Rocket Speed-Up In Egypt

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30956, 12 January 1966, Page 12

Rocket Speed-Up In Egypt

(N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright) CAIRO, Jan. 11.

Two United States experts are secretly working on a crash Egyptian programme to develop mediumrange rockets before Israel succeeds in doing so, according to a report by sources close to the Egyptian Government.

The sources said one of these experts, a GermanAmerican scientist, had replaced Mr Wolfgang Pilz, the former programme head, who resigned in June and returned to West Germany. The other American’s background was not given. Both men were said to have worked for several months in the Egyptian rocket programme in which West German scientists and technicians have played a primary role in the past. United States Embassy officials acknowledged having heard reports about the two Americans for some time, but they declined to say whether the reports were correct. Some Americans privately denied any official United States connexion with the United Arab Republic’s rocket research but did not exclude the possibility that I‘free-lance” experts were involved. Worked Under Hitler

A number of West Germans who have worked in Egypt had the common experience of developing missiles under Hitler with other former Germans now prominent in the United States space programme.

Two days ago the French Government acknowledged reports that its space industry had been given clearance to help Israel develop mediumrange rockets. The extent of French participation in Israeli’s rocket research was not disclosed. At present about 40 foreign experts are reported at work in Egypt. A year ago there were 65.

The programme has from

the start been plagued by material and technical difficulties, particularly with its guidance system. Younger Experts

About a year ago three West German scientists left the project in disappointment. Later Mr Pilz resigned. These departures prompted the Egyptians to try to recruit new and younger foreign experts. Apparently it was as a result of this effort that the Americans were hired. Informants said recently that the managers of the rocket programme had for the first time turned to the Communist bloc to purchase precision instruments.

Because of apparent difficulties in obtaining them in the West, the shipment came from East Germany. In the past most materials have been purchased in West Germany, Switzerland or France.