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Syria-Lebanon-Iran

Russian contractor: Iran nuclear plant not operational before 2008

2007-07-25

A nuclear plant Russia is building for Iran will not be completed before autumn 2008 at the earliest, Russian news agencies quoted one of the companies building the plant as saying Wednesday. "The real date for the physical launch of the power plant is being delayed until autumn 2008," RIA Novosti quoted Ivan Istomin, director of nuclear builder Energoprogress as saying.

And we should believe him, of course ...

Istomin rejected Iranian claims that the plant, the Islamic republic's first, could be operational this year. "It can be said quite precisely that putting the Bushehr plant into operation this autumn is unrealistic," he said. "Even if Russia delivered the first shipment of nuclear fuel to Bushehr tomorrow, it would be impossible to launch the station within six months."

The much-delayed project is at the center of Iran's plans for a ~~cover~~ civilian nuclear energy program, which Washington fears could cover the development of nuclear weapons.

The comments from Energoprogress, one of the subcontractors working on the plant, are the latest indication that Moscow may be slowing work on the project.

Construction stalled earlier this year over charges that Iran had fallen behind on payments and over delays in shipping parts for the plant from third countries. A pair of Iranian nuclear negotiators flew to Moscow on Tuesday to attempt to persuade Russia to complete the plant, Viennese diplomats earlier told AFP.

Posted by:trailing wife

#9 Iran's nucprog has North Korea's and vice versa. In addition, amongst others Taiwan seems hell-bent on proceeding wid its moves towards de facto independence and sovereignty from the PRC. IOW, MULTI-FRONT WAR/CONFRONTATION. The history of the Israeli Govt. + IDF is that they will act unilateraly iff need be vv the mid-2009 maxima timeline agz Iran's nukies.

Posted by: JosephMendiola 2007-07-25 20:09

#8 I'd prefer "Iran nuclear plant not operational ever".

Zen, sometimes I think you're my lost twin. ;-)
To the t, that is what went through my mind.

Posted by: twobyfour 2007-07-25 19:17

#7 "Even if Russia delivered the first shipment of nuclear fuel to Bushehr tomorrow, it would be impossible to launch the station within six months."

Yes, but I know of something else that can launch within six months!

Posted by: Dubya 2007-07-25 19:00

#6 It's somehow biblical that Aquavelvajad is hell-bent on building a nuclear facility in an active earthquake zone. Paging Mr. DeMille ...

Posted by: doc 2007-07-25 17:42

#5 this sounds like misdirection so that the 'let diplomacy have time' crowd can dither longer. and to push any 'need' for action out past where bush needs to worry about it so he can be painted as a warmonger if he call for any action.

Posted by: Abu do you love 2007-07-25 17:31

#4 Iran nuclear plant not operational before 2008

I'd prefer "Iran nuclear plant not operational ever".

Posted by: Zenster 2007-07-25 17:28

#3 The BushHitler plant won't work well anyway with a MOAB sticking out of it.

Posted by: DarthVader 2007-07-25 15:06

#2 The Bushehr plant (how come the leftists don't make fun of its name) has been in construction for 40 years. I doubt the Russians think its going to work very well and they are already planning all kinds of service contracts to sell Iran for 2009, 2010, etc.

Posted by: mhw 2007-07-25 13:50

#1 Itchy Trigger Finger Syndrome strikes again! That was supposed to be WOT Politix/Iran. My apologies.

Posted by: trailing wife 2007-07-25 13:07

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