IAEA Media Advisory

IAEA Media Advisory 2003/1703 (17 March 2003)

News Update on Iraq Inspections

UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 17 March 2003

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

17 March 2003 -- UNMOVIC continued to supervise the destruction of Al Samoud 2 missiles and components. Two more Al Samoud 2 missiles and 5 more warheads were destroyed at the Taji Technical Battalion. Today's action brings the total number of Al Samoud 2 missiles and warheads destroyed since 1 March to 72 and 47 respectively. The UNMOVIC missile team at Taji also inspected one command and control vehicle for the Al Samoud-2 missile, erasing software for launching parameter calculation. Another missile team went to the Waziriyah plant to inventory and destroy Al Samoud-2 missile related materials and components. A third missile team inspected the Kadimia Plant where ingots of melt Scud parts were stored.

UNMOVIC conducted a private interview with a biological scientist. This was the eleventh private interview UNMOVIC conducted since 28 February and the fourteenth since the beginning of the process in mid-January.

An UNMOVIC biological team inspected the Tikrit Dairy Factory approximately 140km north of Baghdad. This factory processes milk and derivatives.

An UNMOVIC chemical team inspected the Al Sina Centre, located approximately 60km northwest of Baghdad.

An UNMOVIC multidisciplinary team inspected the Air Defense Battery No.76 located northwest 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.