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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

11 FEBRUARY 2003

      Five inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the Al-Tuwaythah site belonging to Iraq's Atomic Energy Organization. According to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, the inspectors searched the "Italian project," where inspectors checked and photographed waste basins. Inspectors also searched the "destroyed French project," the ministry stated. Radiation testing was conducted at the site. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) did not provide details on this inspection, except to note that they were "no-notice" inspections.
      Two IAEA inspectors returned to the Al-Jadiriyah Science Complex and the 17 Nisan Company where they removed the air-sampling devices installed on 8 February. UNMOVIC stated that samples were taken from the removed devices for analysis. The devices will be placed at new locations on 12 February.
      A third team of three IAEA inspectors carried out a radiological survey from the areas of Al-Bu'aythah to Al-Yusufiyah, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated. The survey included "farms on the bank of the river adjacent to the Atomic Energy Organization and military units," the ministry added. UNMOVIC stated that the radiation surveys were taken at two military bases and the surrounding areas.
      A team of 10 chemical inspectors visited the Al-Muthanna site belonging to the Al-Tariq State Company and located 50 kilometers north of Baghdad. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to Al-Muthanna to begin preparations for the destruction of 10 155-millimeter artillery shells and four plastic containers filled with mustard gas. The destruction process, UNMOVIC added, was expected to take up to five days and begin on 12 February. UNMOVIC noted that its inspectors are assisting an Iraqi team in the destruction process. "These artillery shells were scheduled to be destroyed by the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) in 1998 but the plan was halted when UNSCOM withdrew from Iraq," UNMOVIC stated. Inspectors confirmed that the shells were still stored at the site during a 4 December 2002 inspection at Al-Muthanna, UNMOVIC reported. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry confirmed that the purpose of the inspection was to prepare "to destroy [mustard] shells and to address technical matters related to the destruction process."

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