• Military

• WMD Menu                           

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

15 FEBRUARY 2003

      The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated that eight International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the Al-Tuwaythah site affiliated with the Iraqi Atomic Energy Organization, where they inspected the destroyed Tammuz-1 reactor. A number of inspectors descended 10.5 meters into the reactor using ropes to "acquaint themselves with the nitrogen-guides of the reactor itself," the Foreign Ministry reported.
      The inspectors also inspected a building that processes radioactive waste, according to the Foreign Ministry. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that inspectors divided into two teams at the site. The first team of inspectors "inspected previously inaccessible underground chambers within the old Tammuz-1 reactor complex that had been destroyed by [Israeli] bombing in 1981." A second team of inspectors "made preparations for the removal of a small amount of natural uranium slurry, previously marked for removal in 1998, from a pit located within the facility." UNMOVIC added that the IAEA gained further knowledge of nuclear waste in Iraq from this inspection.
      A second team of three IAEA inspectors performed car-borne radiation testing at "government sites and warehouses" at Khan Dari, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the areas surveyed were the Radwan and Yarmouk facilities, located 50 kilometers west of Baghdad.
      A third IAEA inspection team of four visited a helicopter-engine repair facility that belongs to the Ministry of Defense, the Foreign Ministry reported. Inspectors asked about the types of engines that are tested and repaired at the site and whether the factory contains radioactive materials. They also inquired about the volume of electric power consumed by the factory, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC noted that the IAEA team inspected the Taji Engineering Facility, which is an aircraft motor-refurbishing facility located 15 kilometers north of Baghdad.
      A team of five biological inspectors visited Al-Anbar University's School of Agriculture in Al-Ramadi. Inspectors checked the school laboratories and the dairy factory. They also asked about research studies on plant pathology and microscopic organisms, as well as questions about the faculty and students, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC did not elaborate on this inspection.
      A second team of four biological inspectors visited the Saddam Center for Biotechnology Research at Baghdad University, where inspectors checked laboratories and equipment at the site that is scheduled to be moved elsewhere. UNMOVIC confirmed this inspection.
      The same team of inspectors visited the Chemistry Department at Saddam University. Inspectors asked about activities undertaken in the biochemical laboratory, from where the lab gets its enzyme inhibitors, and if it cooperates with hospitals, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC acknowledged but did not provide details on this inspection.
      Seven UNMOVIC missile inspectors visited the Salah Al-Din State Company, located 120 kilometers north of Baghdad. This company is an affiliate of the Iraqi Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). Inspectors questioned company officials about Al-Sumud and Al-Fatah missile parts manufactured at the site, and the structure of the company and its workers before touring the facilities, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the company manufactures fuses and printed circuit boards for missiles. The inspection sought to verify Iraqi declarations on the site.
      A team of six missile inspectors visited the Precision Foundry Plant that belongs to the 17 Nisan Company (owned by the MIO). Inspectors asked about parts manufactured at the site for the Al-Sumud missile, its turbine fans, and raw materials used in the factory as well as research and development work conducted there before inspecting workshops and other facilities, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the company manufactures parts for the Al-Sumud missile. It did not elaborate on the inspection except to say that inspectors continued to verify Iraq's declarations regarding the site and worked to establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism.
      A third team of four missile inspectors went to the Al-Nida' State Company (owned by the MIO) and questioned company representatives about Iraqi declarations on the site and "to seek clarification of the production of mixers, the materials used for the purpose," the Foreign Ministry stated. Three buildings at the site were inspected. UNMOVIC noted in its daily briefing that Al-Nida' manufactures solid propellant mixers. Inspectors continued to verify Iraqi declarations regarding the site during their inspection.
      Ten chemical inspectors traveled by helicopter to the Al-Basra Refinery, which belongs to the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. Inspectors asked about personnel at the refinery and their university degrees, new equipment procured, the number of laboratories, and changes made at the site since 1998. The inspectors also verified Iraqi declarations regarding the site and inspected laboratories, storage areas, and buildings, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC noted that this refinery is now known as the Southern Refinery Company. It did not provide details on the inspection.
      A joint team of four inspectors traveled by helicopter to meet up with a Mosul-based joint inspection team of 12 at the Al-Hadher Munitions Depot. Inspectors searched buildings, warehouses, shelters, ammunition containers and piles, as well as open areas and yards, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. Inspectors also took photographs and employed a chemical testing device to check some munitions. UNMOVIC commented on this inspection in its 16 February briefing, stating that the Mosul-based team traveled by car to meet with the Baghdad-based team, which flew from Baghdad. Inspectors covered a significant area of this 100-square-kilometer site, including around 300 storage warehouses, bunkers, brick stores, munitions dumps, and metal containers, the statement added.

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