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Tracking Inspections: 9 January 2003

A total of 66 inspectors visited eight sites on 9 January. A team of five International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the Al-Qadisiyah Electrical Industries State Company in Diyala. Inspectors questioned the director-general about the company's budget, revenues, personnel, its departments, its factories, electric-power capacity, and energy consumption, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors also asked about how raw materials are acquired and used. They also inquired about and toured a new optic cables factory (unopened) as well as the argon and oxygen factories, a ceiling fan factory, an electric-meter factory, a factory for igniters, and two electric-power plants to record power consumption levels. Inspectors also conducted radiation testing, according to the ministry. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) referred to this site as the Baquba Electrical Plant, saying it is located 60 kilometers from Baghdad. The organization added that the company produces "electrical goods, such as transformers, welding machines, electrical meters and fans for the heavy as well as light current electrical market."

A group of 14 missile inspectors returned to the Al-Milad State Company. UNMOVIC stated that this is a military research and development company for guidance and control systems and is approximately 40 miles south of Baghdad. Inspectors divided into four groups, the first of which met with specialists working on the guidance and control system of the Al-Fatah short-range missile. The other three groups inspected facilities at the site and observed the gyro-testing system.

A team of two inspectors returned to the Al-Harith State Company in Taji (owned by the Military Industrial Organization), where they replaced the tags on nine SA-2 missiles, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC said that the tags were removed from the missiles at the missile maintenance workshop for required maintenance and repair, adding, "The SA-2 surface-to-air missiles are tagged to ensure that they are not converted into ballistic missiles capable of proscribed ranges."

Finally, a team of four missile inspectors returned to Al-Rafah Factory (a missile-engine testing facility) in Al-Amiriyah (Al-Falluja), where they observed preparations for a static test-fire of the Al-Sumud engine. The Foreign Ministry stated that the test was postponed due to a "technical malfunction in one of the Servos prior to the test."

A team of 12 UNMOVIC biological inspectors returned to the Veterinary Diagnosis Laboratory belonging to the State Veterinary Company and the Ministry of Agriculture, located in Baghdad. Inspectors inquired as to the activities of the laboratory, its sections, the research studies conducted there, and cooperation between this lab and the "bovine plague" laboratory, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC elaborated on the laboratory's activities, stating, "The laboratory receives samples of animal blood and tissue submitted by other government veterinary agencies and analyzes these to diagnose bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases."

A team of eight chemical inspectors returned to the Al-Rayah State Company, 30 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, where they asked about the "pioneer unit in the catalysts department," the ministry stated. They also questioned the director-general extensively about the company's activities and employees. UNMOVIC stated that the company is a research center for materials and catalysts.

A group of 15 chemical inspectors went to the Company of Northern Refineries and Small Refineries in Al-Siniyah, in the Salah al-Din Province, where they asked about the refineries activities, production capabilities, and the origin of the equipment there. UNMOVIC noted that this site is located approximately 200 kilometers north of Baghdad.

A joint team (chemical, biological, and missile) of six inspectors went to the Public Health laboratory of the Ninawah Health Department (Mosul) to ask about the types of medical and food tests conducted there and whether the lab cooperates with the Central Health Laboratory in Baghdad. UNMOVIC stated that the laboratory conducts "basic bacteriological diagnostic tests and routine screenings."

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