Posted on 05/22/2005 4:18:12 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
LONDON, May 21 (IranMania) - Head of Russia's Atomic Energy Agency Alexander Rumyantsev reiterated on Friday that Moscow will continue its nuclear cooperation with Tehran.
"Even the US cannot inflict the least damage on Russia's cooperation with Iran," Rumyantsev said in a meeting with Iran's outgoing Ambassador to Russia Gholam Reza Shafei, according to IRNA.
Noting that President Vladimir Putin of Russia attached great importance to all-out cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, particularly in the area of nuclear activities, Rumyantsev stressed that the president considered Tehran as Moscow's "strategic ally in southern Russia."
As to the Bushehr power plant which is under construction with the help of Russian experts in southern Iran, he said that the plant would become operational on schedule (set for late 2006).
He noted that Russia would supply fuel for Bushehr power plant on the basis of an agreement signed between the two sides.
Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador, for his part, urged the timely starting up of the Bushehr power plant based on Tehran-Moscow agreement made earlier this year.
"According to the announcement made by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the world public opinion, Iran's nuclear program is completely peaceful," Shafei said.
"In light of the national demands, the Islamic Republic will not turn the temporary and voluntary suspension of uranium enrichment into a permanent halt of the activity and also expects Russia's support within the framework of international regulations in that regard," he added.
Shafei added that transparent measures taken by the two countries during the past two years convinced even the toughest opponents of Iran-Russia nuclear ties that bilateral cooperation on Bushehr power plant was peaceful.
Deputy Head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) for International Affairs, Mohammad Saeedi, who was also present at the meeting, said that Iran called for interaction and dialogue in its nuclear program. However he noted that Europe should understand Tehran's conditions since "enrichment is a national demand." He added that Iran was implementing the Additional Protocol to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), despite the fact that it had not been approved by the Majlis (Parliament).
He noted that any state that would sign the protocol was not likely to move toward development of nuclear weapons.
Rumyantsev, who is also the Russian head of Iran-Russia Joint Economic Commission, outlined expansion of bilateral exchanges and cooperation between the two countries as well as holding successful joint commissions for economic and trade cooperation during Shafei's mission in Moscow.
Well, we know the Russians wouldn't lie to us...
I agree...You don't give a muzlim a loaaded weapon, of any kind...Unless you expect him to use it...Because he will...
Ping
AHHH Sure KGB agent is not lying to us
NOTTT
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