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Tracking Inspections in Iraq

RFE/L

15 MARCH 2003

       The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) stated in its daily briefing that Iraq submitted to a list of 183 individuals involved in Iraq's past chemical weapons programs on 14 March, adding, "In the 6 March UNMOVIC working document (pages 16-17)," UNMOVIC pointed out that Iraq had listed less than 132 "experts, specialists, and technicians," to use Iraq's term, as having worked in the entire chemical-weapons program. "UNMOVIC databases indicate that over 325 individuals were engaged in chemical weapons-related research or had responsible positions associated with agent production at the Muthanna State Establishment alone."
       An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection team visited the Dhu Al-Faqar Factory, belonging to the Military Industrialization Organization (MIO), where inspectors presented the factory director with a "modified weight and balance form [for] aluminum metal," the Foreign Ministry reported. The form is to be completed monthly, the ministry added. The inspectors also toured the departments and a storage area for aluminum materials. UNMOVIC stated that the factory manufactures small rocket components.
       The team then proceeded to the Al-Nasr Al-Adheem State Company to inspect a "debris yard" and "some buildings there," according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC referred to this inspection site as "Daura SEHEE," stating that its main activity is "manufacturing vessels for the oil, gas and civil industries."
      A second team of IAEA inspectors went to the Ibn Sina State Company (MIO-affiliated) to conduct a radiation survey of the company's facilities as well as the main road leading to the company, the Foreign Ministry stated. UNMOVIC stated that a car-borne radiation survey was carried out 60 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, but did not elaborate.
      A missile-inspection team returned to the Al-Taji Technical Battalion to observe the destruction of three missiles, 12 warheads, and six fuel tanks, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors observed "the destruction of three more Al-Sumud 2 missiles, one launcher, and some parts of [a] warhead and propellant tank."
      A second missile-inspection team went to the Al-Qa'qa State Company to place thermal covers on the tags on the Al-Sumud 2 missile warheads, the Foreign Ministry noted. UNMOVIC reported that inspectors tagged five Al-Fatah warheads at the Al-Qa'id Warhead Filling Plant at Al-Qa'qa.
      Chemical inspectors traveled to the Al-Dawrah Refinery, belonging to the Ministry of Oil, where inspectors questioned refinery officials about changes at the site since 1998, the nature of work at the refinery, the type of metal of the refinery towers, the divisions (units), and the number of workers, engineers, and the number of personnel holding advanced degrees. The meeting also addressed declarations on the site, according to the Foreign Ministry. UNMOVIC stated that the purpose of the inspection was to ascertain changes that have taken place at the site since 1998.
      A biological inspection team from UNMOVIC visited the storages of the Military Medical Command belonging to the Ministry of Defense. Inspectors asked the site commander about the site, its activities, and its relation to Iraqi military hospitals, as well as its sources of imports in Iraq. Inspectors also asked about the number of personnel holding higher-education degrees and if the site has possessed any dual use materials since 1998, before touring the storage areas, the Foreign Ministry added. UNMOVIC identified the site as the Al-Rashidiyah Military Store, located 25 kilometers northwest of Baghdad.
      A Baghdad-based joint inspection team visited a "the giant cannon site" in Himrin, the Foreign Ministry reported. Inspectors photographed the concrete base of the cannon and inspected the base, the ministry noted. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors flew to the Jabal Hamryn site, located about 180 kilometers north of Baghdad, but did not elaborate.
      A Mosul-based joint inspection team went to the Saddam Dam Project, where inspectors toured the storage and pumping station, as well as the stores and the lake. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to a "large underground facility west of Mosul," but did not elaborate on the inspection.
      A U-2 reconnaissance plane spent six hours over Iraq, the Foreign Ministry 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