IAEA Media Advisory 2003/0901 (9 January 2003)
News Update on Iraq Inspections
2003 |UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq. 9 January 2003
For full coverage, see the pages on IAEA and Iraq.
9 January 2003 -- An UNMOVIC multidisciplinary team took
off on three Bell-212 helicopters from the Al Rasheed Air Base in
Baghdad this morning to inspect a site. Due to weather conditions
in the inspection site area, the team returned without landing.
An UNMOVIC missile team visited the Al Rafah Liquid Engine Test
Facility, roughly 130 km southwest of Baghdad, to witness a static
test firing of the Al Samoud missile engine. The test was postponed
for technical reasons.
A second team of missile inspectors traveled 40 km south of Baghdad
to visit the Al Meelad Military Research and Development Company,
which specializes in the design and development of missile guidance
and control systems. The technical staff at the facility addressed
questions regarding the status of the Al Fatah guidance and control
development programme. The Al Fatah is a short-range rocket, with
a maximum range of 150 km.
A third team of missile inspectors visited the Al Harith Missile
Maintenance Workshop in Taji to temporarily remove UNMOVIC identification
tags from 9 SA-2 missiles to facilitate required maintenance and
repair. The SA-2 Surface-to-Air missiles are tagged to ensure that
they are not converted into ballistic missiles capable of proscribed
ranges.
An UNMOVIC biological team inspected the Central Veterinary Diagnosis
Laboratory in Baghdad. The laboratory receives samples of animal
blood and tissue submitted by other government veterinary agencies
and analyzes these to diagnose bacterial, parasitic and viral diseases.
An UNMOVIC chemical team inspected the Al Siniya Small Refineries
Project near Bayji area, approximately 200 km north of Baghdad.
They are small refineries. Another chemical team inspected the Al
Rayad State Company in the Taji industrial area, roughly 30 km northwest
of Baghdad. This company is a research centre for materials and
catalysts.
A Mosul-based multidisciplinary team inspected the General Public
Health Laboratory in Mosul. The laboratory conducts basic bacteriological
diagnostic tests and routine screenings.
The IAEA inspected the Baquba Electrical Plant, a State Company
for Electrical Industries, approximately 60 km from central Baghdad.
The company produces electrical goods, such as transformers, welding
machines, electrical meters and fans for the heavy as well as light
current electrical market.
Hiro Ueki
Spokesman for UNMOVIC and the IAEA in Baghdad
