IAEA Media Advisory

IAEA Media Advisory 2003/1403 (14 March 2003)

News Update on Iraq Inspections

UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 14 March 2003

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

14 March 2003 -- UNMOVIC missile teams continued to supervise the destruction of Al Samoud 2 missiles and components. 4 more Al Samoud 2 missiles were destroyed, along with 7 warheads and some propellant tank cylinder parts, at the Taji Technical Battalion. Today's action brings the total number of Al Samoud 2 missiles and warheads destroyed since 1 March to 65 and 42 respectively. Some more materials related to the Al Samoud 2 missile were destroyed at the Waziriyah plant. The destroyed materials were sent to Taji for disposal. One missile team conducted an aerial inspection of the Taji site.

An UNMOVIC chemical team visited Al Muthanna, where some chemical wastes left over by UNSCOM as well consumables from the UNMOVIC Chemical Laboratory were disposed of (burned and dumped). The operation was conducted in cooperation with the Iraqi National Monitoring Directorate.

A Mosul-based multidisciplinary team inspected a destroyed ballistic missile launcher site west of Mosul.

The IAEA performed a motorized radiation survey in northeast Baghdad. The area surveyed included residential, industrial and military infrastructure.

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.