Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

4 MARCH 2003

       A chemical inspection team visited the Al-Nahrawan site belonging to the Iraqi Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). The inspectors examined a new pioneering unit and toured other departments, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) confirmed the inspection of the Al-Basil State Company at Al-Nahrawan, which is 20 kilometers south of Baghdad. No details were provided by UNMOVIC on the inspection.
      A biological inspection team visited the Ibn Firnas State Company (MIO-affiliated), where the inspectors asked about the company's activities regarding unmanned planes, including the types of planes and their sizes, the Foreign Ministry stated. The inspectors also toured factories and divisions that manufacture unmanned planes. UNMOVIC stated that the company develops and builds remote-piloted vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles. It did not elaborate on the inspection.
      A UNMOVIC missile inspection team went to the Al-Taji Technical Battalion to continue observing the destruction of Al-Sumud 2 missiles. Three missiles were destroyed as well as five missile engines and a missile-launching platform, both UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry reported.
      A second missile inspection team returned to the Al-Ma'moun Factory of the Al-Rashid State Company to observe the final stages of destruction of the second solid-fuel mold casting chamber, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the two casting chambers have now been totally destroyed.
      The same team then proceeded to Al-Qa'qa State Company to place stickers on Al-Sumud 2 warheads, the Foreign Minsitry stated. UNMOVIC did not comment on this inspection.
      A U-2 reconnaissance plane spent six hours in Iraqi air space on 4 March, the Foreign Ministry reported.
      A Baghdad-based joint inspection team conducted aerial reconnaissance over the North Oil Company, according to the Foreign Ministry. Photographs were taken. UNMOVIC confirmed the aerial surveillance of a facility belonging to the North Oil Company in Kirkuk.
      A Mosul-based joint inspection team visited the Customs Center Directorate belonging to the Ministry of Finance. A joint inspection team visited this site on 25 February. Inspectors asked customs officials about the number of storage areas and types of goods stored there, as well as the number of personnel, the Foreign Ministry stated. The inspectors also asked about "special" records and computers before touring the site, the ministry added. UNMOVIC confirmed, but did not comment on this inspection.
      The Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated that UNMOVIC had requested interviews with three Iraqi specialists. One was unavailable because he lives abroad, and a second was not interviewed because UNMOVIC would not permit the interview to be recorded. The third interview was carried out, according to the ministry. UNMOVIC confirmed that it interviewed an Iraqi scientist on 4 March, and said that a second interview could not be held because the individual "could not be contacted."
      UNMOVIC reported on 4 March that it held an interview on 3 March with a manager associated with Iraq's former chemical weapons program.
      It also confirmed that on 1 March two interviews were cancelled due to the insistence of the interviewees to either record the interview or have a witness present. UNMOVIC added that one interview was held and a yet another cancelled because the person's whereabouts were unknown (see the Iraqi Foreign Ministry's comments on these interviews, RFE/RL "Tracking Inspections," 1 March 2003).

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Tracking Inspections in Iraq