The Committee has requested information about the content of an article by Andrew Marshall which appeared in The Independent on 3 July.

  SCR 687 prohibits Iraq from possessing ballistic missiles with a range over 150 kilometres. The Al Samoud is a ballistic missile under development with a declared design range of less than 150 kilometes. But it is of course possible that the Al Samoud could have its range extended or be used as an R&D base to develop longer-range missiles. While it was operating in Iraq, UNSCOM was able to monitor Iraq's missile facilities and activities, including the test firings of the Al Samoud, to ensure that they were compliant with SCR 687. Between September 1997 and December 1998, UNSCOM monitored 12 such test firings of the Al Samoud. Since December 1998, the international community has lost this capability. There have of course been reports of further tests in that period. But we have no evidence of any Al Samoud test firing in breach of SCR 687.

  We share the concern that Saddam Hussein may be taking advantage of inspectors' absence to rebuild WMD and delivery systems. Hence the importance we attach to UNMOVIC gaining access to Iraq at the earliest opportunity.

  The Committee also asked for an update on UNMOVIC's progress. Dr Hans Blix took up his appointment as Executive Chairman on 1 March. Under the terms of SCR 1284, he had 45 days in which to produce an organisational plan for UNMOVIC. This was unanimously endorsed by the Security Council on 13 April. A successful first meeting of the new UNMOVIC Commissioners was held on 23-24 May, during which Dr Blix described progress on setting up the organisation (recruitment, training etc). Dr Blix has said that UNMOVIC will be ready to start work in Iraq by the end of August. We want to see the UNMOVIC mission begin as soon as possible. For so long as Iraq denies UNMOVIC access there can be no progress towards the suspension and eventual lifting of sanctions.