Hurdles hindering technological transfer should be removed

Egypt has underlined the need that all obstacles and restrictions hindering the transfer of nuclear technology for the peaceful use by non-nuclear states especially developing ones, be removed.

Egypt’s permanent delegate to the UN Ambassador Ahmed Abul-Gheit said these restrictions run contrary to the clauses of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Abul-Gheit, who is the head of the Egyptian delegation to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference currently held in New York, called for setting up a mechanism to contact, among other things, the Israeli side and urge it to meet demands by the international community.

He said many of the Arab states are likely to conclude safeguards agreements with the IAEA. Abul-Gheit in yesterday session lauded the fact that the UAE, Oman and Djibouti joined the NPT.

He added that Israel is the only state which did not join the NPT and that Egypt urges the need that Israeli nuclear capabilities be reviewed. "Egypt through its efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons aims at enhancing the credibility of the NPT and to set up an area free from weapons of mass-destruction in the Middle East," he said.

On the other hand, Israel is resisting pressure brought to bear on it, to affect its nuclear policies after two US delegates to the Conference acceded to an Egyptian proposal to involve Israel in the NPT.