Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq

UNMOVIC/IAEA

February 16, 2003

16 February 2003 -- Four UNMOVIC missile teams inspected or visited four separate sites: Al Kindi that is involved in research, development and testing of missile systems; Ibn Al Haytham to tag imported SA-2 engines; Al Mamoun in connection with the casting chambers that were destroyed by UNSCOM but reconstituted by Iraq; and the Taji area to tag newly produced Al Samoud II missiles.

An UNMOVIC chemical team visited Falluja III, located about 100 km northwest of Baghdad. This inspection involved the verification of declared items.

An UNMOVIC biological team inspected a food processing facility at Baquba, approximately 50 km northwest of Baghdad. Subsequently, the team inspected the Biology Department of the College of Sciences at Baquba University. A second biological team inspected another food processing company in the Diyala area, and then visited the Diyala Tuberculosis and respiratory disease centre.

The IAEA's inspection activities today will be reported tomorrow.

One IAEA team inspected power-generating capabilities in the Ramadi area. The team also inspected the Mechanical and Building and Civil Training Departments of Anbar University. A second IAEA team conducted a car-borne radiation survey at the Amil facility 65km north of Baghdad. A third IAEA team moved a mobile air sampler from the Saddam GE Factory, 130km west of Baghdad, to Yarmook GE, an ammunitions factory, where they also performed an inspection. A fourth IAEA team participated in an air-borne Gamma survey to the south and west of Baghdad, utilizing a surveillance helicopter.

Hiro Ueki Spokesman for UNMOVIC and the IAEA in Baghdad