19. UNSCOM: activities in 1993

Summary

Under the terms of the Gulf War cease-fire resolution (UN Security Council Resolution 687 of 1991), the United Nations Special Commission on Iraq (UNSCOM) is mandated to identify and eliminate Iraq's weapons of mass destruction and long-range ballistic missile capability and to undertake `ongoing' monitoring and verification of Iraq's obligation not to reacquire such capabilities. For nuclear weapons, UNSCOM assists and co-operates with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the implementation of this task.

Attempts in the first half of 1993 to elicit fuller information on chemical weapon (CW) and biological weapon (BW) issues met with unco-operative responses from Iraq. However, after a visit by the Executive Chairman to Iraq in July 1993, the situation improved considerably. Iraq has now assured UNSCOM that it intends to assist in any way possible to facilitate smooth implementation of ongoing monitoring and verification in order to arrive as soon as possible at the joint objective held by UNSCOM and Iraq: to be in a position where UNSCOM and the IAEA can report in good conscience that Iraq has fulfilled the requirements set forth in paragraph 22 of Resolution 687 for the lifting of the oil embargo.

UNSCOM continued its destruction of Iraq's CW arsenal and is conducting monitoring activities. BW inspections were also conducted.

Efforts related to ballistic missiles concentrated on: trying to establish a definitive material balance for the Scud missiles supplied by the former Soviet Union; trying to account for Iraq's production capacity in the ballistic missile area; and establishing an interim monitoring regime for Iraq's dual-capable missile facilities.

The IAEA, with the assistance and co-operation of UNSCOM, conducted 6 inspections in Iraq in 1993. Activities focused on the removal and reprocessing of nuclear fuels, ensuring full accounting for Iraq's holdings of other nuclear materials, identification of installations, equipment and materials which need to be monitored, and sampling of Iraq's water courses as part of a monitoring regime designed to observe any activity at nuclear plants. In addition, UNSCOM, using prototype technology provided by France, conducted aerial surveys using gamma-radiation sensors mounted on UNSCOM helicopters. The IAEA held high-level discussions with Iraq to clarify certain outstanding issues relating to Iraq's past nuclear programme. Iraq also provided information on foreign technical advice and procurement of equipment and materials.

Aerial surveillance continued using both U-2 aircraft and helicopters.

The priorities for UNSCOM are now: verification and supplementation of Iraq's declarations at a level acceptable to UNSCOM; the initiation of monitoring inspections; drafting a mechanism for export/import monitoring; the establishment of practice and precedent in the exercise of UNSCOM's privileges, immunities and facilities necessary for effective and efficient implementation of the plan for ongoing monitoring and verification; and completion of the destruction activities related to Iraq's former CW programme at Al Muthanna.