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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

18 FEBRUARY 2003

      The Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) held private interviews with two Iraqi scientists on 18 February. Both interviews were recorded. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that the interviews were with scientists previously involved in Iraq's former gas centrifuge enrichment program.
      A team of four IAEA inspectors visited the Al-Tahadi State Company belonging to the Military Industrialization Organization (MIO) to inspect the electromagnetic laboratory building, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors also conduced radiation testing in other buildings at the site and inquired about production. UNMOVIC did not provide details on the inspection except to note that the company is an electronics facility.
      A second team of four inspectors visited Al-Nasr Al-Adheem State Company, where they inspected all facilities and asked about new buildings currently under construction at the site, as well as equipment produced there, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that this company was formerly known as "Daura SEHEE."
      The Foreign Ministry stated that three IAEA inspectors conducted a car-borne radiation survey in the following areas: Al-Kadimiya, Sabea Abkar, and Hay Al-Rabea. The survey included farms, government offices, streets, and public areas, the ministry added. UNMOVIC stated the survey took place in the Al-Mansour and Rashdiya districts of Baghdad.
      A team of eight chemical inspectors visited the Dar Al-Salam Company, which the Iraqi Foreign Ministry states is a private-sector company, located 40 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors inquired about the structure of the company as well as production before observing the production process, the ministry added. The company reportedly produces sulfuric acid. UNMOVIC stated that this was a rebaselining inspection.
      A group of 19 chemical inspectors returned to Al-Muthanna to continue the destruction of mustard gas but could not proceed due to bad weather, according to UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry.
      Five missile inspectors visited a military site to tag Al-Sumud missiles, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to "the location of some deployed Al-Sumud 2 missiles." It did not elaborate on the inspection.
      Three missile inspectors returned to the Ibn Al-Haytham site to tag Al-Sumud missiles, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC refers to this site as Al-Kadimiya, and states that the factory performs "final assembly" of the Al-Sumud 2 missile.
      A team of two inspectors visited the Al-Qa'qa State Company to inquire about activities at the site since 1998, as well as the structure of the Al-Khalid Factory, and the missile-filling processes for the Al-Sumud and Al-Fatah missiles. Inspectors toured the workshops where warheads are filled. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to the Al-Qaid Factory where Al-Sumud 2 warheads are filled.
      A fourth team of three missile inspectors went to the Al-Harith State Company to inquire about the company's role in the manufacture of the Al-Sumud and Al-Fatah missiles, and to check declarations on the site. UNMOVIC reiterated that the company is involved in research and development "of a missile with the engine and gyroscope similar to those of the Al-Sumud 2 warheads."
      A fifth team of two inspectors went to the Al-Radhwan State Company (an affiliate of the MIO), located 25 kilometers west of Baghdad. Inspectors asked about missile parts manufactured at the site and checked declarations. UNMOVIC noted that inspectors continued to verify declarations and to tag missile components at the site.
      A team of nine biological inspectors visited the Al-Qadisiyah Dairy Factory 180 kilometers south of Baghdad, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors asked about personnel and microbiologists at the factory, as well as about refrigerated vehicles owned by the factory, and refrigerated storage areas. Inspectors also wanted to know about production and laboratory experiments, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC acknowledged but did not provide details on this inspection.
      A Baghdad-based joint inspection team of six met with officials of the Al-Mansour State Company and asked about the company's activities, suppliers, and equipment seals before touring laboratories, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC identified this site as the Al-Mansour Electric Company but did not comment on the inspection.
      The six inspectors also visited the Sa'd State Company to conduct a radiation survey on the first floor of the company. Inspectors also took measurements of the building's exterior, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors plan to conduct a geophysical survey at this mechanical engineering and design center.

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