Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials: Intelligence Summary 15 January-21 January 2007

Blix: At least 10 Years Before Egypt And Jordan Can Launch Nuclear Programs
25 January 2007

ASSOCIATED PRESS (CAIRO, EGYPT) - Hans Blix, former U.N. chief weapons inspector, stated it would be at least a decade before Egypt and Jordan could launch a nuclear program. Iran's controversial nuclear program has prompted Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states to explore development of peaceful nuclear programs. These countries need to address operational safety, waste disposal safety, and nonproliferation prior to creating a nuclear program. Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Hassan Yunis said Egypt could have a 1,000 megawatt operational nuclear power plant within 10 years at Al-Dabaa on the Mediterranean North coast with construction costs estimated at $1.5 billion. Source: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/25/africa/ME-GEN-Egypt-Nuclear.php?page=1 (Reliability: 7)