Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

5 FEBRUARY 2003

      A team of four International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the Al-Shaykhali Warehouses, which the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated are affiliated with the Iraqi Military Industrialization Organization (MIO), the Housing Ministry, the Electricity Corporation, and the Atomic Energy Organization. The warehouses are located 25 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors inspected the warehouses, and photographed and checked mechanical and electrical "spare parts" and materials, the Foreign Ministry stated. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) acknowledged but did not elaborate on this inspection.
      A second team of four IAEA inspectors undertook radiological testing in the areas of the Al-Rashid camp, the First Military College, and the Al-Rashid Air Base, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC did not mention this inspection in its daily briefing.
      Ten chemical inspectors also went to the Al-Shaykhali Warehouses. They inspected the contents of warehouses belonging to the MIO, the Housing Ministry, and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC referred to this inspection site as the Al-Riyadh Stores.
      A team of nine biological inspectors visited the Al-Nu'man State Company, where inspectors checked the contents of store no. 27. Inspectors were interested in "some fiberglass structures" in that storage area, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated in its daily briefing that the storage area contained "cluster bombs and components of sub-munitions."
      A second team of seven biological inspectors went to the Nutrition Research Institute belonging to the Iraqi Ministry of Health and located in Al-Waziriyah, Baghdad. Inspectors questioned the director about the nature of his work and the "types of illnesses he treats," the Foreign Ministry stated. Inspectors wanted to know the names of suppliers to the institute and if there was tagged equipment at the site. They also requested the names of department heads. All laboratories were searched, the ministry added. UNMOVIC did not provide details on this inspection.
      A third team of seven inspectors visited Baghdad University's Laser and Plasma Institute, where they questioned the dean about the institute's affiliations, its departments and laboratories -- and who heads them -- as well as the number of faculty and students conducting postgraduate work. Inspectors also asked if the institute possessed culture media or microscopic bacteria, the Foreign Ministry stated. The institute's laboratories, warehouses, animal house, and administration department were inspected. UNMOVIC noted that the institute "does postgraduate teaching and research on the effects of irradiated bacteria to develop methods to treat infections."
      A fourth biological team of four inspectors went to the Abu Gharib Diary Plant where they replaced missing and old tags in the Production Department and verified Iraqi declarations on the site. Inspectors also took samples from the dump, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC noted in its briefing that inspectors went to the State Enterprise for Dairy Products to take samples from equipment that had previously been used at the Abu Gharib Baby Milk Factory.
      A team of seven missile inspectors visited the Al-Mutasim Factory where they asked the director of the factory to fill out a questionnaire containing questions about activities at the site since 1998, the Foreign Ministry stated. Inspectors used a digital camera, "recording equipment," and "a device to measure dimensions" in their inspection of the missile assembly building, the ministry added. Another team consisting of three missile inspectors went to the Al-Mutasim Factory where they tagged "some new missiles" and replaced tags on older ones, the ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that the factory is "involved in final assembling, testing and qualification of solid propellant missiles."
      A second team of five missile inspectors went to the Al-Fatah Factory belonging to the Al-Karamah State Company and located in Al-Taji. Inspectors verified declarations related to the missile control and guidance systems. They also inspected the warehouse and "a building," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC noted that the factory "manufactures mechanical, guidance and control parts for the Al-Sumud missile."
      UNMOVIC added that inspections at the two above-mentioned sites "were conducted to verify Iraq's declarations and to establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism."
      A joint UNMOVIC team of five inspectors traveled to a ground fill area belonging to the Baghdad Municipality in Al-Taji, and the "Al-Hayti Private Cement Company," located nearby. Inspectors observed a ground filling operation and questioned the deputy director of the cement factory about the ownership of a concrete-maker. They also asked whether the factory stores chemical materials and if chemical materials are added to concrete produced at the site, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC referred to this site as the Hayti Ready-Made Concrete Factory.
      A second, Mosul-based joint inspection team of 11 visited the Sinjar Cement Factory belonging to MIM. Inspectors asked the factory's director about the "former and present name of the factory," its ownership, and employees. UNMOVIC did not provide details on this inspection.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Tracking Inspections in Iraq