subjects it was once again the DPRK.

Now that the Macau millions money issue was supposedly resolved a delegation from the safeguards verification department had been invited to visit the DPRK and begin the lengthy verification process. We had been informed that the departure would be on the Tuesday evening and that a photo opportunity would be made available at the airport.

I did of course wonder why then we were going on Monday morning. Well it turned out that we may have a chance to film Dr El Baradei making a brief appearance at a reception at the Japanese Embassy, unlikely he’d speak to us but we could be there and try. We also wanted some shots of the DPRK’s Vienna Embassy and had arranged to film the IAEA’s press office at work. So our time was to be filled.

Travel wise Vienna is becoming a bit of a nightmare destination and this time did not disappoint. Despite leaving the office at 0730 it still took an hour and forty minutes to reach Terminal 4. Our return was even worse, because of aircraft late arrival we missed the take off slot and had to sit onboard for an hour and a half before another slot became free. In London our bags did at least arrive this time, but the brand new kit case, that is supposedly ultra durable, has already suffered damage to one of its casters. I really think baggage handlers go out of their way and see it as a challenge to try and damage bags. It is the only explanation that makes sense.

 

On arrival at Vienna airport my correspondent had a voice mail message that the delegation’s departure had been postponed by a week! One reason for coming, gone. On meeting our local coordinator we heard that Dr El Baradei would no longer be attending the Embassy reception that evening. Another reason for coming, gone.

 

After checking in to another Vienna hotel, Hotel de France, I thought we’d probably just go and take some standard general shots of the DPRK Embassy here. However on route our coordinator warned me that the last time she’d filmed it, about 3 years previously, they had soon been approached by a group from within the compound who had demanded the tape from the camera, stopped their car leaving and so they’d had to call the police, wait the two hours for them to show up and deal with explaining the situation. All this, even when filming from the public space across the street from the Embassy. Things were looking up, the mundane shoot could get interesting. I could only hope.

 

I suggested that we should drive past at least once and I would film a drive shot. In fact we did this twice and then pulled up a little further down the road. I was all for getting out and filming but my correspondent decided that there was no point in upsetting people at this stage in case it dampened any future filming chances and so asked that I just take whatever shots I could from within the car. This I did, through the back window, managing slightly wobbly shots of the compound, the flag, entrance, windows and a man and child exiting. Just as I was realising that this tiny Toyota, with its immovable rear headrests, was far from idle to accommodate a shoulder wielding ENG cameraman, I was instructed to film a black Benz parked outside and especially the number plate, WD – 78. It was empty but the two in my car began getting excited because this was a diplomatic car and possibly even El Baradei’s.

Could we be on the verge of a scoop? The IAEA’s director general visiting the DPRK Embassy ahead of a planned visit? Tension, expectations and hopes rose.

I want to record here that I did suggest that it might just be a DPRK Embassy car parked on the roadside because the compound car park was full.

 

Phone calls were made to anyone who might be able to tell us who rode in the car. Tokyo was called to check old footage, the IAEA was called to be asked bluntly, Embassy contacts and drivers were sweet talked into helping out and all the while we sat watching the car for any movement and waiting for the phones to ring.

This was turning into a stake-out of sorts.

 

Time passed, then Tokyo rang, no the license did not match that of a car El Baradei was seen using recently. OK, maybe it was some other member of the six party talks group, anyone would be good and newsworthy if from an important enough county. The IAEA rang but would not tell us anything. We waited some more. Then a driver contact of coordinator called and revealed the truth, and in that instant all tension disappeared and there would be no scoop. It was after all a DPRK Embassy vehicle parked on the roadside.

 

That evening my Japanese colleagues attended the reception event at the Japanese Embassy and I was left to fed and fend for myself. Fantastic. I grabbed the hotel map and walked for a couple of hours around Vienna’s central circle before taking part in another and far more exciting ‘steak-out’ at a basic but tasty restaurant.

 Tuesday 

As arranged and planned we filmed inside the IAEA’s press room, with me trying to make it look as busy and active as possible. We also managed a short interview with the Director General’s assistant and then hurriedly left for the airport. The rest I have mentioned above.