Russia, Iran close to N-fuel agreement: Tehran rejects US pressure
MOSCOW, July 16: Moscow and Tehran are very close to signing a key deal on the return of atomic fuel from Iran’s first nuclear reactor, paving the way for the Russian-built facility to go on line, Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said on Wednesday.
“The document could be signed by the end of July,” Rumyantsev was quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency as saying.
Russia is building the nuclear plant in Bushehr despite Western worries that Tehran is using the power station project to develop a clandestine nuclear weapons programme.
Rumyantsev said the natural resources ministry was examining an environmental study required under Russian law, adding that “the final hurdle” had been cleared.
“The fuel is being stored at a chemical factory in Novosibirsk. The first 11 loads of 500kgs each will be shipped to Iran in a cargo jet after the Russian-Iranian signing of the protocol on the return of nuclear fuel,” ITAR-TASS quoted Rumyantsev as saying.
He said the first shipments would likely be loaded into the reactor by the middle of next year.
Bushehr is due to go on line by 2005.
N-WEAPONS: Meanwhile, President Mohammad Khatami reaffirmed on Wednesday that Iran’s defence strategy had no place for nuclear weapons, he said in comments published in Al Watan. He insisted Tehran was looking for “peaceful nuclear technology”.
“Acquiring nuclear technology does not mean having nuclear arms,” he said. “What Iran has obtained through its own capabilities ... is an introduction to peaceful nuclear technology.”
The president accused the United States of launching an unjustified campaign against Iran’s nuclear programme.
“The clamour that was launched is unreal. The whole issue is political. They are aware we have no nuclear arms, nor we are seeking to acquire it,” said Khatami.
“We are accurately coordinating with the IAEA to remove fears of other countries, but we will not bow to the American campaign.”
Tehran last week agreed to work with the IAEA to study the prospect of allowing tougher inspections of its nuclear programme following a visit by IAEA head Mohammed ElBaradei.
The atomic agency chief held a day of talks aimed at convincing Iran to allow rigorous inspections by signing, ratifying and implementing an additional protocol to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
That would grant his teams the power to make surprise visits to suspect facilities in Iran. At present, the Islamic republic is only obliged to accept pre-arranged visits to sites it chooses to declare.
Khatami said that Iran, which denies using its atomic energy programme as a cover for nuclear weapons development, would sign the additional protocol based on “our national interests, dignity and independence”.—AFP
