Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

17 FEBRUARY 2003

      The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducted a private interview with an Iraqi scientist on 17 February. The interview was recorded. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that the interview was with a senior engineer familiar with the procurement history of Iraq's 81-millimeter aluminum tubes.
      A team of four IAEA inspectors visited the Al-Nida' State Company. Inspectors toured the factories and warehouses and verified tagged equipment, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC described Al-Nida' as a heavy-industrial-manufacturing plant.
      A second IAEA team of four inspectors conduced a car-borne radiation survey in the Al-Dawr and Samarra' areas that included several companies, offices, and "open areas," according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC acknowledged the inspection, but did not provide details.
      Another team of four IAEA inspectors visited the Umm al-Marik State Company. Inspectors "visited one of the Company's chambers and viewed the machines at function and phases of the work," the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC referred to this as a "no-notice" inspection but did not elaborate.
      Inspectors also visited the Dhu Al-Faqar Factory and checked the thermal ovens and workshops located there. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors checked "flow forming equipment and processes."
      A team of four missile inspectors returned to the Ibn Al-Haytham and Al-Sumud missile site of the Al-Karamah State Company where they tagged Al-Sumud missiles. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to the Al-Kadimiya and Al-Sumud factories "which are involved in liquid propellant-type missile engines."
      Three missile inspectors went to the Al-Amin Factory at the Al-Rashid State Company where they questioned factory officials about Iraqi declarations for the years 2000-2002. Inspectors also toured a building that contains a large furnace. UNMOVIC noted that the factory conducts hydrostatic testing for the Al-Fatah and Al-Abour missile motor cases.
      Two missile inspectors traveled to the Al-Mutasim Airport belonging to the Iraqi Ministry of Defense. Inspectors questioned the base commander on "technical aspects" of drone planes located at the site. They also toured the bunker where the planes are kept, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC confirmed that the airport conducts flight tests for remotely piloted vehicles but did not comment further on the inspection.
      Another team of two missile inspectors visited the privately-owned Al-Asimah Company, where they questioned the company manager about "technical parts manufactured at the company" and toured the workshops, according to the Foreign Ministry. Al-Asimah manufactures parts for the Al-Fatah missile, according to UNMOVIC.
      A fifth team of five missile inspectors also traveled to Umm Al-Marik and questioned officials about the company's activities related to the production of missile parts, the company's structure, and stored materials. They also asked if the company has a casting plant, the Foreign Ministry reported. Inspectors also verified declarations on the site, inspected workshops, and checked tagged equipment. The company manufactures missile and rocket motor cases, UNMOVIC stated. Inspectors also sought to verify declarations and establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism at the site.
      A Mosul-based UNMOVIC inspection team of 10 inspectors returned to the Al-Hadher Munitions Depot to inspect dumps using a chemical-detection device, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC noted that inspectors "inspected a military site that consisted of 100 purpose-built storage bunkers and a number of temporary brick/metal and external stores," adding that the inspection focused on artillery and small-caliber munitions.
      A team of eight chemical inspectors returned to Al-Muthanna to obtain chemical samples from barrels of destroyed mustard gas, according to UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry.
      Seven chemical inspectors visited Al-Zahif Al-Kabeer to question company officials about sites affiliated with the company, as well as the company's personnel, its main activities, and whether it exports products abroad. UNMOVIC stated that the plant was established to "extract minerals and chemical compounds from mining and seawater."
      A joint UNMOVIC team of six inspectors joined chemical inspectors at Al-Zahif Al-Kabeer State Company. Inspectors reviewed records in the Marketing Department and then inspected the Engineering Department and the Research and Development Directorate, the Foreign Ministry and UNMOVIC stated.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Tracking Inspections in Iraq