Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

24 FEBRUARY 2003

       A team of two International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited several Iraqi sites to "verify if (Inko) magnets are used at these sites and companies," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported. The sites are: the Al-Karamah State Company, the Al-Fatah site, Al-Razi State Company (formerly called Taji Laser, according to UNMOVIC), and the Al-Yarmouk State Company. Inspectors inquired as to where the magnets were used at the sites and asked who installed them, the ministry added. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) confirmed the inspections but did not refer to Al-Fatah.
      Three IAEA inspectors visited the Al-Milad State Company, which is an affiliate of the Iraqi Military Industrialization Organization (MIO), located 25 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors also inquired about the number and location of magnets at this site, as well as their specifications and if there are "original plans" for them, the Foreign Ministry stated. Inspectors also visited a radar research center at the same company, the ministry added. UNMOVIC confirmed that inspectors visited the site.
      A third team of three IAEA inspectors performed a car-borne radiation survey in an area approximately 20 kilometers southwest of Baghdad, UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry stated.
      A group of 10 UNMOVIC biological inspectors visited a bomb destruction site in Al-Aziziyah, the Foreign Ministry reported. The inspectors asked about bombs extracted from the site as well as the locations where bombs are buried, the number of digging sites, what the bombs were filled with, if anything, before they were destroyed, and chemical materials used to destroy the bombs, the ministry stated, adding that the digging sites were photographed during the inspection. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors visited an "airfield and munitions testing range site" located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Baghdad to inspect munitions fragments at an old destruction site.
      A Mosul-based biological inspection team of eight inspectors visited the Mosul University College of Engineering where they questioned college officials about the date in which the environmental laboratory was established as well as about ongoing research, and the types of biological and chemical inspection tests conducted on drinking water and sewage performed there. Inspectors also asked about personnel, funding sources, and cooperative projects with other establishments, the Foreign Ministry noted, adding that environmental labs were toured during the inspection. UNMOVIC stated that the inspectors went to the Environmental Engineering Laboratory, which is part of the Department of Civil Engineering at Mosul University. The lab conducts chemical and microbiological analysis on environmental water samples, UNMOVIC confirmed.
      A team of seven chemical inspectors visited the Baghdad Institute of Technology, which the Foreign Ministry states is an affiliate of the Ministry of Higher Education. Inspectors questioned the dean about the institute's scientific departments, teaching staff, and students, types of research, and the institute's relations with other establishments, as well as its relation to the MIO. UNMOVIC reported that this was a rebaselining inspection.
      The same team of inspectors also visited the Technology College, which is affiliated with the Technical Education Department, according to the Foreign Ministry. Inspectors asked the dean about the study program, teaching staff, departments, and affiliations, and about the college's relations to other colleges and ministries, including whether the college had ties to the Ministry of Defense, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC did not mention visiting the college by name, but it is likely that the inspection was part of the above-mentioned rebaselining inspection by UNMOVIC.
      A team of four missile inspections visited the Al-Mutasim Factory of the Al-Rashid State Company (MIO-affiliated), located approximately 80 kilometers south of Baghdad. Inspectors asked factory officials about missile components manufactured at the site as well as "the method of conducting electrical inspection of the missiles," quality control measures, and the type of fuel used. Inspectors toured the factory buildings and tagged some equipment and missiles at the site, the Foreign Ministry added. The factory performs final assembly "testing and qualification" of solid propellant missiles.
      A second team of four missile inspectors went to the Al-Izz State Company (MIO-affiliated), which the Foreign Ministry states is located seven kilometers north of Baghdad. Inspectors questioned the company manager about company projects, as well as the missile guidance and control activities, research and development, and future plans for the company, before touring the facilities, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC stated that the company refurbishes electronic equipment.
      Three missile inspectors visited the Al-Harith State Company (MIO-affiliated) located some 50 kilometers north of Baghdad to tag Volka missiles located there and tour missile maintenance workshops, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors tagged SA-2 missiles that had undergone routine maintenance.
      A fourth team of two missile inspectors visited the Al-Qaid Factory at the Al-Qa'qa State Company to tag a 300-gallon mixing pot and to measure its dimensions, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the factory fills warheads. It did not elaborate on the inspection.
      The same team of inspectors also visited the Al-Rashid State Company, where they questioned company officials about declarations on the site. UNMOVIC noted that the company is involved in the production and design of solid-propellant missiles.
      A Mosul-based joint inspection team of five inspected an unnamed military site, which the Foreign Ministry identified as "a communication battalion and a supply and transport post" affiliated with the Ministry of Defense. The facilities, including bunkers and fuel storage sites, were inspected. UNMOVIC stated that the team went to "two sites related to the Mosul Airfield." It confirmed the inspection of bunkers and shelters.
      UNMOVIC stated that the sites are associated with missiles and small arms and confirmed that the purpose of the inspection was to "investigate their use of high strength magnets."

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Tracking Inspections in Iraq