Volume 1 - Iraq Watch

ack to Baghdad without repair. The MIC assumedresponsibility for the transportation and movementof the parts through Iraqi customs. The Ministrybelieved that they could use internal componentsfrom the old parts as spare parts in the future.• Al-Khalil further stated she was ready to import“set valves from either types, 12 sets of each at$250,000” as requested by the MIC Deputy Minister.A-Khalil agreed to deliver these items within10 days of signing of an agreement. She furthermentioned that “the French side” was ready toimplement this agreement and take care of thedocumentation process regarding shipping and warrantycertification, but that she would need somemoney to cover this process. Al-Khalil stated shewas ready to provide a bond accepted from the Iraqiside towards a down payment and she providedcomplete specifications for both sets of valves.Possible Breaches of UN Sanctions byNorth Korean CompaniesSummary of North Korean involvement 1999-2003: Starting in 1999, North Koreans visited Iraq tohold talks relating to rocket engines. By 2003, NorthKorea and Iraq had negotiated and signed contractsfor missile components, ammunition, and othergoods. North Korea later reciprocated by inviting theIraqi leadership to Korea. According to documentation,in May 2001 a delegation from North Korea,including specialists in defense, were due to visit Iraq.1999-2001: Planning for Military ProcurementDelegation VisitsRecovered documents indicate that Iraq and NorthKorea government officials proposed numerousdelegation visits in letters written between 1999 and2000.• A letter dated 11 August 1999 marked ‘Top Secretand Personal’ from the Presidential Secretary andaddressed to the Minister of Military Industries,refers to an invitation and a letter on 2 August 1999.The letter indicates that permission for the MIC andthe MoD had been granted to allow a verbal invitationto the North Korean Defense Minister or hisdeputy to visit Iraq.• A letter dated 28 February 2000, shows that theNorth Korean Defense Industry Department ofKorean Workers Party officially invited an Iraqimilitary delegation to visit North Korea. The visitwas arranged to show North Korea’s willingness tosupply Iraq with military equipment and to allowfor discussions between military experts. The letterlater states that the North Koreans believed theproposed visit would open good relations betweenthe militaries “against the common enemies.”• A letter from the Defense Industry Department ofKorean Workers Party, dated 30 July 2000, gavecompliments to the Iraqi Minister of Military Industriesand indicated an appreciation for the invitationof the Korean delegation to Iraq. “On our belief, inthe present situation of international circumstance,it will be most preferable that your delegation visitour country first to open the wonderful relationshipand to continue the reliable and extensive cooperationin the field of military industries between twoministries. In this great chance together with, wewould like to emphasize that our last invitation ofyour delegation to our country remains still validand effective.”• A letter from the Defense Industry Departmentof Korean Workers Party to the Minister of MilitaryIndustries in Iraq (probably the MIC), dated23 September 2000, accepted Iraq’s invitation andacknowledged that the North Korean side wouldsend a high-ranking delegation, headed by theDeputy Minister, for seven to 10 days starting onabout 8 October 2000. The letter indicated that theNorth Koreans hoped this visit would be a “turningpoint” for establishing new relations in militaryfields between the two ministries against “ourcommon enemies.”• A record of a telephone call dated 5 October 2000between the Secretary General and BrigadierGeneral Hadi Tarish, from the MIC, with the StaffBrigadier General A’adel Hameed, specified theproposed subjects to be discussed during the NorthKorean delegation’s visit on 10 October 2000.Regime Financeand Procurement273