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Updated November 2008
Nuclear Chronology
2008
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.
16 January 2008
Given Egypt’s interest in developing nuclear power, the international community is pressuring it to sign the Additional Protocol to the NPT, which would expand the IAEA’s safeguards authority over the Egyptian nuclear program. Egypt remains adamant in its refusal to join the Additional Protocol, primarily citing Israel’s non-NPT status as its rationale for non-participation. The United States, Canada, and France are conditioning support for Egypt’s nuclear program on acceptance of the Additional Protocol. This is prompting Egypt to consider deals with countries such as Russia and China.
— "Egypt Refuses to Sign UN Nuclear Watchdog Protocols for Stricter Inspections," International Herald Tribune, 12 December 2007; "Egypt Pressured by USA, France to Sign Additional Nuclear Protocol—website," BBC Monitoring Middle East, 16 January 2008.
1 February 2008
The Egyptian government rejects U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman’s offer to join the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), because of the offer’s condition that Egypt sign the Additional Protocol to the NPT.
— "Egypt Rejects U.S. Offer for Peaceful Nuclear Partnership Initiative," Al-Misriyun, 1 February 2008, in OSC document GMP20080202950019; "Egypt’s Rising Energy Stature," Oil & Gas Journal, 4 February 2008.
3 February 2008
Mohamed El-Baradei, IAEA Director General, states that Egypt’s first nuclear reactor will be operational by 2017 or 2018. El-Baradei’s statements come after a series of talks held with Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hassan Younis.
— "IAEA Chief: Egypt’s Nuclear Program for Power Generation," Cairo MENA, 3 February 2008, in OSC document GMP20080203950065; "IAEA Chief on Egypt, Iran Nuclear Programmes, Israeli Attack on Syrian Site," BBC Monitoring Middle East, 5 February 2008.
25 March 2008
Russia and Egypt sign a nuclear cooperation agreement during Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s state visit to Russia. The agreement makes it official that Russia can bid on the international tender for the construction of Egypt’s four proposed nuclear reactors. The chief of Russia’s state-owned Atomstroieksport, Sergei Shmatko, has expressed interest in bidding on the project. President Mubarak affirms that Egypt will abide by the IAEA’s guidelines for nuclear technology.
— Oleg Shchedrov, "Russia and Egypt Sign Nuclear Energy Pact," Reuters, 25 March 2008; "Russia, Egypt Presidents Meet Over Nuclear Energy Cooperation," ITAR-TASS, in OSC document CEP20080325950260, 25 March 2008, found in OSC document CEP20080325950260, 25 March 2008; "Egypt’s President Visits Moscow Seeking Nuclear Deal," Ria Novosti, 24 March 2008; Zvi Mzel. "Cairo Climbs the Nuclear Pyramid," The Jerusalem Post, 25 March 2008.
30 March 2008
Egypt announces it will consider cooperating with France in the development of its nuclear energy sector.
— "Egypt, France Mull Nuclear Cooperation," Cairo MENA, in OSC document GMP20080330950055, 30 March 2008; "France Seeks to Help Egypt in Nuclear Power Programme," Paris Agence France Press, in OSC document EUP20080331950008, 30 March 2008.
14 April 2008
Egyptian Minister of Electricity Hassan Younis announces that Egypt’s draft law on nuclear energy [Note: See NTI Chronology 29 October 2007] is finalized and has been submitted to the People’s Assembly and the Shura Council. The People’s Assembly and the Shura Council are responsible for officially endorsing the law.
— "Egypt: Minister Says Draft Law on Nuclear Energy Finalized," Cairo MENA, in OSC document GMP20080415950008, 14 April 2008.
15 April 2008
During a meeting to discuss ways to improve bilateral trade between Bulgaria and Egypt, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak discuss Egypt’s burgeoning nuclear energy industry as an area to which Bulgaria can lend assistance. President Parvanov says that, “Bulgaria is ready to help Egypt train cadres to operate the nuclear stations.” Bulgaria’s Ambassador to Cairo, Ivan Gaetanjiev, also cites Bulgaria’s maintenance experience as grounds for Bulgaria assisting Egypt in its nuclear energy program.
— "Bulgarian President Visits Egypt, Offers Help with Nuclear Power Generation," Cairo MENA, in OSC document GMP20080415950070, 15 April 2008; "Egypt, Bulgaria Sign Three Agreements Covering Investments, Irrigation & Military Industries," Egypt State Information Service, 15 April 2008; "Envoy Says Bulgaria Ready to Help Egypt in Nuclear Energy Field," Cairo MENA, in OSC document GMP20080522950010, 22 May 2008.
4 May 2008
Egypt’s Minister of Electricity, Hassan Younis, announces that on 29 May 2008 Egypt will review the tender papers of 21 international consultancy houses that submitted bids to build Egypt's first nuclear power plant. The tender includes consultation on locations, technologies, quality control and training of employees.
— "Egypt to Assess First Nuclear Plant’s Tender Papers," Xinhua.net, 4 May 2008; "Twenty-One International Companies Bid for Egypt’s Nuclear Project Consultancy," Cairo MENA, in OSC document GMP20080424950043, 24 April 2008.
4 October 2008
At its Board of Governor's meeting in Vienna, the IAEA selects Egypt as one of the representatives for Africa. Egypt will sit on the Board of Governors for two years.
— Bouthaina Abdul Rahman, "Syria Drops Bid for Seat in IAEA's Board of Governors," Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, 4 October 2008; "Egypt Named Member of IAEA Board of Governors," Egypt State Information Service, 4 October 2008.
26 October 2008
Egyptian Minister of Electricity and Energy Younis announces that Egypt will select the winner of the international contract for the construction of its first nuclear power plant by the end of November, and that construction will begin in 2009.
— "Egypt to Announce Winner of Nuclear Consultancy Contract in Nov 08," Cairo MENA, in OSC document GMP20081026950034, 26 Oct 2008.
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.
