Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

3 FEBRUARY 2003

      International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors continued radiation surveys around Baghdad on 3 February. A team of three inspectors checked the areas surrounding the Iraqi Company for Seed Production, the Al-Suwayrah Technical Factory (a public/private company), a private poultry company, a fish hatchery affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture, a military unit, and the Salman Bak area, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) acknowledged but did not explain this inspection.
      A second team of seven IAEA inspectors went to the Ibn Al-Haytham site belonging to the Al-Karamah State Company of the Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). Inspectors photographed and checked tagged equipment, searched all warehouses, and photographed the outer gate of the site, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC noted that this inspection included "a facility formerly known as the [Military Industrialization Organization] stores" in Taji.
      A team of six missile inspectors went to the Al-Qa'qa State Company where they searched the Martyr Majid Factory and questioned the director of the factory about "the process to produce compound fuel." Inspectors also searched and checked tagged equipment in buildings housing compressors, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the company "produces double-base solid propellant for missiles."
Another group of four missile inspectors went to the Al-Salam State Company 20 kilometers north of Baghdad (of the MIO) where they asked scientists about company activities before searching research laboratories and electronic workshops. UNMOVIC stated that the company designs and produces rocket fuse timers.
      A third team of four missile inspectors visited the Sa'd State Company, located in Karadat Maryam (Baghdad). The company is an affiliate of the MIO. The inspectors questioned the director-general and "some specialists" before searching an unnamed department, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC reported that the company "is involved in designing missile-producing equipment."
      Ten missile inspectors went to the Al-Quds Factory of the Al-Karamah State Company where they questioned the factory director about products produced there. Inspectors then searched the quality-control laboratory as well as the control and guidance department, the ministry reported. Inspectors also checked tags and semiannual declarations, the ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the factory is "involved in research, design, assembly, and testing of guidance and control systems."
      A team of seven biological inspectors visited the Al-Nida' State Company in Al-Za'faraniyah (Baghdad). Inspectors questioned the director-general about molds produced at the site before searching an open yard outside the company's fence. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated that the yard belongs to the Al-Nu'man Factory and "contains diverse metallic containers."
      Another team of seven biological inspectors went to the Al-Kindi Medical College at Baghdad University where they questioned the college dean on various departments, including the Tropical Diseases Unit, and asked about the operations of this unit and the number of those in the department holding advanced degrees, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported. Inspectors checked this research unit, which is located in Al-Jadiriyah.
      A third group of nine biological inspectors traveled to the "abandoned site of the Al-Salam Factory" in Salman Bak. The Foreign Ministry noted that a military unit occupies this site at the moment. Inspectors checked abandoned buildings and an "old laboratory" building. Inspectors also "surveyed the projects and photographed the rations warehouse of the military unit," the ministry added.
      Finally, five biological inspectors went to Baghdad Technology University's Applied Sciences Department where they asked the department head about the Biochemical Technology Division, its faculty members, and the courses they teach, as well as the date that the department opened. The Chemical Technologies Department's laboratories were also searched.
      Fourteen chemical inspectors searched the Arab Company for Chemical Detergents in Bayji, which is a public/private sector company. Inspectors asked about personnel at the company, as well as changes there since 1998. The company's production sites were surveyed and inspectors took seven samples (type unspecified) from the site. UNMOVIC stated the company is also known as ARADET, adding that it "is a facility for raw materials, which are used to produce detergents."
      Aerial reconnaissance continued on 3 February over the Bayji Refinery and the State Company for Detergents. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated that the Bayji Refinery and the Arab Company for Chemical Detergents were photographed.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Tracking Inspections in Iraq