IAEA Media Advisory
Media Advisory 2002/1512 (15 December 2002)
News Update on Iraq Inspections
UNMOVIC/IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 15 December 2002
For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.
15 December 2002 -- Two UNMOVIC teams of missile inspectors visited separate locations involved in missile activity. One team inspected the Tho Al Fekar factory, which is located about 40 km northwest of Baghdad. The factory belongs to the Al Rasheed State Company. It is concerned with the manufacture of mechanical parts for several solid propellant rockets. The other team went to the Al Mutassem Solid Rocket Plant, which is owned by the Military Industrialization Corporation. The facility is located approximately 90 km west of Baghdad and carries out the final assembly of the Ababil and Al Feta'h solid propellant rockets. Additionally, static test firings of these motors are conducted here.
The UNMOVIC chemical team continued inspection of the Al Qa Qaa complex, updating information about selected facilities, namely a sulfuric acid plant, an explosives production plant and storages. Inspection focused on a new production unit, which was built in the period between 1998 and 2002.
The UNMOVIC biological team inspected the Al Amiryah Serum and Vaccine Institute on the western outskirts of Baghdad. All buildings, including new constructions, were inspected.
Two IAEA teams carried out inspections at Al Maarik, a facility
some 20 km south of Baghdad that is involved in the manufacture
of a number of civil and military engineering projects. This site
was previously involved in the Electro-magnetic Isotope Separation
(EMIS) programme prior to 1991. The IAEA teams then proceeded to
and carried out inspections at the nearby sites of Kadessiya, a
facility providing engineering support to the military in a number
of areas, and Badr, a facility that was previously involved in the
centrifuge programme prior to 1991 and now provides general engineering
capability.
At all three sites inspections were carried out to review the activities
of personnel and departments since 1998, and to review the disposition
and use of a number of dual-purpose machine tools.
Two further IAEA teams travelled to Ramadi, approximately 100 km west of Baghdad to inspect The Glass and Ceramic Company. A Gamma Survey team, accompanying the main team, carried out measurements in the Ramadi area.
An IAEA team visited Tuwaitha and parts of North Baghdad to obtain water and silt samples for radiological analysis.
Additional information on IAEA inspections yesterday:
Yesterday the IAEA inspected Hatteen-Iskandariya, a complex south of Baghdad. This large complex houses several state companies that consist of many factories each. These diverse facilities have civilian and military missions ranging from procuring automobiles to filling ammunition and shells. The teams sampled these sites for dual-use or prohibited activities. They also inspected a new research company inside the complex.
An inspection of a military site south of Baghdad turned out to be an after dark inspection. The Mahaweel military base stores certain high explosives requiring verification by the IAEA. The team also inspected bunkers holding small ground-to-ground rockets to verify their intended use.
Current strength of inspectors:
15 additional UNMOVIC inspectors arrived in Baghdad together with some support staff, and some IAEA inspectors left. Consequently, the current strength of inspectors is 105, with 86 from UNMOVIC and 19 from the IAEA.
Hiro Ueki
Spokesman for UNMOVIC and the IAEA in Baghdad
About the IAEA
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established as an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, the IAEA carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.
Press Contacts
Marc Vidricaire
Director and Spokesperson
Division of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21270
m.vidricaire@iaea.org
Melissa Fleming
Head of Media & Outreach/Spokesperson
Div. of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21275
[43] 699-165-21275 (mobile)
m.fleming@iaea.org
NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit the IAEA's Press Section, or call the IAEA's Division of Public Information at (431) 2600-21270.