Posted on 02/26/2006 8:06:25 PM PST by indcons
Iran said yesterday that it had struck an agreement with Russia on its nuclear programme but Moscow insisted the fundamental dispute over Tehran's nuclear plans had yet to be resolved.
Western diplomats also argued that any Russian-Iranian deal was probably a technical one and had still failed to resolve the basic issue of whether Iran would desist from all controversial nuclear activities, as international agencies demand.
The Tehran announcement came just days before the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, is due to produce a comprehensive report on Iran's nuclear activities - a document that will be forwarded to the UN Security Council.
Russia has been spearheading international attempts to strike a deal before the issue reaches the more confrontational atmosphere of the Security Council. But so far Moscow has failed to make a breakthrough while US and European diplomats have stepped up claims that Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapon capabilities. Tehran insists its purposes are purely peaceful.
Speaking yesterday after negotiations with a visiting Russian team, Gholamreza Aghazadeh, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, said the two sides had reached a "basic agreement" on a joint venture to enrich uranium - the process that can create weapons-grade material. He added: "In order for this package to be completed, negotiations will be continued in Russia in the coming days."
Sergei Kiriyenko, Mr Aghazadeh's counterpart and head of the Russian delegation, said "mutual trust will increase" if Moscow's proposal to carry out enrichment on Russian soil were implemented.
"I think today we have almost no problem with building this [enrichment] company, whether it be an organisational problem or a financial one," he added. "But Russia's proposal for creating such a joint venture is only one element of a complex approach. Work needs to be done on this."
European diplomats suggested that any agreement between Russia and Iran had been relatively minor and technical since Iran had not yet agreed to the IAEA's call for a moratorium on uranium enrichment on its own soil. "The key point for the international community is whether Iran is prepared to address the IAEA's board requests," said a UK Foreign Office spokeswoman. "We've seen nothing to indicate that at the moment."
The 35-nation IAEA board is set to debate Tehran's nuclear programme at a meeting beginning on March 6, after which the IAEA report, drawn up by Mohamed ElBaradei, director-general, will be forwarded to the Security Council.
"There are ways to solve Iran's nuclear issue within the agency," said Mr Kiri-yenko, who underlined the two sides' co-operation over Bushehr, a nuclear plant Russia is building for Iran.
Hmmm. Somebodys lying. The Evil Empire or else Iran.
Military action will be required on these mad-mullahs.
"More lies from the mad mullahs"
Very possibly, but how much more do you trust pouty Putin?
The Russians are our friends - NOT!
Russia is selling the ability to make nuclear weapons to Iran, yet acts like they are the good guys. Some how it remindes me of a drug dealer in a kindergarden school yard protesting that he is selling nothing, he is just giving it away.
How many times can this lie be repeated? Look east to Pakistan as the salesman of that knowledge, to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lybia. Low grade Uranium for light water reactors, over watched by Americans (to make sure it's exchanged) will not a nuclear blast make.
You never seem to want to let Russia take the blame when Russia is to blame for the problem. That is a true Russian patriot.
If you can't support any of your statements (and you've proven you can't) stop pinging me, I'll ignore you as do many others.
The Evil Empire or, um, hmmm The Evil Empire?...hehe
Yep, it's not Russia helping Iran get nukes, it's all Bush's fault for not nuking Pakistan.
interestingly enough, during the 1980s when iraq had a robust nuclear program, it was France and not Russia who was instrumental in Iraq developing bomb technology.
The only reactor Russia agreed to sell iraq was built in the 1930s, which the Russians knew was extremely obsolete and of little or no military value.
On the other hand, France was willing to sell Iraq a highly modern reactor capable of producing waepons grade uranium, and even the fuel cells to power the reactor, and French technicians to help the iraqis.
Fortunately for the Middle East Israel bombed the French reactor before it coul enter service.
1930s??? Yeah, ok.
um, it's true.
It's true. I read it in a book called Raid On The Sun, which tells the tale of how Israel bombed Iraq's Osirak reactor in order to stop Hussein from getting nukes which he could use to destroy Israel.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0767914007/002-9671872-9061608?v=glance&n=283155
pick it up from your local library. Aside from reading about the 1930s reactor, (so you will know I am not lying since you dont seem to believe me) it is also very suspenseful and a great read all around.
You should read it :)
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