Egypt's Nuclear Energy Authority will begin operating the research reactor of Inshas nuclear plant on June 21. The decision came in contradiction to an announcement by the chairman of the Nuclear Safety Center, who refused the reactor's operation without the approval of his center. Sources in the authority told Youm7 that the operation process will be attended by a delegation of an Argentinean company which will arrive in Cairo in the next few days to operate the isotopes factory which will produce the isotopes necessary for treating many diseases, including cancer. The authority will conduct experimental operation processes of the reactor in the next three weeks in addition to conducting research and analyzing the samples used in producing the isotopes and other peaceful uses of nuclear power. The sources stressed that the operation process will not harm the surrounding areas and confirmed that such processes will be safe. It stressed that the reactor's safety committee approved in consensus to begin operating the reactor after three-hour discussions in which scientists ensured the safety of the reactor and the nuclear fuel circle. Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim, the chairman of the Nuclear Safety Center, said operating the reactor is a threat to public safety. Dr. Mohamed Taha el-Kolali, the chairman of the Nuclear Energy Authority, refuted Ibrahim's statements. Egypt's Minister of Electricity, Hassan Younis, met with Ibrahim and Kolali to bridge the differences between the two scientists.
