Tracking Inspections: 27 NOVEMBER 2002
On the first day of inspections, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported that 25 inspectors visited three sites. However, the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) reported that it currently has only 11 inspectors, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it has six inspectors in the country.
A team of 10 IAEA inspectors visited the Al-Tahadi State Company, which the ministry said specializes in high-tension electrical works. Inspectors checked tagged equipment and the air system of the site and questioned the director general about activities at the site since 1998. They also photographed a number of buildings, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC and the IAEA noted in their daily briefing that Al-Tahadi is a science research center.
A team of 15 UNMOVIC inspectors visited two sites in the Al-Amiriyah area at Al-Falluja: the first a graphite factory, and the second the Al-Rafah Factory (a missile-engine testing facility). The ministry reported that liquid-fuel engines were checked and inspectors questioned officials about activities at both sites. They also photocopied relevant documents. In addition, "a new pad of missile engines still under construction" was inspected at Al-Rafah. UNMOVIC stated that graphite can be used to produce missile batteries as well as be used "in the cone of a missile during re-entry." In addition, UNMOVIC noted that monitoring equipment is missing at Al-Amiriyah (it didn't specify at which site within the complex). Apparently, some monitoring equipment was destroyed (no explanation was given) and some moved to the National Monitoring Directorate.
Copyright (c) 2003. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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