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10 February 2012
   
 
 
 
 
 

I have taken note of the recent article in ‘The Guardian' regarding alleged nuclear cooperation between South Africa and Israel during the1970s. I was never at any stage informed of any such developments. I have no reason to question the information that was consistently conveyed to me by the relevant authorities that South Africa developed nuclear weapons on its own. 
 
The allegations seem to be most unlikely. Countries simply don't offer one another nuclear weapons like muffins at a tea party (in three different sizes!) Any such offer would have entailed enormous and unacceptable risks for Israel - particularly in the political climate of the time. What could South Africa possibly offer in return? And if such an offer had been made why would South Africa have turned it down and proceeded to produce its own weapons at such great expense? The article speculates that the offer might have fallen through because the price was too high or because Shimon Peres was acting without the knowledge of his Prime Minister. However, the Israeli weapons could hardly have cost more than South Africa's own nuclear arms development programme. The idea that an Israeli Defence Minister would have entered into a formal agreement to provide nuclear weapons to another country without the knowledge and approval of his Prime Minister is simply ludicrous.

 

 

Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter
 
 
 
 
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