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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

2 MARCH 2003

      According to the Foreign Ministry, the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) requested a private interview with an Iraqi specialist who currently works in the private sector. UNMOVIC had requested an interview with the specialist on an earlier occasion but the interview was cancelled due to his request to tape the session. This time, when the Foreign Ministry informed the man of UNMOVIC's request for an interview, he refused to meet with UNMOVIC, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC said that the interview was requested with an Iraqi engineer, but he was not available on 2 March.
      A Mirage plane conducted reconnaissance over Iraq for a period of three hours, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC did not comment on the flight.
      An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team carried out a car-borne radiation survey at the Al-Taji Second Camp, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC confirmed that a survey was carried out north of Baghdad.
      Another IAEA team went to the Al-Basha'ir Trading Company, where they toured all departments, examining and photographing files and computers. The inspectors also questioned the acting director about the company's activities and structure, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to a "private trading company" in central Baghdad, but did not name the site.
      A chemical inspection team went to the Al-Tariq State Company's Chlorine Factory in order to tour the facilities. The inspectors also asked about the factory's electrical distribution layout, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC stated that the inspectors went to Al-Falluja II to perform a routine monitoring inspection. It did not elaborate.
      A team of biological inspectors went to a "hand grenade destruction site" in Al-Aziziyah where they took extracted samples of hand grenades and shrapnel, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors returned to Al-Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range where they gathered samples from three intact R-400 bombs and collected additional fragments of other bombs.
      A joint inspection team from UNMOVIC toured an air-defense position and met with a commander to inquire about the unit's activities, missile maintenance, and storage techniques, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC reported that the team went to a SA-2 support facility that is engaged in the final assembly of SA-2 missiles "before they are delivered to operational units."
      A missile inspection team went to the Al-Taji Technical Battalions to observe the destruction of six Al-Sumud 2 missiles, both the Foreign Ministry and UNMOVIC reported.
      A second missile inspection team returned to the Al-Ma'moun Factory to observe the destruction of a solid-fuel mold, the ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors observed the destruction of a casting chamber at Al-Mutasim.

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