IAEA Media Advisory
IAEA Media Advisory 2003/0602 (6 February 2003)
News Update on Iraq Inspections
UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 6 February 2003
For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.
6 February 2003 -- An UNMOVIC biological group inspected two separate sites: the Directorate of Teaching Laboratories, located in Saddam Medical City, which provides diagnostic services to the hospital and does post-graduate teaching for medical students; and the Abraj Alcohol Production Facility in Baghdad that produces ethanol through fermentation.
An UNMOVIC missile team inspected the following 2 sites: Al Kadhimiya that is involved in technical and administrative aspects of ballistic missile programme and the Military College of Engineering that is involved in the design and development of supersonic wind tunnels and machines for fiber-reinforced composite materials. These inspections were conducted to verify Iraq's declarations and to establish a comprehensive monitoring mechanism.
An UNMOVIC chemical team conducted an inspection of the General Office of the State Establishment for Water and Sewage in Baghdad. This facility is responsible for supplying drinking water to the 15 Governorates.
An UNMOVIC multidisciplinary team inspected the Fallujah Ammunition Depot west of Baghdad. The team inspected 23 large ammunition storage bunkers and 81 outdoor storage areas.
A Mosul-based multidisciplinary team inspected the Arab Company for Detergent Chemicals in Baiji.
One IAEA team continued inspection at the Ashakyli Stores. A second IAEA team held meetings at the Iraqi Nuclear Monitoring Directorate (NMD). A third IAEA team monitored the transfer of several radioactive isotope sources from the former site of the Al Salam Company to a secure storage facility at Tuwaitha. A fourth IAEA team worked at the Canal Hotel base preparing mobile air sampling equipment for deployment in the field.
A UN team conducted a private interview with an Iraqi biological scientist alone. The interview lasted 3 hours and 32 minutes. During the interview, a number of issues were addressed.
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.