"Oh my," said Soussan after glancing at the note. "Everyone must report to the plenary hall."

Members of the group gasped, jumping to their feet and turning to the exit. Everyone had the same thought circulating through their minds: a terrorist attack!

"No, no, not now!" said the mystery man, his face in shock. "After the working group is complete, everyone must exit the building and re-enter thorough the main entrance."

"Oh yes," said Soussan, repeating what the man had just said. "Not now." Soussan had initiated a brief moment of panic, but luckily the recovery period was quick, and the group was able to pick up where they left off.

Following the events of September 11, security has been on everyone's mind. The possibility of a terrorist attack is an idea that is too close to home for people not to be afraid. According to Elisabeth Zahn, head of the organizing committee, security was a top priority at the International Freshwater Conference. "Normally we have no security troubles in Bonn," she said, "but with 60 ministers here we need to be well prepared."

The lines to enter the conference hall first thing in the morning run 20 to 30 people long. Markus Tellman of Meltran, the security company providing the hardware and metal detectors for the conference, stands directly between the two metal detectors. Standing at an imposing 6 foot 6 inches tall and wearing a dark black suit, he stands like a soldier inspecting everyone and everything that pass through.

"I am not allowed to comment," he responds when asked to reflect on the week.

Don't try to bring an open bottle into the conference center. It will be taken away, but not before a security officer opens the bottle and smells the liquid inside. "We are looking for butlersouire (toxic poison)," said Zahn. "It has a horrible smell and if it is released we cannot use this building for 10 weeks."

Over 30 security guards are walking around the main conference hall at any given time to make sure that everything remains smooth on the inside. One of Germany's largest security companies was called on to provide additional manpower for the freshwater conference.

"I am James Bond," said Kelso Benn, a security guard formerly from Washington DC. "I am a real security personnel and it is my job to make sure there are no problems."

Benn has over 25 years in the field of security and takes his job very seriously. A former solider in the US army, Benn is always prepared. Through his thick glasses, his eyes can be seen constantly wandering. He paces back and forth as he answers questions.

"We have it all under control," said Benn when asked about the security situation at the conference. "Our goal is not to have too much security in one area. About six or seven of us are grouped at each post."

Benn has worked at numerous UN sponsored conferences in the past, and says that the security is always run well. He notes that while a week is not a long period of time, the amount of security preparation for a conference is "enormous." Benn feels personally rewarded when all goes well.

"When the people are safe and sure, then I feel good about myself," he said.

It is the last day of the freshwater conference, and so far there have been no security concerns reported, according to Zahn.