Morocco worried by Algerian nuclear project

CAIRO — Morocco is concerned over the development of Algeria's nuclear program.

Defense sources and analysts said the regime in Rabat fears Algeria plans to expand its nuclear program and eventually develop weapons. They said this would escalate the current tensions between the two North African neighbors.

Diplomatic sources said Algeria was miffed by Senegal's proposal that Morocco be included in a proposed United States of Africa. The proposal was raised during last week's African summit in the Libyan town of Sirte. Tensions between Algeria and Morocco focus on the disputed Western Sahara region.

The latest edition of the "Morocco Strategic Report" issued in Rabat discusses Algeria's nuclear capability. The report, which covers the years 1999 and 2000, bases its assertions on the Washington-based Center for Strategic International Studies.

The Moroccan report said Algeria is secretly building a nuclear reactor in Ein Usra, far from any residential area. The Algerian effort is reportedly being conducted under the guise of a nuclear power project. It is not clear what systems Algeria is deploying in this project.

Morocco is believed to have an edge in conventional forces, despite a much larger Algerian military.

Algeria operates a nuclear research reactor from Argentina and a second facility supplied from China. The two facilities are subject to inspections by the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency.