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Egypt Chemical Chronology

2008-2003 | 2002-2000 | 1999-1995 | 1994-1990 | 1989-1987 | 1986-1928

Last update: May 2010

As of 5 June 2009, this chronology is no longer being updated. For current developments, please see the Egypt Chemical Overview.

2008-2003 18 April 2008

In the final document of the Second CWC Review Conference the member states of the OPCW call upon Egypt and

all other states not yet party to the Convention to to ratify or accede to it as a matter of urgency and without

preconditions, in the interests of enhancing their own national security as well as affirming their commitment to

global peace and security and to the object and purpose of the Convention.

—Report of the Second Special Session of the Conference of the States Parties to Review the Operation of the

Chemical Weapons Convention (Second Review Conference), RC-2/4, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical

Weapons, 18 April 2008, p. 8, para. 9.16, www.opcw.org.

15 June 2008

Egyptian and Japanese officials meet in Cairo for consultations on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. The

purpose of the meeting is to discuss wide-ranging issues on disarmament and non-proliferation including nuclear

disarmament and non-proliferation, biological and chemical weapons, and conventional weapons.

—Japan-Egypt Consultations on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, 13 June

2008, www.mofa.go.jp.

October 2008

In an interview with Arms Control Today, Nabil Fahmy, Egypt's Ambassador to the United States is asked what the

likelihood is that Egypt will revise its current policy of refusing to accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention

(CWC). Ambassador Fahmy says: "Very little, if any. Not because we are against the CWC. Quite the contrary, we

were the first to make proposals to pursue the prohibition of chemical weapons. If, on the other hand, we saw

some movement on the Israeli side regarding the NPT or the zonal agreements, we would review our position

quite quickly. We do not have a commitment to chemical weapons. We have a commitment to equal standards for

all in the Middle East, and we don't believe that this commitment has been respected by others."

—"The Middle East and Nonproliferation: An Interview with Nabil Fahmy, Egypt's Ambassador to United States,"

Arms Control Today, Vol. 38 (7), September 2008, p. 7.



17 to 19 October 2007

In New York the Director-General of the OPCW holds bilateral meetings with representatives of several states that

are not currently party to the CWC to encourage these countries to join the Convention as soon as possible. One of

the meetings is with H.E. Mr Maged Abdelaziz, Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the UN.

— “Universality Discussed between OPCW and Seven States not Party,” Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol. 5,

No. 4 (December 2007), p. 20.

18-19 June 2007

An Egyptian representative attends the Workshop on the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in Algiers, Algeria.

The declared purpose of the workshop is to promote universal adherence to the CWC in Africa and encourage its

full and effective implementation on the continent. During the workshop the Egyptian representative meets with

the Director-General of the OPCW who encouraged these States to join the Convention as soon as possible.

— “Chemical Weapons Convention Workshop in Algeria,” Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol. 5, No. 3

(September 2007), p. 10.

17 April 2007

The Director General of the OPCW visits Egypt and meets with Government officials as well as representatives of

academic and research institutions to discuss issues surrounding Egyptian accession to the CWC.

— Review of the Operation of the Chemical Weapons Convention since the First Review Conference (RC-2/S/1*),

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 31 March 2008, p. 28, para 3.50, www.opcw.org.

Spring 2007

Arab Studies Quarterly publishes an article describing Egyptian proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

(WMD). Although the article includes a section on chemical weapons the primary focus is Egyptian interest in

nuclear capabilities. The article draws attention to Egypt’s history with chemical weapons but offers no new

information about the program.

— Gawdat Bagdat, “The Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction: Egypt,” Arab Studies Quarterly, Vol. 29 (2),

Spring 2007, p. 1-15.

5 to 8 December 2006

An Egyptian representative attends the 11th Session of the Conference of the States Party (CSP) to the Chemical

Weapons Convention (CWC) in the Hague as an observer. [Note: As a state that has neither signed nor acceded to

the CWC the Egyptian representative can only attend the open sessions of the CSP].

— C-11/DEC.1: Decision: Attendance by Non-Signatory States at the Eleventh Session of the Conference of the

States Parties, Organisation for the Prohibtion of Chemical Weapons, 5 December 2006, www.opcw.org.

25 to 27 October 2006

A nongovernmental representative from the Cairo University in Egypt attends the Third OPCW Workshop to

Promote the Universality of the Chemical Weapons Convention among States in the Mediterranean Basin, the

Middle East, and neighboring regions held in Rome, Italy.



— "Rome Workshop on Chemical Weapons Ban in the Middle East," Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 4

(December 2006), p. 17-18.

21 October 2006

The Director General of the OPCW delivers a speech to the United Nations General Assembly in which he criticizes

a number of countries for refusing to ratify or accede to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Amongst those

singled out for criticism is Egypt. Pfirter observed that Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Syria "have one way or the other

allocated the responsibility for the inability to join" to the ongoing regional conflict. "I disagree entirely with that. I

believe today there is no moral or strategic or legal excuse to remain outside the chemical weapons ban," he

added.

— Dharam Shourie, NKorea, key Middle Eastern states resisting chemical arms ban, 21 October 2006, The Press

Trust of India, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

June 2006

The United Kingdom releases it quarterly report on the application of national strategic export controls in the first

three months of 2006. The report notes the UK government's approval of exports of unspecified "corrosion

resistant chemical manufacturing equipment" to Egypt by British companies.

— Strategic Export Controls: Quarterly Report - January to March 2006, (June 2006), p. 49, www.fco.gov.uk.

28 February 2006

At the Inter-Arab Parliamentary Union meeting in Amman Jordan Egyptian representatives call for reviving the call

of President Husni Mubarak to render the Mideast free from biological, nuclear and chemical weapons of mass

destruction.

— "Arab Parliamentarians Discuss Egyptian Strategy on Collective Action," BBC Monitoring International Reports,

MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 0837 gmt 28 February 2006, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

5 October 2005

A workshop to promote the universality and implementation of the CWC takes place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The

workshop is attended by representatives from a number of African countries that are not yet members of the

CWC, including Egypt. The workshop's purpose is to demonstrate the legal, administrative and enforcement

mechanisms of the CWC regime, as well as the benefits to be derived from OPCW membership through the

programs for protection and assistance.

— "Chemical Weapons Convention Workshop Held in Ethiopia," Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 4

(December 2005), p. 29.

6-8 September 2005

The third [see 20-22 Sep 04] regional meeting for national authorities of Chemical Weapons Convention states

parties in Asia is held in Tehran, Iran. The meeting is organized jointly by the Iranian government and the OPCW. In

addition to a large number of participants from regional states parties the meeting is also attended by

representatives from two nonparties; Egypt and Myanmar.

Note: The attendance of Egyptian representatives at this and other similar meetings in 2005 is especially



interesting as a possible indicator of impending changes in Egyptian policy toward the CWC.

— "Third Regional Meeting of National Authorities of States Parties in Asia," Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol.

3, No. 3 (September 2005), p. 17.

13 to 15 June 2005

For the second year in succession a representative of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Relations attends a

workshop jointly organized by the Republic of Cyprus and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical

Weapons (OPCW) aimed at promoting universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The

Second Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Regional Workshop on a Universal Chemical Weapons Ban in the

Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East takes place in Nicosia, Cyprus. The meeting brings together

representatives of twenty-three States Parties, seven States that have not ratified or acceded to the CWC, the

European Union, the League of Arab States and Egypt. The aim of the workshop is to promote awareness among

participating states of the problems commonly encountered in seeking to achieve full and uniform compliance

with the Convention's obligations. In addition, it provides practical measures to help reach this goal.

— "Cyprus Workshop on a Universal Chemical Weapons Ban in the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East,"

Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol. 3, No. 2 (June 2005), p. 12.

28 January 2005

The United Kingdom releases its third quarterly report on Strategic Export Controls, covering the period 1 July to

30 September 2004. The report notes the issuing of licenses for the export to Egypt of "NBC respirators,

components for NBC respirators, NBC clothing, NBC decontamination equipment, chemical agent detection

equipment, [and] civil NBC protection clothing."

— Strategic Export Controls: Quarterly Report - July to September 2004, (January 2005), p. 36, www.fco.gov.uk.

7 June 2004

The United Kingdom releases its annual report on the application of strategic export controls in 2003. The report

notes the legitimate export of a variety of restricted items to to Egypt; unspecified "toxic chemical precursors,"

"civil NBC protection clothing, NBC respirators, NBC clothing, NBC filters."

— United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls, Annual Report 2003 (June 2004), pp. 123, www.fco.gov.uk.

5-7 May 2004

A representative of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Relations attends a workshop in Malta jointly organized by the

Maltese government and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) aimed at promoting

universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Israel has not yet ratified the CWC which it signed in

1993.

— Chemical Disarmament Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 2 (June 2004), p. 24.

May 2004

The Director-General of the OPCW, H.E. Mr. Rogelio Pfirter, has "bilateral contacts with representatives of Egypt

based in The Hague." These meetings are conducted as part of efforts to expand the membership of the Chemical

Weapons Convention.



— Note By The Director-General: Information On The Implementation Of The Action Plan For The Universality Of

The Chemical Weapons Convention S/431/2004, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, 24 June

2004, p. 2, www.opcw.org.

24 December 2003

Following a summit meeting in the town of Sharm El-Sheikh, the presidents of Egypt and Syria issue a joint

statement that includes language on the issue of WMD. "The two presidents underlined their call to eliminate

weapons of mass destruction from the region and to work jointly to achieve this goal within the framework of the

United Nations and other international bodies. Events in the region have shown the importance of making the

Middle East, Israel included, a region free from all WMD." The statement makes no mention of alleged WMD in

either Egypt or Syria and is generally perceived as directed at Israel.

— "Egypt, Syria presidents urge mideast free of weapons of mass destruction," Agence France Presse, 24

December 2003, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

20 December 2003

Ahmad Abu-Zayd, Chairman of Egypt's People's Assembly Arab Affairs Committee, urges Israel and all Mideast

countries to follow Libya's example and dismantle their WMD programs. In a clear reference to Israel, Egypt's

Foreign Minister Ahmad Maher underlines the point observing: "[w]e welcome Libya's decision and hope other

countries in the region follow suit. You, of course, know who we mean."

— "Egyptian official urges Israel to dismantle nuclear, chemical Weapons," BBC Monitoring, 20 December 2003,

http://web.lexis-nexis.com; "Roundup: Libyan rejection of WMD welcomed by world leaders," Deutsche Presse-

Agentur, 20 December 2003.

12 December 2003

The Jerusalem Post carries a major report on Egypt's military build-up. It notes that Egypt's stocks of chemical and

biological weapons and its advanced ballistic missile capability remain a large threat to Israel. The report says that

according to Dr. Dany Shoham of the Bar-Ilan University's Begin Sadat Center, the Egyptian chemical arsenal

includes VX, sarin, mustard gas, and lewisite. The report adds that Egypt has varied means of dispersal for these

weapons, including chemical mines, artillery shells, aerial bombs, and advanced ballistic missile systems.

— Caroline B. Glick, "A grave and gathering threat," Jerusalem Post, 12 December 2003, p. 1, http://web.lexis-

nexis.com.

16 October 2003

Speaking in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher describes impending U.S. moves to apply

sanctions on Syria as inappropriate and unjustifiable. The United States is considering sanctions against Syria "for

its alleged ties to terrorist groups and purported efforts to obtain nuclear, biological and chemical weapons."

— "Egypt denounces US moves to sanction Syria," Agence France Presse, 16 October 2003, http://web.lexis-

nexis.com.

22 May 2003

Egyptian biologist Dr. Wajdi Abd-al-Fattah Sawahil claims that Israel uses chemical drugs to torture and elicit



information from Palestinian detainees and is using gases on Palestinians that lead to infertility.

— Jamal al-Majaydah, "Egyptian Scientist: Israel produces viruses that attack Palestinians only," 22 May 2003, FBIS

document GMP20030522000144, www.fbis.gov.

15 April 2003

Speaking in Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher responds to a reporter's question about proposed U.S.

sanctions on Syria related to that country's alleged pursuit of chemical weapons with the following statement:

"Egypt rejects all threats against an Arab state." He also states, "we feel threats are not an appropriate way of

dealing with a problem, if there really is one." Responding to speculation that the United States might be

considering military action against Syria now that it has concluded the initial conquest of Iraq, Maher says "Arab

countries and the international community are unanimous on [the need] to avoid what happened in Iraq being

repeated once again."

— "Egypt rejects US pressure on Syria over alleged chemical weapons," Agence France Presse, 15 April 2003,

http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

14 April 2003

Speaking with reporters, Osama al-Baz, a close adviser of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, states that there is "a

great difference between Syria and Iraq under Saddam Hussein." He adds that Egypt is sure that Syria does not

have chemical weapons.

— "Egypt rejects US pressure on Syria over alleged chemical weapons," Agence France Presse, 15 April 2003,


February-March 2003

Documents obtained in the course of UNMOVIC inspections in Iraq show that Egypt's state-owned Abu Zaabal

Special Chemicals Co. delivered 1,300 tons of nerve-gas precursors to Iraq during the 1980s. Abu Zaabal also

delivered 200 tons of hydrogen cyanide to Iraq in 1984, according to the Iraqis.

— Kenneth R. Timmerman, "Eurobiz is caught arming Saddam," Insight on the News, Vol. 19, Feb. 18-Mar. 3, 2003,

pp. 30-34.

18 February 2003

Former Egyptian leader, Gamal Abdel Nasser, is compared to Saddam Hussein and vilified for hiring Nazi scientists

to develop chemical weapons.

— Arnaud de Borchgrave, "Geopolitical Glass Houses," United Press International, 18 February 2003,


Back to Top

2002-2000 1 December 2002

An assessment of WMD in the Middle East notes that too few Middle East experts know that Egypt possesses a



chemical weapons program or that Egypt is pursuing new unconventional weapons. Prior to the November BWC

convention, U.S. Undersecretary of State, John Bolton, commented on several Middle East countries and their

WMD programs, but did not address Egypt's WMD programs. The oversight was most likely intentional in

deference to Egypt's important role in backing the United States in an anticipated invasion of Iraq.

— Al Venter, "A Circle of WMD in the Middle East," Jane's Islamic Affairs Analyst, 1 December 2002,

www.janes.com.

1 December 2002

The London-based Sunday Telegraph reported that Egypt persuaded Iraq to hide its weapons of mass destruction

in surrounding countries. This report prompts a response by Egypt's State Information Service Chief Nabil Usman,

who states that the claim is in sharp contradiction to Egypt's policy of seeking a Middle East free of WMD.

— "Egypt Reports UK Paper's Publication of Response to Allegations over Iraq," BBC Monitoring International

Reports, 1 December 2002, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

August 2002

Concerns over a Middle East arms race include the marriage of Egypt's missile capability (which has been assisted

by North Korea and China) with its chemical weapons capability, which dates back to the 1950s.

— Michael Cabbage, "A Rough Neighborhood: Arms Race Adding Tensions in Mideast," Seattle Times, 18 August

2002, p. A3, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

19 March 2002

Testimony before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee states that Egypt was the first Arab country to

"develop, produce, stockpile, deploy, and use chemical weapons"; its program dates back to the early 1960s. Egypt

probably possesses mustard, phosgene, sarin, and VX.

— Amy Sands, "Deconstructing the Chem-Bio Threat," Federal News Service, 19 March 2002, http://web.lexis-

nexis.com.

2 February 2002

Egypt continues to be suspected of stockpiling chemical weapons.

— "Know Thine Enemy - Weapons Proliferation," The Economist, 2 February 2002, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

January 2002

According to Middle East analyst Anthony Cordesman, Egypt has production facilities for mustard and nerve

agents. The sources of the precursors for these agents are unknown, although Cordesman suggests Egypt tried to

obtain feed stocks from Canada. In addition, Egypt has the ability to produce cyanide gas. Cordesman also cites a

September 1993 London Times article that claims Egypt acquired approximately 90 tons of trimethyl "phosphate,"

a precursor for "the mustard agent."

[Note: This Cordesman report is the only source that mentions Egyptian efforts to obtain such material from

Canada. Furthermore, CNS researchers could not track down any Times report that mentioned a trimethyl

"phosphate" shipment from India to Egypt. There was a September 1993 Times article that mentions two separate

shipments: 1) a trimethyl phospite (potential nerve agent key precursor) shipment from India to Syria; and 2)



reported thionyl chloride shipments from India to Egypt. Thionyl chloride, a chlorinating agent, is a potential

precursor for the mustard and nerve agents. (Michael Evans, "Spy Agencies Join Forces to Combat Secret Arms

Trade, The Times, 20 September 1993.)]

— Anthony H. Cordesman, The Arab-Israeli Military Balance in 2002: Trends in Chemical, Biological, Radiological,

and Nuclear Weapons (Washington, DC: Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2002), p. 13.

6 December 2001

In an interview with the Lebanese newspaper al-Safir, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak states that Egypt

continues to be willing to free the Middle East of WMD. The region may someday be destroyed by these weapons,

he believes, which could adversely affect U.S. regional interests.

— "Egypt: Mubarak Warns Against Sharon's Threats, More Violence in Mideast," BBC Monitoring Middle East -

Political, 7 December 2001, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

December 2001

In a list of "who has what" regarding chemical weapons, Egypt is listed as a "likely" possessor of a CW program.

— Tamar A. Mehuron, "Weapons of Mass Destruction," Air Force Magazine, December 2001, http://web.lexis-

nexis.com.

November 2001

Iran questions its ratification of the NPT in light of the fact that there is an arms race in the Middle East and none

of its rivals in the region have ratified the NPT, including nuclear capable Israel and chemical capable Egypt.

— "Iran's Arms Race," Jane's Foreign Report, 22 November 2001, www.janes.com.

15 November 2001

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak states that continued U.S. military aid to Israel could encourage Arab countries

to develop WMD programs. "Israel is in the process of amassing weapons, and America is supplying it with these

weapons," he says. Later, Egyptian spokesman, Nabil Osman, clarifies that the president's comments were not

meant as a threat to Israel or the United States or as a threat that Egypt will develop its own WMD. Although Egypt

has signed neither the CWC nor the BWC, Egypt, according to the spokesman, is not interested in developing these

weapons.

— Howard Schneider, "Egypt Cautions US on Aid to Israel; Arab States May Seek Nonconventional Arms, Mubarak

Says," Washington Post, 16 November 2001, p. A20, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

11 October 2001

Egyptian Ambassador to the UN Ahmad Abu-al-Ghayt reiterates Egypt's commitment to nuclear disarmament and

nonproliferation in order to create a Middle East free of WMD.

— "Egypt Urges UN to Place Israel's Nuclear Facilities Under Supervision," BBC Worldwide Monitoring, 11 October

2001, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

26 September 2001

Egypt is included in a list of countries suspected of possessing tabun, sarin, soman, GF, VX, and mustard agents.



— Jim McBeth, "Toxic Weapons: As Old as the History of War Itself," The Scotsman, 26 September 2001, p. 4,


13 April 2001

Egypt publishes a report, authored by "Mr. Arms Control" Nabil Fahmi, one of Egypt's senior diplomats, addressing

a plan for regional security that includes the closing down of Israel's Dimona nuclear reactor. The plan also includes

several confidence-building measures, one of which is declarations by countries in the Middle East promising not

to use any WMD.

— "Egypt Still Bothered by Israeli Nukes," Ha'aretz Daily, 13 April 2001, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

November 2000

The suggestion that Israel poses a CW threat to Egypt is dismissed in an article published in an official journal of

the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The article also outlines the thinking behind

Egyptian efforts to links ratification of the CWC to Israeli progress on acknowledging and reducing its nuclear

weapons.

— Mouktar El Fayoumi, "The CWC in the Present Middle-East Environment: An Egyptian Perspective," OPCW

Synthesis, November 2000, pp. 26 to 28.

23 October 2000

At the 55th regular session of the UN General Assembly, member states discuss the CWC, during which Egypt

exercises its right to reply in response to Director General of the OPCW Jose M. Bustani's communicated desire

that all countries join the Convention. Egypt, according to representative Ahmed Darwish, has not acceded to the

CWC due to Israel's refusal to accede to the NPT. However, Egypt does adhere to its provisions.

— "U.N. Assembly Adopts Resolution to Further Cooperation with Council of Europe; Also Takes Up Cooperation

with Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons," M2 Presswire, 23 October 2000, http://web.lexis-

nexis.com.

3 April 2000

U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen meets with his Egyptian counterpart, Defense Minister Field Marshall

Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, to discuss plans to organize Arab states' defenses against chemical and biological

weapons.

— "Cohen Meets with Egyptian Defense Minister," Agence France Presse, 3 April 2000, http://web.lexis-nexis.com.

27 March 2000

Noting that suspected possession of WMD is prevalent in the Middle East, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak

believes countries in the region are all "suspicious" of each other, which presents a barrier to peace in the region.

— John Donnelly, "Mubarak Hopeful on Israel-Syria Deal," Boston Globe, 27 March 2000, p. A10, http://web.lexis-

nexis.com.

12 January 2000

The Ministry of Military Production supervises the National Organization for Military Production (NOMP), which

works closely with the Arab Organization of Industrialization (AOI). The NOMP manages 16 factories, which are



divided into four groups. One of these groups is the chemical industries consisting of three factories. One of the

three factories is the Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries, which manufactures, among other things,

ammunition, mines, and NBC protection equipment.

— Christopher F. Foss, "Egypt: Land Systems Sector at Heart of Industry Base," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 34 (2),

12 January 2000, www.janes.com.

12 January 2000

The Egyptian Army is assumed to control Egypt's chemical weapons arsenal. Though Egypt appears to have

reduced chemical agent production levels, concerns remain over the possibility of merging current chemical agents

with Egypt's ballistic missile capability.

— "Egypt: Army Dominates Decision-Making," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 34 (2), 12 January 2000,

www.janes.com.

12 January 2000

Jane's Defence Weekly publishes a report examining Egypt's strategic position and military capabilities. The report

notes that "Egypt is widely believed to possess large quantities of chemical weapons."

— Richard Engel, "Egypt: Reaping Peace Dividend," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 34 (2), 12 January 2000,

www.janes.com.

Back to Top

1999-1995 December 1999

Egypt continues to prove unwilling to sign the CWC, noting Israel's development of the Arrow missile defense

system and refusal to sign the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the NPT.

— Ed Blanche, "Arrow-2 Downs Arrow-1 Ballistic Missile Target," Jane's Missiles & Rockets, 1 December 1999.

November 1999

At a meeting of the UN General Assembly, Egypt speaks on the widespread approval of the CWC stating that

regional concerns has kept Egypt from signing the treaty— Israel's ongoing policy of not signing the NPT is

specifically mentioned. Egypt also specifically mentions an inability to meet the terms of "Paragraph five" of an

associated resolution, which emphasizes universal adherence to the CWC.

— "U.N. General Assembly Would Call for Steps to Prevent Outer Space Arms Race In One of Six Resolutions," M2

Presswire, 2 November 1999.

October 1999

In talks with Egyptian Defense Minister Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, US Secretary of Defense William Cohen

states that the Pentagon would like to see friendly states such as Egypt refurbish passive defenses including

personel protective "gas" masks and decontamination units and plan for the consequences of a potential chemical

weapons attack. No specific threats were outlined.



— Jim Mannion, "Cohen Holds Talks with Egyptian Defense Minister," Agence France Presse, 21 October 1999;

Richard Engel, "Egypt: Reaping Peace Dividend," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 34, No. 2, 12 January 2000.

September 1999

Stating that Egypt has no intention in participating in an arms race, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak mentions

that any ban on chemical weapons must coincide with Israel's signing of the NPT.

— "Egypt Urges Israel to Renounce Nuclear Weapons," Xinhua News Agency, 16 September 1999.

August 1999

Egyptian Political Advisor to President Hosni Mubarak, Dr. Usamah al-Baz, states in a meeting in Alexandria that

Israel should dismantle its nuclear arsenal in the next five to seven years or other Arab countries will look for their

own non-conventional weapons systems. This marks the first time Egypt has put a timeframe on the

dismantlement of Israel's nuclear arsenal and the first time Egypt has threatened to develop a WMD program.

— "Behind the Scenes in the Mideast," Jane's Intelligence Digest, 27 August 1999.

March 1999

US Secretary of Defense William Cohen remarks on a meeting held with Egyptian Minister of Defense Field Marshal

Tantawi, stating that the United States will help Egypt modernize its defense and look for more cooperation on

chemical and biological weapons.

— "Secretary Cohen's Remarks to Press after Meeting with Minister of Defense Tantawi at the Ministry of Defense,

Cairo, Egypt," M2 Presswire, 16 March 1999.

March 1999

Egyptian Political Advisor to President Hosni Mubarak, Dr. Usamah al-Baz, notes that US policy in support of Israel's

suspected regional nuclear superiority is a mistake and talks of reducing regional WMD supplies might be

considered unreasonable as long as Israel nuclear arsenal remains unaddressed.

— "Mubarak's Advisor Comments on Israel, Iraq, Sudan," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 16 March 1999.

Winter 1999

Egypt is regarded as a chemical weapons state in a list of WMD state actors.

— Edward V. Badolato, "Emergency Management and Weapons of Mass Destruction," Journal of Counterterrorism

and Security International, Vol. 6, No. 2, Winter 1999.

October 1998

At a meeting of the UN First Committee (Disarmament and International Security), Egypt reiterates President

Mubarak's desire to create a Middle East WMD-free zone and commits to signing the CWC and BWC as long as

Israel ratifies the NPT and subjects its facilities to IAEA safeguards.

— "Elimination of Middle East's Weapons of Mass Destruction Stressed in Disarmament Committee Debate," M2

Presswire, 23 October 1998.

October 1998

In a nationally televised address, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak expresses concern over Israeli weapons, long-



range missiles, and research programs. He directly mentioned the 1992 crash of an El Al cargo plane in the

Netherlands, which was apparently carrying 50 liters of a chemical used in the synthesis of sarin.

— Lamia Radi, "Mubarak Attends Annual March-Past for First Time Since Sadat's Murder," Agence France Presse, 6

October 1998.

September 1998

The Defense Intelligence Agency's 1990 survey "Offensive Chemical Warfare Programs in the Middle East" states

that Egypt continues chemical weapons research.

— Andrew Duncan, "Fifty Years On, Israel Still Tied to Circles of Defence – Part One," Jane's Intelligence Review,

Vol. 10, No. 9, 1 September 1998, p. 19.

July 1998

Egypt and Iraq agree to promote the manufacturing of pharmaceutical vaccines and exchange expertise in the

field.

— "Iraqi Delegation to Visit Cairo," Middle East Newsfile, 22 July 1998.

July 1998

Egypt and Iran enter an agreement to market and export pharmaceuticals between the two countries. Egypt will

market Iranian products in Arab and African countries while Iran markets Egyptian products in Asia, Russia and

surrounding countries.

[Note: Though the entry is not immediately pertinent to CW development, it demonstrates scientific ties between

Iran and Egypt that could potentially open doors for future more illicit cooperation.]

— "Egypt, Iran Agree on Marketing Pharmaceutical Products," BBC Monitoring MiddleEast – Economic, 5 July 1998.

April 1998

US officials are criticized for advertising the biological and chemical weapons threat emanating from Middle

Eastern countries without adequately mentioning Egypt and Israel. Egypt's chemical and biological weapons

programs have "an extensive history." However, Egypt is not suspected of having a chemical or biological weapons

arsenal ready for immediate use.

— Dana Priest, "US Goes Easy on Allies in Arms Control Crusade," Washington Post, 14 April 1998.

March 1998

The Egyptian Ambassador to the UN Nabil El-Araby states that since 1974, Egypt has been calling for a nuclear-

weapon-free zone and that since 1990, President Mubarak has been calling for a WMD- free zone. The

establishment of this zone will continue to be a high priority for the Egyptian government.

— "The Washington Institute Special Policy Forum on the United Nations in the Middle East," Federal News

Service, 3 March 1998.

February 1998

Egypt exports between 48,000 and 50,000 personal protective "gas" masks to Kuwait, which were ordered by the

Civil Defense agencies of the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry.

— "Kuwait Imports Gas Masks in Case of Iraqi Attack," Agence France Presse, 6 February 1998;"Kuwait Receives



Some 50,000 Gas Masks Imported from Egypt," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 7 February 1997; "Egypt

Exports Gas Masks to Kuwait," The Middle East Observer, 11 February 1998.

December 1997

Israel airs concerns that Egypt is producing VX nerve agent at a "conventional" chemicals factory near Cairo. Egypt

has hinted that it will destroy its stocks of VX agent if Israel signs the NPT, but Israel refuses due to threats posed

by Syria, Iran and Iraq.

— Douglas Davis, "Egypt to PM: Don't Come Empty-handed," Jerusalem Post, 19 December 1997.

December 1997

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) calls on Egypt, among other countries, to sign

the CWC. Director General Jose Bustani states that it is "crucial if the convention is to meet its objective" of

eliminating all chemical weapons over ten years. Bustani believes Egypt has a "fundamental role to play" in the

future of the OPCW.

— "Anti-Chemical Weapons Club Call in Israel, Egypt to Join Up," Agence France Presse, 1 December 1997.

November 1997

Egyptian Ambassador Mohammed Bassiouny reaffirms Egyptian policy, which is to favor regional arms control

managing biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

— Jay Bushinsky, "Syria First, Says Egyptian Envoy," Jerusalem Post, 28 November 1997.

November 1997

According to the Stimson Center, nine nations including Egypt have chemical and biological weapons.

— Barbara Slavin, "Biochemical Weapons: Poor Man's Nukes," USA Today, 26 November 1997.

November 1997

Eighty-one countries support the expansion of the five-year-old UN Arms Register, which then tracked

conventional weapons transfers, to include weapons of mass destruction. However, because the expansion lacks

adequate support, Egypt has decided to stop participating in the registry. Egypt seems uninterested in revealing its

conventional arms purchases as long as Israel refuses to list its WMD related purchases. "The Arms Registry was

set up with the understanding that WMD would be included in it. Despite repeated reaffirmation of that aim, no

attempts have been made to do so," said Egyptian delegate to the UN Committee on Disarmament and

International Security Maged Abdel Aziz.

— Thalif Deen, "Majority Vote to Declare WMD on UN Arms Listing," Jane's Defense Weekly, Vol 28, No. 21, 26

November 1997, p. 6.

November 1997

Jose Marucio Bustani, Director General of the Organization of the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW),

expresses his hopes that the recent ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention by Russia, India, Iran, and

particularly Jordan— an Arab state— may cause Egypt to reconsider its position against signing the CWC, which it

continues to link to Israel's non-signing of the NPT.



— Thomas W. Lippman, "Iran Ratifies Chemical Weapons Pact, Allowing International Inspections," Washington

Post, 10 November 1997.

September 1997

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists publishes a report which draws on two declassified documents: a 1983 Special

National Intelligence Estimate— a compendium of opinion from U.S. intelligence agencies including the CIA, DIA,

and NSA— titled "Implications of Soviet Use of Chemical and Toxin Weapons for U.S. Security Interests" and a 1990

DIA study titled "Offensive Chemical Warfare Programs in the Middle East." The 1983 report notes that Egypt was

the "first country to obtain chemical weapons training, indoctrination and materiél" in the Middle East. The 1990

report "concluded that Egypt was continuing to conduct research related to chemical agents."

— E J Hogendoorn, "A Chemical Weapons Atlas," Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 53 (September/October 1997), p.

37, www.bulletinarchive.org.

March 1997

The US Army Chemical School at Fort McClellan, Alabama runs a Chemical Officer Basic Course, which has trained

Egyptian officers through the rank of major.

— Scott R. Gourley, "Chem-Bio Warfare. Ready or Not: Preparing for the Chemical Onslaught," International

Defense Review, Vol. 30, No. 3 March 1997, p. 67.

December 1996

At the Fourth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention, Egyptian delegate

Mounir Zahran states that all Middle East countries, with the exception of Israel, established in 1990 a WMD-free

zone.

— "Document Notes Support for Intensification of Work on a Verification System," M2 Presswire, 4 December

1996.

November 1996

The representative of Egypt at the UN First Committee on Disarmament and International Security states that

Egypt traditionally supports disarmament measures such as the Chemical Weapons Convention and therefore

sympathized with the "general thrust of the draft." Nevertheless, Egypt would continue to refuse to sign the CWC

until Israel signs the NPT.

— "Middle East Nuclear Proliferation, Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone subject of First Committee Draft Texts," M2

Presswire, 21 November 1996.

September 1996

In an interview by Insight on the News, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is asked if, during recent talks

with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, he raised the issue of Egypt's production of chemical and biological

weapons. Netanyahu responds stating concern about chemical and biological weapons proliferation in the region,

but did not answer the question directly.

— Yedidya Atlas, "Israeli Prime Minister Calls for Free Market," Insight on the News, 30 September 1996, p. 21.



September 1996

The Egyptian foreign minister continues to stress that "the region must be totally free from all weapons of mass

destruction, be they nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and their delivering vehicles."

— "Egypt Stresses Just and Comprehensive Peace," Xinhua News Agency, 24 September 1996.

September 1996

Dubbed "Badr 96" and called "the largest strategic maneuvers" ever in Egypt, a 10-day set of military exercises

takes place in Egypt to prepare for a possible nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons attack. Chemical warfare

response units take part in four days of maneuvers in the Suez Canal and Sinai region. The maneuvers anger Israel,

prompting Egypt to claim no belligerent intentions towards it. Israel is unsatisfied, prompting Egypt to accuse Israel

of beating "war drums."

— "Egyptian Wargames to Counter Israeli Nuclear Attack," Agence France Presse, 16 September 1996; "Chemical

Units take part in Egypt's War Games," Agence France Presse, 20 September 1996; "Egypt Concludes Maneuvers

with Mock Air Raid," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 20 September 1996; "Egyptian Wargames No Threat to Israel,"

Agence France Presse, 21 September 1996.

August 1996

According to an unnamed Egyptian foreign ministry official, "Egypt will not sign the convention because of the

imbalance in military forces in the Middle East even though Cairo supports the convention....Egypt's position is

clear. We will not sign the convention banning chemical weapons until Israel signs the NPT."

— "Egypt Links Chemical Weapons Ban to Israel Joining NPT," Agence France Presse, 15 August 1996.

August 1996

Egypt reiterates its intention not to sign the Chemical Weapons Convention until Israel signes the NPT.

— "Xinhua International News Summary," Xinhua News Agency, 15 August 1996.

July 1996

Egypt rejects a pan-African call to ban chemical weapons at an Organization of African Unity summit and calls for a

more detailed study instead. Foreign Minister Amr Mussa states the issue of a ban on chemical weapons is "too

complicated for a simple call."

— "Egypt Blocked Chemical Weapons Proposal at Summit: Mussa," Agence France Presse, 10 July 1996.

June 1996

Egypt's state-owned newspaper al-Ahram states that Egypt has "the full right to possess weapons seen to be

necessary for its security and the protection of its sovereignty." Accusing the United States of a double-standard,

the paper states that disarmament must start with Israel's nuclear and chemical weapons and ground-to-ground

missiles.

— "Egypt's State-Run Press Accuses US of Interfering in Internal Affairs," The Xinhua News Agency, 29 June 1996.

June 1996

Western intelligence agencies assert that Egypt is involved in chemical and biological weapons production with

Libya "as it previously was with Iraq." British, French, US, and Russian intelligence suggest that Egypt retains



chemical and biological weapons, despite Egyptian denials. Egyptian-Iraqi cooperation on chemical and biological

weapons reached a peak immediately prior to Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. Egypt's foreign and defense ministers

defended Iraq's right to possess chemical and biological weapons. In 1993, as states were signing the Chemical

Weapons Convention, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak was in Syria calling on Arab states not to sign the treaty.

— Yedidya Atlas, "Egypt Helps Rogue States While Accepting US Aid," Insight on the News, 17 June 1996, p. 18.

February 1996

Egypt continues to suggest that it will keep chemical weapons to counter Israel's nuclear threat. Although Egypt is

no longer suspected of producing chemical weapons, some believe its chemical and fertilizer industry could be

mobilized to produce chemical weapons.

— Robert Lowry, "Country Briefing, Military Still Looks to West for Doctrine," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol 25, No. 9,

28 February 1996, p. 22.

February 1996

During the 1973 war with Israel, Egypt apparently kept "black barrels" containing a toxic "poison gas" allegedly

developed by German scientists on an airfield. Intelligence sources believe Egypt's Anwar al-Sadat did not resort to

using the poison for fear of massive retaliation. [Note: The intelligence sources referred in this citation are most

likely Israeli, but it is not explicitly stated.]

— Uri Dan and Dennis Eisenberg, "The Seeing & the Blind," Jerusalem Post, 8 February 1996.

Autumn 1995

It is the opinion of Ahmed Hashim, senior fellow in political-military affairs at the Center for Strategic and

International Studies, that the United States has not viewed Egypt's potential CW acquisition with less concern

than of such acquisition by Iran or Iraq. Egypt recognizes the need to support its conventional forces with chemical

weapons in order to have a strong but "basic" deterrent— considered "basic" because they are less sophisticated

and require less effort and resources to produce than nuclear weapons.

— Ahmed Hashim, "The State, Society, and the Evolution of Warfare in the Middle East: The Rise of Strategic

Deterrence?" The Washington Quarterly, Vol. 18, No. 4, Autumn 1995, p. 53.

April 1995

As the NPT review and extension conference nears, Egypt, according to a senior Egyptian official, is seeking a

commitment from Israel, "however vague," that it will agree to denuclearize in the future. If it does so, Egypt is

prepared to offer to ratify the Chemical Weapons Convention. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stated the

previous day at a press conference with President Clinton that "since peace is spreading throughout the region, all

the parties ought to work together toward the elimination of the potential threats, especially the spreading of

nuclear, chemical and biological weapons." Ultimately, Egypt does sign the indefinite extension to the NPT (while

Israel continues to remain outside.)

— Thomas Lippman, "Mubarak Reassures Clinton on Nuclear Pact Renewal," Washington Post, 6 April 1995;

Robert Lowry, "Country Briefing, Military Still Looks to West for Doctrine," Jane's Defence Weekly, Vol. 25, No. 9,

28 February 1996, p 22.



February 1995

Commentator and military analyst Danny Lesham, writing in Israel's Yediot Aharanot, claims that not enough

attention is paid to Egypt's chemical weapons programs, which include the production line purchased from

Switzerland.

— "Agreement Near on 11 Industrial parks for the Self-Rule Areas," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 40, 27 February

1995.

February 1995

At a meeting billed as the "Cairo Summit," Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin,

Jordanian leader King Hussein, and PLO Chairman Yaser Arafat support Mubarak's proposal for a verifiable Middle

East WMD-free zone but cannot reach agreement on how to treat the issue of Israel's suspected nuclear arsenal.

— "All Profits, No Losses on Any Front in Cairo," Mideast Mirror, 3 February 1995; Anthony Shadid, "Mideast

Summit a Symbolic Step: Leaders Postpone Tough Decisions on Terrorism, Palestinian Demands," Chicago Sun-

Times, 5 February 1995; "Trial Balloon: An Egyptian Nuclear Compromise?" Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 35, 20

February 1995.

January 1995

Former Egyptian Defense Minister and Intelligence Chief Amin Howeidl believes Israel's nuclear arsenal can be

deterred with "conventional-plus" arms such as chemical, biological, and incendiary weapons, until Egypt develops

a nuclear deterrent.

— "Egypt's Former Defense Minister: How to Counter the Israeli Nuclear Deterrent," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No.

21, 31 January 1995.

January 1995

Though Egypt seems to harbor no plans for nuclear weapons, it remains secretive about its chemical and biological

capabilities.

— "Nuclear Peace," The Economist, 28 January 1995, p. 40.

January 1995

According to Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Mustafa Abdelaziz, Egypt's position on Israel's nuclear weapons

"is decisive and final" and until Israel's nuclear policy changes, Egypt would refuse to sign the Chemical Weapons

Convention and the NPT. Egypt's concerns are to protect the security of Egypt and the Arab region as well as

preserving the peace process.

— "Arafat in Morocco: End the Normalization with Israel," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 11, 17 January 1995.

January 1995

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, referring to Israel, claims, "I have demanded that the states of the Middle East

region be free of all total-destruction weapons— chemical, biological or any kind of total-destruction weapons. If

we are to sign, since we are all in one region and involved in the peace process, we must all sign. But for Egypt to

sign and Israel not to sign, that would be difficult for me as a citizen to accept. I have behind me a public opinion



that would ask me, 'Why did you sign?'"

— "Mubarak Opens Fire on Rabin," Mideast Mirror, Vol. 9, No. 8, 12 January 1995.

January 1995

Despite displeasure with several Arab states over the signing of the CWC, Egypt continues to build an Arab position

threatening withdrawal from the NPT when the treaty is up for extension later this year. The consortium includes

Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, which are acting in response to Israel's refusal to sign the treaty. According to Egypt,

discussions regarding weapons of mass destruction disarmament will only take place once Israel is subject to the

same treaties as the rest of the region.

— "Alexandria Summit Not Meant to Slow Normalization with Israel," Mideast Mirror, 4 January 1995; "Perry

Urges Curb on Nuclear Arms in Middle East," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 9 January 1995.

Back to Top

1994-1990 December 1994

Osama al-Baz, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's top political advisor, states to an audience at Cairo University

that "Egypt does not accept military superiority for any state in the region and demands the elimination of

chemical and nuclear weapons, all weapons of mass destruction from the Middle East, as well as a reduction in

traditional weapons...It is inconceivable for Egypt and the Arab states to sign treaties for the nonproliferation of

weapons of mass destruction when Israel continues to refuse to sign the nuclear NPT, subject its nuclear

installations to international inspection and get rid of its nuclear stockpile."

— "Weizman in Cairo: 242 Applies to Jerusalem," Mideast Mirror, 21 December 1994.

December 1994

CIA officials visit Egypt, unannounced, to discuss suspected Egyptian-Libyan cooperation regarding chemical

weapons production. The fundamentalist Egyptian newspaper al-Shaab reported that Egyptian officials denied the

allegations, challenging CIA Director James Woolsey to provide the names of the "hundreds" of former Iraqi

chemical weapons experts now suspected of working in Egypt. Also, Egypt is attempting to have Arab countries

repeal ratification of the NPT and discouraging signature of the chemical weapons ban until Israel "accepts

international inspection of its nuclear facilities."

— "CIA Said Irked by Alleged Egyptian-Libyan Chemical Connection," Deutsche Presse-Agentur, 13 December 1994.

December 1994

Egypt is thought to be among several Arab states possessing chemical and/or biological capabilities.

— Ronald Mason, "Buying Time to Face New Weapons Arms-Control Efforts in the Gulf May Fall on Stony Ground,"

International Defense Review, Vol. 27, No. 12, 1 December 1994, p. 33.

November 1994

During a recent European trip, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak states that Egypt will not support a ban on



chemical weapons until Israel signs the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

— "Egypt's Westward Move: Why? Why Not South? And Why Is The U.S. So Mad About It?" Mideast Mirror, Vol. 8,

No. 232, 30 November 1994.

November 1994

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak favorably views a proposal forwarded by Greek National Defense Minister

Yerasimos Arsenis calling for a "nuclear-free and chemical weapons-free zone" in the broader area of the eastern

Mediterranean.

— "Defense Minister Discusses Military Agreement in Cairo," BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, 5 November

1994.

October 1994

Egypt allegedly maintains a stockpile of mustard and nerve agents but no longer produces any, demonstrating a

slow-down of Egypt's chemical weapons effort. In terms of chemical weapons defense, Egypt has taken advantage

of Soviet technology for personal protective gear and decontamination devices and Western technology such as

the Fuchs NBC reconnaissance vehicle. Egypt's military industrial complex includes Abu Za'abal and Kata factories

for the production of powders, rocket propellants, primer caps, and small arms ammunition.

— Andrew Rathmell, "Egypt's Military-Industrial Complex," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 10, No. 6, 1 October

1994, p. 455.

September 1994

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Musa states that Egypt will not sign the "Chemical Weapons Non-Proliferation

Treaty" until all Middle Eastern countries do so.

— "Egypt Says No to CWNPT," Jane's Defense Weekly, Vol. 22, No. 10., 10 September 1994, p. 15.

November 1993

Egypt appears to be interested in purchasing chemical weapons-detection equipment from Slovakia, according to

the Slovak Defense Ministry.

— "Czech Arms; Buyers Please," The Economist, 6 November 1993, p. 90 (UK edition, p. 106).

September 1993

A British inquiry has indicated that in September 1986, the United Kingdom sanctioned the export of 26 tons of

hydrogen fluoride to Egypt. The export was undertaken despite Israeli intelligence claims that the material was

eventually being diverted to Iraq's CW program. Timothy Renton, the British Foreign Office Minister from 1985-87,

initially objected to the sale but was weakened by Israel's unwillingness to provide collateral evidence of the

diversion and by an earlier British sale of 60 tons of the same material to Egypt. He relented when British Trade

Minister Alan Clark claimed the chemicals could just as easily be used for legitimate purposes. The claim was

naturally supported by Egyptian officials, and Foreign Minister Renton communicated to the Egyptians that the

shipments not be diverted to another state or be used in warfare.

— Richard Noton-Taylor, "Nerve Gas Sale Allowed by Foreign Officer," The Guardian (London), 21 September 1993;

James Mckillop, "Inquiry Told of Fears on Nerve Gas Shipment," The Herald (Glasgow), 21 September 1993; David



Connett, "Ministers permitted Export of Nerve Gas; Scott Inquiry Told of Shipment of Chemicals, to Egypt, Despite

Warning that it Could Reach Iraq," The Independent, 21 September 1993.

June 1993

Egypt is suspected of passing chemical warfare defense equipment and parts for ground-to-ground missiles

(imported from Britain) to Iraq as far back as 1984.

— Richard Norton-Taylor, "Chemical Warfare Equipment Sold by MOD 'Likely to Have Gone to Iraq'," The Guardian

(London), 22 June 1993.

April 1993

Using local and imported raw materials, Egypt can allegedly produce certain types of chemical weapons including

nerve and blister agents. Though Egypt does not maintain enough chemical agent stocks for "broad-based

operations," it has the capability of engaging in a rapid development program if needed.

— "Country Reports: Egypt," Middle East Defense News, Vol. 6, No. 13, 5 April 1993.

February 1993

The Egyptian Pavilion debuts sophisticated military equipment including "anti-poison gas" protection gear and

systems for purging effects of chemical weapons at the Abu Dhabi Defence Equipment Exhibition in United Arab

Emirates.

— "Egyptian Pavilion in UAE Defence Equipment Exhibition," Middle East Observer, 24 February 1993.

February 1993

The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service presents findings that 16 countries possess or are close to possessing

nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons. The list included Egypt, which according to the report is capable of

producing nerve agents and other "poison gases."

— Baniel Sneider, "Former KGB Details Nuclear Arms Spread," Christian Science Monitor, 1 February 1993.

January 1993

Egyptian Information Minister Safwat El-Sherif announces his governments refusal to sign the Chemical Weapons

Convention (CWC) "until arms curbs are introduced in the Middle East on a balanced basis and without exception,

particularly in light of Israel's nuclear armament," according to Egyptian Information Minister Safwat El-Sherif.

— "Mubarak Regrets Use of Force," Al Ahram Weekly, 14 January 1993.

October 1991

In April 1990, Egypt proposed that nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons be prohibited in the Middle East and

that all states make "equal and reciprocal commitments" to declare the Middle East free of WMD and ban future

WMD-related projects. Egypt's concern continues to be Israel.

— Jeffery Phillips, "The Voice of Experience," The Jerusalem Report, 31 October 1991.

Winter 1991

Several countries suspected of developing ballistic missile systems also allegedly possess chemical warfare ability,

including Egypt.



— Thomas Mahnken, "The Arrow and the Shield: US Responses to Ballistic Missile Proliferation," The Washington

Quarterly, Winter 1991.

July 1991

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak still maintains an interest in regional weapons of mass destruction disarmament

and continues to air concerns over Israel's and Iraq's respective arsenals.

— Jeffery Phillips, "Warnings of a Disaster," The Jerusalem Report, 25 July 1991.

July 1991

Prior to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, Saddam Hussein formed an economic body called the Arab

Cooperation Council, which in addition to Iraq included Egypt, Jordan, and North Yemen. During Baghdad's

attempt to transform this group into a military organization, Egypt is believed to have shared rudimentary

chemical weapons technology with Baghdad.

— Alan Cowell, "Egypt's Arms Control Plan for Region," New York Times, 5 July 1991.

January 1991

Egypt is noted as one of 12 countries outside NATO and the Warsaw Pact that have chemical weapons and is

suspected of sharing the technology with Iraq.

— James Adams, "The Chemical Nightmare," Sunday Times of London, 27 January 1991.

December 1990

William Quandt of the Brookings Institution says Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons can be countered by Israel,

Egypt, Syria, and Iran, all of which have chemical weapons.

— Steven V. Roberts, Stephen Budiansky, Kenneth T. Walsh, Bruce B. Auster, and Carla Anne Robbins, "Raising the

Stakes," US News & World Report, Vol. 109, No. 24, p. 44, 17 December 1990.

December 1990/January 1991

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is expected to play a leading role towards regional weapons of mass destruction

disarmament, which has gained momentum given Iraq's endorsement of Egypt's 1990 regional nuclear

disarmament plan. Mubarak's goals are to establish two parallel commissions on nuclear and chemical

disarmament to address Israel's and Iraq's non-conventional arms, which are thought to include chemical weapons

capabilities. This marks the first time Egypt has acceded to discussion severing chemical weapons from nuclear

issues in the region.

— Yoram Nimrod, "A Nuclear-Free Middle East?" The Jerusalem Report, 6 December 1990; Ze'ev Schiff, "Is Arms

Control Possible," The Jerusalem Report, 17 January 1991.

August 1990

Fearing an Iraqi chemical attack, Saudi Arabia requests Egyptian assistance. In response Egypt deploys several

hundred troops trained in nuclear-biological-chemical defense. The contribution includes commandos,

paratroopers, chemical-warfare specialists, and infantrymen, all of whom have been equipped with gas masks.

Though Egypt's relationship with chemical weapons is quite extensive, Saudi praise of Egypt's "experience" in this

field is understandably minimized. Egypt is suspected of stockpiling mustard agents and the nerve agents, tabun



and sarin.

— Michael Theodoulou, "Egyptian Army to Form Pan-Arab Force Spearhead," The Times, 13 August 1990; Carol

Berger, "Crisis in the Gulf: Egypt's 'Chemical Expertise' an Asset," The Independent, 14 August 1990; Carol Berger,

"Crisis in the Gulf: Mecca and Money Compete to Lure Egypt's Volunteers," The Independent, 15 August 1990;

"Egypt Ponders Future," Africa News, 21 January 1991.

23 January 1990

Egypt participates in national trial inspections as a part of the conference of disarmament's preparation for the

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It is the only Middle Eastern state, other than Iran, to do so.

— Thomas A. Stock, SIPRI Yearbook 1992: World Armaments and Disarmament, Appendix 6A.

Back to Top

1989-1987 December 1989

Most of Egypt's defense programs fall under either the National Organization for Military Production (al-Hay'at al-

Qawmiyya li'lintag al-harbi), which is run by the Ministry of Defense Production or the National Organization for

Military Production (NOMP), which falls under the Ministry of Military Production. This is a bit of a misnomer

because each factory within the NOMP is a supposedly independent company (the companies were formerly

known Military Plant No. "X" or Factory "X"). The military industrial complex known as Abu Za'abal contains Abu

Za'abal Company for Engineering Industries (Factory 100). It was founded in 1976 and covers 500,000 square

meters. The company description provides no hint of chemical weapons production. However, the Abu Za'abal

Company for Specialized Chemicals (Factory 18) produces powders for ammunition, rocket propellants, explosives

(TNT) and ammonium perchlorate for composite propellants. The Kaha Company for Chemical Industries (Factory

270) produces smoke generators, illuminating flares, ammunition, dry batteries and nickel cadmium batteries. The

military complex known as Heliopolis (Factory 81) is called the Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries. Of

interest, Factory 1 within the complex produces smoke and illuminating shells, and Factory 2 allegedly produces

napalm bombs and gas masks.

— "Principal Egyptian Defense Manufacturers," Defense & Foreign Affairs, December 1989, p. 59.

December 1989

Minister of Defense and War Production General Youssef Sabri Abu Taleb states in an interview, "Egypt is one of

the signatories of the 1925 Geneva Convention which prohibits the use of those chemical weapons, so we

announced that we are not in possession of them." Abu Taleb believes the best way to address the issue of CW

proliferation in the region is to resolve the Arab-Israeli and Iraqi-Iranian conflicts.

— Gregory Copley, "Interview: General Youssef Sabri Abu Taleb," Defense & Foreign Affairs, December 1989, p. 20.

September 1989

Iran and Iraq join Egypt, Syria, and Libya in either openly deploying chemical weapons or being suspected of

producing them. Egypt is believed to have provided Syria with their CW technology.



— David Fairhall, "US-Soviet Convention Would Help Reverse Trend to Poison Warfare," The Guardian (London), 26

September 1989.

September 1989

Though Western and US intelligence agree that 20 countries, including Egypt, possess chemical weapons, the

United States has never published an official list of the chemical weapons "club."

— Michael Evans, "West Believes 20 Nations Belong to the Chemical Weapons 'Club'," The Times (London), 26

September 1989.

September 1989

During a chemical weapons conference in Canberra, Australia, Israel proposes discussions on banning chemical

weapons in the Middle East. Egypt, Iran, and Iraq reject the proposal, preferring to wait until December to discuss

the issue in Geneva at a UN meeting. US and Canadian chemical weapons experts believe Middle Eastern states

including Egypt are not likely to give up their chemical weapons.

— Peter Goodspeed, "Superpowers Move Closer to Ban on Toxic Weapons," Toronto Star, 23 September 1989.

September 1989

Arab diplomats believe Egypt may have supplied Iraq with "rudimentary technology" to produce chemical

weapons.

— Alan Cowell, "Hundreds Reported to Have Died in Iraqi Explosion," New York Times, 7 September 1989.

August 1989

Egypt's new defense minister, General Sabri Youssef Abu Taleb, states that Egypt is not acquiring chemical

weapons.

— Jane Friedman, "Ties Secure Despite Spy Cases," Christian Science Monitor, 15 August 1989.

July 1989

As the United States and Soviets proceed encouragingly on a treaty to eliminate chemical weapons, concerns are

expressed on how to convince countries like Egypt, assumed to possess chemical weapons, to consent to data

exchanges and inspection procedures.

— Nicholas Beeston, "Superpowers Make Positive Progress on Chemical Arms Pact; US and Soviet Union," The

Times (London), 19 July 1989.

July 1989

Chemical companies in India, where export restrictions are relatively loose, reportedly sold "hundreds of tons" of

chemicals to make CW agents to Egypt, Iran and Iraq over the previous two years. The chemicals sold include

thionyl chloride, a chemical precursor for mustard agents. [Note: Without thiodyglycol, thionyl chloride is simply

and industrial agent.]

— Stephen Engelberg and Michael R. Gordon, "India Seen as Key on Chemical Arms," New York Times, 10 July

1989; David Horovitz, "Indian Gas Ingredients," Jerusalem Post, 12 July 1989.



June 1989

President Mubarak urges Libyan leader Qaddafi to alter some policies, including its pursuit of chemical weapons, if

he wants to change Libya's "bad image."

— E.A. Wayne, "Qaddafi Tries to Improve His Image," Christian Science Monitor, 26 June 1989.

May 1989

US sources claim that their intelligence and military have known "for a long time" that Egypt is developing chemical

weapons. Furthermore, over the past year, the Israelis are suspected of exploding an Egyptian military depot

revealing a stockpile of chemical weapons and inadvertently releasing a lethal effect.

— "Uncertainty in Egypt after Removal of Abu Ghazala," MidEast Markets, 1 May 1989.

May 1989

The joint Egyptian-Iraqi missile program for the Badr-2000 missile seems capable of carrying a chemical warhead,

but according to the report, "it is known that neither Egypt nor Iraq is capable of developing the technology for a

chemical warhead."

— "Middle East Missile Production: A New Era," Defense and Foreign Affairs, May/June 1989, p. 38.

April 1989

Egypt's Minister of Defence Field Marshal Abdel-Halim Abu Ghazala steps down, seemingly under orders from

President Mubarak, who wants "to introduce new thinking and new blood into the armed forces." Abu Ghazala

was considered the second most powerful man in Egypt with the second most powerful post. Explanations include

the embarrassing set of recent allegations concerning the existence of an Egyptian chemical weapons program.

— Deborah Pugh, "Egypt's Minister of Defence Told to Step Down," The Guardian (London), 17 April 1989; Carol

Berger, "Egyptian Minister Became A 'Liability'," The Independent, 18 April 1989; Tony Walker, "Mubarak Disarms

More Than Defence Chief," Financial Times, 18 April 1989.

April 1989

An Egyptian delegate at a Toronto conference sponsored by the Working Group on International Surveillance and

Verification accused "East and West alike" of hypocrisy regarding chemical and biological weapons: "you're telling

us 'We have ours, but you can't get yours'." Unspecified intelligence reports state that Egypt may seek a "poor

man's" strategic weapon that could include chemical warheads on ballistic missiles.

— Patrick E. Tyler, "Mubarak Reassigns Key Deputy; Move Said Face— Off with Defense Chief," Washington Post,

16 April 1989.

April 1989

Egypt appears to be building a missile production plant at Abu Za'abal at "Military Factory 90," where Egypt is also

reported to be developing a chemical weapons plant. Egypt worked closely with Argentina and Iraq in the early

1980s on the Condor II missile, a two-stage rocket capable of flying a 700kg payload over 1,000km.

— "Condor II: An Issue to Test US-Egypt Ties," MidEast Markets, 17 April 1989; Carol Berger, "Blast Reveals Joint

Military Projects Continue after Gulf War," The Independent, 7 September 1989.



April 1989

During a visit to Washington, DC, Egyptian President Mubarak emphatically denied Egypt was involved in chemical

weapons production, according to a senior Bush administration official.

— "Mubarak, Shamir Visit, US; Present Ideas to Bush," Facts on File World News Digest, 7 April 1989.

April 1989

The Bush administration is criticized by unnamed developing countries claiming that the United States is "selective

in its outrage over chemical weapons, getting more upset about them in Libya and possibly Egypt than in Europe."

— "The World's Worst Communication Gap," Christian Science Monitor, 5 April 1989.

26 March 1989

US officials discussing chemical weapons programs cite a 1985 deal in which Stauffer Chemicals, a US company,

provided a design for a plant in Egypt that "makes a chemical that can be used to make both nerve gas and non-

lethal civilian products." According to a New York Times report, "In 1985, Stauffer Chemicals sold the design for a

chemical plant to make phosphorous trichloride to Krebs A.G., a Swiss company. The contract specified that the

plant, modeled after a Stauffer plant in Pennsylvania, would be built by Krebs for El Nasr Pharmaceutical Company

of Egypt."

The plant, which is complete, is used to synthesize phosphorous trichloride, which can innocuously be used in

pesticide manufacture or as a sarin precursor. US officials are reportedly concerned that the chemicals produced

could supply a second plant, the materials for which Krebs supplies. American officials also "for the first time

identified many of the more 20 nations" that the US administration says have produced "poison gas" or are

developing the ability to make it, including Egypt.

— Michael R. Gordon and Stephen Engelberg, "Poison Gas Fears Lead US to Plan New Export Curbs," New York

Times, 26 March 1989; Peter Pringle, "US Plans Curb on Chemical Exports," The Independent, 27 March 1989;

Michael R. Gordon and Stephen Engelberg, "Poison Gas Fears Lead U.S. To Plan New Export Curbs," New York

Times, 27 March 1989, p. A1.

13 March 1989

According to Israeli experts, chemical weapons are "standard issue" in the Egyptian Army, which has the potential

to fit chemical warheads on surface-to-surface missiles and to aircraft bombs. Israelis claim that Abu Za'abal is not

the only means Egypt has for producing chemical weapons. Egypt and Iraq have been working "for years" on

producing and stockpiling chemical weapons. Egypt seems to have a great deal of public support regarding

chemical weapons production in order not to "lag behind" other countries in the region. The Abu Za'abal plant is

believed to be 80 percent complete.

— Menachem Shalev and Kenneth Kaplan, "Foreign Ministry Mum on Egyptian Chemical Weapons," Jerusalem

Post, 13 March 1989.

11 March 1989

Brigadier Nagi el- Tohami, the Defense Ministry spokesman for Egypt, denies acquiring Swiss technology to

improve its ability to produce chemical weapons, but Western diplomats state that Egypt possesses the ability and



may have exported Soviet-technology to other Arab states. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also denied that

Egypt planned to build a poison gas plant. He stated, "we are not building any...plants...we are against all chemical

weapons. We condemn all this." President Mubarak, who responded to questions while in Brussels, also claimed,

"This is the first time I've heard of it." Krebs, meanwhile, halted the project at Abu Za'abal at the request of the

Swiss government.

— Alan Cowell, "Egypt Denies Swiss Machinery Was Acquired to Make Poison Gas," New York Times, 11 March

1989; "Egypt Is Not Planning to Build Poison Gas Plant, Mubarak Says," St. Petersburg Times, 11 March 1989;

"Egypt Said to Be Getting Ability to Produce Chemical Weapons," St. Louis Post— Dispatch, 11 March 1989;

Christopher Walker, "Egypt Denies Claim That It Is Building Poison Gas Factory," Times of London, 11 March 1989.

10 March 1989

In a US State Department briefing that covered-in part-the Krebs allegation, spokesman Charles Redman states

that the United States engages Egypt "frequently and closely" on issues concerning proliferation of WMD. Redman

also notes that dual-use issues complicate issues like the Krebs allegation, as does Swiss law, which does not

provide for controls on chemical production machinery (thought chemicals and precursors are covered). Redman

believes the Egyptians advertised the facility as a pharmaceutical plant.

— Redman, Charles, State Department Briefing, Federal Information Systems Corporation, 10 March 1989.

10 March 1989

US and Swiss officials state that the Swiss company Krebs A.G. delivered "parts" to Egypt to be installed in a plant

"intended to make poison gas" at Abu Za'abal, 25 miles north of Cairo. A Swiss foreign ministry official says there is

"reason to believe" Egypt has intentions to produce chemical weapons, which might include the nerve agent sarin.

The Swiss government took action after Egypt refused to provide assurances that the plant would be used for

civilian purposes, prompting a demand that Krebs sever its relationship with the project. The United States

criticized the Swiss for acting too slowly.

Krebs also built a chemical plant for the El Nasr Pharmaceutical Company to make phosphorous trichloride, a

chemical found in pesticides and the export of which is controlled. It is not clear if the plant is used for military

purposes. Design plans for the facility were purchased by Krebs from the American industrial chemical company,

Stauffer Chemicals Inc. Egypt declined to state what chemical(s) would be produced at the plant, though Egypt's

current capabilities are thought to include mustard and nerve agents. Mohammed Wahby, Egypt's spokesman in

Washington, denied plans to build a chemical weapons plant. "We are not involved in the manufacturing of

chemical weapons," he said. The plant is part of a military industrial complex that is also expected to include a joint

Egyptian-American plant for M-1 tank assembly.

— "Egypt Plans Poison-Gas Facility, Paper Says," Associated Press, 10 March 1989.; United Press International, 10

March 1989; Michael R. Gordon and Stephen Engelberg, "Poison Gas Fears Lead U.S. to Plan New Export Curbs,"

New York Times, 26 March 1989, p. 1; Michael R. Gordon and Stephen Engelberg, "Egypt Accused of Big Advance

on Poison Gas," New York Times, 10 March 1989, p.1; "Egypt Can Build Poison Gas Plant, Paper Reports," Toronto

Star, 10 March 1989; Peter Pringle, "Swiss Firm 'Aided Egypt in Gas Plant'," The Independent, 11 March 1989;

Christian Fuerst, "Israel: Aware of the Benefits," Toronto Star, 25 March 1989; "Swiss Poison Gas Gear Reported



Bought," Facts on File World News Digest,31 March 1989; Michael R. Gordon, "Swiss Halt Plans for Plant in Iran,"

New York Times, 9 May 1989.

January 1989

In a discussion on trade restrictions, German Free Democrat leader Graf Lambsdorf calls for strictly supervised

international conventions to stop the flow of chemical weapons systems. According to Tat-Aluf (res.) Aharon

Levran, editor of the Jaffee Institute's Middle East Balance, it is too late to stop CW programs in countries like

Egypt, which have already benefited from assistance from West German companies.

— Dan Petreanu, "The Business That Backfired," Jerusalem Post, 27 January 1989.

January 1989

When asked about chemical weapons, Israeli Chief of General Staff Dan Shomron states that he believes Egypt has

the means to produce chemical weapons.

— Dan Petreadnu, Jon Immanual and Asher Wallfish, "Shomron, Barak Defend IDF Record in Areas," Jerusalem

Post, 26 January 1989.

January 1989

US intelligence sources state at least four Arab countries possess chemical weapons, including Egypt.

— Moffett, George, "Chemical Attack on Israel Could Spark Nuclear Reply," Toronto Star, 15 January 1989.

January 1989

Egypt continues to press for a nuclear-chemical parallel link at the 149-nation Paris Conference, at which Egypt is

seen as championing the Arab unilateral disarmament argument. The only Arab countries to participate in the 40-

nation Geneva talks, however, are limited to Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, despite concerns regarding Syria and

Iraq's CW programs.

— Edward Cody, "Talks Show Growing Arab Consensus That Chemical Arms Balance Nuclear," Washington Post, 13

January 1989.

January 1989

Suspicions regarding Egypt's chemical weapons program are reasserted. Elisa Harris, a chemical weapons specialist

at the Brookings Institution and contributor to the London-based "Brassey's Defense Yearbook," claims that "every

confirmed use of chemical weapons since the First World War" has been effective militarily and psychologically,

including Egypt's use in Yemen between 1963 and 1967. Egypt has facilities capable of producing chemical

weapons.

— Fred Kaplan, "Little Is Known, Much Is Feared about Who Has Chemical Weapons," Boston Globe, 8 January

1989; Nicholas Beeston, "Race for the 'Poor Man's A-Bomb'; Chemical Weapons," Times of London), 21 January

1989.

January 1989

While referring to disarmament of chemical weapons, Egyptian Foreign Minister Esmat Abdel-Meguid states in an

interview during the Paris Conference that, "we cannot say only chemical weapons. We also have to talk about

other mass destruction weapons. We would like this position to be spelled out so that while we are condemning



chemical weapons, we don't neglect nuclear weapons." However, he adds that Egypt will not insist on a link among

different WMD in a final chemical weapons nonproliferation agreement. According to Abdel-Meguid, the Parisian

Conference indicates broad interest in addressing chemical weapons. He advocates a meeting of all concerned

countries prior to an agreement's endorsement to create a mechanism for sanctions for noncompliance.

[Note: The Russian Information Agency refers to Abdel-Meguid as "Deputy Prime Minister."]

— R. Jeffrey Smith and Edward Cody, "US Drive to Censure Libya Lags; Paris, Bonn Talks; Arabs Seek to Link Gas,

Nuclear Arms," Washington Post, 7 January 1989; Edward Cody and R. Jeffrey Smith, "Moscow Announces

Chemical Arms Cuts; Soviets Agree to Investigate Libyan Plant," Washington Post, 9 January 1989; Yuri Lopatin,

Nikita Yermakov and Alexander Krivykh, "Conference on Chemical Weapons Continued," The Russian Information

Agency ITAR-TASS, 9 January 1989.

January 1989

US administration officials continue to suspect Egypt possesses chemical weapons.

— Stephen Engelberg, "Chemical Arms: Third World Trend," New York Times, 7 January 1989; Nissim Rejwan,

"Syria's Iron Grip on 'Popular Democracy'," Jerusalem Post, 25 June 1992.

January 1989

The Reagan administration is expected to propose that the United Nations be given broad powers allowing the

organization to investigate suspected chemical weapon use anywhere in the world. The announcement comes as

the United States seemed particularly concerned with chemical weapons production among Middle Eastern

countries, including Egypt. According to a New York Times article, "there have been reports that Egypt, Iran, Iraq

and Libya are employing chemical weapons in warfare."

— "U.S. to Propose Broad Powers for U.N. on Chemical Arms," United Press International, 3 January 1989.

December 1987

US intelligence indicates that Libya might be building a chemical weapons plant. Egypt, a suspected possessor of

chemical weapons, has tense relations with Libya, raising the possibility that a skirmish might escalate to include

the use of chemical weapons.

— Michael R. Gordon, "US Thinks Libya May Plan to Make Chemical Weapons," New York Times, 24 December

1987.

November 1987

A meeting in Egypt between Presidents Hosni Mubarak of Egypt and Nicolae Ceausescu of Romania leads to a joint

Egyptian-Romanian statement advocating international efforts towards the elimination of chemical weapons.

"Egypt – Ceausescu, Mubarak Favour End to Arms Race," The Russian Information Agency, 24 November 1987.

November 1987

As the prospect of a worldwide agreement addressing a ban on chemical weapons improves, Kenneth L. Adelman,

Director of the US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, notes that the number of chemical weapons states has

increased to "15 to 20 chemical weapon states." The article, not Adelman, cites that Egypt "has not said if it has

chemical weapons."



— Michael R. Gordon with Paul Lewis, "The Move to Ban Chemical Weapons: Big Strides and Many More Hurdles,"

New York Times, 16 November 1987; Michael R. Gordon, "US Thinks Libya May Plan to Make Chemical Weapons,"

New York Times, 24 December 1987.

September 1987

The Jaffee Centre for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University in Israel releases a 462-page study by former Israeli

military intelligence chief Aharon Yariv, stating that Arab states either "either possess, or can acquire, chemical

weaponry."

— "Israel Trails in Chemical Armaments Report Says," Associated Press, 8 September 1987.

February 1987

In a statement on behalf of the Egyptian government, the head of the Egyptian delegation at the Geneva

Disarmament Conference, Saad Alfarargi, addresses several weapons of mass destruction related issues and notes

in the statement that "the A.R.E. [Arab Republic of Egypt] favours an agreement on a ban on chemical weapons."

— "Egypt Condemns Nuclear Tests," The Russian Information Agency, ITAR-TASS, 19 February 1987.

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1986-1928 January 1986

The United States and Soviet Union discuss a potential agreement to curb the proliferation of chemical weapons.

According to US intelligence, the Soviets have supplied six countries, including Egypt, with chemical weapons'

material, technology, or advice during the previous two decades.

— Don Oberdorfer, "US, Soviets May Meet Soon on Curbing Chemical Arms," Washington Post, 4 January 1986; Ian

Black, "Israel Tries to Counter Arab Nerve Gas Threat; Defence Officials Worries as Syria Hoards Chemical Arms,"

The Guardian, 12 December 1986.

September 1985

A Washington Post article refers to reports that Egypt is "alleged to possess" chemical weapons. Among its

sources, it refers to a September 1983 US intelligence estimate from the CIA, initially made public by Washington

Post writers Jack Anderson and Dale Van Atta in August 1984. The report claims that "Egypt received Soviet

chemical-weapons training, indoctrination and material in the 1960s while it was the major Soviet client in the

Middle East." It also refers to Egypt's chemical arsenal as probably the most advanced in the Arab world, a claim

supported by the Israelis.

— Don Oberdorfer, "Chemical Arms Curbs Are Sought; Officials Alarmed by Increasing Use of Banned Weapons,"

Washington Post, 9 September 1985; Barry Schweid, "Source Says Syria Is Producing Chemical Weapons,"

Associated Press, 26 March 1986; Ian Black, "Israel Tries to Counter Arab Nerve Gas Threat; Defence Officials

Worries as Syria Hoards Chemical Arms," The Guardian, 12 December 1986.



May 1984

Defense Department officials estimate that 14 to 16 countries have chemical weapons, including Egypt.

— Richard Halloran, "US Finds 14 Nations Now Have Chemical Arms," New York Times, 20 May 1984; Gordon

Bathos, "Israel Urged to Build Arsenal of Toxic Arms," Toronto Star, 11 January 1989.

January 1982

In a survey of Egypt's aircraft factories, the United States notes that Military Plant No. 36, which is simply known as

"Aircraft Factory," produces decontamination equipment among other seemingly non-CW related materials.

— Clarence A. Robinson Jr., "Factories Tool for Alpha Jet Program," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 18 January

1982, p. 61.

January 1982

Egypt openly desires US weapons technology. Egyptian production plant Military Plant No. 81 (later known as the

Heliopolis Company for Chemical Industries) begins to produce gas masks.

— Clarence A. Robinson Jr., "Nation Seeks Larger Production Base," Aviation Week & Space Technology, 4 January

1982, p. 41.

February 1981

The United States might be negotiating an increased military presence in Egypt. Citing the Kuwaiti newspaper al-

Hadaf, the BBC article states vaguely that a base will be constructed "on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt" for

storage of chemical weapons. [Note: It is not clear from the article whether it refers to US or Egyptian chemical

weapons.]

— "Sadat Declares 'Unconditional Support' to Succession of US Official Visitors," BBC Summary of World

Broadcasts, 7 February 1981.

1974

Testifying before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on National Security Policy and Scientific Developments, the

Acting Secretary for International Security Affairs at the Department of Defense,Mr. Amos A. Jordan, makes a

number of observations about CW capabilities in the Middle East. He says: "… during the October 1973 war in the

Mideast, it became clear that the U.S.S.R. had provided the Arabs with CW defensive equipment. Of course, no

chemical weapons were used during the conflict. It is significant that a substantial quantity of passive chemical

defensive equipment was provided. The captured materiel shows us that new Soviet combat vehicles have

pressurized crew compartments and sealed ports for crew firing. I should stress, however, that there were no

indications at all that the U.S.S.R. provided her Mideast allies with any offensive chemical capability. However,

both Israel and Egypt have the technical capability to produce chemical weapons."

— Prepared Statement of Amos A. Jordan, Acting Secretary for International Security Affairs, Department of

Defense, U.S. Chemical Warfare Policy; Hearings before the Subcommittee on National Security Policy and

Scientific Developments of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; House of Representatives, 9 May 1974, p. 151.

Late 1973-1974

Egyptian Defense Minister General Abdel Ghani Gamassi tells the Egyptian parliament that "nuclear weapons [are]



not the only weapons of mass destruction, but that chemical and incendiary weapons could be equally as

effective." At this time, Egypt is believed to possess production ability for nerve and blister agents.

— Louise Lief, "Egypt Reviews Its Stance as Mideast Nuclear Arms Swell," Christian Science Monitor, 18 August

1980; Harvey J. McGeorge, "Chemical Addiction," Defense & Foreign Affairs, April 1989, p. 17.

Pre-1973/1973

Egypt is suspected of exporting chemical weapons to Syria "shortly" before the October 1973 Middle East war, a

claim supported by a 1998 report released by the Defense Intelligence Agency entitled "Chemical Warfare

Assessments."

— Michael R. Gordon and Stephen Engelberg, "Egypt Accused of Big Advance on Poison Gas," New York Times, 10

March 1989, p.1; Andrew Rathmell, "Syria's Insecurity," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 6, No. 9, 1 September 1994,

p. 414; Yedidya Atlas, "Egypt Helps Rogue States While Accepting US Aid," Insight on the News, 17 June 1996.

July 1963

Egypt reportedly serves as a conduit for approximately 70,000 gas masks purchased by Iraq from a Switzerland.

— Volume 1: The Rise of CB Weapons: The Problem of Chemical and Biological Warfare, Stockholm International

Peace Research Institute, (Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiskell, 1971), p. 162.

July 1963

US Department of State representative to Egypt, John S. Badeau, questions Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser

on allegations that Egypt is using "unconventional bombs" (bombs including toxic agents such as mustard) against

Yemeni Royalist forces on a daily basis. Nasser claims the poison gas is a napalm bomb called "Opal" but also states

that the UAR created a bomb of which he does not know the "precise chemical content." Receiving further

pressure from Badeau, Nasser states he defers military decisionmaking to the military.

— John S. Badeau, Chemical and Biological Warfare Cable, US Department of State, US Embassy, 11 July 1963.

1963-1967

Egypt is widely suspected of possessing, possibly producing, and using chemical weapons in the form of gas-

bombs, including mustard and phosgene, in the Yemeni civil war against Yemeni Republican forces. This resulted in

1,400 deaths, according to the Defense Intelligence Agency. Until the early 1980s, Egypt provided "the only verified

use of chemical weapons since World War I," according to Harvard biochemist Matthew Masselso. Seth Carus of

the Washington Institute for Near East Policy claims that Egypt's chemical weapons "probably originated from the

Soviet Union." Whereas CBW expert Harvey McGeorge seems more certain, he states that "the Soviets began

supplying Egypt...in the early 1960s."

— Rick Atkinson, "Gas, a Symbol of War Horror, Being Sought for the Next Time," Washington Post, 26 November

1983; "This Hellish Poison," New York Times,14 March 1984; Harvey J. McGeorge, "Chemical Addiction," Defense &

Foreign Affairs, April 1989; Philip Jacobson, "Washington Alarm about Improved Nerve Gases; Chemical Weapons,"

The Times (London), 10 January 1989; Michael R. Gordon and Stephen Engelberg, "Egypt Accused of Big Advance

on Poison Gas," New York Times,10 March 1989; Anthony H. Cordesman, "The Arab-Israeli Military Balance in

2002," Center for Strategic and International Studies, January 2002.



June 1963

Egypt is suspected of dropping mustard agent-containing bombs on Yemeni civilians in Sadah, a village near the

Saudi border, on 8 June 1963.

— Douglas Davis, "Egypt to PM: Don't Come Empty-handed," The Jerusalem Post, 19 December 1997, p. 3.

1963

By 1963, Egypt completes research and design for the production of nerve agents and cyanide gas, and by 1967,

has prepared a defensive capability in case of an Israeli chemical attack.

— Anthony H. Cordesman, "The Arab-Israeli Military Balance in 2002," Center for Strategic and International

Studies, January 2002.

1958-1961

Egypt and Syria form the United Arab Republic (UAR). Syria leaves in 1961 but Egypt retains name until 1972.

[Note: Though the information appears irrelevant for the purpose of a CW chronology, it must be noted because it

gives insight into Egyptian-Syrian relations, and the creation of the UAR could have had an affect on exchange of

scientific personnel and technology between the two countries. Syria is often accused in Western reports of

developing an extensive offensive CW program.]

1950s-1960s

Egypt actively recruits German CW experts. It is also reported that German CBW experts were among a team of

scientists working in Egypt during the early CW attacks on Yemen.

— Volume II: CB Weapons Today: The Problem of Chemical and Biological Warfare, Stockholm International Peace

Research Institute, (Stockholm: Almqvist & Wiskell, 1973), p. 240.

1950s-1960s

Israeli intelligence claims that Egypt is developing chemical and biological warfare (CBW) programs with help from

Soviet and German scientists. Additional intelligence reports, however, find no proof that Egypt's CBW programs

were led by German scientists. This causes Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion to reprimand the Mossad

(Israel's leading intelligence agency) for such claims as they could potentially jeopardize Israeli relationship with

West Germany. Israeli Chief of Security Services, Iser Harel, criticizes Ben-Gurion's policy" and resigns in protest in

March 1963.

— "Israel's Nuclear History," Jane's Intelligence Review, Vol. 12, No. 7, 27 June 2000, p. 14.

1938

The Egyptian government places orders with the British government for the supply of chemical defense stores,

including service respirators, containers, Type E, and anti-gas ointment." The British government also supplies

Egypt with equipment suitable for training local forces in CW defense.

— Nineteenth Annual Report of the Chemical Defence Research Department, Report for the Year ended 31st

December 1938, Public Record Office, WO 188/788, p. 10.



1929-1950

There is no publicly available information suggesting that the Egyptian government is engaged in any independent

offensive chemical warfare (CW) programs during this period.

6 December 1928

Egypt ratifies the 1925 Geneva Protocol, prohibiting "the use in war of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases and

of bacteriological methods of warfare." Egypt does not attach any reservations or special circumstances to its

ratification.

— "1925 Geneva Protocol," http://disarmament.un.org.

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