Egypt vague on Mubarak's nuclear deal with Russia, early exit from Moscow

CAIRO — Egypt and Russia have agreed to launch nuclear cooperation.

But Egyptian officials played down previous assertions that this would include the construction of a nuclear reactor. Nor were they eager to explain the circumstances leading to President Hosni Mubarak's early return home from Moscow

"Let us stay away from the media exaggerations," Mubarak said. "The nuclear field is not confined to nuclear stations or reactors. I stress that Egypt will not set up nuclear stations at the time being to generate electricity."

Mubarak was said to have cut short his visit to Russia and skipped a tour of a Russian missile site. At first, Russian officials reported that Mubarak had cancelled the missile factory visit.

But on Sunday Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said Mubarak left Moscow on schedule. "We do not know from where they came," Ivanov said on Egyptian television regarding reports that Mubarak cut short his trip.

"Let's consider these claims as ravings for which we pity their circulators." Egyptian officials were also vague over what was agreed to regarding defense cooperation with Russia. Earlier, however, officials, including Mubarak, said this was on the agenda.

"Cooperation is developing in the economy, in trade and other areas in which Russia is successful, including the military," Mubarak said. "Our weapons are mostly Soviet and Russian."

Mubarak said Egypt does not have a need for a nuclear-power plant in a country that is full of natural gas reserves. Instead, the president said the nuclear cooperation with Moscow would focus on agriculture and medicine.

On Friday, the two countries signed a memorandum of cooperation for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The memorandum said the extent of the cooperation would suit Egypt's needs and priorities.

Officials said the cooperation would include applied research, training, nuclear safety, environment protection, as well as laser technology. Another area of cooperation would be Russian training and operation of the electronic accelerator Egypt purchased from Russia. The accelerator produces radioactive isotopes.

Egyptian Electricity Minister Ali Saidi stressed that Cairo does not plan to launch a nuclear weapons program.