IAEA Media Advisory
IAEA Media Advisory 2003/0903 (9 March 2003)
News Update on Iraq Inspections
UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 9 March 2003
For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.
9 March 2003 -- An UNMOVIC missile team supervised the destruction of 6 more Al Samoud 2 missiles and 11 more warheads at the Taji Technical Battalion. To date, a total of 46 Al Samoud 2 missiles have been destroyed, along with 16 warheads, one launcher and 5 engines. Another missile team went to the Al Qaa Qaa storage site for the verification of emptying and tagging of warheads for Al Samoud-2 missiles. The team then inspected the Al Qa Qaa solid propellant production plant. A third missile team inspected the Al Fatah Factory of the Karama State Company and destroyed some mechanical parts of guidance and control assemblies for Al Samoud 2 missiles.
An UNMOVIC biological team returned to the Al Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range and supervised the transfer of the excavated R-400 bombs and fragments to a more secure area of the site.
An UNMOVIC chemical team visited the Tadmur Company for Tanning and Leather Industry located approximately 50km southeast of Baghdad. The company had been declared as using declarable chemicals. The team learned, however, that the company had closed sometime ago.
A Mosul-based multidisciplinary team inspected several storage areas northwest of Kirkuk.
An IAEA team inspected the General Systems Company that produces electronic control equipment in central Baghdad. Another IAEA team performed a car and foot radiation survey that included surveying the insides of buildings in the Jurf al Naddaf complex, south of Baghdad. The area surveyed contained: warehouses engaged in seed and grain sorting and handling; a small plastic water pipe factory with adjacent family residence; a builder's yard; empty warehouses; and a large modern plastic bag manufacturing building.
Last evening, the IAEA conducted a completely private interview
with an Iraqi scientist.
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.