This annotated chronology is based on the data sources that follow each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared over time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking. Moreover, some entries may refer to developments with positive consequences for nonproliferation.
4 January 2005
According to information revealed to the Associated Press by unnamed diplomats, the IAEA "has found evidence of secret nuclear experiments in Egypt that could be used in weapons programs." The alleged evidence indicates that the majority of the experiments were carried out in the 1980s and 1990s; some of the work was purportedly undertaken as recently as a year ago. Egyptian government spokesman Magdy Rady again denies these claims, stating that "Nothing about our nuclear program is secret and there is nothing that is not known to the IAEA."
One of the diplomats, however, insists on condition of anonymity that Egypt did attempt to produce uranium components unbeknownst to the IAEA, including uranium metal and uranium tetrafluoride, a precursor to uranium hexafluoride gas. The diplomat added that the work appears to have been sporadic however, without special focus.
--"IAEA Finds Egypt Secret Nuclear Program" The Associated Press, 4 January 2005.
4 January 2005
Israeli military sources assert that Abdul Qadeer Khan's illicit market in nuclear proliferation provided one of three countries - Syria, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt - with the expertise and material to manufacture nuclear bombs. The sources would not specify precisely which state they are talking about.
--Arieh O'Sullivan, "Exclusive: Nuke Trader Khan Gave Major Boost to Arab State," The Jerusalem Post, 4 January 2005.
5 January 2005
Unnamed diplomats in Vienna claim that the IAEA discovery of trace material deriving from small scale nuclear experiments in Egypt "did not involve uranium enrichment," adding that that the apparent lack of real focus suggests that the discovery is relatively less alarming than recent revelations about nuclear experimentation in South Korea.
--Anne Penketh, "Egypt Carried Out Secret Nuclear Tests" The Independent (London), 5 January 2005.
5 January 2005
According to the Washington Post, diplomatic sources familiar with IAEA findings suggest that there is no evidence of an Egyptian nuclear weapons program, although several Egyptian scientists have been involved in experiments domestically and abroad over the past 30 years. Egypt has been cooperative and IAEA inspectors are purportedly satisfied that any experiments that did occur were not conducted under the aegis of the government. IAEA spokesman Mark Gwozdecky would not comment on these allegations. U.S. State Department and White House spokesmen said they had no information regarding the IAEA findings.
--Dafna Linzer, "Egyptians Reportedly Took Part in Past Nuclear Experiments" Washington Post, 5 January 2005.
6 January 2005
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt declares Egypt's continued commitment to NPT obligations. Cabinet spokesman Majdi Radi denies all such allegations, saying that nothing about the nuclear program is secret and the Egyptian program is for medical and research purposes alone.
--"Egypt: Foreign Minister, Nuclear Energy Experts Deny Egypt Conducted 'Secret' Tests" Al-Misri Al-Yawm (Cairo), 6 January 2005; FBIS-translated text.
6 January 2005
An editorial in the state-owned Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram declares that the uproar surrounding the possibility of a secret nuclear weapons program in Egypt is nothing more than a "smoke screen to cover the real issue that underlies the threat of proliferation of nuclear weapons in the entire region. We mean the Israeli nuclear program, for according to all documented studies Israel has in its possession at present no fewer than 200 nuclear warheads."
--"Egypt: Editorial Disclaims Bid to Produce Nuclear Weapons" Al-Ahram (Cairo), 6 January 2005; FBIS-translated text.
11 January 2005
A senior U.S. administration official has stated that Washington has no reason to believe that Egypt is engaged in an illicit nuclear weapons development program and is allowing the IAEA to practice its normal procedures.
--"U.S. Backs Egypt's Assertions of No Nuke Development" Al-Jazeera, 11 January 2005; Janine Zacharia, "U.S.: Egyptian Experiments Not Part of Nuclear Weapons Program" The Jerusalem Post, 11 January 2005.
13 January 2005
Decrying what it describes as "a tendentious campaign against Egypt," Cairo's opposition Al-Wafd newspaper states that the source of "malicious" allegations regarding Egypt's purported development of a secret nuclear program emanate from Israel. The newspaper cites several Egyptian experts, academics and former government personnel, who emphasize the peaceful nature of nuclear research in the country; the spuriousness of charges suggesting nefarious Egyptian government-sponsored nuclear programs or goals; the greater regional threat posed by unacknowledged and unmonitored Israeli nuclear capabilities; and alleged U.S. hopes to discredit the IAEA's Egyptian director, Mohamed
El-Baradei, to deny him a third term as head of the nuclear agency.
--"Egypt: Editorial Disclaims Bid to Produce Nuclear Weapons" Al-Wafd (Cairo), 13 January 2005; FBIS-translated text.
20 January 2005
Unidentified diplomats close to the IAEA reveal that inspectors are investigating a reprocessing laboratory, the existence of which is news to the nuclear agency. It was built in the 1980s to make plutonium but apparently never used; it is located at Egypt's Inshass center, 20 miles northeast of Cairo and home of two research reactors.
--"UN Inspectors Now Looking at Nuclear Lab in Egypt: Diplomats" Agence France Presse, 20 January 2005; "Egypt and Nuclear Weapons," Washington Times, 24 January 2005, p. 20.
24 January 2005
Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmad Abu al-Ghayt underscores Egypt's full cooperation with the IAEA in accordance with the NPT.
--"Cooperation Between Egypt, IAEA 'Serious and in Full Swing' - Foreign Minister," MENA (Cairo), 24 January 2005.
24 January 2005
An unidentified Egyptian "official" source laid out the following six points to Cairo's Middle East News Agency: Egypt is fully committed to its NPT obligations; its nuclear activities are peaceful, permitted and subject to IAEA verification; the experiments and activities currently being questioned occurred many years ago and only as permitted; Egypt is demonstrating the highest good faith and transparency in its dealings with the IAEA, including explaining a disruption in activity reports about some research and experimentation; efforts are already underway to ensure full Egyptian implementation of the ACG (Agreement of Comprehensive Guarantees) system to guarantee Egypt's full commitment; Egypt stresses its "unwavering belief in the universality of the NPT and the necessity to subject all Middle East nuclear installations to surveillance of the IAEA's ACG system."
--"Egypt Says Committed to Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Obligations," MENA (Cairo), 25 January 2005.
27 January 2005
Dr. Ali Islam, head of the Egyptian Atomic Energy Agency, declares that the Egypt-IAEA dialogue is "going well." Islam stresses Egypt's complete commitment to NPT obligations and affirms its peaceful nuclear goals.
--"Egyptian-International Nuclear Watchdog Dialogue 'Going Well,'" MENA (Cairo), 27 January 2005.
30 January 2005
The Washington Post reports that the Bush administration's true motivation for preventing Mohamed ElBaradei from winning another term was his accurate assessment that Iraq had no nuclear weapons. In an interview with the Washington Post, ElBaradei responds to allegations that Egypt is engaging in experiments with nuclear materials. He says, "...there was a failure in reporting certain experiments, but they do not have a weapons program...It comes back to a sense of frustration - a sense of instability. As part of the peace process, we must engage in a parallel security dialogue. You will not get peace simply by saying here is a Palestinian state. You need a security structure undergirding the peace process, dealing with weapons of mass destruction." When asked about the American administration's attempt to get him kicked out, he responds by saying, "I don't know who wants me out. They say they want a rotation policy. I have spent almost 30 years of my life doing this, and before I cross to the other side, I want to get the Iran issue out of the way and get to the bottom of the A.Q. Khan network - he provided the complete kit to Libya."
--"Q&A: ElBaradei, Feeling the Nuclear Heat," Washington Post, 30 January 2005.
February 2005
Reports indicate the IAEA is investigating evidence of past undeclared activities in Egypt. Based on reports from 2004, Arms Control Today says evidence indicates Egypt engaged in activities involving plutonium and production of material useful for a uranium enrichment program.
--"IAEA Investigating Egypt and Taiwan," Arms Control Today, February 2005.
1 February 2005
In a Note Verbal to Director General of the IAEA Mohammed ElBaradei, the Egyptian government compliments the IAEA and requests the Secretariat to circulate an attached press release on the implementation of the NPT Safeguard Agreement of Egypt. The translated press statement is as follows:
- Egypt is fully committed to its undertakings and obligations in accordance with the Treaty on the Non - Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement concluded with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
- Egypt's nuclear activities are strictly for peaceful purposes in accordance with the Non - Proliferation Treaty, and are subject to the IAEA inspections in accordance with the Safeguards Agreement. Related research experiments and their results have been regularly published in Egyptian and international scientific journals.
- Differing interpretations of some aspects of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, especially with regard to the developments that have occurred in the Safeguards System since the mid 1990's, have resulted in not reporting to the Agency in an appropriate and timely manner, a number of research experiments and activities. Such activities, most of which took place in the distant past, are consistent with the NPT
- Egypt is cooperating with the IAEA, in a full, transparent and forthcoming manner, to rectify this situation. In this regard, Egypt understands that the Agency is aware of the limited scope of the issue. Likewise, we note that throughout our discussion the Agency values the level of cooperation Egypt is extending and its desire to bring the issue, in all its aspects to a speedy conclusion.
- Egypt is availing itself of the expertise of the Agency in enhancing the capabilities of national agencies responsible for the implementation of the Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement, especially with regard to the development that occurred during the past years in the Safeguard System. This process will continue in the future in a way that ensures Egypt's continued implementation of its commitments in accordance with its Safeguards Agreement.
- Egypt reaffirms its position of principle, which calls for the universality of the NPT and for all nuclear installations in the Middle East be placed under the IAEA Safeguards System.
--"Note Verbal, From the Embassy of the Arab of Egypt to the International Atomic Agency," IAEA, 1 February 2005.
3 February 2005
In a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Rep. Jerold Nadler (D-NY) expresses serious concern that Egypt may be conducting clandestine nuclear weapons programs. He notes the recent samples of plutonium found in Egypt, the 2001 peaceful nuclear cooperation agreement with China, and a report by the Center for Non-Proliferation Studies that Egypt's "active nuclear research program and recent activities and acquisitions aimed at developing an independent nuclear fuel cycle could provide cover and opportunity for developing a clandestine weapons program." are clear signs they may be pursuing nuclear weapons programs.
--"Rep. Nadler Urges Secretary of State Rice to Investigate Secret Nuclear Programs in the Middle East," HT Media Ltd., 4 February 2005.
4 February 2005
The International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing a report on its investigation into Egypt's failure to inform the IAEA about nuclear research experiments. The report is scheduled for submission to the IAEA on February 28 and will be a special topic of consideration at the board meeting. In a statement to Agence France Presse, Egyptian ambassador Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy claims the strengthened safeguards led to some countries not knowing what they were required to report. Additionally, Mr. Ramzy said the reported safeguards failures were exaggerated. The IAEA is focusing on uranium metal production experiments at the Inshas center reprocessing laboratory, which could be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
--"IAEA Writing Report on Egyptian Nuclear Reporting Failures," Agence France Presse, 4 February 2005.
8 February 2005
Pakistan denies allegations that Abdul Qadeer Khan sold nuclear secrets to Egypt. Information minister, Sheik Rashid Ahmed, claims the Time magazine report that A.Q. Khan's network extended beyond what was initially thought is "baseless and sensationalized." He further denies that 16 cylinders of uranium hexafluoride gas are missing from the Khan Research Laboratories.
--"International Roundup: Asia: Nuclear Sales Report Rejected," The Guardian, 8 February 2005.
9 February 2005
A German official says Egypt's use of nuclear material is exclusively for medical research. German minister of science and arts from Baden-Wuttermberg, Peter Frankenberg, claims the experiments focus on cancer research and locating subterranean waters in the desert.
--"Egypt Using Nuclear Energy for Medical Purposes - German Official," Financial Times, 10 February 2005.
10 February 2005
The Associated Press reports that the United States continues its pursuit to remove Mohamed ElBaradei as director general of the IAEA.
--"U.S. Continues Effort to Oust ElBaradei," Global Security Newswire, 10 February 2005.
13 February 2005
The Sunday Telegraph reports a senior Bush official revealed the United States is lobbying support for a no-confidence vote to remove Mohammed ElBaradei as the head of the IAEA.
--"Washington Steps Up Campaign to Remove UN's Nuclear Chief," Sunday Telegraph, 13 February 2005.
14 February 2005
A UN atomic agency report says Egypt "erred" when it did not report some of its nuclear experiments. The report also claims the research did not involve uranium enrichment or plutonium separation to make nuclear weapons. The IAEA report further says that although the repeated failures to report nuclear experiments and facilities are "a matter of concern" they do not constitute a "smoking gun" and Egypt appears to be telling the truth.
-- "U.N. Report Finds Secret Egyptian Nuclear Experiments not an Overt Attempt to Make Atomic Weapons," Associated Press, 14 February 2005.
14 February 2005
The Associated Press reports that an IAEA summary released to diplomats dispelled some concerns that Egypt had explored developing nuclear weapons. The report also faulted Egypt for failing to report imports of small amounts of uranium compounds and "other" substances.
-- "Nuclear Agency's Report on Egypt Suggests Cairo Up Front About its Activities," Associated Press, 14 February 2005.
14 February 2005
An IAEA senior diplomat says even though Egypt repeatedly failed to report nuclear materials and activities, the research appears to be related to the nuclear fuel cycle, not a nuclear weapons program. The diplomat also indicates that Egypt is cooperating with the investigation into these incidents, some of which occurred as many as 40 years ago.
--"UN Agency Says Egypt Failed to Report Nuclear Materials, Activities," Agence France Presse, 14 February 2005, in FBIS Document EUP20050214000234.
14 February 2005
Egyptian officials claim minute traces of plutonium found by the IAEA came from fuel contamination in one of the small research reactors located at the Inshas center. Cairo attributes the lack of reporting nuclear activities, most of which took place before 1982, to "sloppiness".
--"IAEA: Egypt Up Front About Atomic Arms," Associated Press, 14 February 2005.
15 February 2005
A confidential report by the IAEA reprimands Egypt for failing to declare nuclear materials and sites. The report, circulated prior to the upcoming board of governors meeting on February 28, highlights the failure to report these items in a timely manner, but also says "the nuclear material and facilities seen by the agency to date are consistent with the activities described by Egypt." The New York Times indicates Egypt said it never completed the hydrometallurgy pilot plant which was designed to separate small amounts of plutonium.
--"U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Chides Egypt," New York Times, 15 February 2005.
2 March 2005
Individual board members of the IAEA issue statements indicating Egypt's violations were minor. The United States praises Egypt's cooperation and along with the Nonaligned Movement agrees in a statement "that the issue in question is not a matter of proliferation concern."
---- Greg Webb, "Case Closed on Egyptian Nuclear Research," Global Security Newswire, 2 March 2005.
2 March 2005
According to the Bulgarian News Association (BTA), the Bulgarian Council of Ministers approves a decision to endorse an agreement to cooperate with the Egyptian government to counter terrorism, prohibit crime, and prevent the proliferation of radioactive substances and dual-use nuclear technology and goods.
----"BTA Details Bulgarian Government 2 Mar Regular Weekly Meeting Decisions," Bulgarian News Agency (BTA), 2 March 2005, in FBIS Document EUP20050302000183.
2 March 2005
Head of the U.S. delegation to the IAEA, Jackie Sanders, praises Egypt for its cooperation and transparency with the IAEA. Egypt's example clearly demonstrates the "appropriate means for resolving outstanding safeguards issues, specifically, full cooperation with the IAEA on steps to address all concerns," Sanders added.
----"US Praises Egypt's Nuclear Openness," Reuters, 2 March 2005.
3 March 2005
Egypt's representative to the IAEA, Ambassador Ramzi Ezzedin Ramzi, says the IAEA is "fully convinced that all Egyptian activities are only for peaceful purposes...and the delay in reporting its activities was not deliberate but due to a difference over explaining clauses of the guarantee protocol." Furthermore, Egypt was "hailed" for its response to and cooperation with the IAEA investigation, the official added.
----"IAEA Board Hails Egypt's Cooperation, Nuclear Transparency," MENA, 3 March 2005, in FBIS Document EUP20050303000232.
4 March 2005
Progress continues in Mohammed ElBaradei's third term candidacy as head of the IAEA as the U.S. administration has yet to offer a suitable alternative for the position.
---- Miles Pomper, "ElBaradei Unopposed for Third Term," Arms Control Today, March 2005.
27 April 2005
Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Egypt includes talks on an agreement for cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy. In an interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Egyptian Foreign Minister Abu-al-Ghayt says he has hopes the deal will be authorized soon. Putin is also set to discuss the possible sale of "over 1,000 portable missile launchers" to Egypt, in competition with China.
--"The First Coming: What the Middle East Expects from Vladimir Putin's Visit," Kommersant, 26 April 2005; "BBC Monitoring Quotes from Russian Press: Wednesday 27 April 2005," Financial Times, 27 April 2005.
28 April 2005
The Russian daily Izvestiya reports that in talks between Russia and Egypt, nuclear power station construction is not under consideration. It adds that the use of nuclear power in a water desalination facility and for medical purposes is possible, but "for the time being the signing of contracts remains a prospect for the future."
--"Moscow Daily Views Putin-Mubarak Talks," Moscow Izvestiya, 28 April 2005, in FBIS document CEP20050428009001.
30 April 2005
Prior to the 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference in May, Egypt participates in The New Agenda Coalition. This group implements policies to expedite nuclear nonproliferation.
--"Landmark Nuclear Treaty Under Sharp Scrutiny at U.N.," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 30 April 2005.
May 2005
The United States opposes a third term for Egyptian-born Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohammed ElBaradei. The bases for the opposition are the application of the Geneva Rule, as well as El Baradei's disagreement with the war in Iraq and his perceived leniency regarding Iran's nuclear program.
--Joseph Cirincione, "The Hunt for El Baradei," Foreign Policy, May 2005.
12 May 2005
Head of the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency Aleksander Rumyantsev tells a journalist that he expects an agreement on cooperation between Russia and Egypt on peaceful uses of nuclear energy. He discusses "reconstruction of the nuclear center" as well as "construction of accelerators for medical purposes, and for agriculture."
--"Russian Atomic Energy Chief Details Plans for Nuclear Cooperation with Iran," BBC, 17 May 2005.
15 May 2005
Prime Minister of Egypt Ahmed Nazif reiterates Egypt's support of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. He declares that Egypt will not "pursue nuclear capability in terms of military use," even if Iran becomes a nuclear power.
--"NBC News Meet the Press," NBC, 15 May 2005.
28 May 2005
The 2005 Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty review conference is unable to make progress on improving the treaty. The failure is caused in part by Egypt's refusal to proceed without talks specifically regarding Israel's nuclear program.
--Mark Turner, "Talks on Nuclear Arms End in Failure," Financial Times, 28 May 2005.
9 June 2005
The United States abandons its opposition to a third term for Mohammed ElBaradei as Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
--Anne Penketh, "El-Baradei Set to Head UN Nuclear Watchdog for Four More Years," Independent, 9 June 2005.
13 June 2005
IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming says "the board has reached a consensus and appointed Doctor ElBaradei to a third term." The vote was unanimous within the 35-member Board of Governors.
--"IAEA Chief ElBaradei Reappointed for 3rd Term," Tokyo Kyodo, 13 June 2005, in FBIS Document JPP20050613000118; "ElBaradei Re-Elected by Consensus as UN Nuclear Chief," Agence France Presse, 13 June 2005. 20 July 2005
An Egyptian delegation led by Ambassador Abdul Raouf El-Reedi is to attend the International Conference on Disarmament and Nuclear Proliferation in Japan.
— “Egypt Participates in Conference on Nuclear Proliferation,” Info-Prod Research, Ltd., 20 July 2005.
9 August 2005
Dr. Ali Islam, head of the Egyptian Atomic Energy Agency, states that relations between the IAEA and Egypt are managed with “trust and transparency,” and that Egypt is committed to IAEA and NPT regulations.
— “Egypt’s Nuclear Agency Says Fully Committed to Non-Proliferation Treaty,” BBC, 9 August 2005.
26 August 2005
Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit states in a letter to the Executive Secretary of the CTBT Organization, Tibor Toth, that Egypt ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty is directly related to "regional and international developments." In particular he points to Israel's status as a non-signatory to the NPT as a reason for Egypt's rejection of the CTBT.
-- "Egypt Says NPT Endorsement Linked to Regional, Int'l Developments," MENA, 26 August 2005, in FBIS Document GMP20050826710052; "Egypt Refuses Request to Join Test Ban Treaty," Global Security Newswire, 7 September 2005.
15 September 2005
The UN General Assembly's declaration to be issued at the end of the UN World Summit, according to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, addresses several Egyptian requests yet disregards the important matters of "nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament."
-- "UN Declaration 'Responds to Many Egyptian Initiatives' - Foreign Minister," MENA, 15 September 2005.
17 September 2005
In response to a journalist's question regarding international reactions to Egypt's refusal to join the NPT, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit says, "the issue is not one of pressure, but it is one of countries' interests...Every country has its motives, and Egypt will always work to protect its interests."
-- "Egypt: Foreign Minister on UN Summit, Egyptians in Iraq, Gaza, US Relations," Al-Ahram, 17 September 2005, in FBIS Document GMP20050917007008.
18 September 2005
According to Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit, Egypt's initiatives regarding a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East are widely accepted at the UN General Assembly.
-- "FM Says Egypt's Proposal on Nuclear-Free Middle East Widely Welcomed at UN," MENA, 18 September 2005, in FBIS Document GMP20050918710020.
21 September 2005
At the 60th Session of the UN General Assembly, the Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Abul Gheit, announces that "Egypt has signed the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism." In his statement he also asserts that "the issues of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is another major challenge requiring concerted international action," particularly because the plenary meeting did not achieve agreement on a "methodology of addressing those issues in a manner consistent with its utmost importance and urgency for the safety and security of the human race."
Ahmed Gheit states that the international community must, "[restore] the balance between nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and the peaceful use of nuclear energy." In order to achieve this, Gheit suggests that, "universality of the NPT [is] imperative, otherwise we risk that the Non-Proliferation Treaty loses its credibility and relevance." Included in the argument for universality of the NPT is the need to "reinforce the mutual and balanced implementation of commitments and obligations set forth in existing treaties, and achieving their universality prior to any attempts at imposing further obligations on states that adhere to these treaties." The Egyptian statement also expresses a desire to create a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East.
-- H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, "Statement by H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt Before the Sixtieth Session of The United Nations General Assembly 21 September 2005," IAEA, 21 September 2005.
28 September 2005
Egypt proposes a resolution on a Middle East Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone to the 49th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Israel, the only state in the region that is believed to possess nuclear weapons, agrees to support the resolution in exchange for dropping discussion of its nuclear program from the agenda. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice states that the United States is not opposed to a NWFZ in the Middle East, but feels that first there must be greater peace and security in the region. For the United States, this is more an issue of politics than security. Russian Federation Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov affirms that the Russian Federation supports a Middle Eastern NWFZ, but agrees with the United States that there must be greater security in the region.
--"Egypt Proposes Nuclear-Free Middle East," Global Security Newswire, 29 September 2005; "UN: Transcript of Press Conference on Middle East, by Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Quartet Foreign Ministers, at United Nations Headquarters, 20 September 2005," M2 Presswire, 21 September 2005.
30 September 2005
The General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency adopts without a vote Resolution GC(49)/18 on the implementation of a NWFZ in the Middle East. However, the Arab states fail to gain a denunciation of Israel for their nuclear activities. In previous conferences, the IAEA has adopted similar resolutions, but Director General Mohamed ElBaradei states that he has failed to make any progress on their implementation.
--"General Conference Adopts Resolutions on Nuclear Issues," International Atomic Energy Agency, 30 September 2005; "Arab Countries Fail to Obtain IAEA Denunciation of Israel as 'Nuclear Threat,'" Agence France Presse, in FBIS Document EUP20050930102015, 30 September 2005; "Egypt Proposes Nuclear-free-zone in Middle East," Agence France Presse, 28 September 2005; "El Baradei Details IAEA's Priority Activities in Address to General Conference," International Atomic Energy Agency, in FBIS Document EUP20050926001005, 26 September 2005.
7 October 2005
Mohamed ElBaradei, the Egyptian Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, wins the Nobel Peace Prize for the use of diplomatic means in the IAEA cases of Iran and North Korea. The Nobel Committee states, "the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to underline that this threat must be met through the broadest possible international cooperation. This principle finds its clearest expression today in the work of the IAEA and its director general."
--Doug Mellgren, "U.N. Nuclear Watchdog Wins Nobel Peace Prize," Associated Press, 7 October 2005.
7 October 2005
The Guardian Weekly releases information on a 2003 British MI5 report entitled, "Companies and Organizations of Proliferation Concern" that cites Egypt, among other states, as having attempted to acquire dual-use components for its nuclear program.
--"Egypt, Syria Seek to Turn Nuclear," Middle East Newsline, 18 October 2005; "Intelligence Report Traces Covert Arms Programmes," Guardian Weekly, 14 October 2005.
13 October 2005
In an interview with an Egyptian journalist, Egypt's Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit discusses his views on nonproliferation and regional security. He reiterates "Egypt's pivotal role in strengthening the nuclear non-proliferation system," and says that, "non-proliferation issues should continue to be tackled through a multilateral international framework and not through a unilateral course." Regarding regional security, Gheit states that Egypt is unchangeable in its position on "the importance of freeing the region of all WMD, foremost among which are nuclear weapons," and that they will continue to insist that Israel comply with the NPT. He also utilizes the Iranian nuclear program as evidence that a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East in necessary for regional security.
--"Egypt's FM on IAEA, NPT, WMD-Free Mideast; Urges Parity in Security Arrangements," Al-Ahram, 13 October 2005, in FBIS Document GMP20051013007007.
18 October 2005
While traveling to Russia for meetings, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit states that he will speak with Russian officials regarding a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East.
--"Egyptian Foreign Minister Visits Russia for Talks on Peace Process, Iraq," BBC, 18 October, 2005.
19 October 2005
Egypt's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abul Gheit, responds to a question regarding the possibility of Egyptian and Russian cooperation on a nuclear power plant on Egyptian soil by saying that the subject has not yet been brought to the table.
--"Egyptian Foreign Minister: Moscow, Cairo Agree on Energy Cooperation," ITAR-TASS, 19 October, 2005, in FBIS Document CEP20051019027132.
19 October 2005
During a press conference, Egyptian Foreign MinisterAhmed Abul Gheit repeats Egypt's position that the Middle East should have a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone. Concerning the NPT, he states that, "it is necessary to comply with the NPT. But it is necessary to give the countries an opportunity of using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."
--Maria Pshenichnikova, "Iran's Problem Needs Patience - Egyptian Foreign Minister," ITAR-TASS, 19 October 2005.
26 October 2005
An Egyptian sponsored U.N. draft resolution on the creation of a Middle Eastern Nuclear Weapons Free Zone is brought before the U.N. First Committee (Disarmament and International Security). The resolution calls for the formation of a NWFZ and would urge all countries "not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons or permit the stationing on their territories, or territories under their control, of nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices," and to put all nuclear programs under international safeguards.
--"UN: Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, Bolstering Global Non-proliferation Regime, Among Issues Addressed, as First Committee Approves 21 Draft Texts; Importance of Test-Ban Treaty, Risk of Middle East Nuclear Proliferation, Assurances for Non-Nuclear Weapon States Also Highlighted," M2 Presswire, 26 October 2005.
9 November 2005
Advocating a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East, Nabil Fahmy, Egyptian Ambassador to the United States, states at a Carnegie International Nonproliferation Conference that the creation of a NWFZ must not be delayed until after a resolution to the Arab/Israeli issue is found.
--Nabil Fahmy, "Sixty Years Later: Remarks Delivered by H.E. Nabil Fahmy Ambassador of Egypt to the United States," The 2005 Carnegie International Non-Proliferation Conference, 7 November 2005.
15 November 2005
The construction of the synchrotron accelerator for the Synchrotron-light Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) project, of which Egypt is one of the participants, is almost complete. The synchrotron accelerator will be housed in a facility at the University of Balaka, which is about 30km from Amman, Jordan. The facility is expected to be operational in 2009. [Note: See entry for 3 January 2003.]
--Judy Siegel, "Israel Helping to Build ME Nuclear Accelerator. Alongside Iran Pakistan Jordan Egypt and the PA," Jerusalem Post, 15 November 2005, p. 7.
30 December 2005
An Egyptian official refutes allegations by Israeli Knesset member Yuval Steinitz that Egypt helped Iran with its nuclear program and provided Palestinian factions with weapons.
--"Source Dismisses Israeli Claims on Egyptian Military Help to Iran, Palestinians," Middle East News Agency, in FBIS Document GMP20051230710014, 30 December 2005.
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Updated May 2006 |
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