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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

13 MARCH 2003

       A Mosul-based joint inspection team visited a private-sector "construction materials factory and a chicken farm" which are located on the Mosul-Rubay'ah road, according to the Foreign Ministry. The inspectors toured both sites and photographed the quantities of gravel and the factory silo, the ministry stated. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) confirmed that a construction facility was inspected but did not comment on the chicken farm.
       A biological inspection team went to the Eastern Frozen Foods Company, which the Foreign Ministry identified as a private-sector firm. The inspectors questioned the company manager about the company's activities, its affiliations, production capacity, and the types of tests conducted in company laboratories. The plastic, dairy, and juice departments were inspected, as well as all other divisions and facilities belonging to the company, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC noted that the company produces dairy products, including yogurt, cheese, and ice cream.
      A second biological inspection team went to the Al-Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range to continue observing the excavation of R-400 bombs and bomb fragments, both UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry reported.
      A UNMOVIC missile inspection team returned to the Al-Taji Technical Battalion to continue overseeing the destruction of Al-Sumud 2 missiles. Three missiles and seven warheads were destroyed, according to UNMOVIC and the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC also stated that 22 fin-tail sections were destroyed, adding, "Today's action brings the total number of Al-Sumud 2 missiles and warheads destroyed since 1 March to 61 and 35 respectively."
      A second missile inspection team returned to the Al-Karamah State Company to supervise the transportation of the remaining Al-Sumud 2 missile parts to Al-Taji, the Foreign Ministry stated. Inspectors also erased the computer programs related to the Al-Sumud 2 program, the ministry added. UNMOVIC noted that inspectors destroyed Al-Sumud 2 missiles and components during their inspection before being shipped to Al-Taji.
      A third missile team returned to the Al-Mutasim Factory to tag Al-Fatah missiles. The inspectors also toured the factory's departments, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that four missiles were tagged.
      A chemical inspection team went to the Al-Nu'maniyah Company for Pickled and Canned Foods, which the Foreign Ministry stated is a private-sector firm. The inspectors questioned a company official about changes at the site in the past four years, as well as the number of factories belonging to the company and the number of staff. The inspectors toured all "divisions," the ministry added. But UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to the State Company for Canned Foods and that the facility was closed due to a holiday.
      An UNMOVIC inspector was killed during the return trip to Baghdad when the car he was traveling in hit a truck from behind, the Foreign Ministry reported. A second inspector was injured in the accident. UNMOVIC reported the accident, stated that an investigation would be conducted, adding, "The UNMOVIC colleagues' thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
      A Baghdad-based joint inspection team from UNMOVIC made an aerial reconnaissance of "the desert area" near Al-Ukhaydir Palace, south of Karbala, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry reported, adding that the reconnaissance lasted just 10 minutes. UNMOVIC stated that the team flew to "an area approximately 150 kilometers south of Baghdad," but did not elaborate.
      A Mirage IV plane conducted reconnaissance over Iraq for over one hour, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC did not comment on the Mirage IV flight.
      UNMOVIC had scheduled an interview with an Iraqi "specialist," but later cancelled the interview, the Foreign Ministry reported. UNMOVIC did not report the interview.

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