IAEA Media Advisory

IAEA Media Advisory 2003/0503 (5 March 2003)

News Update on Iraq Inspections

UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 5 March 2003

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

5 March 2003 -- An UNMOVIC missile team supervised the destruction of 9 more Al Samoud 2 missiles. Another missile team observed the concrete casing of the two destroyed casting chambers.

UNMOVIC conducted a private interview with an Iraqi scientist this afternoon.

An UNMOVIC chemical team returned to the Al Muthanna site and supervised the final disposal of the neutralized mustard. A second chemical team inspected two plants in the Al Qa Qaa complex.

An UNMOVIC biological team returned to the Al Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range to supervise a further excavation of R-400 bombs. A second biological team visited the Bashair Trading Company in Baghdad to assess their involvement in the acquisition of mobile laboratory facilities. A third biological team inspected the Samarra East Airfield about 90km north of Baghdad. This site is used for the flight-testing of remote piloted vehicles (RPVs).

A Mosul-based multidisciplinary team inspected Salahaddin University in Irbil. Another team inspected the Mosul Gas Electric Company.

One IAEA team inspected a State-owned trading company, and another IAEA team inspected the computer centre of a State bank. Both sites are located in central Baghdad. A third IAEA team performed a car-borne radiation survey in an area southeast 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.