Category:

MONDAY 7 

October

SPECIAL TO THE PRIME MINISTER 

INFORMATION: PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS G7 

SECURITY LEVEL: LOW 

RISK LEVEL: LOW

BBC TODAY PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT, 7 OCTOBER, 07:10 

HOURS

JULIAN CASEL: Now work is well under way in Edinburgh as the city, police, and security forces prepare for the G7 summit. Sarah Lams is our Scottish editor, and she's keeping an eye on it for us up there. Sarah?

SARAH LAMS: You're right, Julian, things are really kicking off now, as the clock is ticking down to the moment when those planes touch down at Edinburgh Airport. In one week, the leaders of the seven most powerful democracies will gather here in the Scottish capital to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world.

This meeting of the Group of Seven, as it is officially known, is particularly anticipated, as tensions have been rising between the West and the twin titans of the East Russia and China. Russia is known to be fuming about statements made by the British Prime Minister and the President of the United States criticizing the Russian conflict in Eastern Europe and its continual suppression of the production of oil that is sending prices soaring around the world. There's an expectation that the G7 leaders might decide to take a united front on sanctions. If they do, that could cripple the Russian economy, sending it into a downward spiral. Certainly the signals are there that strong action may be taken. This week both the British and the American governments issued statements, accusing the Russian government of, and I quote, "holding the world to blackmail."

Russia responded with a strongly worded statement, calling both the US President and the British Prime Minister "liars and cowards." The Chinese government issued a separate statement in more measured but still pointed terms, which said, "We support the Russian government's right to use any means to defend and support itself." That may not sound like much, but it sends a clear signal that the relationship between China and Russia is tightening.

It's in this febrile atmosphere that the gathering will begin next Monday, ostensibly to discuss ways to improve the global economy and stabilize democracy, but also surely to talk together about how they can rein in our neighbors to the east.

7 OCTOBER

'THE SCOTSMAN' 

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE G7

As the world turns its eyes to Edinburgh next week, locals are preparing for traffic snarls, crowds, and press that history shows will make the city feel busier than the annual arts festival. Here's what you should know as we brace ourselves for a very busy week.

WHAT IS THE G7?

The Group of Seven is an informal grouping of western democratic nations. Its members are the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan. Representatives of the EU also normally attend. Technically it has no leader, and no legal standing. But this alliance of nations is incredibly powerful.

WHERE WILL THEY MEET?

The main meetings for this year's gathering will take place Monday and Tuesday at Carlowrie Castle, a privately owned gothic manor house near Edinburgh Airport. These meetings will be closed to the media, and it's unlikely we'll get even a glimpse as the castle is tucked away amid dozens of acres of grounds, shielded from prying eyes by high walls. However, early meetings and bilaterals—meetings of just two or three nations will take place at the Balmoral Hotel in town, and some leaders are arriving early for this reason. Carlowrie can't hold all the support staff, so some will be staying at the castle, others will have rooms elsewhere in town and will travel by convoy to the castle every morning. Along with the press and other staff, this means every hotel in the city is booked solid.

HOW WILL THIS AFFECT ME?

In short: traffic will be a nightmare. Starting tomorrow, road closures will be in place—some announced, some not announced, so prepare for the unexpected. When the US president arrives, stretches of the motorway into Edinburgh will shut down for hours for security reasons. The worst traffic will happen on Sunday, when the King and Queen are hosting a party for the leaders at Holyroodhouse. This will result in the closing of the Royal Mile and other major arteries within the city. Basically, if you can work from home, this is the week to do it. Expect chaos.