Maple 01 wrote
Under the terms of UNSCR 678 ALL stocks were to be destroyed without delay, where they in existance in 2003? Where they chemical weapons? Therfore breach of the resolution
These were NOT stocks. They were the remains of the old Iraqi WMDs. UNMOVIC were still finding chemical munitions in the remains of 1991 bombed facilities. The Iraqi WMD programme was huge and badly documented. UNSCOM had destroyed thousands of tonnes of munitions in the 1990s and their work was not complete. The vast amount had been destroyed, but remnants still remained and were scheduled to be destroyed under U.N. inspection.
Media Advisory 2003/2602 - UNMOVIC IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq - 26 February 2003
Tracking Inspections in Iraq
11 FEBRUARY 2003
Five inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) visited the Al-Tuwaythah site belonging to Iraq's Atomic Energy Organization. According to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, the inspectors searched the "Italian project," where inspectors checked and photographed waste basins. Inspectors also searched the "destroyed French project," the ministry stated. Radiation testing was conducted at the site. The UN Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission (UNMOVIC) did not provide details on this inspection, except to note that they were "no-notice" inspections.
Two IAEA inspectors returned to the Al-Jadiriyah Science Complex and the 17 Nisan Company where they removed the air-sampling devices installed on 8 February. UNMOVIC stated that samples were taken from the removed devices for analysis. The devices will be placed at new locations on 12 February.
A third team of three IAEA inspectors carried out a radiological survey from the areas of Al-Bu'aythah to Al-Yusufiyah, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry stated. The survey included "farms on the bank of the river adjacent to the Atomic Energy Organization and military units," the ministry added. UNMOVIC stated that the radiation surveys were taken at two military bases and the surrounding areas.
A team of 10 chemical inspectors visited the Al-Muthanna site belonging to the Al-Tariq State Company and located 50 kilometers north of Baghdad. UNMOVIC stated that inspectors went to Al-Muthanna to begin preparations for the destruction of 10 155-millimeter artillery shells and four plastic containers filled with mustard gas. The destruction process, UNMOVIC added, was expected to take up to five days and begin on 12 February. UNMOVIC noted that its inspectors are assisting an Iraqi team in the destruction process.
"These artillery shells were scheduled to be destroyed by the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) in 1998 but the plan was halted when UNSCOM withdrew from Iraq," UNMOVIC stated. Inspectors confirmed that the shells were still stored at the site during a 4 December 2002 inspection at Al-Muthanna, UNMOVIC reported. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry confirmed that the purpose of the inspection was to prepare "to destroy [mustard] shells and to address technical matters related to the destruction process."
Where they over range? Did they breach the resoultion? why did they exist 11 years after they were supposed to have been destroyed?
Al Samouds 2 were not in existence 11 years before 2003. The production of Al Samoud 2s began in 2001 and were declared to UNMOVIC. The Iraqi's were allowed to retain a defensive ballistic programme and developed SRBMs under this agreement. Under the programme UNMOVIC tagged the SA-2 Guideline engines and the Iraqi's were allowed to test them. Without a warhead fitted they exceeded the 150km range allowed by about 20km and UNMOVIC wanted them destroyed. The Iraqi's complied and UNMOVIC started destroying the missiles up until just before the conflict.
UNMOVIC supervision of test-launches.
Media Advisory 2002/1212 - UNMOVIC/IAEA Press Statement on Inspection Activities in Iraq, 12 December 2002
So there must have been WMD to destroy - why?
These were remnants of the old WMD programme. Between the old UNSCOM and UNMOVIC they were still a work in progress hampered by delays of inspectors in country. Not even UNMOVIC or ISG regarded them as being claims for a viable WMD find. None of those remnants found were regarded as an active WMD programme. If they had then Bush would have been telling a different story to the world.
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Bush regrets Iraqi WMD failure
TJ