Nazif: Egypt will not start from Scratch in the Nuclear Field … Differences over 'Nile Basin' can be Overcome

Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif denied the rumors about the Government's intention to withdraw funds from savings accounts in banks in Egypt for the immediate implementation of some projects, and said: "This is not at all possible, because the government is maintaining and protecting the savings and it intervened more than once with some of the banks to protect the savings of citizens."

Nazif called – after visiting a number of irrigation projects in Al Qanatir Charity yesterday – for media to be careful in dealing with such national issues which affect the interests of the Egyptians and may strike hard at investments. He said: "The role of the government is to coordinate with the Central Bank on how to invest those savings for the owners only."

In response to a question about what Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei said – head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, in his dialogue with Al-Ahram newspaper – that Egypt does not have a qualified unit in management and operation of nuclear plants, and therefore International Atomic Agency will dictate its terms to Egypt Nazif replied: "I do not think so, there is cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency on the establishment of peaceful nuclear power plants, and Egypt has international human resources, including Dr. ElBaradei himself," said Nazif expressing surprise at ElBaradei's statement.

Nazif added: "Maybe his speech has been modified but I stress the importance of the presence of Egyptian human resources, we will not start from scratch in the nuclear sphere."

In response to another question related to the water issue, and differences regarding the Nile Basin countries and Egypt's share in the project, Nazif said: "There are no particular differences, but rather they are obstacles that could be overcome, Egypt was not late in supporting the development of the Nile Basin countries."He stressed that all the basin countries agree on the historical rights of Egypt and recognize its annual share."