Posted on 04/04/2002 11:50:27 AM PST by knighthawk
Russia is not harming anyone's interests by cooperating with the Islamic Republic of Iran in nuclear power and the military sector and will continue to do so, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said Wednesday.
Speaking prior to a two-day visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi, Losyukov said that Russian-Iranian cooperation in these "sensitive areas" was transparent and was not violating any non-proliferation accords.
"We intend to continue cooperation in these spheres in line with current agreements and do not think that these contacts are detrimental to anyone's interests," Losyukov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.
Kharazi, who arrive in the capital city of Moscow on Thursday, is due to hold talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov a day later.
The two men are likely to review speeding up the construction of a Russian-built nuclear plant at Bushehr where delays have accumulated, much to the displeasure of the Iranians.
The United States, which has labeled Iran as part of an "axis of evil," sees Bushehr as the possible means for Tehran to build nuclear weapons and has accused Moscow of being an "active proliferator."
Moreover, Tehran is also interested in purchasing conventional weapons from Russia after Moscow in November 2000 backed out of a secret Russia-US agreement barring arms sales to the Islamic Republic.
Last October, Moscow and Tehran signed a military cooperation agreement opening the way to a resumption of arms sales, AFP reported.
While our lust for foreign oil has no consequences at all.
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Many mistakes have been made since Ronald Reagan left office. Many mistakes.....
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