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Tracking Inspections: 21 January 2003

A team of eight International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors went to the Iraqi Atomic Energy Organization in Al-Tuwaythah, approximately 24 kilometers east of Baghdad, where inspectors asked about nuclear items and took a sample of nuclear waste from the site. Inspectors reviewed maps in the site's library and photographed three of them. They also conducted radiation testing on the "ruined" (bombed out) buildings and roads surrounding the site, according to the ministry. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) noted that inspectors "conducted a motorized radiation survey, checked sealed equipment and inspected buildings."

Four IAEA inspectors went to the State Company for Petrochemical Industries in the Al-Zubair area of Basra. The company belongs to the Military Industrial Organization (MIO). The Iraqi Foreign Ministry did not provide details on this inspection. UNMOVIC did not mention this inspection in its briefing.

A team of four missile inspectors went to the Al-Taji Ammunition Stores north of Baghdad where they questioned the commander on the ownership of the stores before tagging four empty warheads for the Al-Karrar 122-millimeter missiles found earlier by the Iraqi National Monitoring Directorate during an inspection. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors examined, tagged, and X-rayed the warheads before sealing them inside the bunker in which they were found.

A second group of five missile inspectors went to Al-Mutasim, 90 kilometers south of Baghdad, and toured the platform area for Al-Fatah engines and observed a static test of the Al-Fatah motor. Inspectors photographed the engine and platform, and reviewed the site's records on restricted tests, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC noted that Al-Fatah is a "solid propellant motor that Iraq plans to use in its ground-to-ground Al-Fatah missile system."

UNMOVIC also noted that another team of missile inspectors traveled to the Shahiyat Test Facility located 100 kilometers north of Baghdad to verify that the site was still abandoned. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry did not make note of this inspection.

A team of 24 chemical inspectors returned to the Al-Qa'qa State Company to question a liaison officer about the site's activities. Inspectors visited the production units and took 13 samples (type not specified.) Inspectors also questioned staff holding postgraduate degrees as to their specializations and thesis research, and the country where their degrees were obtained. The Foreign Ministry noted that "All these questions were answered although they were not related with disarmament." UNMOVIC noted that the purpose of the inspection was to inspect "some units producing chemicals, such as propellant stabilizers.... A portable analytical instrument was used, as was a metal analyzing instrument," it added.

A team of 12 biological inspectors went to the Iba' Agricultural Research Center in Abu Gharib. Inspectors froze all activity at the site upon arrival. Inspectors then questioned staff about the site's activities, staff qualifications, cooperation with other governmental agencies, changes made since 1998, and activities with the Food and Agricultural Organization, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported. In addition, "a detailed discussion took place concerning potato tubers and plant diseases," before inspectors toured the facilities and checked declarations against sealed equipment, the ministry reported. UNMOVIC noted that the center "undertakes research in such areas as plant diseases, development of disease resistant plants and soil improvement."

A team of 10 biological inspectors went to Baghdad University's College of Agriculture in Abu Gharib where they questioned the college dean on the number of undergraduate and postgraduate students there and research undertaken by staff and cooperation with other institutions. Inspectors also toured the agricultural industry and plant production departments. UNMOVIC merely stated that inspectors verified tagged equipment during the inspection.

A team of eight biological inspectors returned to Al-Amiriyat Al-Falluja, located 80 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, to tour a site where Iraq previously tested solid fuel missiles. Coalition forces destroyed the site in 1991. UNMOVIC did not mention this inspection in its daily briefing.

A joint Mosul-based team of inspectors went to the Gypsum Factory located 7 kilometers west (note: the Foreign Ministry reports in its English version that the site is south, not west) of Mosul to tour the area, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to a "lime production facility" that "produces lime from limestone rock."

A joint team of 11 inspectors left Baghdad for Basra where an office is scheduled to be set up.

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