On New Year's Day, UN weapons inspectors continue probe in Iraq

Pressing forward with their non-stop series of surprise inspections since arriving in Iraq late last year, United Nations arms experts today probed sites suspected of involvement in the country's weapons programme.

A team of missile specialists from the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) visited the Al Harith Factory at the Taji Camp, located roughly 40 kilometres north of Baghdad.

"A few days ago, Iraqi representatives requested that UNMOVIC remove tags from SA-2 missiles to facilitate required maintenance tasks," said UN spokesman Hiro Ueki. "The missile experts took this opportunity to re-inspect the facility, which was previously inspected on 19 December 2002."

Meanwhile, chemical weapons experts from the Commission inspected the Al Majd Al Amiriyah Stores, which contain "some electronics and corrosion-resistant materials," Mr. Ueki said.

In addition, an UNMOVIC biological team inspected the Baghdad Alcoholic Drinks Company, a brewery that produces beer for local markets. Another germ warfare team inspected the 7-UP Plant of the National Food Industries, located in Baghdad.