IK/160
16 December 1993
SPECIAL COMMISSION COMPLETES AERIAL SURVEY OF RADIOACTIVE EMISSIONS
FROM FIVE NEW IRAQI SITES
The following was received from the Special Commission set up under
Security Council resolution 687 (1991) in connection with the disposal of
Iraq's weapons of mass destruction:
The Special Commission has completed a second survey in Iraq to plot the
location of gamma emissions, in particular those above normal local background
levels. The survey was conducted using sensors mounted on the Commission's
helicopters. The purpose of the mission was to obtain more detailed
information on the emissions from certain areas covered during the first such
survey last September and to investigate new areas.
Gamma radiation is emitted from many types of radioactive materials. The
aerial surveys will serve to verify that the radio-elements identified and
their locations are fully consistent with Iraq's declaration of its nuclear
programme. The surveys will also identify any areas which require further
investigation. The final results of those investigations will give the
Commission an account of the nature and level of emission at each site
investigated. Future missions will then be able to detect any changes in the
level of radiation.
Major changes in emission levels might be indicative of movements of
radioactive materials, which should be subject to monitoring and verification
under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)'s plan to monitor Iraq's
compliance with its obligations not to re-acquire nuclear capability.
A total of five new sites were surveyed during this mission, bringing to
seven the total number of sites so surveyed. Those sites were in and around
municipal Baghdad and in central and north-western Iraq.
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