The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
The primary
technical focus of the IAEA in the field had been on the possible
resumption
of Iraq’s
efforts to enrich uranium. In relation to the three key issues, the
IAEA had:
•
Failed to
uncover any evidence that Iraq’s attempts to purchase high
strength
aluminium
tubes was for “any project other than … rockets”. The
documents
provided
and interviews had allowed the IAEA “to develop a coherent picture
of
attempted
purchases and intended usage”.
•
Verified that
none of the magnets Iraq had declared could be used directly for
the
magnetic
bearings in centrifuges. It was likely that Iraq possessed the
expertise to
manufacture
such magnets and the IAEA would continue to monitor and
inspect
equipment
and materials.
•
Stated that
documents relating to the reports of possible acquisition of
uranium
from Niger
were not authentic, but it would continue to follow up any
additional
evidence.
Dr ElBaradei
concluded that there was no indication:
•
“of resumed
nuclear activities” in buildings identified as new or
reconstructed
since 1998”;
•
“of
nuclear-related prohibited activities at any inspected
sites”;
•
“that Iraq has
attempted to import uranium since 1990”;
•
“that Iraq has
attempted to import aluminium tubes for use in
centrifuge
enrichment”;
•
“to date that
Iraq imported magnets to use in a centrifuge enrichment
programme”.
Dr ElBaradei
stated that Iraq’s procurement efforts, including those in relation
to magnets
and
aluminium tubes, had been conducted “in contravention of the
sanctions controls”
imposed by
the Security Council. The IAEA would continue to scrutinise and
investigate
those
issues and hoped “to continue to receive from States actionable
information relevant
to our
mandate”.
1096.
In the
discussion, there was unanimity in calls for Iraq to
increase
its co‑operation.
1097.
But there
was a clear division between the US, UK, Spain and Bulgaria
who
spoke in
favour of a further resolution, and China, France, Germany and
Russia
and most
other Member States who spoke in favour of continuing to
pursue
disarmament
through strengthened inspections.
1098.
The UK, US
and Spain circulated a draft resolution deciding that
Iraq
would have
failed to take the final opportunity offered by resolution 1441
(2002)
unless the
Security Council concluded, on or before 17 March 2003, that
Iraq
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