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| Iran |
| Russia-Iran nuclear deal ’far off’ |
| 2003-09-19 |
| Russia has said there is no immediate prospect of a deal to provide Iran with fuel to launch its first nuclear power plant. Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said the talks had stalled over arrangements for the return of spent fuel to Russia and that they "could last a long time". "It depends on whose check clears first." The negotiations have reportedly broken down over Iran’s demand that Russia pays for the spent fuel, which Moscow refuses to do. Russia is building the $800 million plant in Bushehr despite strong pressure from the United States to drop the project, as Washington accuses Tehran of secretly developing an illegal weapons programme. Iran denies all the charge, saying that its nuclear programme is designed exclusively to meet the country’s energy needs. "We need it cuz we’re gonna run out of oil in 50, 60 years or so. We’re just planning ahead." Mr Rumyantsev - who was speaking after talks in Moscow with US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham - denied any suggestion that Moscow was delaying the deal under pressure from Washington. "Nope, no connection at all." |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 *shakes head* Russia's shaping up as a net exporter of oil, so I don't see how they'd benefit. Perhaps you mean Iraqi oil infrastructure contracts? And somehow, I don't think secure borders are what Iran has in mind. |
| Posted by: Ptah 2003-9-19 3:38:08 PM |
| #2 It could be that the administration has decided to make its best possible deals with Tehran and Moscow (if various stories turn out to be true) so as to get out of its current stalled state in Iraq. Moscow gets first crack at Iraqi oil, seeing as no one else is crazy enough to work in a war zone. Tehran gets a stable border and an opening to the West. We get local security and a base against Damascus and Riyadh. |
| Posted by: Hiryu 2003-9-19 1:08:53 PM |
| #1 I bet that the Russian's have agreed to stall for awhile. It's possible that this is tied to events in Palestinean, Iraq or North Korea. If this is Powell, then it is brilliant work. George Bush Sr. is firmly in Powell's court and would ahve made a visit to Russia at Powell's request/suggestion. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-9-19 9:42:42 AM |