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File: 970729_aadeo_06.txt
Page: 06
Total Pages: 14


    including the "listening devices' located in the dresser lamp. The Iraqis have
    probably figured out the rules to our card games by now. Rooms were also
    searched each day by more than the maid.
    
    1700: Team meeting was held. The helicopters still are not going to be
    permitted by Iraq, so we will confine our inspections to the vicinity of 
    Baghdad until the issue is resolved.
    
    7 Sep 91: Depart hotel via air conditioned Toyota luxury bus for Al Dujayl and
    Abachi, approximately 60 KM north of Baghdad to inspect oxidizer tanks that
    were scheduled to be drained and destroyed from a previous inspection. The
    trip up revealed much of the same as the journey when we first arrived. Lots
    of AAA and military installation every few miles. We also passed wreckage of
    several T-55 tanks being transported south. Several factories were passed en
    route that were totally demolished and were just starting to be rebuilt. We
    arrived with our escort vehicle of Iraqis, and chase vehicle of UN ambulance
    and UN commo van at about 0830.
    
    	 We are down wind of the site and frequent odor is apparent. We asked
    the location of the tanks and no sooner did we ask than they were in sight
    approximately 50 yards away. The team chief and team continued on to the
    tanks. We warned the medic, doctor, team chief, and deputy team chief about
    the hazards. The oxidizer was confirmed to be Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid
    (IRFNA). The Iraqis had decided to vent the tanks by shooting them with small
    arms. With about 10 tanks in the area, three were visibly venting red clouds
    of IRFNA and the smell was very strong. We persisted in warning the team chief
    and medical personnel, and the medic and the Italian finally helped to
    convince the team chief to withdraw. He withdrew directly down wind, and
    finally with some persuasion left the scene totally in the bus to regroup. The
    Iraqis didn't seem overly concerned but were told to destroy the oxidizer
    completely and empty the containers totally and the site would be revisited.
    Each drum was approximately eight feet long, four feet high, and four feet in
    diameter. Our British POD tech had participated in UNSCOM three where in
    disposing of 800 gallons of IRFNA, the Iraqis.had simple poured the IRFNA out
    of the containers into a dirt field to vent it. Obviously no EPA concerns
    here! The team then declared to visit an unannounced inspection site at al
    Sahra Air Base in Tikrit, the home town of Saddam Hussein.
    
   	 We arrive at al Sahra at 1030. The briefing team indicated the
    possibility of SCUD missiles at this facility. The facility itself is a large
    base used as an Air Force training academy. Installation map is at Atch 1.
    
    	We proceeded to the commanding Brigadiers office and base
    headquarters. We were given tea and briefed on the mission of the
    installation. The commander then had our bus follow his car on a tour of the
    perimeter and later the interior of the base. On the perimeter, holes had be
    cut in the fence for towing aircraft. Up to one mile away , outside the
    perimeter, low level berms about four feet in height had been pushed up around
    both training and combat aircraft. Similar dispersal action had been taken
    inside the perimeter with aircraft and vehicles. Although most of the aircraft
    were trainers, there was approximately 20 MiG 21, 23 on site. Anti-aircraft
    artillery batteries were abundant, over 100 positions, as well as at least
    four Roland batteries. One team member saw SA-4, and SA-6 positions. We later
    saw missile components inside storage structures for these.
    
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    									V000236


    





    
    
    

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