December 25, 2003	Thursday	Ziqa’ad 1, 1424

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LAHORE, Dec 24: Russian Ambassador Eduard Shevchenko said here on Wednesday that Iran had observed all international rules in establishing a nuclear power plant with the open support of Moscow and “someone’s guess about any irregularity should be confirmed by the IAEA”.

“We have not found any violation by Iran. We are very much interested in the observance of all international rules because we are against nuclear proliferation which is very dangerous,” the ambassador said.

He was replying to questions by reporters on the reported Russian help to Iran after the inauguration of an exhibition in which his wife, Dr Golina B Shevchenko, participated.

Anybody could make a guess without investigation, but he should get it confirmed by the IAEA, he said, pointing out that America had accused Iraq of possessing WMDs, but none was found.

He said that same was the case with Iran’s nuclear programme. The difference was that Iran had allowed inspections, which Iraq resisted.

“America had ignored the opinion of international observers in the case of Iraq. The American claim was a bluff as no evidence was found of the manufacture of WMDs in Iraq,” the ambassador said.

He said Russian support to Iran for the establishment of a nuclear power plant was no secret. The plant was started by Germany in the 70s but was later taken over by Russia on the request of the Iranian government, he said.

Mr Shevchenko said that nuclear power plants for peaceful purposes were inspected by international agencies like the IAEA. The rules of IAEA should always be observed and every country had the right to have them without using them for military purposes, he said.

He said if Iran agreed to allow the IAEA access to its power plant there was nothing wrong with having it. “We are observing all rules and regulations of the IAEA, and all other international rules.”

The ambassador said one should come up with the UN rules and regulations about nuclear proliferation and the opinion of a majority of nations of the world, and not with a single power’s idea of nuclear proliferation.

“In such cases, the opinion of the UN is important and not that of a single country, which may be wrong as has been established in the case of Iraq,” he said.

The ambassador said Russia would continue to support transfer of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes provided all obligations were fulfilled.

Replying to a question he said there had been no request from Pakistan for Russian assistance for the establishment of a nuclear power plant.