nuclear-news

Nuclear weapons or not – for Egypt?

“The most one could say is that Egypt may be desiring to keep its options open. And among the Egyptian body politic, there is a point of view expressed by several parties that Egypt should pursue nuclear weapons.”………..

Will New Egyptian Government Pursue Nuclear Weapons?  Voice of America, 18 Feb 2011, “…..Egypt has two nuclear research reactors located near Cairo. They are used for peaceful purposes and are under International Atomic Energy Agency – or IAEA – safeguards.

Analysts agree that Egypt tried to acquire nuclear weapons back in the 1960s, but ultimately decided not to do so because of political and economic reasons. In February, 1981, Egypt ratified the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty – or NPT – the legal cornerstone of non-proliferation efforts.

Open options

Mark Fitzpatrick, from London’s International Institute for Strategic Studies, said Egypt is not trying to become a nuclear weapons state. “The most one could say is that Egypt may be desiring to keep its options open. And among the Egyptian body politic, there is a point of view expressed by several parties that Egypt should pursue nuclear weapons.”………..
Analysts say the next test will come next year when an international conference will be devoted to the issue of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East.

Will New Egyptian Government Pursue Nuclear Weapons? | Middle East | English

February 19, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Egypt, politics international