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Tracking Inspections: 6 January 2003

A total of 60 inspectors visited six sites on 6 January. A team of seven International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the Al-Tuwaythah site belonging to the Iraqi Atomic Energy Organization, where they toured the neutron generator building, trade department, physics department, and the laser research and liquid nitrogen laboratories, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Inspectors also photographed parts of the site and conducted radiological testing. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) elaborated in its daily statement, saying that "The Nuclear Physics Academic Research Center, the Physics Research Materials and Electronics Studies Center and the Laser and Plasma Research Center" were inspected "in order to ascertain the level of activity at these locations."

A team of nine UNMOVIC biological inspectors visited the Center for Research and Production of Veterinary Drugs, belonging to the Ministry of Industry and Minerals and located 10 kilometers north of Baghdad, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors inquired about the structure of the center and its activities and relationships with other organizations, as well as about personnel and their qualifications. The research and production building was visited and inspectors asked about research conducted there before checking tagged equipment and extracting samples of bacteria from a dish and a mixing container. Inspectors also checked a chemical material storage area, the ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that this site is located at the Ibn Sina Center.

A joint team of eight inspectors visited the Specialized Maintenance Directorate at Al-Fao State Company in Sabea Abkar (Baghdad), where they questioned the assistant director about the directorate's activities and which organizations benefit from those activities, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC stated the facility "is responsible for the repair of engines, pumps and compressors used by the water-treatment and other industries."

A second joint inspection team comprising 15 inspectors went to the "Free Zone area" belonging to the Free Trading Zone Commission (FTZC) and located 20 kilometers north of Mosul. Inspectors questioned the site director about trade activities there and the types of merchandise dealt with before checking a computer and touring the facilities, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that the FTZC is affiliated with the Ministry of Finance and is located in the Filfayl area.

A team of eight UNMOVIC missile inspectors went to the Al-Fatah Missile site located in Al-Yousfiyah in order to tag missiles. UNMOVIC stated that the inspection took place at an Iraqi army base and that inspectors tagged "ground-to-ground solid propellant rockets, Al-Fatah." UNMOVIC added that "The remaining Al-Fatah rockets, now in the possession of the Iraqi army, will be tagged in the course of this week."

A group of 13 UNMOVIC chemical inspectors returned to the Insecticide Plant of the Al-Tariq State Company, owned by the Military Industrial Organization, where they met with the director and "some specialists," asking about plant operations. Inspectors also took samples "of all productive units" in the site, as well as from one storage area, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC clarified that that inspection took place at Al-Falluja III, located 100 kilometers west of Baghdad, adding, "The site is primarily a pesticide formulation plant and was previously inspected on 8 and 19 December 2002." It is located in Al-Saqlawiyah in the Al-Anbar Governorate.

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