An UNMOVIC team of missile inspectors visited the Al Mamoun Plant, located approximately 60 km southwest of Baghdad. The purpose of the visit was to witness the casting process of a solid propellant motor for the Al Ubour missile. Another missile team inspected the Al Mansour plant, located in the northeast section of Baghdad. This facility produces semiconductors, industrial gases, and drinking water.
An UNMOVIC biological team conducted an inspection of the Ibn Seena Research Centre in Baghdad. This research center conducts research and testing into new pharmaceutical formulations. Another biological team inspected the National Centre of Drug Control and Research in Baghdad. The Centre is owned by the Ministry of Health and carries out analysis of imported and locally manufactured drugs.
An UNMOVIC chemical team inspected two research centres in Baghdad: the Chemical Engineering Research Design Centre, which is part of the Sa’ad Company and was inspected on 29 December; and the Petrochemical Research and Development Centre, which is under the Ministry of Oil. Both inspections were focused on verifying the current status of their activities, as well as their activities since 1998.
An UNMOVIC multidisciplinary team inspected the Chemical Corp’s Training Centre, located approximately 120 km west of Baghdad. The Training Centre consists of administrative buildings, classrooms, warehouses, workshops and several training ranges where live training is conducted.
The IAEA inspected the Mechanical Engineering Design Centre, which was separate from the chemical team’s inspection. The Centre consists of several technical design departments serving local industry in the design of general as well as specialized equipment.
Hiro Ueki
Spokesman for UNMOVIC and the IAEA in Baghdad