Israel isn't worried about Egypt's plans for nuclear power plants, citing a difference between its friendlier neighbor and Iran, with which it is at odds. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday Egypt's plans for a nuclear power plant, which was announced Sunday, will be for civilian purposes only, the Jerusalem Post has reported.
Israel has backed the United States in its huff over Iran's uranium enrichment program which it, along with other countries, says is a precursor to a nuclear-armed Iran. Tehran insists it is for nuclear energy purposes only, not weapons.
Egypt plans to bring a $1.5 billion, 1,000-megawatt nuclear plant online within 10 years. As a signatory to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, Egypt has called for a nuclear weapons-free Middle East. There is no official nuclear state in the area, although Israel neither confirms nor denies allegations it has amassed an arsenal. The treaty ensures member states won't contribute to nuclear weapons proliferation.
While Egypt and Turkey, another regional player who is moving toward nuclear energy, aren't attempting to create a uranium enrichment facility, easing weapons fears, the Iran controversy centers on enrichment. Enriched uranium, available for purchase on the open market, can be used for both civilian and military nuclear purposes, depending on how much it was enriched.
Iran claims it has a sovereign right to the program, which was kept secret until recently. While some are concerned any increase in nuclear programs in the Middle East will lead to armed states, Olmert was open to Egypt's plans, saying, "It's not similar in any form or manner to what the Iranians are trying to do."
Mark Fitzpatrick, senior fellow at London's International Institute for Strategic Studies, an anti-proliferation organization, told the BBC the plans by Egypt, Turkey, and Iran, let alone Israel, could have a domino effect. "Having a nuclear infrastructure is the step which a country needs to accomplish if it decides to embark on the path of nuclear weapons. Pakistan took that route," Fitzpatrick said.
Israel 'not worried' about a nuclear Egypt
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