41-52 UN inspectors in Iraq have discovered that sophisticated German technology and parts were essential to the development of Iraq's missile programs. In fact, some of the equipment found in Iraq still bore the stamp of the German Technical Control Board. Unfortunately, the German Federal Government has declared the UN findings confidential, thereby rendering difficult any legal investigation. The Chancellor's office, Defense Minister Stoltenberg, and Economics Minister Moellemann were briefed in detail about the UN findings. The Foreign Ministry condemned the UN for concentrating solely on German firms.
Many firms involved are likely to avoid punishment, though they are being investigated.
Members of the government, including representatives of the Federal Economics Office which is responsible for overseeing export controls and the implicated industries, have denied any wrong-doing. Several German firms are implicated in the initial findings of the UN inspectors. C Plath KG manufactured gyroscope parts for the Scud-B utilizing a Russian design, though they have claimed the parts consisted of detection equipment for oil drilling. A Plath engineer, however, informed Plath's US parent company Litton of the deception. Inwako GmbH of Bonn arranged delivery of and supplied parts and machinery worth DM38 million for the Scud-B, including automatic punching and bending machines.