IAEA Media Advisory
IAEA Media Advisory 2003/1603 (16 March 2003)
News Update on Iraq Inspections
UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 16 March 2003
For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.
16 March 2003 -- UNMOVIC supervised the destruction of two more Al Samoud 2 missiles, the computer software in a control vehicle to programme the missile, and missile parts, such as fuel tanks and warhead shells. Today's action brings to 70 the total number of Al Samoud 2 missiles destroyed since 1 March.
An UNMOVIC biological team returned to the Al Aziziyah Airfield and Firing Range and continued to observe the excavation of R-400 bombs that, Iraq states, had been filled with biological agents. The team then returned to the Al Rashidiyah military stores to complete the previous inspection yesterday.
Another biological team inspected the Technical Institute of Kerbala approximately 130km southwest of Baghdad. The institute is a two-year school for training people in the areas of electrical, mechanical, secretarial, management, medical, and computers. The team also inspected the Kerbala Health Centre Respiratory and Chest Diseases Consultation Clinic, which is responsible for diagnosing chest diseases for the entire Kerbala Governorate.
An UNMOVIC multidisciplinary team inspected the Al Habbaniyah and Al Fallujah Missile Facility (a missile site) about 80km northwest of Baghdad. This is a missile storage area of the Iraqi Army Air Defense. Different types of missiles are stored and repaired at this site.
The Government of Iraq submitted to UNMOVIC yesterday photographs and videos showing the mobile laboratories that are in use in Iraq.
The Government of Iraq transmitted to UNMOVIC a letter dated 14 March containing a document on the destruction of precursors for mustard gas, and a letter dated 15 March containing a report on the estimation of VX degradation products in the soil at the dumpsite.
Five Bell-212 helicopters left Baghdad and flew to Damascus, Syria, today on their way to Larnaca, Cyprus. The helicopter company's insurance decided to withdraw coverage from the helicopters if they remained in Iraq. On this basis the helicopter providers decided to relocate their helicopters. Four out of five Bell-212s belong to CHC, a Canadian company, and one to Bristow, a British company. Three MI8-MTV helicopters, which belong to a Russian company, remain in Baghdad.
UN aircraft transported the remains of Mr. Yu Jianxing, an UNMOVIC
chemical inspector from China, from Baghdad to Larnaca, Cyprus,
today. Prior to the departure, a ceremony was held at the Saddam
International Airport to pay homage to Mr. Yu. The Director of the
Baghdad Ongoing Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Centre (BOMVIC),
Miroslav Gregoric, Ambassador Zhang Weiqiu of China, representatives
of the Government of Iraq and inspectors and staff of UNMOVIC and
the IAEA attended the ceremony. The remains of Mr. Yu will be transported
from Cyprus to China within a few days.
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.