IAEA Media Advisory
IAEA Media Advisory 2003/0502 (5 February 2003)
News Update on Iraq Inspections
UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 5 February 2003
For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.
5 February 2003 -- UNMOVIC sought another private interview with an Iraqi individual last evening. This individual made the appointment, accompanied by another Iraqi individual, and made suggestions to have this individual present with him during the interview. The interview therefore did not proceed.
An UNMOVIC chemical team visited the Al Riyadh stores, located approximately 20 km south of Baghdad. This site is a storage facility for several chemical and engineering companies.
An UNMOVIC missile team inspected two sites: Al Mutassim that is involved in final assembling, testing and qualification of solid propellant missiles; and Al Fateh that manufactures mechanical, guidance and control parts for the Al-Samoud missile. These inspections were conducted to verify Iraq's declarations and to establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism.
An UNMOVIC biological team inspected four sites. One team inspected the Laser and Plasma Institute located on Baghdad University campus. Currently, this institute does postgraduate teaching and research on the effects of irradiated bacteria to develop methods to treat infections. Another team inspected the Baghdad Nutrition Research Institute in Baghdad, while a third team took some samples at the State Enterprise for Dairy Products. These samples were taken from the equipment that had been previously used at the Baby Milk Factory in Abu Ghraib. A fourth team revisited the Al Noaman (Numan) Factory and inventoried a storeroom, which contained cluster bombs and components of sub-munitions.
Two UNMOVIC multidisciplinary teams, based in Baghdad and in Mosul, both inspected cement production facilities. The Baghdad team inspected the Heti Readymade Concrete, roughly 25 km west of Baghdad, and the Mosul team inspeted the Sinjar Cement Factory near Mosul.
One IAEA team inspected the Ashakyli Stores south of Baghdad. A second IAEA team held meetings at the Iraqi Nuclear Monitoring Directorate (NMD). The IAEA also participated in an UNMOVIC inspection of the Institute of Lasers and Plasma Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad.
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.