Statement by Spokesman of Ministry of
Foreign Affairs on Inspection Activities

IRAQI MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

March 16, 2003

1. UNMOVIC Inspection Team (Missiles):

Headed by (Jack), a French inspector, the team set out from Al-Qanat Hotel at 8:30 a.m., and arrived at the Technical Battalion in Al-Taji area. The team supervised the destruction of (2) of  Al-Soumoud-2 missiles, (8) warheads and (6) fuel tanks. These activities lasted for (4) hours, after which the team went back to the Hotel.

2. UNMOVIC Inspection Team (Biological):

A.     Group I: Headed by (Ark), an American inspector, the group set out from Al-Qanat Hotel at 8:40 a.m. and arrived at the Technical Institute that belongs to the Technical Education Board, in Kerbalaa. The group held a meeting with the Head of the Institute and inquired about the number of  departments ,  faculties , students,  labs and their main duties and their relation with other Colleges. The group made a tour around the Institute’s departments. The group went over to the Chest and Respiratory Diseases Institute in Kerbalaa, which belongs to Kerbalaa Medical Center. It held a meeting with the Head of the Institute and inquired about the nature of the work of the Institute, the diseases that are diagnosed and the number of the patients. Then, the group made a tour around the departments . The inspection  lasted for (3) hours, after which the group went back to the Hotel.

B.     Group II: Headed by (Michel Philip), a French inspector, the group set out from Al-Qanat Hotel at 8:40 a.m., and arrived at the shells destruction site in Al-Aziziya area. The group supervised the excavation process and got quainted with the recent discovered shells as well. Then, the group headed towards the Military Medical Storages Command / Ministry of Defense. The purpose of the visit was to see one of the sealed equipment and  photographed it. The inspection  lasted for (4) hours, after which the group went back to the Hotel.

 3. UNMOVIC Joint Inspection Team (Baghdad).

   Headed by (Jose), a Chilean inspector, the team took off from Al-Rasheed Airport at 8:30 a.m., and arrived at  the site of Al-Habania missiles for air-defense / Ministry of Defense. The team held a meeting with the Commander, asking about the total number of the storages, the kinds of the stored missiles and their quantities. Then, the team made a tour around some of the storages. The inspection  lasted for (1) hour, after which the team went back to Al-Rasheed Airport.