Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

6 MARCH 2003

      An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team went to the Sa'd State Company, which is affiliated with the Iraqi Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). The inspectors questioned the manager about the company's activities, its affiliates, and current projects, according to the Foreign Ministry. The inspectors also wanted to know if the company carries out projects for the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, as well as if there are any joint projects with the Al-Qa'qa State Company, the ministry noted. Company files and computers were checked during the inspection. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that inspectors "performed a detailed review of a new factory that Sa'd is designing."
      A second IAEA inspection team went to the Abd Al-Majid Al-Hudaythi Import-Export Company, which the Foreign Ministry states is a private company. The inspectors examined company files and copied the hard drive of a company computer during a tour that included all departments, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC confirmed that IAEA inspectors went to a private trading company, located in the Mansur district of Baghdad, but did not elaborate on the inspection.
      A third team from the IAEA carried out a car-borne radiation survey of the Hammad Shihab Military Hospital, the Military Medical Stores belonging to the Defense Ministry, and the Al-Husayniyah residential area, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the IAEA performed a radiation survey in north Baghdad. It did not provide details on the inspection.
      A biological inspection team visited the Al-Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range to take soil and shell samples, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC confirmed that inspectors went to the site to obtain samples from the R-400 bombs being excavated at the site.
      The team then went to a "facility for drying corn," which the Foreign Ministry states is affiliated with the Ma Bain Al-Nahrayn Company and the Ministry of Agriculture. The inspectors asked about the facility's date of establishment, about trucks entering the site, as well as about the facility's relation to the company's headquarters in Abu Gharib. The inspectors opened "four containers" -- some of which contain seed-sifting equipment used by a factory in Al-Aziziyah. The factory is currently under construction, the Foreign Ministry noted.
      The team then proceeded to the above-mentioned factory to view ongoing construction and to ask about the construction timetable, the ministry added. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to two facilities near Al-Aziziyah that belong to the Mesopotamia (Ma Bain Al-Nahrayn) State Company for Seeds, but it did not provide details on the inspections.
      An UNMOVIC missile-inspection team returned to the Al-Taji Technical Battalion to observe the destruction of six Al-Sumud 2 missiles, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC confirmed the destruction, adding that 34 missiles have been destroyed thus far.
      A second missile inspection team went to the Al-Mutasim Factory belonging to the Al-Rashid State Company (MIO-affiliated) to watch the final destruction of casting chambers, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the inspectors observed the final concrete encasing of the two destroyed casting chambers.
      The team then reportedly proceeded to the Al-Qa'qa State Company to tag Al-Sumud 2 warheads located there. UNMOVIC did not mention this visit.
      A third missile-inspection team went to the Al-Sumud Factory at the Al-Karamah State Company to inspect factory buildings and departments "to verify that they are not related to the Al-Sumud 2 missiles," the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that the purpose of the visit was to inventory spare parts and components for the Al-Sumud 2 missile.
      A chemical inspection team flew to the Akashat Mine, which is an affiliate of the State Company for Phosphates. Inspectors met with the site manager and asked about personnel and their education levels, as well as about changes at the site since 1998, laboratory activities, and the quarters that use mine production, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors visited the mine, stating that the mine provides raw materials to the Al-Qa'im Fertilizer Plant.
      A Baghdad-based joint inspection team performed aerial reconnaissance. The team videotaped and photographed an "an open area" near the Badush Dam as well as the Sinjan Cement Factory and neighboring areas (the team also used thermal cameras), the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that aerial surveillance was performed over three sites in the northern No-Fly Zone.
      A Mirage IV plane conducted aerial surveillance for 2 1/2 hours over undisclosed areas, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC did not comment.       A Mosul-based joint inspection team visited the North Oil Company where inspectors asked about the company, its affiliates, products, and funding sources. The inspectors also checked a storage area using a chemical-detection device, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC confirmed this inspection stating that the company produces different kinds of gases and sulphur.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Tracking Inspections in Iraq