Tracking Inspections: 22 January 2003

A team of 50 inspectors visited the Yawm Al-Nida' mosque, located in the Al-Suleikh area of Baghdad on 22 January. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry was quite critical of this inspection, and said that the inspection took place without the participation of Iraqis from the National Monitoring Directorate. The ministry added, "The sneaky manner through which the team approached the Mosque was effective in eluding the attention of the media and their coverage [of] the event." Inspectors questioned Shaykh Qutaiba Sa'di Ammash on whether or not the mosque has an underground shelter and the length of time it took to build the mosque. Inspectors also reportedly asked the shaykh why Iraq has so many mosques. The ministry also noted that "The team tried to offer an expedient to its infiltration by claiming their admiration of the mosque and its attractive architectural structure." The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated in its 23 January briefing that an inspection did not take place at the mosque. "A group of four UN inspectors visited the mosque in a private capacity...when they had a day off. All they wanted to do was to walk around the mosque, but were invited to go inside," UNMOVIC stated. "During the tour the UN staff asked a few questions about the mosque, as any tourist might do," the statement continued, adding, "The Shaykh and his staff were very cordial. This Shaykh was not the person who gave a press conference on 22 January."

Three International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the Al-Taji barracks and conducted radiation testing on the barracks as well as the main and surrounding streets.

Another IAEA group of four inspectors went to Al-Basra University and questioned the assistant president on the number of colleges and sites belonging to the university, as well as the names of research centers located there, and the number of undergraduate and postgraduate students and "the party that finances them."

Inspectors then proceeded to the College of Science at Al-Basra University and questioned the college's dean on the number of students and departments, as well as equipment procured since 1998 and on the use of radiation at the college.

Inspectors also visited the Engineering College and asked similar questions. Inspectors also asked about the activities of the Naval Engineering Department, about its budget, and who finances it.

The inspectors then proceeded to the College of Education and asked again about departments, teaching staff, and students. They also sought clarification on "the number of radiation sources available at the college" before touring some laboratories located there. UNMOVIC did not comment on the inspectors visit to Al-Basra University.

A third team of five IAEA inspectors went to the State Company of Geology Survey (of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals) located at Al-Andulus Square in Baghdad. Inspectors questioned a "specialist" on radiation sources available to the company and asked about the names of mines in the country. Inspectors toured "the pioneering station, laboratories, library and the chamber of the radiation sources," the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC did not provide details on this inspection.

Nine biological inspectors visited the Baghdad Technology Institute, located in Al-Za'faraniyah, Baghdad. Inspectors asked about the number of staff and students, degrees offered in postgraduate studies, and microbiology studies. Inspectors visited the Machines Department, Chemical Industries Department, and Irrigation and Vehicles departments. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors verified declarations on the site.

A joint team of 18 inspectors visited the Al-Qiyarat Refinery belonging to the North Oil Company where they questioned the manager about the ownership of the refinery and the adjacent buildings belonging to the North Gas Company. Inspectors also checked equipment and toured the facility, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC stated that this petroleum refinery is located 80 kilometers south of Mosul.

A team of 16 missile inspectors went to the Badr State Company in Al-Yousfiyah, 25 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors questioned the director-general about production at the company, particularly production related to the Al-Sumud and Al-Fatah missiles. Inspectors also toured the company's facilities, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC noted that this is a tool, dye, and mold factory that "produces small components for the Al-Fatah and Al-Sumud missiles."

A team of 13 chemical inspectors went to Al-Qa'qa State Company located 50 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors toured the Khalid, Sa'd and Tariq factories located there and checked tagged equipment. They also took 13 samples (and two "smear" samples) of "different materials," according to the ministry. UNMOVIC did not elaborate on the above-mentioned inspection.

A Baghdad-based joint inspection team (the number unknown) went to the Ur State Company in Al-Nasiriyah, located northwest of Basra. Inspectors questioned the director-general about the company's activities, according to the ministry. Inspectors toured the company, checked on the company's electrical consumption over the "past years," and requested a copy of the electric bills. UNMOVIC noted on 23 January that the purpose of the inspection at the "Ur State Establishment for Engineering Industry" was to update activities at the factory.

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Tracking Inspections: 22 January 2003