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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

27 FEBRUARY 2003

       A team of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors visited the State Company for Electrical Industries in Al-Waziriyah, an affiliate of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MIM). The inspectors toured the facilities and verified tagged equipment and seals, the Foreign Ministry reported. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that the facility is a small motors and electrical-appliances manufacturer located in Baghdad.
      A second IAEA team went to the Al-Saqlawiyah Project Warehouses, which the Foreign Ministry states are affiliated with the Al-Qa'qa State Company. UNMOVIC did not mention this inspection in its daily briefing.
      The team also visited a desert area in the Al-Anbar Governorate and the Al-Tariq State Company, where it carried out car-borne radiation surveys, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that the IAEA carried out car-borne radiation surveys in industrial areas but did not provide details.
      A UNMOVIC team of missile inspectors went to the David Brothers Company, which the Foreign Ministry stated is a private firm. Inspectors questioned the office manager about contracts signed between the company and Iraq's Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). The inspectors reviewed the contracts and examined an office computer, the Foreign Ministry added. UNMOVIC stated that the inspection was related to an Iraqi declaration concerning "a supplier of specialized missile equipment," adding that the company supplies electronic equipment and mechanical components for missiles and conducts research and development of the remote piloted vehicle.
      A team of biological inspectors visited the Center for the Production and Research of Veterinary Medicine (MIM-affiliated). The team questioned officials at the center about its research projects and any joint cooperation activities with other sectors, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC did not mention this inspection.
      A second biological team returned to the Al-Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range where the Iraqis are excavating destroyed missiles. The inspectors observed the excavation and examined the munitions and fragments that were extracted. The fragments were weighed and the munitions were counted, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC acknowledged that inspectors observed the excavation of R-400 aerial bombs and bomb fragments.
      A UNMOVIC chemical team returned to Al-Muthanna to observe the drilling and emptying of 155-millimeter shells by the Iraqis, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC said it supervised "the successful drilling of eight remaining artillery shells filled with mustard gas as well as the detoxification of mustard taken from the shells."
      A team of chemical inspectors went to the Northern Refineries in Bayji. Inspectors asked about personnel, departments, and changes made by the company since 1998 before touring the warehouses, water-treatment plant, and the central-control unit, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC acknowledged the inspection, but did not provide details.
      UNMOVIC stated that a joint inspection team performed an aerial surveillance "over and around two large sites situated west and southwest of Baghdad." The sites "correspond to the facilities which were involved in chemical and biological research and development in the past." The Iraqi Foreign Ministry did not mention the aerial surveillance. UNMOVIC also confirmed that the first Mirage IV surveillance operation was carried out on 26 February.

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