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Why did UNSCOM Executive Director Ekeus agree to the sensitive site modalltlea?
(8f}UF) rormer UNSCOM Executive Chairman Rolf El<Mls in 1998 negotiated modalities
conceming access to sensitive sites in an effort to resolve a string of confrontations between
Inspectors and Baghdad over entry to Iraqi facUities. Iraq's admissions at lhe time of Husayn
Kamil's defection in August 1995 embarrassed Ekeus, as UNSCOM had essentially assessed
that Iraq was in compliance with all disarmament requirements except for the biological weapons
file. UNSCOM began focusing Inspections against Iraq's concealment apparatus. attempting to
inspect several regime security facilities and government ministries, prompling the standoffs.
Ekeus believed he had no other means of compelling Iraqi compliance and concluded that the
modalities were the best way to reach an agreement with Baghdad.
Ekeus argued the modalities on sensitive sites helped UNSCOM to secure Baghdad's
commitment lo allow inspections at my site and increased UNSCOM's rights, such as the
right to take samples of non-WMD-rclated documents, aocording to diplomatic reporting.
Baghdad subsequently used the modalities to delay and limit inspectors' eccess to regime
seQJrtty facilities and government ministries.
Declassified by: USDP
· Date: 04/18/2011