Egypt accused of secret nuclear tests

Jan. 4, 2005, 8:35PM

Egypt accused of secret nuclear tests
Effort to produce uranium meant to circumvent treaty, atomic agency says
Associated Press

VIENNA, AUSTRIA - The U.N. atomic watchdog agency has found evidence of secret nuclear experiments in Egypt that could be used in weapons programs, diplomats said Tuesday.

The diplomats said that most of the work was carried out in the 1980s and 1990s but they added that the International Atomic Energy Agency also was looking at evidence suggesting some work was performed as recently as a year ago.

Egypt's government rejected claims that it is or has been pursuing a weapons program, saying its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

"A few months ago we denied these kinds of claims and we do so again," Egyptian government spokesman Magdy Rady said. "Nothing about our nuclear program is secret and there is nothing that is not known to the IAEA."

One of the diplomats, however, said the Egyptians "tried to produce various components of uranium" without declaring it to the IAEA, as they were bound to under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. The products included several pounds of uranium metal and uranium tetrafluoride — a precursor to uranium hexafluoride gas, the diplomat said on condition of anonymity...cont'd

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/headline/world/2978136

Like Dimona. No big deal.

Which is worth rather more than a dime to world shipping.

We might not invade but I am sure we would put on the pressure to insure that "free enterprise" and the "security of our friends in the region" are protected.

my goodness that list is getting long!

Are they supporting the IAEA's initiative?

HA!!!

- oh, never mind.