Tracking Inspections: 30 NOVEMBER 2002
A team of 11 UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) inspectors visited the Chemical Defense Battalion site belonging to the Ministry of Defense, which is located approximately 90 kilometers north of Baghdad in the town of Al-Balad. Inspectors questioned the battalion commander and inspecting buildings. They also asked about the movement of vehicles to and from the site "which were monitored by satellites a month ago," according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC reported that this previously inspected site conducts chemical, biological, and radiological defense training for military personnel.
A group of 10 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the Umm Al-Marik State Company belonging to the Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). The company specializes in tool manufacturing, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the site is known for its dual-use capabilities.
Inspectors also toured the Milad State Company (MIO-owned), which the ministry says is an electronics research company located at the same complex. UNMOVIC noted that the former Al-Furat centrifuge facility was located at Al-Milad.
IAEA inspectors verified semiannual statements at both companies, and changed the seals on machines and equipment subject to monitoring, the ministry stated. Radiological testing was also performed. In addition, some inspectors traveled to the Al-Qa'qa State Company, 70 kilometers south of Baghdad, in order to repair an air system there, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC said that two inspectors "completed the removal of the last of four air samplers previously installed and planned to be refurbished, upgraded and reinstalled in the near future."
UNMOVIC confirmed that inspectors were able to verify the accuracy of Iraq's declarations regarding these sites.
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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