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Tracking Inspections: 25 DECEMBER 2002

A total of 61 inspectors visited seven sites on 25 December. A team of six International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors returned to the Al-Fatah explosives factory, which manufactures ammunition, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors inquired as to the number of people working in the factory and visited additions to the factory before conducting radiological testing. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) reported that this is a large site which "produces explosives for military bombs, shells and rockets." The inspectors were concerned about any changes since 1998 that might contribute to a nuclear program in Iraq.

Inspectors then returned to Al-Qa'qa State Company to inventory 81-millimeter aluminum pipes. Inspectors took one pipe with them for further testing. UNMOVIC stated that Iraqi auditors joined UNMOVIC inspectors and together inventoried "important dual-use materials" and compared results. According to the UNMOVIC statement, the hundreds of items counted will help verify Iraq's "use of special materials."

The IAEA inspectors then paid a return visit to the Umm Al-Marik Company, which the ministry says specializes in "mechanical operations." Inspectors photographed and videotaped operations there. UNMOVIC stated that the factory produces "metal parts for military programs" and that the inspection was part of "an ongoing attempt to monitor the production of indigenous components of possible dual use."

A team of 13 biological inspectors from UNMOVIC returned to the Al-Taji Gas Factory and toured buildings and storage areas. UNMOVIC referred to the site as the "Al-Taji Single Cell Protein (SCP) Plant" in its daily statement and said it is located 23 kilometers northwest of Baghdad on the premises of a liquid propane gas (LPG)-filling company. According to UNMOVIC, "The name "SCP Plant" no longer exists. The plant used to be one building, which has now been remodeled for use by the LPG-filling company."

A team of eight missile inspectors returned to the Ibn Al-Haytham site, which produces missile parts, where the inspectors checked previously tagged equipment. UNMOVIC stated that the Al-Kadhimiya Plant and Shumouk storage facilities were inventoried.

A team of 14 chemical inspectors visited the State Company for Paper Industries in the Basra region. Inspectors inquired about new equipment, visited a salt producing unit, a chlorine unit, and checked declarations against tagged equipment, the ministry stated.

A joint inspection team of 20 inspectors in two groups surveyed the area around Al-Ramadi. The first group met with the commander of the air base and inspected "various places," according to the ministry. The second group visited an army storage facility west of the base.

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