Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=02/17/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / INSPECTORS MONDAY (S)

NUMBER=2-299724

BYLINE=GREG LaMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

INTRO: Following last week's disclosure that an Iraqi missile system was capable of exceeding U-N restrictions, weapons inspectors Monday zeroed in on several missile facilities in Iraq. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte has the details from our Middle East bureau in Cairo.

TEXT: The weapons inspectors visited three facilities associated with missile production. One of the plants carries out tests on the al-Fatah missile.

Chief U-N weapons inspector Hans Blix said last week more information was needed to determine if that missile system is capable of exceeding a U-N mandated limit of 150 kilometers. It was revealed last week that another of Iraq's missiles, the al-Samoud, tested beyond the 150 kilometer limit.

Iraq declared both missile systems in its December 7th weapons declaration to the U-N Security Council.

Weapons inspectors visited at least two other production facilities involved with missile parts as well as two metal-related factories.

Weapons inspectors are now carrying out their work with a promise from Iraq to fully encourage Iraqi scientists to agree to be interviewed in private and an Iraqi concession allowing the over flights of suspected weapons sites by U-2 spy planes.

On March 1 the U-N Security Council is scheduled to receive another briefing on Iraqi compliance. (Signed)

NEB/GL/KL/KBK