No. M85 D a te L3 J u n e  1 9 9 1

84

AUSTRALIANS AMONG EXPERTS VERIFYING IRAQ'S CHEMICAL WEAPONS

Dr Peter Dunn, an Australian scientist, is presently leading  the first United Nations Special Commission inspection team  to investigate Iraq's declared inventory of chemical  weapons.

Iraq was required by the Security Council to reveal its  holdings of chemical weapons,  as well as other weapons of  mass destruction, together with production facilities, as a  condition for a permanent ceasefire in the Gulf war.

Dr Dunn and Mr Rod Barton, of the Department of Defence,  were chosen to join the UN Special Commission's inspection  team tasked to begin the process of verifying Iraq's  declarations to the Commission on its inventory of chemical  weapons and its production and storage facilities for this  weaponry.

The Minister for Defence, Senator Robert Ray, and the acting  Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Dr Neal Blewett,  said today the selection of Dr Dunn and Mr Barton to such an  important mission was further recognition of Australia's  expertise in the field of arms control and disarmament.

Senator Ray said Dr Dunn, head of the Protective Chemistry  Division, Materials Research Laboratory, Defence Science and  Technology Organisation, was no stranger to the Middle East  in his capacity as a chemical weapons expert.

"He has undertaken three assignments on behalf of the United  Nations to Iran and one to Iraq as a member of a UN team  investigating the alleged use of chemical agents during the  Iran-Iraq war," Senator Ray said.

"The appointment of Dr Dunn and Mr Barton to this UN team is  credit to both men."

The initial exploratory survey of Iraq's chemical weapons  began on Monday. The team is due to leave Iraq this weekend.

In May Dr John Gee, of the Department of Foreign Affairs and  Trade, was appointed Coordinator of the UN Special  Commission's Working Group which is drawing up plans to  implement the Security Council's decision in relation to

Iraq's chemical and biological weapons.

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY  MiCAH

Mr John Bardsley, of the Australian Safeguards Office, was a  member of a team of experts which recently completed the  first inspection of Iraq's nuclear materials on behalf of  the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Dr Blewett said the Australian Government had also offered  further assistance to the UN Special Commission in the form  of personnel and equipment.

Contact: Brett Bayly Public Affairs Officer DND,  Tel 261.3497

