UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 1 February 2003
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UNMOVIC sought one more private interview with an Iraqi individual today. The individual concerned came with a witness. Due to his insistence on having this witness present during the interview, no private interview took place.
An UNMOVIC missile team visited the Waziriyah Industrial Complex, 10 km north of Baghdad. The site is a research and production centre dedicated to development and production of gyroscopes and guidance systems. The team sought clarifications on the present status of the Al Samoud ballistic missile guidance and control activities as well as on the semi-annual declaration of January 2003 for the site.
A second missile team traveled approximately 50 km southwest of Baghdad to visit the Al Mamoun Factory, which manufactures composite propellant and performs the casting of the Al Fatah and other missiles and rockets. The team addressed questions concerning the semi-annual declaration of January 2003 for the site, catalogued equipment and continued an ongoing capability assessment. A third missile team visited the headquarters of the Al Raya General Company, approximately 30 km northwest of Baghdad. The site is a material and metallurgic research centre dedicated to researches in plastic, ceramic and catalytic materials. The team also sought clarifications on the latest declaration for the site.
An UNMOVIC biological team inspected three sites: the Department of Biotechnology at the College of Science, Saddam University, and the Department of Biology at the College of Education, Baghdad University, as well as the Eastern Distillery Company, all located in Baghdad.
An UNMOVIC chemical team visited the Al Shaheed State Company located approximately 130 km west of Baghdad. The company produces copper and brass.
An UNMOVIC multidisciplinary team flew by helicopter to the Tuz Airfield located approximately 150 km north of Baghdad. The airfield is not currently in active use for flight operations. The team interviewed the senior officer present and inspected the ammunition storage areas and aircraft shelters. A portable X-ray unit was used to verify the contents of a sample munition.
Three IAEA teams conducted inspections. One team performed an inspection at the Tho Al Fiker industrial machining and manufacturing facility north of Baghdad. A second team performed a motorized radiation survey southeast of Baghdad. A third IAEA team inspected the Colleges of Science and Engineering at Saddam University in Baghdad.