Inspectors Search Iraqi Customs Department

U.N. inspectors spent three hours at the Iraqi customs department Sunday in their hunt for signs of banned weapons programs, while a short circuit at the monitors’ headquarters in Baghdad brought Iraqi firefighters into the normally off-limits hotel.

Experts say Iraq may have gone to great lengths to hide weapons of mass destruction, secreting programs in civilian areas and using ordinary products for military projects. A search of customs records could help inspectors determine what Iraq has imported that could be used to develop banned weapons.

Inspectors also visited a state-owned electronics factory, an engineering firm, a chemical engineering company and two other Baghdad facilities, Eyz Co. and the Salam factory. Eyz Co. produces electronic, communications and power distribution equipment; the Salam factory, communications equipment.

Also Sunday, 12 more U.N. inspectors arrived in Baghdad, bringing to 110 the number who have worked in Iraq since inspections resumed Nov. 27 after a four-year break.

Meanwhile, the electrical short circuit at the Canal Hotel meant Iraqis were allowed into the inspectors’ headquarters there.

U.N. spokesman Hiro Ueki said a small fire from the short circuit started on the ground floor about 7 a.m. but was extinguished quickly.

“It did not affect the premises for inspectors, which are located on the top floor,” he said.

Cleaning and maintenance crews from Cyprus, where the inspectors have another base, were flown in to ensure that Iraqi access to the building would be minimal. The structure was swept for electronic listening devices before the inspectors moved in.