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Tracking Inspections: 28 January 2003

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry's daily briefing notes that the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) requested an interview with an Iraqi scientist. The scientist agreed to be interviewed only in the presence of an Iraqi National Monitoring Directorate (NMD) official, according to the ministry, which UNMOVIC rejected, and the interview did not take place. The ministry also noted that the scientist has been questioned "several times" by inspectors during their visits to the site where he works.

A team of three International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors conducted radiation testing using mobile devices in the areas of Al-Saidiyah, Al-Bayya, and Hay Al-Jihad (Baghdad), according to the Foreign Ministry.

A second team of three IAEA inspectors visited the Nasr State Company located 30 kilometers north of Baghdad in Al-Taji. The Foreign Ministry states that the company is an affiliate of the Ministry of Industry and Metals (MIM) and that it specializes in "mechanical industries." Inspectors inquired about scientists and engineering staff at the company, as well as the number of employees and the number that hold postgraduate degrees. The mechanical workshops, foundry, and "metal structures" were inspected, according to the ministry. The site was also checked for radiation.

A third team of four IAEA inspectors went to Babil University (located 10 kilometers south of Al-Hillah city) to question the assistant to the university's president on students, teaching staff (including those with postgraduate degrees), the number of "compounds" (campuses), the names of the colleges on each campus, and "the names of the deans of the colleges of engineering, education and science," according to the Foreign Ministry statement. The Physics Department in the College of Science was inspected for radiation, and the machine workshops at the College of Industry were inspected, the ministry reported. The ministry reported that employees and students rallied in support of Saddam Hussein during the inspection.

Four UNMOVIC missile inspectors traveled to the Al-Harith State Company, located 30 kilometers north of Baghdad, to inspect the missile maintenance workshops. Inspectors removed tags from five missiles and retagged 10 missiles, according to the Foreign Ministry.

A team of eight biological inspectors visited the 7 Nisan Stores, which is affiliated with the Agricultural Installations Company, according to the ministry. The stores are located in Jarf Al-Naddaf (Baghdad). Inspectors asked about pesticide storage areas, the number of staff, and if there were veterinarians on staff. "The team inspected all warehouses, verified some of the documents related to the receipt of pesticides, and photographed the agricultural sprays," the Foreign Ministry stated.

A second team of seven biological inspectors went to the Grain Inspection Laboratory belonging to the Grain Manufacturing Company (Ministry of Trade), which is located in Al-Taji. The Foreign Ministry reported that inspectors questioned "experts" about specialists and their degrees, as well as whether any employees were specialized in toxins, and whether the lab "provides biological contamination inspection." Quality control laboratories were checked, as well as warehouses and grain inspection laboratories, and the administrative building and mill belonging to the Grain Manufacturing Company, the Foreign Ministry noted.

A third team of four biological inspectors went to the Saddam Center for Biotechnology, which is affiliated with Baghdad University. Inspectors questioned the director about the center's activities, affiliations, ongoing research, and cooperation with other institutions. Computers and departments were checked, and a list of research projects was requested, according to the ministry.

A team of 17 chemical inspectors visited the Al-Furat State Company for Chemical Industries (owned by MIM) in Saddat Al-Hindiyah, Babil Governorate, some 75 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors asked about the number of production units and products produced at the company, the Foreign Ministry noted. In addition, "The team asked some technical questions about the production of rayon and inspected the rayon factory and the workshops and production units associated with maintenance, chlorine, and hydrochloric acid. The team asked questions about the capacity of these production units." Inspectors also checked computer files and "took various samples from different locations," the Foreign Ministry reported.

A joint inspection team of 16 returned to the Al-Ukhaydir Munitions Stores, located 70 kilometers south of Karbala, where inspectors took "various samples" from the warhead of a 122-millimeter Karrar rocket.

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