IAEA Media Advisory

Media Advisory 2002/2012 (20 December 2002)

News Update on Iraq Inspections

UNMOVIC/IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 20 December 2002

For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.

20 December 2002 -- An UNMOVIC chemical team inspected the Tuwaitha Industrial Chemical Research Centre. Even though it was a Muslim day of rest and there was only a guard at the Centre, the site was made available to full inspection. All managers of the departments of the Centre, who arrived shortly after the inspection began, briefed the UNMOVIC team about the current activities of their departments.

Two IAEA teams requested access to a facility during non-standard hours at the former Tuwaitha nuclear complex. The complex now conducts civilian research in the non-nuclear field. They observed work-shift levels during this non-work day period.

They also inspected the Shakyli stores during a non-work day. Shakyli is a store for dual-use equipment from the past Iraqi nuclear programme.

They also carried out environmental gamma radiation surveys in the area.

Two UNMOVIC inspectors arrived in Baghdad yesterday, bringing the total number of inspectors to 115. The breakdown of inspectors is 96 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

Ayhan Evrensel
Acting Head, Media and Outreach Section
Division of Public Information
[43-1] 2600-21271
[43] 699-165-21271 (mobile)
a.evrensel@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.