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Updated October 2008
Biological Chronology
2003-2007
22 May 2003
Egyptian biologist Dr. Wajdi Abd-al-Fattah Sawahil, professor of micro-genetic engineering in Cairo, claims that Israel uses Palestinian detainees as guinea pigs in BW research and is "producing new types of diseases, viruses, bacteria, and some genetically modified substances that specifically attack body cells contain a Palestinian hereditary substance."
— Jamal al-Majaydah, "Egyptian Scientist: Israel produces viruses that attack Palestinians only," FBIS document GMP20030522000144, 22 May 2003, <http://www.fbis.gov>.
July 2003
Suspicious white substances, thought to possibly be anthrax, are repeatedly found in U.S. Embassy buildings in Cairo and Alexandria. Buildings were evacuated to allow samples to be taken for testing and for decontamination to take place. It is unclear how the substance entered the building, but suspicions center on the locally provided security forces, who currently guard the external entrances.
— Jamal Shahin, "US Embassy considers stationing Marine guards on the streets of Cairo," FBIS document GMP20030707000224, 3 July 2003, <http://www.fbis.gov>.
8 October 2003
The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) reports that the Pentagon is selling surplus biological protective suits and laboratory equipment that could be used to manufacture biological weapons on the Internet at bargain prices. Several of these items have been resold to Egypt, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates among others.
— "Equipment sold by Pentagon could be used for bioweapons production," Agence France Presse, 8 October 2003, <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>.
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 advanced ballistic missile capability remain a large threat to Israel. The report goes on to say that Egypt's biological arsenal includes advanced strains of toxins, and bacterial and viral agents and that Egypt has varied means of dispersing these weapons, including artillery shells, aerial bombs, and advanced ballistic missile systems.
— Caroline B. Glick, "A grave and gathering threat," Jerusalem Post, 12 December 2003, p. 1.
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.
— "Egyptian official urges Israel to dismantle nuclear, chemical Weapons," BBC Monitoring, 20 December 2003, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
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 Egypt; "civil NBC protection clothing, NBC respirators, NBC clothing, [and] NBC filters."
— United Kingdom Strategic Export Controls, Annual Report 2003 (June 2004), pp. 123, <http://www.fco.gov.uk>.
19-30 July 2004
As part of the preparations for the Second Meeting of the States Parties to the BWC which is to be held in Geneva in December 2004 a Meeting of Experts is convened in Geneva. Although Egypt has not ratified the treaty, an Egyptian delegation attends the meeting.
— The CBW Conventions Bulletin, No. 65 (September 2004), p. 13.
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, [and] civil NBC protection clothing."
— Strategic Export Controls: Quarterly Report - July to September 2004, (January 2005), p. 36, <http://www.fco.gov.uk>.
26 to 28 April 2006
The Preparatory Committee for the Sixth Review Conference meets in Geneva from 26 to 28 April 2006. A representative of Egypt, a State Signatory of the Convention, attends the meeting and in line with the meeting rules participates in discussions without the right to take part in the making of decisions.
— Report of the Preparatory Committee to the Review Conference BWC/CONF.VI/PC/2, 3 May 2006, p. 2, <http://www.opbw.org>.
20 November 2006
In the course of responding to questions from the press at the Sixth Review Conference of the Convention on Biological Weapons (BWC) the United States Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation, Mr. John C. Rood observes that: "Egypt is another state which sits outside the treaty. I think in the area of universality with only 155 countries party, there is room for significant growth and we do think that an Action Plan with significant milestones, actual activities, directed activities to achieve universality, is important. Again, in the Chemical Weapons Convention context, that's been successful in raising the membership of the CWC. We'd like to see that success emulated in the Biological Weapons Convention context." In subsequent reporting on the U.S. State Department's USINFO website Mr. Rood's remarks are characterized in a way that emphasizes the importance of his mention of Egypt. "Rood, at a later press conference, singled out Egypt as another country that stands outside the treaty framework. With 155 members of the BWC, he said, "there is room for significant growth."
— "Remarks to the Press at the Sixth Review Conference of the States Parties to the Biological Weapons Convention: John C. Rood, Assistant Secretary for International Security and Nonproliferation," 20 November 2006, <http://www.state.gov>; Jacqui Porth, "Nations Need to Step Up Biological Weapons Treaty Enforcement," USINFO website, 20 November 2006, <http://usinfo.state.gov>.
21 November 2006
Speaking at the Sixth Review Conference of the Convention on Biological Weapons (BWC) H.E. Ambassador Sameh Shoukry of Egypt, a Signatory State, said that although Egypt had signed the Convention on 10 April 1972 and was committed to the humanitarian and moral objectives of the BWC, Egypt was deeply troubled by certain deficiencies regarding the implementation of the
treaty as well as the continuing conditions in the Middle East. He pointed out that Israel not only sits on an arsenal of nuclear weapons, but has consistently refused to sign the Biological Weapons Convention, thereby once again obstructing international efforts towards the elimination of the threat of the proliferation of WMD. He concluded by urging the international community to address this issue in an effective and practical manner so as to achieve this objective universally and in a non-discriminatory manner.
—Statement of Ambassador Sameh Shoukrv Permanent Representative of Egypt to the United Nations, Geneva, Sixth Review Conference of the Convention on Biological Weapons (BWC), 21 November 2006, <http://www.unog.ch.>.
20-24 August 2007
Three Egyptian government representatives attend the Biological Weapons Convention Meeting of Experts in Geneva, Switzerland. Egypt, a State Signatory of the Convention, attends the meeting and in line with the meeting rules participates in discussions without the right to take part in the making of decisions.
—List of Participants BWC/MSP/2007/MX/INF 3, 24 August 2007, p. 29, <http://www.opbw.org>.
18-22 August 2008
An Egyptian government representative attends the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Meeting of Experts in Geneva, Switzerland. Egypt, a State Signatory of the Convention, attends the meeting and in line with the meeting rules participates in discussions without the right to take part in the making of decisions.
—List of Participants BWC/MSP/2008/MX/INF.5, 22 August 2007, p. 34, <http://www.unog.ch/>.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
