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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

12 MARCH 2003

       An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team visited the Saddam Center for Cancer and Medical Genetics Research, where inspectors asked about the center's operations, including whether it uses radioactive sources to treat cancer, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated that the inspection was related to the center's use of radioisotopes, but did not elaborate.
      The same inspection team went to the Saddam Neuroscience Center, which belongs to the Ministry of Health. The Foreign Ministry reported that the purpose of the inspection was to verify "the arrival of a device used in treating brain cancer that contains radioactive sources." The inspectors reportedly asked about the source of the device and how one operates it. UNMOVIC noted that the inspection was related to the center's use of radioisotopes, but did not elaborate.
      The team then toured the Gamma Radio Surgical Theater and received a briefing on "the device and its uses," the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC did not mention this inspection in its daily briefing.
      A UNMOVIC missile inspection team returned to the Al-Taji Technical Battalion, where inspectors supervised the destruction of three Al-Sumud 2 missiles, according to both UNMOVIC and the Iraqi Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC also stated that 58 Al-Sumud 2 missiles have been destroyed to date.
      A second missile inspection team returned to the Al-Karamah State Company (Al-Waziriyah Plant), which is affiliated with the Iraqi Military Industrialization Organization (MIO). The inspectors continued inventorying Al-Sumud 2 missile parts and components. The destroyed parts were then transported to Al-Taji, according to UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry. The inspectors also destroyed the designs and sketches of the Al-Sumud 2 missile and erased the programs in the computers for these missiles, the Foreign Ministry reported.
      A third missile inspection team headed for the Al-Mutasim Factory, an affiliate of the Al-Rashid State Company, but turned back before arriving, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC did not comment.
      A UNMOVIC chemical inspection team visited the Dhat Al-Sawari State Company for Chemical Industries, an affiliate of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals (MIM), where inspectors asked company officials about the types of products produced at the company, the number of factories owned by the company, and about the company's relations to other companies, the Foreign Ministry stated. Inspectors also asked if the company has relations with the MIO before touring the facilities and divisions, the ministry added. UNMOVIC stated that the company produces fiberglass materials and manufactures fiberglass products, adding that inspectors checked the company headquarters and production facilities.
      An UNMOVIC biological inspection team went to the Iraqi Dairy and Refreshment Production Company, a private firm. The inspectors toured the company and questioned the company director about its operations, products, number of employees, and the types of laboratory tests performed at the company, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that it produces derivatives of milk, including cream cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
      A second team of biological inspectors visited the Baghdad Juice Production Company, where they asked company officials about "when operations were suspended and when they resumed," whether the company has a quality-control laboratory, and the types of laboratory tests conducted, as well as the number of staff. The inspectors toured the departments and storage areas, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the company is located in southeast Baghdad and produces orange- and grape-flavored drinks.
      A Baghdad-based joint inspection team visited an unnamed missile battalion, where inspectors questioned a battalion officer about technical equipment used by the battalion and the "explicit name of this unit," before touring the unit, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC did not comment on the inspection except to say that inspectors went to a missile military unit north of Baghdad.
      UNMOVIC conducted a private interview with an Iraqi specialist, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC stated that the individual had participated in the unilateral destruction of chemical precursors at the former Muthanna State Company in 1991. "This was the 10th private interview, which UNMOVIC conducted since 28 February. During this period, UNMOVIC was unable to interview five individuals in private due to a condition they insisted on," UNMOVIC stated.

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