UN Team Carries out Inspections Aimed at Eliminating Iraq's Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Weapons Capacity

On 3 April 1991, the Security Council adopted a nine-part resolution which provided for a formal cease-fire only after Iraq agreed to be bound by all its provisions. Under the terms of Resolution 687 (1991), Iraq is required to cooperate in the UN-supervised identification and destruction of its nuclear, biological and chemical weapons capabilities. To oversee this work, a Special Commission was established, headed by Executive Chairman Rolf Ekeus. Joint inspection teams of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Special Commission have been charged with the task of investigating Iraq's nuclear capacity.
UN nuclear inspectors (in caps, at left) at the entrance to the Abu Gharaib Army barracks. On 23 and 25 June, the inspectors were rebuffed in their efforts to enter the compound. By the time access was granted on 26 June, the equipment the team wished to inspect had been removed.