Early 2001
Iraq actively produces ammonium perchlorate at the Al-Ma'moun plant. This chemical is one of three components needed to make solid fuel. According to the German intelligence agency, the BND, a Delhi company known as NEC Limited bought the equipment in use at the Al-Ma'moun factory. [NOTE: NEC Limited is on the German Economics Ministry's blacklist of businesses involved in arms proliferation.]
--Roger Boyes, "Iraq Builds Chemical Weapons System 'Capable of Hitting European Cities,'" The Times (London), 26 February 2001; "Saddam Close to Building N-missile: German Report Claims Iraq Has Speeded up Secret Programme," The Herald (Glasgow), 9 March 2001, p. 2.

Early 2001
Iraq attaches precision guidance technology to a short-range Al-Samoud missile modeled after Russian-designed Scuds.
--Roger Boyes, "Iraq Builds Chemical Weapons System 'Capable of Hitting European Cities,'" The Times (London), 26 February 2001; "Saddam Close to Building N-missile: German Report Claims Iraq Has Speeded up Secret Programme," The Herald (Glasgow), 9 March 2001, p. 2.

Early 2001
Yugoslav scientists travel to Iraq to meet with officials of the Iraqi trading company Al Rawa in order to discuss development of a turbojet engine for a medium- to long-range cruise missile named the CM-1500.
--"Supplier: Yugoimport, Al Fatah Company, Infinity, Brunner, GVS, Temex and Interdeal," in Iraq Watch Iraq Supplier Database, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, 25 November 2002, <http://www.iraqwatch.org/>.

Early 2001
Yugoslav military experts help the Iraqi military improve its air-defense systems by briefing Iraqi officers on tactics used by US aircraft during the 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia. [NOTE: Iraqi and Yugoslav air defenses use some of the same Soviet-designed radar, missile, and anti-aircraft artillery systems. It is reported that the Yugoslav advice, coupled with fiber-optic communications links that Chinese technicians installed, has improved Iraq's air defense.]
--"China, Yugoslavs Helping Iraq Fine-tune Attack in No-fly Zone," The Houston Chronicle, 24 February 2001, p. 28.

Early 2001-2002
Yugoslav scientists travel repeatedly to Iraq. They allegedly develop a turbojet engine for the CM-1500 cruise missile.
--"Supplier: Yugoimport, Al Fatah Company, Infinity, Brunner, GVS, Temex and Interdeal," in Iraq Watch Iraq Supplier Database, Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control, <http://www.iraqwatch.org/>.

2001
Moscow breaches the UN arms embargo by signing deals worth more than $145 million with Iraq to reinforce Iraqi air defenses. Also, Iraqi Brigadier Saadi Mohammed Subhi allegedly heads a new 20-member military intelligence bureau attached to Iraq's embassy in Moscow. [NOTE: Connections between Russia and Iraq continue to concern Western intelligence officials. Subhi is of particular concern given his background in air defense and intelligence. He is also a member of the Ba'ath party. In addition to Subhi, the man appointed to head an expanded Iraqi intelligence mission in Belarus is Colonel Aedil Kamil Hadidi, a military engineer. Because Belarus is a close ally to Moscow, Hadidi's role is another sign of Iraq's growing ties with Russia. In addition, Iraqi opposition groups say radar and missile equipment has been smuggled into Iraq from Russia through Iran. They also allege that Moscow has augmented the training it provides to Iraqis in the use of equipment and intelligence.]
--Douglas Busvine, "German Intelligence Report," Chicago Sun-Times, 25 February 2001, p. 32.

2001
Egyptian planes carrying food and medical assistance for Iraqi civilians also allegedly transport basic supplies used by Iraq in the development of its "non-traditional" weapons rearmament program. These supplies purportedly are directed toward Iraqi efforts to re-establish ballistic missiles and chemical weapons factories.
--"Accusation of Egyptian Planners Transporting Military Supplies in Food Shipments to Iraq," Al-Mutamar, 26 February 2001, p. .

2001
Iraq completes formation of three broad defensive lines along the frontline with the protected Kurdish enclaves in the north. Behind these lines, the Iraqi military deploy an offensive strike force consisting of Republican Guard forces from the Hamarabi, along with Baghdad units supported by armor and missile forces.
--Falah al-Amari, "Washington Moves 20,000 Soldiers to Qatar and Kuwait; Building of Three Military Defenses on the Frontline with Kurdistan," Al-Mutamar, 20 December 2001, p. 1, <http://209.50.252.70/AlMutamar/Mutamar285.pdf/>.

2001
Iraq allegedly obtains chemicals needed to manufacture chemical weapons, as well as solid rocket fuel, missile technology and equipment to resurrect Iraq's military industrial complex. Officials monitoring the UN's Oil-for-Food program express concern that dual-use items intended for the Iraqi military are slipping through the sanctions net into Iraq, including over the Jordanian border.
--Robert Windrem and Linda Fasulo, "Sanctions Fail to Check Iraqi Military 'Dual-use' Products Slip through Embargo, Officials Say U.S. and U.N. Officials Say Traffic Over the Iraq-Jordan Border Provides a Steady Stream of Supplies to Saddam Hussein's Military," NBS News, 13 August 2001.

2001
According to Iraqi opposition sources, Iraq receives shipments of medium-range Scud-class missiles through Syria. Sources say that the Scuds are of Czech-origin, and meant for export to Syria and Yemen. Iraq smuggles the Scuds, along with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), rockets and guidance systems, from Syria.
--"Iraq Restores 8 Military Factories to Full Production," World Tribune, 8 September 2001; Jessica Berry, "Saddam's Poison Gas Kills 20 of His Men," The Sunday Telegraph (London, Internet) in English, 2 September 2001, in "UK Telegraph Reports Iraq Buildup of Conventional, Chemical Weapons Capabilities," FBIS Document EUP20010902000085, 2 September 2001.

January-June 2001
Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has business dealings with Iraq worth over $600 million. Belarus sells advanced radar and radio equipment to the Iraqi Air Force headquarters. Former Croatian Defense Minister Libo Rozes organizes the trade network for Lukashenka.
--"DEBKAfile military sources' exclusive report: 'Belarusian President Lukashenka Selling Weapons to Palestinians,'" Jerusalem DEBKAfile (Jerusalem, Internet) in Hebrew, 22 July 2001, in "Israel's DEBKAfile: Putin Backs Lukashenka's Arms Sale to PA, Others," FBIS Document GMP20010723000054.

January 2001
Iraq signs a contract with the Russian-Italian venture company, Iveco-UralAZ, for the purchase of 60 Ural-Iveco-6429 trucks with a 35-ton carrying capacity. The contract is part of the UN Oil-for-Food program. These trucks can be converted for use as missile launchers. [NOTE: Iveco-UralAZ plans to begin sending trucks to Iraq in November 2001 and complete the deliveries by January 2002. See 25 October 2001.]
--David Nissman, "Russian Trucks to Be Shipped to Iraq in November," Iraq Report, Vol. 4, No. 35, 2 November 2001, <http://www.rferl.org/>.

January 2001
According to Israeli intelligence sources, Saddam Hussein's younger son Qusay travels to Damascus to discuss contingency plans for Syrian-Iraqi military cooperation in the event of an Israeli attack. [See 11-13 August 2001.]
--Gary C. Gambill, "Syria's Foreign Relations: Iraq," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 3 (March 2001), <http://www.meib.org/>.

1 January-30 June 2001
US Director of Central Intelligence George Tenet reports that Iraq's development of the liquid-propellant Al-Samoud short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) is maturing. Tenet also says that Iraq likely places a high priority on its solid-propellant missile development program, along with the development of the Ababil-100 SRBM, as well as two such airframes, transporter-erector-launchers (TELs), and possibly longer-range missile systems. He also believes that Iraq probably retains a small, covert force of Scud-type missiles. In addition, the director reports that Iraq has worked on its unmanned aerial vehicle program (UAV), which entails the conversion of L-29 jet trainer aircraft.
--US Director of Central Intelligence, "Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 January - 30 June 2001," Unclassified Report to Congress, 30 January 2002.

10 January 2001
The US Department of Defense (DOD) reports that Iraq likely retains a limited number of launchers and Scud-variant SRBMs capable of striking its neighbors, as well as the components and manufacturing means to assemble and produce others. The DOD also estimates that Baghdad probably has warheads capable of delivering chemical or biological agents. The report indicates that Iraq retains the domestic expertise and sufficient infrastructure to support most missile component production, with the exception of a few critical sub-elements. The report further estimates Iraq could develop and test an ICBM capable of reaching the United States by 2015, depending on the success of its acquisition efforts and the amount of foreign support provided. In terms of cruise missiles and other delivery means, the DOD estimates that Iraq possesses only a small stockpile of land-launched short-range anti-ship cruise missiles and air-launched short-range tactical missiles, which were purchased from China and France prior to the Gulf War. Iraq also has a variety of fighter aircraft, helicopters, artillery and rockets available as potential means of delivery for weapons of mass destruction, although the operational status of these systems is questionable due to the cumulative effects of the UN arms embargo. The report indicates, however, that Iraq has continued to work on its UAV program, which involves converting L-29 jet trainer aircraft originally acquired from Eastern Europe. These modified and refurbished L-29s may be intended for the delivery of chemical or biological agents. In the future, Iraq may try to use its research and development infrastructure to produce its own UAVs and cruise missiles or, should the UN arms embargo be lifted, it could try to purchase cruise missiles.
--US Department of Defense, "Proliferation: Thereat and Response," 10 January 2001.

January-20 February 2001
US and UK planes come under fire from Iraqi missiles and rockets 22 times in less than a month.
--Bob Roberts, "Iraq Fired 22 Rockets," The Mirror, 20 February 2001.

January 2001
The Iraqi Electricity Commission signs a contract with the Turkish Gama Group to import electrical machines, equipment, and spare parts. An Electricity Commission official states that the Turkish company is prepared to provide support and assistance to the electricity sector to improve the system, as well as transport and distribution networks.
--Hanan Abd-al-Aziz, Al-l'lam (Baghdad) in Arabic, 17 January 2001, in "Iraq: Turkish Group to Supply Electrical Machines, Spare Parts," FBIS Document GMP20010212000030, 17 January 2001.

28 January 2001
The United States and allied air forces strike SAM sites in southern Iraq in response to recent Iraqi violations of UN Security Council resolutions.
--US Department of State, "Coalition Forces Strike Iraqi Missile Sites," 30 January 2001, <http://usinfo.state.gov/>.

January 2001
It is reported that Uzbekistan-born economist Grigori Luschanski previously attempted to supply Iraq with Scud missile components from North Korea. Ukrainian customs officers discovered the contraband items in a transporter about to leave Kiev for Baghdad. [NOTE: US Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich says the US government identifies Luschanski as an international arms dealer who has shipped Scud missile warheads from North Korea to Iraq.]
--Rudolph Chimelli, "A Superpower of the Underworld: The Russian Mafia's Global Business," Sueddeutsche Zeitung, (Munch, Internet) in German, in "German Daily Calls Diamond Trade Russian Mafia's 'Global Business,'" FBIS Document EUP20010207000342, 31 January 2001.

31 January 2001
Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miru and Iraqi Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan sign a tariff reduction accord. Ramadan says that Iraq and Syria are negotiating a long-term strategic cooperation agreement.
--Gary C. Gambill, "Syria's Foreign Relations: Iraq," Middle East Intelligence Bulletin, Vol. 3, No. 3 (March 2001), <http://www.meib.org/>.

1 February 2001
A delegation of aircraft manufacturers from Russia's Altai territory in Siberia travels to Iraq on a working mission. The delegation is composed of Ivan Komarov, the General Director of the Altai aircraft manufacturing enterprise, and experts of the state enterprise Goskonsim. The goal of their visit is to conclude a contract for repairing and replacing equipment at a steel mill in Iraq. [NOTE: Komarov says that the Iraqi Airlines company is prepared to discuss Russian exports of IL-76 aircraft to Iraq, as well as the training of technical and flight personnel in Russia.]
--Interfax (Moscow) in English, 1 February 2001, in "Delegation of Russian Aircraft-builders Goes to Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010201000401, 1 February 2001.

13 February 2001
According to the German intelligence agency BND, Iraq builds missile fuel production facilities in the destroyed bunkers at Mutanah State Establishment.
--Hubert Seipel, "Behind Closed Doors: The Spies -- the Federal Intelligence Service," Mainz ZDF Television in German, 13 February 2001, in "ZDF Television Views Activities of German Federal Intelligence Service," FBIS Document EUP20010226000175, 13 February 2001.

14-28 February 2001
Saddam Hussein posts a large military delegation at Iraq's embassies in Moscow and Minsk in an effort to speed up the transfer of military supplies from Russia to Iraq. Brigadier Saadi Subhi leads the Moscow delegation, and Colonel Aedil Hadida, a military engineer who specializes in air defenses, leads the Belarusian delegation. In addition, a large number of Russian intelligence officers reportedly arrive in Baghdad to train Iraqi intelligence officers. [NOTE: See 24-27 February 2001]
--"Special Iraqi Command Staff in Moscow and Minsk Organize Airlift of Advanced Air Defense Systems to Baghdad," Jerusalem DEBKAfile (Internet) in English, 28 February 2001, in "Russia Routing Missile Shipments to Iraq via Belarus to Deflect US Anger," FBIS Document GMP20010301000137, 28 February 2001; Douglas Busvine, "German Intelligence Report," Chicago Sun-Times, 25 February 2001, p. 32.

16 February 2001
US and British planes strike an Iraqi high-tech air-defense site south of Baghdad. They hit six sites, including radar stations and command and communication sites. US and British pilots observe Chinese workers laying fiber-optic cables between the Iraqi aerial defense sites.
--Bob Roberts, "Bomb the Brits Saddam Ordered 22 Attacks on RAF Jets," Daily Record, 20 February 2001; Anne Penketh, "British and US Aircraft Bomb Iraqis," The Independent (London), 17 February 2001, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Julian Borger and Richard Norton-Taylor, "Allied Planes Bomb Baghdad," The Guardian (London), 17 February 2001, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis Academic Universe, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; AFP (Hong Kong) in English, 22 February 2001, in "Diplomat Says Number of Chinese in Baghdad Quadrupled over Recent Months," FBIS Document CPP20010222000163, 22 February 2001; Jim Mannion, "Work to Improve Iraqi Air Defenses with Fiber Optics Triggered Air Strike," Agence France Presse, 20 February 2001.

16 February 2001
The Chinese Foreign Ministry denies the claim that Chinese workers assist Iraq with its fiber-optic efforts.
--Jim Mannion, "Work to Improve Iraqi Air Defenses with Fiber Optics Triggered Air Strike," Agence France Presse, 20 February 2001.

Mid-February 2001
Israeli defense sources believe that Iraq possesses several dozen Scud missiles and a few missile launchers.
--Jerusalem Voice of Israel Network B in Hebrew, 18 February 2001, in "Israel Lacks Information on Iraq; Iraqi Threats Must be 'Taken Seriously,'" FBIS Document GMP20010218000010, 18 February 2001.

24 February 2001
At a meeting of officials from Germany's BND intelligence agency, Iraqi production of new missile systems is discussed, along with Iraq's alleged work on the Al-Samoud liquid-fuel missile. An intelligence official reports that Iraq is in the planning stages of a solid-fuel missile related to the Ababil-100/Al-Fatah type. The official also says that Iraq is rebuilding some of the missile installations that the allies destroyed during the Gulf War. The BND estimates that both Al-Samoud and Ababil-100 are capable of transporting a load of 300kg over a distance of 150km. The BND also believes Iraq is trying to produce longer-range missiles, and that by 2005, Baghdad may even succeed in producing missiles with a 3,000-km-range which would be capable of reaching Germany. The BND is certain that Iraq has re-established a large portion of its formerly 250 arms factories, which includes various mobile production capacities. Production capacity is still only 10 to 20 percent of the level before 1991, but the German newspaper Die Welt reports that this number will probably continue to rise.
--Roland Nelles, "The Long Arm of Saddam," Die Welt (Berlin, Internet) in German, 24 February 2001, in "German BND Sees Threat from Iraqi Weapons of Mass Destruction," FBIS Document EUP20010223000418, 24 February 2001.

24-27 February 2001
Russia and Iraq work intensely to accelerate substantial deliveries of SA-6 anti-air missiles and advanced radar to Iraq. The Russians redirect supplies through military bases in Belarus, then onto civilian airline flights traveling from Minsk to Baghdad, in order to avoid detection. [NOTE: see 14-28 February 2001]
--"Special Iraqi Command Staff in Moscow and Minsk Organize Airlift of Advanced Air Defense Systems to Baghdad," Jerusalem DEBKAfile (Internet) in English, 28 February 2001, in "Russia Routing Missile Shipments to Iraq via Belarus to Deflect US Anger," FBIS Document GMP20010301000137, 28 February 2001.

March-April 2001
Iraqi defense and industry ministers visit Belarus to discuss upgrading Iraq's arsenal of Soviet armaments. The Iraqis are especially interested in obtaining Minsk's tractor units. [NOTE: The possibility that Iraq would use those tractor units for a mobile missile launch system is a source of concern, given that both civilian tractor units and mobile missile launch systems are derived from the same model.]
--Nasha Niva (Minsk) in Belarusian, 9 April 2001, in "Belarusian Paper Looks into Trade Relations with Iran, Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010411000389, 9 April 2001.

March-May 2001
Iraq imports 300 SAM-16As and mounted style air-defense missiles from North Korea.
--Ch'oi Yong-chae, "Exclusive! 'Little General' Kim Chong-nam's Secret Travels," Sindong-a (Seoul, Internet) in Korean, 1 June 2001, in "DPRK's Kim Chong-nam's Travels Reportedly Linked to Arms Sales," FBIS Document KPP20010604000129, 1 June 2001.

4 March 2001
According to Hideshi Takesada, North Korea has transferred Nodong missiles and Scud-C technology to Iraq. [NOTE: This report is unsubstantiated.]
--Hideshi Takesada, "The BMD Issue in Northeast Asia: Strategic Relations and Japan's Option," unpublished conference paper for "Partnership for Peace: Building Long-Term Security Cooperation in Northeast Asia," sponsored by the Nautilus Institute and Fudan University, 4 March 2001, <http://www.nautilus.org/>.

28 March 2001
An Iraqi delegation led by Minister of Industry and Minerals Adnan Abd-al-Majid Jasim, visits Minsk, Belarus. The Iraqis negotiate with the Belarusian Minister of Industry Anatol Kharlap regarding prospects for bilateral mechanical engineering dealings. The Iraqis are interested in purchasing Belarusian vehicles and tractors, and they discuss the possibility of assembling tractors in Iraq. [NOTE: The goods produced by the Minsk Wheeled Tractive Unit Works are basically the same models used for both civilian tractors and mobile missile launch systems.]
--"Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Visiting," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 30 March 2001, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com/>; Nasha Niva (Minsk) in Belarusian, 9 April 2001, in "Belarusian Paper Looks into Trade Relations with Iran, Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010411000389, 9 April 2001.

Beginning of April 2001
A delegation from Intersputnik, the intergovernmental space communication organization, visits Baghdad. Delegation officials negotiate with Iraqi officials to restore telecommunications in Iraq. [NOTE: Successful negotiations presumably will lead Intersputnik to launch a small geo-stationary satellite for Iraq. See 20 April 2001.]
--Yuriy Granovskiy, "Satellite for Iraq," Vedomosti (Moscow) in Russian, 20 April 2001, p. B3, in "Intersputnik, Alfa-Eko Plan Telecommunications Satellite for Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010420000349, 20 April 2001.

April 2001
Dr. Mansur al-Ka'bi, a researcher in the Iraqi nuclear organization who is in charge of a missile project, flees Iraq after being interrogated for failing to acquire a special paint that enables aircraft and missiles to jam radar systems.
--Ali-Abd-al-Amir, "Surveillance of Iraqi Military Industrialization Scientists Tightened," Al-Hayah (London) in Arabic, 13 June 2001, p. 3, in "Iraqi Military Scientists Closely Watched Following Attempts to Flee Country," FBIS Document GMP20010613000135, 13 June 2001.

17 April 2001
Russian firm Alfa-Eko announces that Iraq agreed to grant Alfa-Eko a number of oil and gas deposits for development. [NOTE: See 20 April 2001.]
--Yuriy Granovskiy, "Satellite for Iraq," Vedomosti (Moscow) in Russian, 20 April 2001, p. B3; in "Intersputnik, Alfa-Eko Plan Telecommunications Satellite for Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010420000349, 20 April 2001.

19 April 2001
A source close to the Russian Aerospace Agency says that the Intersputnik space communication organization and the Alfa-Eko firm intend to launch communication satellites and develop a telecommunications system for Iraq. The press secretary at the Iraqi embassy in Moscow confirms that Iraq is conducting negotiations with Intersputnik and Alfa-Eko. [NOTE: Viktor Veshchunov, the director of the Intersputnik international department, says that presumably a small geo-stationary satellite will be launched. This satellite would possess a rather broad range of capabilities, from broadcasting television programs to data transmission to the provision of mobile satellite communications services. The satellite will cost an estimated $55 to $80 million initially, although this amount may increase depending on the launch parameters, the type of booster rocket to be employed and the satellite positioning destination. The satellite will be produced by one of the three leading enterprises in the Russian space industry, either GKNPTs imeni Khrunichev, the Scientific Production Association (NPO) of Applied Mechanics imeni Reshetnev, or the Scientific Production Association (NPO) of Machine Building. Ground-based telephone communications, however, must be restored first. This work is estimated to cost "hundreds of millions of dollars." The telecommunications department of Alfa-Eko tells Vedomosti newspaper that it is not involved in this project, although it would gladly participate. Alfa-Eko Press Secretary Igor Baranovskiy refuses to comment on the company's future cooperation with Intersputnik.]
--Interfax (Moscow) in English, 19 April 2001, in "Russia to Help Iraq in Satellite Project," FBIS Document CEP20010420000067, 19 April 2001; Yuriy Granovskiy, "Satellite for Iraq," Vedomosti (Moscow) in Russian, 20 April 2001, p. B3, in "Intersputnik, Alfa-Eko Plan Telecommunications Satellite for Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010420000349, 20 April 2001.

26 April 2001
A Belarusian delegation led by first Deputy Presidential Chief of Staff Vladimir Zametalin arrives in Iraq for the third session of the Iraqi-Belarusian joint committee. Attendance at the session includes Iraqi Staff Lieutenant General Muzahim Sa'b al-Hasan, First Deputy Director of the Military Industrialization Organization (MIO) Dayf Abd-al-Majid, the Iraqi ambassador to Belarus, and representatives from the Ministries of Industry, Trade, Information, Transport, and Telecommunications. [NOTE: Talks are focused on major projects related to the establishment of joint truck assembly lines in Iraq. Iraq also expresses interest in setting up a domestic manufacturing base for spare parts. Other projects are under consideration, including the formation of a joint venture with Minsk Engine Works.]
--"Iraq: Belarusian Delegation Arrives; Direct Air Route Agreement to be Singed," Baghdad Republic of Iraq Radio Main Service (in Arabic), 26 April 2001, in FBIS Document GMP20010426000125, 26 April 2001.

28 April-1 May 2001
The "Iraq-Ukraine: New Millennium" exhibition takes place in Baghdad. The Ukrainian delegation is comprised of 103 members who represent the interests of 161 Ukrainian companies. The Consul of Iraq in Kharkiv, Yuriy Orshansky, and eight ministers of the Iraqi government participate in the opening ceremony. Iraq and Ukraine sign agreements signifying their intentions to work together in various areas.
--Interfax Ukraine Business Panorama, 23-30 April 2001, Issue 18 (431), Interfax (Moscow) in English, in "Ukraine Business Panorama 23-30 Apr," FBIS Document CEP20010501000101, 1 May 2001.

May 2001
The first session of the Ukrainian-Iraqi intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, and technical cooperation takes place in Baghdad.
--Zerkalo Nedeli (Kiev) in Russian, 15 December 2001, in "Ukraine: Paper Analyses Signs of Ukrainian-Iraqi Rapprochement," FBIS Document CEP20011223000042, 15 December 200.

May 2001
An Iraqi delegation visits Belarus. The Belarusian Defense Ministry and the Iraqi delegation reach an agreement for training officers of the Iraqi Armed Forces at the Military Academy of Belarus. [NOTE: See 5 October 2001.]
--Andrey Makhovskiy, "Contract for Training Iraqi Officers Could Cost Belarus Too Much," Delovaya Gazeta (Belorussakaya) in Russian, 5 October 2001, in "At the Invitation of the Belarusian Defense Ministry, 20 Iraqi Army Air Defense Officers Are Attending a Two-Year Training Course on the S-300 SAM System at the Belarusian Military Academy," FBIS Document CEP20011005000387, 5 October 2001.

May 2001
The Russian truck manufacturing firm KAMAZ in Naberezhnye Chelny signs a contract to ship 800 trucks to Iraq. The company also assembles another 80 trucks for separate shipment to Iraq.
--"KAMAZ Exports Trucks to Iraq," Russia-Upper Volga News Report, April 2002, <http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/>.

May 2001
Iraqi authorities arrest a number of engineers and workers in Iraq as a result of their failure to develop missile launchers.
-- Ali-Abd-al-Amir, "Surveillance of Iraqi Military Industrialization Scientists Tightened," Al-Hayah (London) in Arabic, 13 June 2001, p. 3, in "Iraqi Military Scientists Closely Watched Following Attempts to Flee Country," FBIS Document GMP20010613000135, 13 June 2001.

1 May 2001
Iraqi and Ukrainian businessmen sign 19 pacts outlining their intentions to cooperate to supply Iraq with goods and services. Specifically, the agreements involve turbine supplies, the construction of a turbine manufacturing plant, boiler supplies, as well as deliveries of tires, fertilizers, and other materials.
--"Interfax Ukraine Business Panorama for 23-30 April 2001," Issue 18 (431), Interfax (Moscow) in English, in "Ukraine Business Panorama 23-30 Apr," FBIS Document CEP20010501000101, 1 May 2001.

3 May 2001
Japanese authorities arrest Kim Chong-nam, the son of North Korea's supreme leader and head of North Korea's missile export plans, at Narita International Airport in Tokyo. Chong-nam allegedly claims that his travel to Japan is for the purpose of collecting money for North Korea's missile exports to Iraq. [NOTE: According a Japanese public security official quoted in Seoul's Sindong-a magazine, the Japanese Public Security Investigation Agency scrutinized Kim Chong-nam for 66 hours prior to his arrest. Also, it is reported that North Korea recently exported 300 SAM-16A mount-type air-defense missiles. In order to evade Western intelligence agency surveillance networks, Iraq allegedly deposited payments for these SAM-16As in various banks in Switzerland, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Tokyo. Before he was arrested at Narita Airport, Kim Chong-nam's itinerary exactly reflected travel to the four cities where Iraq deposited money. In addition, Chong-nam went to Australia before he entered Japan and wired one of four missile money bundles to a secret account in China.]
--Ch'oi Yong-chae, "Exclusive! 'Little General' Kim Chong-nam's Secret Travels," Sindong-a (Seoul, Internet) in Korean, 1 June 2001, in "DPRK's Kim Chong-nam's Travels Reportedly Linked to Arms Sales," FBIS Document KPP20010604000129, 1 June 2001.

Late May 2001
Saddam Hussein meets with Ukrainian First Vice Premier Yuri Yekhanurov and Ukrainian presidential adviser Valentyna Dovzhenko. Dovzhenko delivers a message from President Leonid Kuchma regarding his country's desire to promote ties with Iraq in different spheres. Hussein promises to work towards enhancing ties with Ukraine in trade, economic, scientific, and other areas.
--"INTERFAX-UKRAINE Business Review," Interfax (Moscow) in English, 28 May 2001, in "Interfax Ukraine Business Panorama Report for May 21-28, 2001; Kuchma Expresses Ukraine's Desire to Promote Its Ties with Iraq-Iraqi Radio Reports," FBIS Document CEP20010529000267, 28 May 2001.

June 2001-September 2001
Eight military factories start operations nearly at full strength. It is suspected that a factory in the unpopulated Syrian border area of Al-Qayem is developing chemical weapons and missiles. Reports indicate that Iraqi scientists work long hours to augment Iraq's conventional and chemical weapon arsenals.
--Jessica Berry, "Saddam's Poison Gas Kills 20 of His Men," The Sunday Telegraph (London, Internet) in English, 2 September 2001, in "UK Telegraph Reports Iraq Buildup of Conventional, Chemical Weapons Capabilities," FBIS Document EUP20010902000085, 2 September 2001.

June 2001
A military museum in Belgrade displays an intact British missile that missed its target during the NATO campaign against Serbia. The displayed missile model is one used in combat by British and coalition forces to destroy anti-aircraft missiles. It is considered one of the most important weapons employed by NATO and the United States during air campaigns against both Serbia and Iraq. Given the likelihood that Serbia has shared this missile technology with Iraq, the British Royal Air Force now fears a more potent Iraqi capacity for shooting down Tornado aircraft used to enforce the "no-fly" zone in southern Iraq, as these missiles are employed frequently during their flights. NATO officials also express their utmost concern regarding the possibility that Iraqi air defenses may be able to shoot down US and British aircraft in the "no-fly" zones. An Iraqi source tells Al-Quds al-Arabi that the Iraqi government has allocated a substantial budget for its air-defense system in an effort to force the United States and Britain to halt their flights over Iraq. The source added, "Iraqi military experts and scientists obtain all the money or aid they request on direct instructions from President Saddam Husayn."
--Khalid al-Shami, "Saddam's Acquisition of Secrets of NATO's Most Important Missile Moves Him Closer To Shooting Down Aircraft," Al-Quds al-Arabi (London) in Arabic, 6 June 2001, p. 1, in "Saddam Husayn Reportedly Obtains Secrets of NATO Missile from Serbia," FBIS Document GMP20010606000116, 6 June 2001.

June 2001
A Kuwaiti source reports that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's son Qusay issues orders for missiles tipped with chemicals and nerve gas to be supplied to Iraqi warplanes stationing in secret bases outside of Baghdad. The Supreme Council of Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) releases a statement claiming that several pro-regime parties in Iraq supervised these measures at air force bases and with private army aviation units responsible for the protection of Baghdad and the presidential palaces. According to the statement, these measures are carried out secretly with rapidity to prevent any sudden attack and to suppress attempts to topple the regime.
--KUNA (Kuwait, Internet) in English, 19 June 2001, in "KUNA: Iraqi Opposition Says Iraqi Warplanes Carry Chemical Weapons, Nerve Gas," FBIS Document GMP20010619000064, 19 June 2001.

June 2001
Yuriy Orshansky denies that Ukraine assisted with Iraq's missile development programs and says Ukraine is not involved with any illegal trade in arms or critical technologies with Iraq which would violate UN sanctions. He also says that Ukrainian cooperation with Iraq may be implemented only in directions envisaged by the Ukrainian state service of export controls.
--Unian (Kiev) in Ukrainian, 30 June 2001, in "Ukraine Denies Being Involved in Illegal Arms Trade with Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20010630000113, 30 June 2001.

5 June 2001
British reports consider it most likely that Saddam Hussein obtained important military secrets from Serbia, which may in turn enable him to shoot down US or British aircraft in the "no-fly" zones in northern and southern Iraq.
--Khalid al-Shami, "Saddam's Acquisition of Secrets of NATO's Most Important Missile Moves Him Closer To Shooting Down Aircraft," Al-Quds al-Arabi (London) in Arabic, 6 June 2001, p. 1, in "Saddam Husayn Reportedly Obtains Secrets of NATO Missile from Serbia," FBIS Document GMP20010606000116, 6 June 2001.

6 June 2001
An Iraqi delegation joins representatives from 43 other countries at MHTA-Omsk-2001 in Russia, which is the fourth international exhibition of military hardware, technologies, and armaments for land forces. Military attache Abdul Kafar Karim is part of the Iraqi delegation. He tells ITAR-TASS that the Iraqi delegation is interested in Russian armored vehicles, particularly: the T-80U, T-90S, T-55, and T-72 tanks; armored personnel carriers made by the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant, including the BMP-2 and BPM-3; and the Strela-10M anti-aircraft missile systems.
--ITAR-TASS (Moscow) in English, 6 June 2001, in "Iraqi Delegation Shows Interest in Russian Weaponry," FBIS Document CEP20010606000263, 6 June 2001.

July-December 2001
Iraq begins reconstruction of the Al-Ma'moun facility, which has large and deep casting pits specifically designed to produce proscribed missile motors.
--"Unclassified Report to Congress on the Acquisition of Technology Relating to Weapons of Mass Destruction and Advanced Conventional Munitions, 1 July Through 31 December 2001," Central Intelligence Agency, January 2003, <http://www.odci.gov/>.

July-August 2001
According to the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Iraq sets up SAM launchers in Abu Gharib near Baghdad. These launchers are Russian-made and highly accurate for strikes on high-flying targets.
--KUNA (Kuwait) in English, 6 August 2001, in "Iraq Reportedly Deploys Missile Launchers on Outskirts of Baghdad," FBIS Document GMP20010806000130, 6 August 2001.

2 July 2001
Iraqi forces fire at least one missile into southern Iraq near the border town of Umm Qasr. Kuwaiti and allied forces, along with US and British warplanes, observe the test.
--"Iraq Tests Modified Anti-aircraft Missile: Kuwaiti Paper," Agence France Presse, 8 July 2001.

3 July 2001
Iraqi experts and engineers examine the efficacy of turning Syria's missile capabilities into more effective weapons, which may offer both countries a better strategic balance with Israel. Experts from both countries are hoping that Syria will be able to build approximately 3,000 surface-to-surface missiles (SSMs) over the next five years, and that this may serve as a more active deterrent to Israel.
--"Top Secret," Al-Arab al-Alamiyah (London) in Arabic, 3 July 2001, p. 3, in "Sources Say Missile Technology Transfer Part of Cooperation between Iraq, Syria," FBIS Document GMP20010703000124, 3 July 2001.

29 July 2001
US Secretary of State Colin Powell visits China. According to Al-Watan al-Arabi, one of the purposes of his visit is to discuss missile cooperation between Beijing and Baghdad. Powell asks China to recall its military experts from Iraq and to dismantle the sophisticated radar network there.
--Sa'id al-Qaysi, Al-Watan al-Arabi (Paris) in Arabic, 14 September 2001, pp. 20-22, in "Paper on Saddam Husayn's Plan to Take US Pilots Hostage," FBIS Document GMP20010915000104, 14 September 2001.

August 2001
At a meeting of Saddam Hussein, his son Qusay, and the Military Industry Minister Abd-al-Tawwab Mullah al-Huwaysh, a new strategy is developed to upgrade Iraq's anti-aircraft batteries, and to focus military efforts on downing US aircraft and retaining US pilots as hostages.
--Sa'id al-Qaysi, Al-Watan al-Arabi (Paris) in Arabic, 14 September 2001, pp. 20-22, in "Paper on Saddam Husayn's Plan to Take US Pilots Hostage," FBIS Document GMP20010915000104, 14 September 2001.

4-6 August 2001
A large, high-ranking Syrian military delegation travels in secret to Baghdad to draft military pacts. The pacts are related to joint Iraqi and Syrian command structures already in place in both Damascus and Baghdad, which are staffed cooperatively by air forces as well as missile, tank, intelligence, and armored ground corps. In addition, the military pacts provide "for the contingency of only one of two allies being involved in a Middle East war. In that case, the combatant state will enjoy the use of the other's air bases to mount attacks against Israeli targets and for storing its air fleet and missile forces, including surface and anti-air batteries, out of harm's way."
--"DEBKAfile Says Syria's Miru Concluded 'Secret' Military Pact with Iraq," Jerusalem DEBKAfile, 14 August 2001, in FBIS GMP20010816000138, 14 August 2001.

11-13 August 2001
Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa Miro visits Iraq. He and Iraqi Deputy President Taha Yassin Ramadan sign secret military alliance accords. These accords include the establishment of combined Iraqi-Syrian command structures related to their air forces and missile, tank, intelligence, and armored ground corps in both Damascus and Baghdad. The accords formalize the secret military arrangements that have been in operation for the past six months, and promise mutual assistance in a regional war against Israel.
--"DEBKAfile Says Syria's Miro Concluded 'Secret' Military Pact with Iraq," Jerusalem DEBKAfile, 14 August 2001; in FBIS GMP20010816000138, 14 August 2001.

20 August 2001
Islamic Resistance Forces, an Iraqi opposition group, announces its rocket attack on an Iraqi SSM base situated on the road between Jalula and Qarah Tappah. The attack destroys six Iraqi SSMs.
--"Iraqi Opposition: 'We Destroyed a Base, Killed Five Soldiers,'" Al-Hayah (London) in Arabic, 21 August 2001, p. 2, in "Iraqi Opposition Issues Statement on Attack on Military Base," FBIS Document GMP20010821000115, 21 August 2001.

2 September 2001
Reports allege that Iraq builds missiles and chemical weapons along the unpopulated Syrian border area of Al-Qayem. At least eight factories operate at full production. One plant in the Al-Qayem area is suspected of focusing on the creation of chemical warheads for ballistic missiles. Qusay Hussein reportedly leads these efforts.
--"Iraq Restores 8 Military Factories to Full Production," World Tribune, 8 September 2001; Jessica Berry, "Saddam's Poison Gas Kills 20 of His Men," The Sunday Telegraph (London, Internet) in English, 2 September 2001, in "UK Telegraph Reports Iraq Buildup of Conventional, Chemical Weapons Capabilities," FBIS Document EUP20010902000085, 2 September 2001.

16 September 2001
Russia plans to export 3,000 six-wheel-drive Ural trucks to Iraq this year. Iraq says that it will use the trucks for civilian purposes.
--"Ural Trucks for Iraq May End up in Army," Moscow Russian Public Television ORT1 in Russian, 16 September 2001.

27 September 2001
Iraq returns to operation the Khan Sa'ad camp and its military engineers' production plant. It is reported that Iraq has recently smuggled a large number of modern equipment pieces to the facility for repair. General Hamdan Abd Ali and Osama al-Takriti oversee the production plant.
--"Reopening of the Khan Sa'ad Camp and the Military Engineers' Plant," Al-Naba' in Arabic, 27 September 2001.

27 September 2001
Belarus sends the first of two letters to the Belarusian embassy in Iraq, which extends an invitation to 10 named Iraqi army officers to study at the Military Academy of Belarus. [NOTE: A second letter is later sent inviting another 10 Iraqi army officers to study in Belarus. See 4 October 2001.]
--Andrey Makhovskiy, "Contract for Training Iraqi Officers Could Cost Belarus Too Much," Delovaya Gazeta (Belorussakaya) in Russian, 5 October 2001, in "At the Invitation of the Belarusian Defense Ministry, 20 Iraqi Army Air Defense Officers Are Attending a Two-Year Training Course on the S-300 SAM System at the Belarusian Military Academy," FBIS Document CEP20011005000387, 5 October 2001.

29 September 2001
A nuclear scientist who defected from Iraq admits that he was asked to reproduce a wax crucial for firing a ballistic missile. He says that he completed this assignment with the aid of Bulgarians. He adds that Iraqis currently work to adapt 12 unpiloted aircrafts used during the Iran-Iraq War and to extend the range of aircrafts to 1,120km.
--Jessica Berry, "Saddam has Germ Warfare Arsenal, Says Defecting Physicist," The Sunday Telegraph (London, Internet) in English, 30 September 2001, in "Defecting Physicist Claims Iraq Building Chemical, Biological Weapons Arsenal," FBIS Document EUP20010930000198, 30 September 2001.

4 October 2001
Twenty Iraqi army officers arrive in Minsk, at the invitation of the Belarusian Defense Ministry, to engage in a two-year course of study at the Military Academy of Belarus for mastery of the S-300 SAM system. Each of the Iraqi officers serves in the Iraqi PVO air-defense units. [NOTE: This arrangement was mediated by the Belarusian firm Belmetalenergo, which was created with the participation of Infobank one year prior in order to facilitate interaction in the Iraqi market.]
--Yuriy Andreyev, "Belarus to Train Iraqi Antiaircraft Personnel," Vremya Novostey (Moscow) in Russian, 5 October 2001, in "Yuriy Andreyev Article on Iraqi Air Defense Officers Training at Belarusian Military Academy. A contract for training Libyan army officers is also under discussion," FBIS Document CEP20011005000392, 5 October 2001; Andrey Makhovskiy, "Contract for Training Iraqi Officers Could Cost Belarus Too Much," Delovaya Gazeta (Belorussakaya) in Russian, 5 October 2001, in "At the Invitation of the Belarusian Defense Ministry, 20 Iraqi Army Air Defense Officers Are Attending a Two-Year Training Cource on the S-300 SAM System at the Belarusian Military Academy," FBIS Document CEP20011005000387, 5 October 2001.

17 October 2001
In preparation for a possible US military strike in the aftermath of the 11 September terrorist attacks in the United States, Iraqi authorities evacuate vital installations, particularly those related to weapons production, such as the Al-Kindi facility, one of the main weapons factories in the country. Evacuation continues at the Jaber Bin Hayan facility, which is to the west of Mosul.
--"Weapons Sites Evacuated in Iraq," Iraq Press News Agency, 17 October 2001.

25 October 2001
The Russian-Italian joint venture company Iveco-UralAZ announces plans to send trucks to Iraq in November. Deliveries are expected to be completed by January 2002. Iraq will receive 60 Ural-Iveco-6429 trucks, each with a 35-ton carrying capacity.
--David Nissman, "Russian Trucks to Be Shipped to Iraq in November," Iraq Report, 2 November 2001, Vol. 4, No. 35, <http://www.rferl.org/>.

1 November 2001
The traditional Baghdad industrial fair begins and involves approximately 200 companies from dozens of countries, including Belarus. Belarusian Foreign Ministry spokesman Pavel Latushka says that participants at the event include Deputy Economics Minister Yuryy Yenin and representatives of the Minsk Automobile Plant, the Minsk Tractor Works, the Belarusian Automobile Plant, the Mahilyow Automobile Plant, the Minsk Wheeled Traction Vehicle Plant, and the Amkador company, which manufactures road-building equipment.
--"Belarusian companies poised to strengthen presence in Iraq," Belapan (Minsk) in Belarusian, 1 November 2001; in "Belarusian Companies Poised to Strengthen Presence in Iraq," FBIS Document CEP20011102000121, 1 November 2001.

2 November 2001
Iraqi authorities amass troops in areas close to the Kurdish enclave in northern Iraq. Iraqi troops deploy a number of military trucks, tanks, as well as artillery and missile batteries in the areas near the Kurdish city of Dahouk.
--"Iraq Masses Troops on Kurdish areas," Iraq Press News Agency, 2 November 2001.

18 November 2001
Iraqi forces continue to bolster their presence along the borders with the Kurdish enclaves in the north. The Iraqi forces possess 130mm heavy artillery pieces and missile launchers.
--Ali Abd-al-Amir, "'Kurdish Afghans' Kill 12 and Injure 59 Members of Talabani's Party. Iraqi Forces Deploy Artillery and Missiles and Dig Trenches Around Kurdistan," Al-Hayah (London) in Arabic, 19 November 2001, p. 8, in "Iraqi Forces Reportedly Deploy Artillery, Missiles Close to Kurdish Areas," FBIS Document GMP20011119000048, 19 November 2001.

Mid-December 2001
According to the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Iraq hides a considerable stock of long-range SSMs, as well as chemical and biological warheads, in a lake in western Iraq. It is reported that the Iraqis secretly transported these weapons over two consecutive nights.
--KUNA (Kuwait, Internet) in English, 29 December 2001, in "KUNA: Iraqi Opposition Says Iraq Hides Weapons of Mass Destruction," FBIS Document GMP20011229000077, 29 December 2001.

	Updated August 2005