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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

23 FEBRUARY 2003

       A team of three International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors went to the Al-Muthanna site of the Al-Tariq State Company affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Industrial Organization (MIO), where missile inspectors have been working for days to destroy warheads filled with mustard gas. The inspectors conduced a radiation survey of "all the site's streets and buildings, and obtained coordinates for the site," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that inspectors performed a car-borne radiation survey of the site.
      A team of six chemical inspectors visited the Al-Muruj Company for Perfumes. The Foreign Ministry states that this is a private-sector company located in Al-Karadah Kharij. Inspectors questioned the manager about the company's date of establishment, its sources for raw materials, the products produced at the site, personnel, and activities conducted since 1998, the Foreign Ministry added. The inspectors also asked whether there is a quality-control lab at the site. UNMOVIC acknowledged the inspection, but did not provide details.
      A team of six missile inspectors visited the Al-Qadisiyah State Company (MIO-affiliated), which was visited a day earlier by IAEA inspectors. The inspectors questioned the manager about missile-related devices manufactured at the site. Inspectors also toured the workshops, and other sections, taking photo documentation, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the company produces heat-resistant components for several missile systems. It did not comment on the inspection activities.
      A second team of five missile inspectors went to the Al-Milad State Company (MIO-affiliated) in Al-Yusufiyah, 25 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors questioned company representatives about the missiles' guidance and control system and technology used by the company. They also verified information obtained during a previous inspection and asked about sources that "imported the missile guidance and control system and the system's technical specifications," the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the Al-Milad facility "is involved in the guidance and control systems of the Al-Fatah missile," but did not comment on the actual inspection.
      A group of three missile inspectors went to the Al-Rafah Site of the Al-Karamah State Company (MIO-affiliated), located 75 kilometers west of Baghdad. Inspectors observed and documented a static test of the Al-Sumud missile, according to the UNMOVIC and the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
      A team of six biological inspectors visited the Mosul University College of Veterinary Medicine and questioned the dean about the Microbiology Department, its staff, ongoing research, animal testing, other college departments and their staff, and the Veterinary College's funding sources, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that this was a multidisciplinary/biological inspection.
      A second biological team of six inspectors visited the Ninawa Food Industry Company, which the Foreign Ministry refers to as a private company. Inspectors questioned company officials about when the company decided to produce 7-Up soft drink instead of alcoholic beverages. They also asked about staff and company engineers, as well as production capacity, and verified declarations on the site during their tour, the ministry reported. UNMOVIC acknowledged but did not provide details on this inspection.
      A joint UNMOVIC inspection team of 13 inspectors went to the Al-Fatah Factory belonging to the Hittin State Company (MIO-affiliated), located 75 kilometers south of Baghdad, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors questioned the factory manager about the site's name, its activities, the sources that benefit from its production, personnel, raw materials used at the site, and expansion plans, the Foreign Ministry noted. Inspectors toured the facilities, including areas under construction, using an "X-ray scanning device," the ministry stated. UNMOVIC reported that the inspection took place at the Karbala Ammunition Filling Plant, also known as the Tarbook State Company. The statement added that the "large facility" fills "various types of conventional ammunitions" for the Ministry of Defense.

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