World Tribune.com

U.S. tries to block sale of 50 N. Korean missile engines

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Monday, June 18, 2001

WASHINGTON ÑThe United States is trying to stop Egypt from purchasing 50 missile engines from North Korea.

U.S. government sources said Egypt is negotiating with Pyongyang for the purchase of 50 No-Dong missile engines. The missile is said to have a range of between 1,000 and 1,300 kilometers and has already been purchased by Iran. "We are talking about a very advanced stage of talks," a government source said.

Egypt has been cooperating with North Korea on missile development for nearly 20 years. But this is the first time Egypt is believed ready to purchase such a major component of an intermediate-range missile, Middle East Newsline reported.

The sources said that earlier this year Egypt obtained a shipment of missile components from Pyongyang. The shipment was said to have helped complete a stage of Egypt's missile development.

The sources said the North Korean missiles are required for Egypt's medium- and intermediate-range missile program. Egypt has several such programs and North Korea has helped by providing components, many of them based on Western technology relayed by Cairo.

The Bush administration and Congress have raised the issue with Egyptian officials. This has included meetings between the U.S. ambassador in Cairo, Daniel Kurtzer, and Egyptian leaders. The issue was also raised with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher. Maher is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday in Washington for talks with Bush administration officials and congressional leaders.

The Israeli daily Maariv, which first reported the story, said congressional leaders have threatened to halt the $1.3 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Egypt if Cairo acquires the missile engines. The newspaper said that with North Korean engines, Egypt could fire missiles that could strike any target in Israel.

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