Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

7 December – United Nations weapons inspectors today continued their probe of suspected arms production facilities in Iraq.

A team from the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) carried out an inspection of the Al-Kudus Company, which is situated in the Iskandariyah area about 50 kilometres south of Baghdad, according to a UN spokesman.

“The site and all its key buildings were inspected and the objectives of the visit were successfully achieved,” spokesman Hiro Ueki reported.

The company, which was formed in September, occupies a site previously intended to house a wind tunnel. Reconstruction of the site for the new research center supporting military applications is still proceeding.

Meanwhile, experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted an inspection at Shakyli, a warehouse complex adjacent to the Tuwaitha site. “The team inspected the major equipment and material storage areas to assess their current status,” Mr. Ueki said, adding that the inventory there will be reconciled with the IAEA's database as well as changes described in the Iraqi biannual declaration submitted in October.

“The IAEA team was able to carry out all the activities it decided to conduct without delay,” Mr. Ueki confirmed.