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Tracking Inspections: 24 DECEMBER 2002

A reported 87 inspectors visited 12 sites on 24 December. The Foreign Ministry noted in its briefing that an IAEA team met with an Iraqi scientist, Dr. Sabah Abd al-Nour, who formerly worked on Iraq's nuclear program and now works as a professor at Baghdad Technology University. A representative of the National Monitoring Directorate (NMD) attended the meeting. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) said that Dr. Abd al-Nour discussed technical activities in Iraq and that the questioning was done "in a private office chosen at random, without cameras or recordings being present." UNMOVIC confirmed that Abd al-Nour requested the presence of a NMD representative.

A team of two International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors toured the Applied Sciences Department at Baghdad Technology University before meeting with Abd al-Nour.

A second group of four IAEA inspectors inspected the Salah Al-Din State Company (electronics factory) in Salah Al-Din province. The company produces manufacturing tools and electronic materials, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC stated that this company was part of the former nuclear program, and it produces radar devices, fuses, and communications equipment for the military, as well as civilian products. Inspectors conducted a radiological survey, questioned workers, and took a sample of nickel powder, the ministry stated.

A team of 10 biological inspectors visited the Veterinary Medical College and met with an NMD representative there before taking a sample of a vaccinal strain, the ministry stated.

Another group of 11 biological inspectors visited the National Company for Food Industries, which produces java juice, 7-Up, and beer, according to the ministry.

A team of nine missile inspectors visited the Al-Shahid Abd Al-Kareem Abbas Factory to inquire about the factory's activities. UNMOVIC reported that this is a newly declared site (1 October 2002) and the only plant in Iraq to manufacture ammonium perchlorate, which is the primary ingredient used to produce solid missile propellant.

A group of four missile inspectors visited four military sites to tag equipment, the ministry reported. However, UNMOVIC reported that its inspectors visited three additional sites belonging to the Al-Taji Technical Missile Battalion: Al-Tarmiya, Baquba, and Al-Taji. According to UNMOVIC, inspectors checked and tagged Al-Sumud missiles and warheads.

A third group of 16 missile inspectors visited the Al-Nida' State Company, which manufactures molds and spare parts for missiles, according to the ministry and UNMOVIC. Coalition forces bombed the company in 1993. Inspectors put stickers on the tagged equipment, the ministry stated.

A team of 14 chemical inspectors returned to the Hittin State Company, which the ministry says manufactures "traditional" ammunition. Inspectors checked the declaration against equipment and materials and inquired as to the company's activities. This company is also known as the Iskandariyah Ammunition Filling Plant, according to UNMOVIC, and produces conventional ammunition.

A second team of 14 chemical inspectors visited the State Company of Petrochemical Industries in Basra, where they inspected all buildings and laboratories and met with the director-general, the ministry stated.

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