Last update - 00:00 26/02/2007
Report: Egypt caves to U.S. pressure, delays nuclear plans
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent
Egypt is to delay work on its nuclear program due to problems obtaining funding and pressure by the United States, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Anba reported Monday.
According to the report, the U.S. intimidated Egypt into stopping its independent nuclear program and cooperating at every stage. The paper did not reveal its sources for the report.
At the end of 2006, the son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak announced the renewal of the country's nuclear program for peaceful purposes. Egypt's nuclear program was frozen in 1986.
Egypt has declared that its program is solely to supply power; Foreign Minister Ahmed Abu-Gheit even announced two months ago that the country would establish a nuclear power plant within a decade and Mubarak has said that research into nuclear development for peaceful purposes would continue at ny price.
Jordanian King Abdullah II a few weeks ago declared in an interview with Haaretz Jordan's intention to generate electricity through nuclear energy.
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Robert Joseph last month visited Cairo and told media that the U.S. is interested ion taking part in the Egyptian nuclear program. He said the U.S. had consulted with Egypt about working together on nuclear energy projects.
Al Anba also reported that the first sum that Egypt would need to budget to renew its nuclear program stands at some $3 billion.