Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

3 MARCH 2003

      The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that a technical meeting was held between Iraqi officials and UNMOVIC on 2 March at the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. The meeting addressed Iraqi proposals for the quantitative verification of anthrax and VX that Iraq claims to have unilaterally destroyed "at specific locations." "Iraq indicated that it would soon provide UNMOVIC with their proposed approaches," UNMOVIC reported.
      UNMOVIC also noted that inspectors performed a night-time inspection of the Al-Furat State Company, located 80 kilometers south of Baghdad. "This is a chemical factory with production lines working in shifts," UNMOVIC reported. The Foreign Ministry did not comment on this inspection.
      An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team visited the Al-Sirat State Company for Trade. The inspectors questioned company officials about the company's mission, branches, personnel, and whether it has agreements with the Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). The team also inspected contracts and computers, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC said that inspectors went to a "state-owned trading company" located in Baghdad, but did not elaborate on the inspection.
      A second IAEA team went to the Al-Mafakhir Company for Commercial Agencies and Exports Ltd. The inspectors questioned the manager about the company's activities and affiliations, including contracts with the MIO, personnel and administrative structure, before touring the departments and reviewing documents, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to a private trading company but did not offer details on the inspection.
      A third IAEA team carried out a car-borne radiation survey at the Ibn Sina Company (MIO-affiliated), which included the facilities and courtyards, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC reported that the survey took place near the town of Tarmiya.
      A UNMOVIC biological inspection team returned to the Al-Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range. The team "numbered some of the shells, obtained samples, and calculated the total number of shells at the site," the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC confirmed the inspection.
      A second biological team went to the Mabayn Al-Nahrayn (Mesopotamia) State Company for Seeds, an affiliate of the Ministry of Agriculture, according to the Foreign Ministry. The inspectors questioned the manager about the company's date of establishment, its activities, departments, and relationship to other research centers before touring the departments and laboratories. The inspectors also asked about seed testing, the Foreign Ministry added. UNMOVIC acknowledged but did not provide details on this inspection.
      A Mosul-based joint inspection team traveled by helicopter to Mosul University where they went to the College of Science. The team asked college officials about the location of some laboratories, and about teaching staff and students, before touring laboratories and departments, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that the Biology Department was inspected.
      A chemical inspection team visited the National Company for Chemical and Plastic Industries, which the Foreign Ministry identified as a private-sector company. The team asked company officials about production, as well as raw materials and types of metals used in production. The team also toured the administrative and production facilities, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the company produces "plasticizer to be used as a raw material in plastic granule and artificial leather production."
      A second chemical team went to Al-Muthanna to supervise the ongoing destruction of mustard gas-filled artillery shells, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors observed the destruction of 14 empty 155-millimeter artillery shells. Ten of the shells had contained mustard gas. UNMOVIC also stated that the mustard gas is being neutralized.
      UNMOVIC missile inspectors returned to the Al-Taji Technical Battalion to oversee the destruction of six Al-Sumud missiles and two Al-Sumud warheads, the ministry noted. UNMOVIC confirmed the inspection and added that the total number of missiles destroyed in the first three days is 16.
      A second missile inspection team went to the Al-Karamah State Company in Al-Waziriyah, as well as the Ibn Al-Haytham and Al-Sumud factories, the Foreign Ministry reported. The purpose of the inspection, the ministry added, was to verify that production of the Al-Sumud 2 missiles had ceased. The inspectors also verified the missile systems and parts.
      Missile inspectors also visited the Al-Ma'moun Factory belonging to the Al-Rashid State Company, where they observed the final stages of the destruction of a second casting chamber, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC confirmed that inspectors observed the first stage of destruction for the second casting chamber, and added that inspectors also oversaw the remaining destruction work of the first casting chamber. The second casting chamber destruction will be completed on 4 March.
      Inspectors also went to the Al-Qa'qa State Company to place thermal protective tape on the seals of the Al-Sumud 2 warheads, according to the Foreign Ministry.       A Baghdad-based joint inspection team went to a missile arsenal belonging to the Ministry of Defense. The inspectors questioned the arsenal commander about site plots, arsenal activities, connections to civilian bodies, and whether there is a maintenance unit, as well as the number of personnel, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to a "storage facility for anti-aircraft missile parts" located approximately 60 kilometers from Baghdad.
      A Mosul-based joint inspection team went to the Al-Ramah Company for the Production of Spray Irrigation Systems, Ltd., which the Foreign Ministry identified as a private-sector firm. Inspectors asked the manager about products, users, raw materials used in production, and suppliers. The administration building and factory were inspected, the ministry added. UNMOVIC reported that the team inspected a construction area that is connected to spray irrigation systems.
      The Iraqi Foreign Ministry also reported that a UNMOVIC team led by Dimitri Perricos attempted to fly to Irbil on 3 March, but turned back after being banned from entering the city. UNMOVIC did not comment on the incident.
      UNMOVIC conducted two private interviews on 3 March, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that one interview was conducted with an Iraqi scientist.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Tracking Inspections in Iraq