A spokeswoman for Israeli President Shimon Peres on Monday said he categorically denies a report he offered nuclear warheads to South Africa in 1975, when he was Israel's defense minister. According to the AP, Peres' spokeswoman, Ayelet Frisch, stated on Monday that there were "never any negotiations" on this between the two countries, as reported by Britain's Guardian newspaper.
The report is based on an American academic's research and cites reportedly secret minutes of Peres' talks with senior South African officials discussing the issue. According to Frisch, Peres was not contacted for comment before the article was released late Sunday.
The Guardian claims its report contains "The first documentary evidence" of Israel's possession of nuclear weapons."
