June 6, 2003	Friday	Rabi-us-Sani 5, 1424

MOSCOW, June 5: A foreign ministry official said Russia would supply Iran with fuel for a nuclear reactor, whether or not Tehran signs an additional protocol with the UN nuclear watchdog, Itar-Tass news agency reported on Thursday.

“We will supply nuclear fuel for Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant even if Iran does not sign a protocol on additional guarantees with the IAEA,” ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko was quoted by Tass as saying.

US officials question why the oil and gas-rich republic would be investing in power-generating reactors and suggest Iran may be trying to develop a nuclear weapons programme.

Putin told reporters at the G8 summit this week in the French resort of Evian that Russia would pursue its nuclear programme, making no mention of any suspension of equipment or supplies.

But he also said the nuclear plant being built at Bushehr in southern Iran had to meet all requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.—Reuters/AFP