Volume 1 - Iraq Watch

ing Iraqi air defense officials.• The primary purpose of the trip was to discussSerbian air defense artillery systems used in thewar with NATO. Al-Ta’i wanted to acquire thermaltracking capabilities for their Bijoura RadarSystem. Iraq also reviewed Serbian proposals forpurchasing missile testing wind tunnels. Duringthe discussions, the Serbians reportedly committedto provide Iraq with spare parts for existing radarsystems in the Iraqi inventory.• As part of the visit, the Iraqi delegation met witha soldier was allegedly responsible for shootingdown a US F-18 aircraft with the Bijoura system.The Bijoura Project engineer participated in thisdiscussion, noting that a “classical version” of thesystem downed the aircraft. Afterward, several Iraqidelegates doubted the accuracy of the story.2001: Offer To Supply 125mm Tank Main GunComponentsRecovered documents demonstrate a Yugoslavcompany’s offer to supply parts for a 125mm gun.The gun was part of an Iraqi tank called ‘Saddam TheLion.’• A letter dated 8 June 2001, from Col Krsta Grujovicof Yugoimport was sent to the General Manager ofthe Saddam General Company and reads as follows:“referring to preparation of the parts of 125mm gun, we would like to point out the following;although we know the availability of technicalschemes with you, the producing company intentssending a copy of these schemes for signature fromboth sides. In order to be approved for deliverypurpose and to make sure that there are no mistakesin documents, we will submit these schemesin two weeks. There are some parts available forthe producing company and mechanical operationswere done until semi-finial stage. The producingcompany intents to provide these parts to gain timeand not charging you price difference. The schemesof these parts will be submitted in two weeks.”• A handwritten internal memo, dated 5 July 2001was attached to the Yugoimport letter. This memo,addressed to the projects department, was signedby Ra’id Sabah, the Manager of Saddam GeneralCompany. The memo’s heading indicates that thegun parts and technology (schemes and drawings)mentioned are designed for a tank gun, “for theproduct Saddam the Lion.”2002: A FRY Company Offered TechnicalCooperation With IraqCaptured documents indicate that a Yugoslaviancompany offered Iraq missile system maintenanceservices, air-to-air missiles, and other related militarytechnologies.• The letter, marked ‘Secret,’ refers to a Yugoslavcompany called Cofes and reads, “referring to yourletter # Cofes 1096, dated 25 05 2002, concerningthe cooperation aspects with the Yugoslav companyCofes and according to the special catalogueattached with your letter mentioned above. Wewould like to inform you our need to cooperate inthe following aspects listed below and would lookforward to meet with Cofes company’s specialiststo discuss with them the aspects listed below andspecify the methods of cooperation. Please reviewand inform us with regards.”• The letter subsequently lists the following equipment:—“Missile system maintenance—Homing AA missiles—Programmable missile targets—Navigation—Modification of charging the missile with fueland oxidants facilities for the missile maintaining.”282