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Updated April 2005
Nuclear Chronology
2004
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.
31 March 2004
WorldTribune.com suggests that evidence uncovered by a British-U.S. team of nuclear inspectors in Libya confirms an exchange of nuclear and missile technology between Libya and Egypt in late 2003. U.S. officials opine that the alleged cooperation is unlikely to be raised during the April 12th meeting between Presidents Bush and Mubarak.
— "Report: Libya, Egypt Swapped Nukes," United Press International, 31 March 2004.
2 November 2004
According to the French Liberation newspaper, a rumor has begun to circulate at the IAEA that Mohamed ElBaradei may have exerted his influence to cover up information regarding a clandestine Egyptian nuclear program. It is alleged that this information surfaced as part of the IAEA's review of secret Libyan nuclear documents. Liberation points its finger at the United States for being behind the rumor, stressing the tensions between it and the IAEA chief. ElBaradei is currently seeking a third term as secretary general of the agency; the United States opposes his re-election.
— "The Director of the IAEA Is Accused of Covering Up a Clandestine Egyptian Nuclear Program," Liberation, 2 November 2004.
2 November 2004
Egypt's ambassador to the IAEA, Ramzy Ezzeldin Ramzy, dismisses the French newspaper allegation that Mohamed ElBaradei helped to hide a clandestine Egyptian nuclear program as "baseless." He emphasizes Egypt's consistently "clean bill of health" with regard to the IAEA.
— "Egypt Rejects Charges IAEA Chief Helping It With Secret Nuclear Program," Agence France Presse, 3 November 2004.
5 November 2004
The IAEA is currently looking into the likely provenance of plutonium particles discovered near an Egyptian nuclear facility. The agency cautioned against jumping to conclusions about whether or not Egypt may have violated the Non-proliferation Treaty.
— George Jahn, "U.N.: Traces of Plutonium Found in Egypt," Associated Press, 3 November 2004.
7 November 2004
An Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement faxed to the Associated Press responds to reports of alleged Egyptian nuclear activity, stressing that "these reports have no basis of truth."
— Maamoun Youssef, "Egypt Rejects Speculation Over Its Nuclear Activities," Associated Press, 7 November 2004.
29 November 2004
The Russian governmental press service reports that Russian Prime Minister Fradkov has signed a draft agreement with Egypt on cooperation regarding the peaceful use of atomic energy. The agreed cooperation will include "fundamental and applied research and development, design, construction, operation and modification of industrial and research nuclear reactors, desalters and accelerators."
— "Russia Approves Draft Agreement on Atomic Energy Cooperation With Egypt," Interfax-AVN, 29 November 2004.
30 November 2004
In an interview with Der Standard, Egyptian Foreign Minister Abu al-Ghayt stated decisively that: "We will not follow the nuclear path." An interview with Amr Musa, former Egyptian foreign minister and current Arab League general secretary, elicited the view that there is a double standard as regards nuclear policy, a specific reference to the differing stances vis-à-vis Israel and Iran. He opines that "peaceful nuclear programs must remain permitted…all rights under the NPT should be preserved."
— "Double Standard in Nuclear Issue a ‘Poisonous Weapon'," Der Standard (Austria), 30 November 2004.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
