Mubarak: We want to develop nuclear energy
Egyptian president says ‘We must take advantage of peaceful uses of nuclear energy; we do not start from a vacuum, and we possess a knowledge of these techniques which enables us to proceed. ‘Pointless to talk about new Middle East without tackling Israeli-Palestinian conflict,’ Mubarak adds
"We must take advantage of new and renewable energy sources, including the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and I call for a serious dialogue which takes into account the clean and cheap sources of energy available through nuclear technologies," he said.
"We do not start from a vacuum, and we possess a knowledge of these techniques which enables us to proceed."
Mubarak’s son Gamal called for nuclear energy development only a few days ago.
During a speech at the annual meeting of the National Democratic party – Egypt's ruling party – Mubarak said nuclear energy would compensate for the shortage Egypt has in oil reserves and natural gas.
'We do not start from a vacuum.' Mubarak (Photo: Reuters)
In the US, Mubarak's declarations were not met with surprise. The two countries have grown increasingly close in recent years, and American leaders do not appear to want to stand in Egypt's way. US Ambassador to Egypt said earlier that "the US encourages nuclear energy for peaceful purposes."
The Mubarak family, both father and son, have been the subject of Egyptian criticism over the succession of Mubarak's son to power, in the same way that Basher Assed took power in Syria.
Analysts and the opposition say Gamal's supporters in the party are preparing him to succeed his 78-year-old father through constitutional means. Gamal has said he does not have presidential ambitions.
'Stalled peace process essence of problem'
In light of these pressures, Mubarak has set out on a program of reforms to government, and committed himself to legal reforms which will reduce the authorities of the president and will strengthen the power of the prime minister and the parliament in the decision making process.
But Mubarak's comments did not include commitments to answer demands from the Egyptian opposition, which calls for a change in the law for the presidential elections, and to limit the president to two terms at most.
On the Middle East, Mubarak said it was pointless to talk about a "new Middle East" or a "war on terror" - the policy labels used by Washington -- without tackling the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.
He did not mention by name the United States, which gives Egypt close to USD 2 billion a year in aid in return for its cooperation on regional policy.
"The failure and stopping of the peace process is the essence of the Middle East problem and the time has come for the international powers to recognize this fact and to deal with it through a serious and sensible endeavor," he said.
"Any talk about the New or Greater Middle East ignores this fact. Any talk about the war on terror must be accompanied with similar talk about its roots and causes, and an urgent move to reach just solutions to pending problems," he added.
