Inspector states no banned weapons found in Iraq so far

IRAQ: UN inspectors searching Iraq for banned weapons of mass destruction have found nothing so far.

An inspector, quoted yesterday from a US report by the Guardian, revealed that the "silence" of the teams was not intended to "create the illusion" they had found indications that Iraq possessed nuclear, chemical or biological weaponry.

"I must say that if we were to publish a report now, we would have zilch to put in it," the unnamed inspector stated.

During repeated visits to sites which formerly housed real and suspected weapons-making facilities, experts fielded by the UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) have found no trace of chemical or biological agents which Iraq is alleged to possess. Installations used to enrich uranium for nuclear bombs had been "practically undisturbed" since being closed and sealed by previous inspectors. An Iraqi source said the inspectors had found nothing because there was nothing to find.

The comprehensive 95-page summary of the former inspectorate's activities, produced in 1997 before the UN terminated the effort, indicated that Iraq's prohibited weapons programmes had been wound up and there were very few loose ends. Dr Amir Saadi, Iraqi liaison with UNMOVIC, said these would have been tied up if the inspectors had remained.

The only recent Anglo-US allegations which seem to have some truth in them concerned the purchase and alteration of aluminium tubing. Iraq is not supposed to buy or adapt such items without receiving the approval of the UN committee vetting its acquisition of dual-use equipment.

It was alleged that the tubes were meant to be used for a centrifuge to refine uranium but, during an interview last week with an Iraqi metallurgist, Mr Khadhim Mijbel, UNMOVIC discovered the tubes had been used to make battlefield rockets, which Iraq is permitted to have.

UNMOVIC has repeatedly complained that the US and UK have not provided the inspectors with intelligence about materials or facilities which could prove that Iraq is in breach of Security Council resolution 1441.

UNMOVIC's chief, Dr Hans Blix, has been invited to visit Baghdad this month ahead of his January 27th report to the UN Security Council.