Posted on 10/16/2007 10:44:26 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has offered qualified support for Iran's nuclear programme on a visit to Tehran. Mr Putin told journalists that "peaceful nuclear activities must be allowed" and cautioned against using force to resolve the dispute over Iran.
But he was evasive when asked whether the Bushehr nuclear plant Russia is building would be finished on time or if Moscow would supply nuclear fuel. Iran wants Russian help in its dispute with the West over its nuclear aims. Up to now Moscow has blocked any new UN sanctions, saying it wants to enable the UN's nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, to work with Iran on clearing up outstanding issues. But Moscow is seeking Iranian compromise over the issue, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Tehran. Iran 'peaceful' Mr Putin met Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for talks after the two men joined the leaders of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan for a summit of the leaders of nations surrounding the Caspian Sea.
Heavy security measures were in place amid reports of an alleged plot to kill Mr Putin - reports Mr Putin has shrugged off. At a news conference, Mr Putin pointed out that the Caspian Sea leaders had signed a declaration which "expressed the idea that peaceful nuclear activities must be allowed". In the declaration, the leaders also pledged not to allow their territory "for waging aggression or other military action against any of the parties". Azerbaijan - a US ally - has repeatedly said it would not allow American troops to use its territory to attack neighbouring countries. Washington has refused to rule out using force against Iran, which it accuses of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons - a charge which Tehran vehemently denies. Later on Tuesday Mr Putin also held talks with Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Russian president said Moscow had an interest in a "strong Iran" and that he wanted deeper ties with the country, state television reported. Bushehr difficulties
But Mr Putin was evasive about some aspects of Russia's support for Iran. He refused to confirm whether Moscow would supply the Iranian nuclear plant at Bushehr with nuclear fuel once it is complete, or say whether the plant's construction would be finished speedily.
Mr Putin blamed legal and financial difficulties for the delays that have long dogged the completion of the $1bn building programme undertaken by Russia. But he said Moscow would not renege on its commitments to complete the plant. His careful stance suggested Russia is attempting to retain firm ties with Iran without angering the United States, commentators suggest. It is not clear quite how much support Mr Putin is prepared to give Iran in its showdown with the West.
Mr Putin will certainly be calling for more flexibility from the Iranian government over the nuclear issue and no-one should forget the deep legacy of suspicion that exists between Russia and Iran, our correspondent says. Moscow has urged the international community to show patience in its dealings with Iran. "It is futile to frighten Iran and its people - they are not scared," Mr Putin said before the visit. It is the first visit to Tehran by a Kremlin leader since World War II.
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Seems “W” should have looked into Putin’s head, instead of his soul.
Ominous was the thought on Kudlow and Company today....
Iran also plays footsie with the Chechens, will Putin feel the same way if Iran gives the Chechens a “device.”
One can only hope that somehow Iranian uranium will first find its way to the Kremlin now that Moscow has chosen East over West.
Yeah, I’m sure that’ll work, and that Putin only has the interests of the peaceloving people of the world at heart. What a relief. ;’) Thanks E.
We've offered that to them. Repeatedly.
They want refinement capability that's only useful to produce weapons grade material, and also want to destroy Israel. That's the problem, you dolt.
The world in a slow motion train wreck...
One can see all the signs...
Yet onward we go...
...and the band plays on.
Russia seems almost as if an imputent child.
What happens when Iran has the bomb and threatens to use it on them or else?
Why does Russia always seem to side with people who could do it as much or more harn than us?
Russia is the new France.
Well, that means the American left now has its marching orders. I’ve never know them to take a position in opposition to Russia.
Watch for the media and the left to start to get on board and support peaceful nuclear program for Iran.
Going to be interested in exactly how they are going to couch this....
Reagan is rolling over in his grave as we speak.
Is he at all concerned about Israel’s right to defend itself against nuclear terrorism? Perhaps the American State Department should reconsider its own positions on that matter. Things could be a lot simpler if we stopped demanding that Israel consult the United Nations before making the slightest move.
Excellent question. For quite a while I've thought Pootie has a Napoleon complex. After listening to Bruce Bartlett interviewed last night about his new book where he called recent Bush/Putin meetings "bizarre" and listening to some of the details he cites to bolster his assertions, I'm now thinking that Pootie is just nuts. What I don't get is Pootie's 70% approval rating.....
Before this goes any farther down the road, Iran’s nukes must be taken out. It’s that simple.
I’m wondering where North Korea fits into all this.
Ping to red badger...
This appears to bode ill.
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