- إنضم
- 13 فبراير 2009
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[SIZE=+4]Egypt [/SIZE]
[SIZE=+4] To Buy Russian Nuclear
Technology, Missiles,
Spy Satellites
[/SIZE][SIZE=+1]
[/SIZE] [SIZE=+1]MOSCOW[/SIZE][SIZE=+1] - Egypt is negotiating for the purchase of nuclear technology, missiles and spy satellites from Russia in what is being termed as the most significant effort to acquire advanced Russian systems in more than 20 years.[/SIZE] In Washington, a U.S. official said the Cairo effort could mark a major change in Egyptian policy just weeks after President Hosni Mubarak visited Washington seeks enhanced strategic ties. Under Mubarark, deliveries in Russian weapons were sharply reduced over the last decade as Cairo bought U.S. systems for its air force, army and navy. Egypt receives $1.3 billion a year in U.S. military aid. The Egyptian interest in advanced Russian weapons was reported by both Russian and Egyptian diplomatic sources in Moscow, Middle East Newsline reported. The sources said Cairo also wants Moscow to build a nuclear reactor in Egypt. Mubarak held talks in Moscow with Russian leaders on Thursday. Mubarak is leading a delegation of senior ministers who have held talks with their Russian counterparts on defense and technological cooperation. The Egyptian president is scheduled to visit a Russian missile factory and the London-based Al Hayat daily reported on Thursday that he is also expected to meet Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov. Egypt and Russia have already agreed to encourage investments and cooperate in science and technology. The two countries also pledged to cooperate in nuclear energy and space cooperation. Officials said the nuclear cooperation would be limited to civilian use. Mubarak is scheduled to attend the signing of an Egyptian-Russian cooperation accord in Moscow on Friday. Egyptian sources said Cairo has increased its cooperation with Moscow in the nuclear field. They said Egypt bought an electronic accelerator from Russia and has been receiving training from Moscow. The accelerator produces radioactive isotopes and was purchased through the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency. But both Egyptian and Russian sources said the two countries were discussing military cooperation and procurement by Cairo of Russian defense systems. The official Cairo-based Middle East News Agency said the Mubarak delegation is also discussing such projects as remote-sensing and the manufacture of medium-range missiles. Another project being discussed is a joint production of the TU 204-120 aircraft in Egypt. Two Tupolev passenger and one cargo aircraft were delivered to Egypt in 1998 and 1999. All of these projects were expected to be raised during Mubarak's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Mubarak, a former Egyptian air force chief, is said to be personally familiar with Russian weapons. In Washington, a U.S. official said the administration was following Mubarak's talks with his Russian hosts. [SIZE=+1]Trade between Russia and Egypt collapsed in the late 1990s amid Russia's economic crisis and disputes over investment [/SIZE][SIZE=+1]issues[/SIZE]
[SIZE=+1]http://www.rense.com/general10/egypttobuy.htm [/SIZE]
