January 1995
Despite displeasure with several Arab states over the signing of the CWC, Egypt continues to build an Arab position threatening withdrawal from the NPT when the treaty is up for extension later this year. The consortium includes Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, which are acting in response to Israel's refusal to sign the treaty. According to Egypt, discussions regarding weapons of mass destruction disarmament will only take place once Israel is subject to the same treaties as the rest of the region.
--"Alexandria Summit Not Meant to Slow Normalization with Israel," Mideast Mirror, 4 January 1995; "Perry Urges Curb on Nuclear Arms in Middle East," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9 January 1995.

January 1995
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, referring to Israel, claims, "I have demanded that the states of the Middle East region be free of all total-destruction weapons--chemical, biological or any kind of total-destruction weapons. If we are to sign, since we are all in one region and involved in the peace process, we must all sign. But for Egypt to sign and Israel not to sign, that would be difficult for me as a citizen to accept. I have behind me a public opinion that would ask me, 'Why did you sign?'"
--"Mubarak Opens Fire on Rabin," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 8, 12 January 1995.

January 1995
According to Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Mustafa Abdelaziz, Egypt's position on Israel's nuclear weapons "is decisive and final" and until Israel's nuclear policy changes, Egypt would refuse to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention and the NPT. Egypt's concerns are to protect the security of Egypt and the Arab region as well as preserving the peace process.
--"Arafat in Morocco: End the Normalization with Israel," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 11, 17 January 1995.

January 1995
Though Egypt seems to harbor no plans for nuclear weapons, it remains secretive about its chemical and biological capabilities.
--"Nuclear Peace," The Economist, 28 January 1995, p. 40.

January 1995
Former Egyptian Defense Minister and Intelligence Chief Amin Howeidl believes Israel's nuclear arsenal can be deterred with "conventional-plus" arms such as chemical, biological, and incendiary weapons, until Egypt develops a nuclear deterrent.
--"Egypt's Former Defense Minister: How to Counter the Israeli Nuclear Deterrent," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 21, 31 January 1995.

February 1995
At a meeting billed as the "Cairo Summit," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, Jordanian leader King Hussein, and PLO Chairman Yaser Arafat support Mubarak's proposal for a verifiable Middle East WMD-free zone but cannot reach agreement on how to treat the issue of Israel's suspected nuclear arsenal.
--"All Profits, No Losses on Any Front in Cairo," Mideast Mirror, 3 February 1995; Anthony Shadid, "Mideast Summit a Symbolic Step: Leaders Postpone Tough Decisions on Terrorism, Palestinian Demands," Chicago Sun-Times, 5 February 1995; "Trial Balloon: An Egyptian Nuclear Compromise?" Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 35, 20 February 1995.

February 1995
Commentator and military analyst Danny Lesham, writing in Israel's Yediot Aharanot, claims that not enough attention is paid to Egypt's chemical weapons programs, which include the production line purchased from Switzerland.
--"Agreement Near on 11 Industrial parks for the Self-Rule Areas," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 40, 27 February 1995.

April 1995
As the NPT review and extension conference nears, Egypt, according to a senior Egyptian official, is seeking a commitment from Israel, "however vague," that it will agree to denuclearize in the future. If it does so, Egypt is prepared to offer to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stated the previous day at a press conference with President Clinton that "since peace is spreading throughout the region, all the parties ought to work together toward the elimination of the potential threats, especially the spreading of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons." Ultimately, Egypt does sign the indefinite extension to the NPT (while Israel continues to remain outside.)
--Thomas Lippman, "Mubarak Reassures Clinton on Nuclear Pact Renewal," Washington Post, 6 April 1995; Robert Lowry, "Country Briefing, Military Still Looks to West for Doctrine," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 25, No. 9, 28 February 1996, p 22.

Autumn 1995
It is the opinion of Ahmed Hashim, senior fellow in political-military affairs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, that the United States has not viewed Egypt's potential CW acquisition with less concern than of such acquisition by Iran or Iraq. Egypt recognizes the need to support its conventional forces with chemical weapons in order to have a strong but "basic" deterrent--considered "basic" because they are less sophisticated and require less effort and resources to produce than nuclear weapons.
--Ahmed Hashim, "The State, Society, and the Evolution of Warfare in the Middle East: The Rise of Strategic Deterrence?" The Washington Quarterly, Vol. 18, No. 4, Autumn 1995, p. 53.

February 1996
During the 1973 war with Israel, Egypt apparently kept "black barrels" containing a toxic "poison gas" allegedly developed by German scientists on an airfield. Intelligence sources believe Egypt's Anwar al-Sadat did not resort to using the poison for fear of massive retaliation. [Note: The intelligence sources referred in this citation are most likely Israeli, but it is not explicitly stated.]
--Uri Dan and Dennis Eisenberg, "The Seeing & the Blind," Jerusalem Post, 8 February 1996.

February 1996
Egypt continues to suggest that it will keep chemical weapons to counter Israel's nuclear threat. Although Egypt is no longer suspected of producing chemical weapons, some believe its chemical and fertilizer industry could be mobilized to produce chemical weapons.
--Robert Lowry, "Country Briefing, Military Still Looks to West for Doctrine," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol 25, No. 9, 28 February 1996, p. 22.

June 1996
Western intelligence agencies assert that Egypt is involved in chemical and biological weapons production with Libya "as it previously was with Iraq." British, French, US, and Russian intelligence suggest that Egypt retains chemical and biological weapons, despite Egyptian denials. Egyptian-Iraqi cooperation on chemical and biological weapons reached a peak immediately prior to Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Egypt's foreign and defense ministers defended Iraq's right to possess chemical and biological weapons. In 1993, as states were signing the Chemical Weapons Convention, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was in Syria calling on Arab states not to sign the treaty.
--Yedidya Atlas, "Egypt Helps Rogue States While Accepting US Aid," Insight on the News, 17 June 1996, p. 18.

June 1996
Egypt's state-owned newspaper al-Ahram states that Egypt has "the full right to possess weapons seen to be necessary for its security and the protection of its sovereignty." Accusing the United States of a double-standard, the paper states that disarmament must start with Israel's nuclear and chemical weapons and ground-to-ground missiles.
--"Egypt's State-Run Press Accuses US of Interfering in Internal Affairs," The Xinhua News Agency, 29 June 1996.

July 1996
Egypt rejects a pan-African call to ban chemical weapons at an Organization of African Unity summit and calls for a more detailed study instead. Foreign Minister Amr Mussa states the issue of a ban on chemical weapons is "too complicated for a simple call."
--"Egypt Blocked Chemical Weapons Proposal at Summit: Mussa," Agence France Presse, 10 July 1996.

August 1996
Egypt reiterates its intention not to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention until Israel signes the NPT.
--"Xinhua International News Summary," Xinhua News Agency, 15 August 1996.

August 1996
According to an unnamed Egyptian foreign ministry official, "Egypt will not sign the convention because of the imbalance in military forces in the Middle East even though Cairo supports the convention....Egypt's position is clear. We will not sign the convention banning chemical weapons until Israel signs the NPT."
--"Egypt Links Chemical Weapons Ban to Israel Joining NPT," Agence France Presse, 15 August 1996.

September 1996
Dubbed "Badr 96" and called "the largest strategic maneuvers" ever in Egypt, a 10-day set of military exercises takes place in Egypt to prepare for a possible nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons attack. Chemical warfare response units take part in four days of maneuvers in the Suez Canal and Sinai region. The maneuvers anger Israel, prompting Egypt to claim no belligerent intentions towards it. Israel is unsatisfied, prompting Egypt to accuse Israel of beating "war drums."
--"Egyptian Wargames to Counter Israeli Nuclear Attack," Agence France Presse, 16 September 1996; "Chemical Units take part in Egypt's War Games," Agence France Presse, 20 September 1996; "Egypt Concludes Maneuvers with Mock Air Raid," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 20 September 1996; "Egyptian Wargames No Threat to Israel," Agence France Presse, 21 September 1996.

September 1996
The Egyptian foreign minister continues to stress that "the region must be totally free from all weapons of mass destruction, be they nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivering vehicles."
--"Egypt Stresses Just and Comprehensive Peace," Xinhua News Agency, 24 September 1996.

September 1996
In an interview by Insight on the News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asked if, during recent talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, he raised the issue of Egypt's production of chemical and biological weapons. Netanyahu responds stating concern about chemical and biological weapons proliferation in the region, but did not answer the question directly.
--Yedidya Atlas, "Israeli Prime Minister Calls for Free Market," Insight on the News, 30 September 1996, p. 21.

November 1996
The representative of Egypt at the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security states that Egypt traditionally supports disarmament measures such as the Chemical Weapons Convention and therefore sympathized with the "general thrust of the draft." Nevertheless, Egypt would continue to refuse to sign the CWC until Israel signs the NPT.
--"Middle East Nuclear Proliferation, Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone subject of First Committee Draft Texts," M2 Presswire, 21 November 1996.

December 1996
At the Fourth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, Egyptian delegate Mounir Zahran states that all Middle East countries, with the exception of Israel, established in 1990 a WMD-free zone.
--"Document Notes Support for Intensification of Work on a Verification System," M2 Presswire, 4 December 1996.

March 1997
The US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama runs a Chemical Officer Basic Course, which has trained Egyptian officers through the rank of major.
--Scott R. Gourley, "Chem-Bio Warfare. Ready or Not: Preparing for the Chemical Onslaught," International Defense Review, Vol. 30, No. 3 March 1997, p. 67.

September 1997
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists publishes a report which draws on two declassified documents: a 1983 Special National Intelligence Estimate--a compendium of opinion from U.S. intelligence agencies including the CIA, DIA, and NSA-- titled "Implications of Soviet Use of Chemical and Toxin Weapons for U.S. Security Interests" and a 1990 DIA study titled "Offensive Chemical Warfare Programs in the Middle East." The 1983 report notes that Egypt was the "first country to obtain chemical weapons training, indoctrination and materiél" in the Middle East. The 1990 report "concluded that Egypt was continuing to conduct research related to chemical agents."
--E J Hogendoorn, "A Chemical Weapons Atlas," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 53 (September/October 1997), p. 37, <http://www.bulletinarchive.org/scripts/download/
article/download/16102/8724/053_005_026.pdf>.

November 1997
Jose Marucio Bustani, Director General of the Organization of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), expresses his hopes that the recent ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention by Russia, India, Iran, and particularly Jordan--an Arab state--may cause Egypt to reconsider its position against signing the CWC, which it continues to link to Israel's non-signing of the NPT.
--Thomas W. Lippman, "Iran Ratifies Chemical Weapons Pact, Allowing International Inspections," Washington Post, 10 November 1997.

November 1997
Eighty-one countries support the expansion of the five-year-old UN Arms Register, which then tracked conventional weapons transfers, to include weapons of mass destruction. However, because the expansion lacks adequate support, Egypt has decided to stop participating in the registry. Egypt seems uninterested in revealing its conventional arms purchases as long as Israel refuses to list its WMD related purchases. "The Arms Registry was set up with the understanding that WMD would be included in it. Despite repeated reaffirmation of that aim, no attempts have been made to do so," said Egyptian delegate to the UN Committee on Disarmament and International Security Maged Abdel Aziz.
--Thalif Deen, "Majority Vote to Declare WMD on UN Arms Listing," Jane's Defense Weekly, Vol 28, No. 21, 26 November 1997, p. 6.

November 1997
According to the Stimson Center, nine nations including Egypt have chemical and biological weapons.
--Barbara Slavin, "Biochemical Weapons: Poor Man's Nukes," USA Today, 26 November 1997.

November 1997
Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Bassiouny reaffirms Egyptian policy, which is to favor regional arms control managing biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.
--Jay Bushinsky, "Syria First, Says Egyptian Envoy," Jerusalem Post, 28 November 1997.

December 1997
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) calls on Egypt, among other countries, to sign the CWC. Director General Jose Bustani states that it is "crucial if the convention is to meet its objective" of eliminating all chemical weapons over ten years. Bustani believes Egypt has a "fundamental role to play" in the future of the OPCW.
--"Anti-Chemical Weapons Club Call in Israel, Egypt to Join Up," Agence France Presse, 1 December 1997.

December 1997
Israel airs concerns that Egypt is producing VX nerve agent at a "conventional" chemicals factory near Cairo. Egypt has hinted that it will destroy its stocks of VX agent if Israel signs the NPT, but Israel refuses due to threats posed by Syria, Iran and Iraq.
--Douglas Davis, "Egypt to PM: Don't Come Empty-handed," Jerusalem Post, 19 December 1997.

February 1998
Egypt exports between 48,000 and 50,000 personal protective "gas" masks to Kuwait, which were ordered by the Civil Defense agencies of the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry.
--"Kuwait Imports Gas Masks in Case of Iraqi Attack," Agence France Presse, 6 February 1998;"Kuwait Receives Some 50,000 Gas Masks Imported from Egypt," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 7 February 1997; "Egypt Exports Gas Masks to Kuwait," The Middle East Observer, 11 February 1998.

March 1998
The Egyptian Ambassador to the UN Nabil El-Araby states that since 1974, Egypt has been calling for a nuclear-weapon-free zone and that since 1990, President Mubarak has been calling for a WMD- free zone. The establishment of this zone will continue to be a high priority for the Egyptian government.
--"The Washington Institute Special Policy Forum on the United Nations in the Middle East," Federal News Service, 3 March 1998.

April 1998
US officials are criticized for advertising the biological and chemical weapons threat emanating from Middle Eastern countries without adequately mentioning Egypt and Israel. Egypt's chemical and biological weapons programs have "an extensive history." However, Egypt is not suspected of having a chemical or biological weapons arsenal ready for immediate use.
--Dana Priest, "US Goes Easy on Allies in Arms Control Crusade," Washington Post, 14 April 1998.

July 1998
Egypt and Iran enter an agreement to market and export pharmaceuticals between the two countries. Egypt will market Iranian products in Arab and African countries while Iran markets Egyptian products in Asia, Russia and surrounding countries.
[Note: Though the entry is not immediately pertinent to CW development, it demonstrates scientific ties between Iran and Egypt that could potentially open doors for future more illicit cooperation.]
--"Egypt, Iran Agree on Marketing Pharmaceutical Products," BBC Monitoring MiddleEast – Economic, 5 July 1998.

July 1998
Egypt and Iraq agree to promote the manufacturing of pharmaceutical vaccines and exchange expertise in the field.
--"Iraqi Delegation to Visit Cairo," Middle East Newsfile, 22 July 1998.

September 1998
The Defense Intelligence Agency's 1990 survey "Offensive Chemical Warfare Programs in the Middle East" states that Egypt continues chemical weapons research.
--Andrew Duncan, "Fifty Years On, Israel Still Tied to Circles of Defence – Part One," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No. 9, 1 September 1998, p. 19.

October 1998
In a nationally televised address, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expresses concern over Israeli weapons, long-range missiles, and research programs. He directly mentioned the 1992 crash of an El Al cargo plane in the Netherlands, which was apparently carrying 50 liters of a chemical used in the synthesis of sarin.
--Lamia Radi, "Mubarak Attends Annual March-Past for First Time Since Sadat's Murder," Agence France Presse, 6 October 1998.

October 1998
At a meeting of the UN First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), Egypt reiterates President Mubarak's desire to create a Middle East WMD-free zone and commits to signing the CWC and BWC as long as Israel ratifies the NPT and subjects its facilities to IAEA safeguards.
--"Elimination of Middle East's Weapons of Mass Destruction Stressed in Disarmament Committee Debate," M2 Presswire, 23 October 1998.

Winter 1999
Egypt is regarded as a chemical weapons state in a list of WMD state actors.
--Edward V. Badolato, "Emergency Management and Weapons of Mass Destruction," Journal of Counterterrorism and Security International, Vol. 6, No. 2, Winter 1999.

March 1999
Egyptian Political Advisor to President Hosni Mubarak, Dr. Usamah al-Baz, notes that US policy in support of Israel's suspected regional nuclear superiority is a mistake and talks of reducing regional WMD supplies might be considered unreasonable as long as Israel nuclear arsenal remains unaddressed.
--"Mubarak's Advisor Comments on Israel, Iraq, Sudan," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 16 March 1999.

March 1999
US Secretary of Defense William Cohen remarks on a meeting held with Egyptian Minister of Defense Field Marshal Tantawi, stating that the United States will help Egypt modernize its defense and look for more cooperation on chemical and biological weapons.
--"Secretary Cohen's Remarks to Press after Meeting with Minister of Defense Tantawi at the Ministry of Defense, Cairo, Egypt," M2 Presswire, 16 March 1999.

August 1999
Egyptian Political Advisor to President Hosni Mubarak, Dr. Usamah al-Baz, states in a meeting in Alexandria that Israel should dismantle its nuclear arsenal in the next five to seven years or other Arab countries will look for their own non-conventional weapons systems. This marks the first time Egypt has put a timeframe on the dismantlement of Israel's nuclear arsenal and the first time Egypt has threatened to develop a WMD program.
--"Behind the Scenes in the Mideast," Jane's Intelligence Digest, 27 August 1999.

September 1999
Stating that Egypt has no intention in participating in an arms race, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak mentions that any ban on chemical weapons must coincide with Israel's signing of the NPT.
--"Egypt Urges Israel to Renounce Nuclear Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 16 September 1999.

October 1999
In talks with Egyptian Defense Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, US Secretary of Defense William Cohen states that the Pentagon would like to see friendly states such as Egypt refurbish passive defenses including personel protective "gas" masks and decontamination units and plan for the consequences of a potential chemical weapons attack. No specific threats were outlined.
--Jim Mannion, "Cohen Holds Talks with Egyptian Defense Minister," Agence France Presse, 21 October 1999; Richard Engel, "Egypt: Reaping Peace Dividend," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 34, No. 2, 12 January 2000.

November 1999
At a meeting of the UN General Assembly, Egypt speaks on the widespread approval of the CWC stating that regional concerns has kept Egypt from signing the treaty--Israel's ongoing policy of not signing the NPT is specifically mentioned. Egypt also specifically mentions an inability to meet the terms of "Paragraph five" of an associated resolution, which emphasizes universal adherence to the CWC.
--"U.N. General Assembly Would Call for Steps to Prevent Outer Space Arms Race In One of Six Resolutions," M2 Presswire, 2 November 1999.

December 1999
Egypt continues to prove unwilling to sign the CWC, noting Israel's development of the Arrow missile defense system and refusal to sign the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the NPT.
--Ed Blanche, "Arrow-2 Downs Arrow-1 Ballistic Missile Target," Jane's Missiles & Rockets, 1 December 1999.

	Updated October 2007