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Biological Sampling and Analysis Procedures for the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) in Iraq

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 May 2016

Alan J. Mohr
Alan J. Mohr*
Affiliation:
U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground, USA
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Extract

In June/July 1994, I was fortunate in having been selected by the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) to be the chief inspector (CI) of one of the most interesting inspections conducted by the commission, namely UNSCOM 84/BW6. This particular inspection was fascinating because of its complexity—the team not only conducted inspections of Iraqi biological research and production facilities, it also excavated a site that UNSCOM surmised might contain materials from Iraq's former BW program. As such, this inspection was the first time that UNSCOM collected environmental samples for analysis. In this paper I discuss my experiences during this inspection and comment on the effectiveness of sampling and analysis as a verification measure.

Type
Symposium: Biological Weapons Inspection
Information
Politics and the Life Sciences , Volume 14 , Issue 2 , August 1995 , pp. 240 - 243
Copyright
Copyright © Association for Politics and the Life Sciences 

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References

Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts to Identify and Examine Potential Verification Measures from a Scientific and Technical Standpoint (1992a). Germany. Sampling and Identification. November 23: BWC/CONF.III/VEREX/WP.38.Google Scholar
Ad Hoc Group of Governmental Experts to Identify and Examine Potential Verification Measures from a Scientific and Technical Standpoint (1992b). Sweden. Introduction to Off-site Verification Measure, Sampling and Identification. November 24: BWC/CONF.III/VEREX/WP.50.Google Scholar
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