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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Russian foreign minister criticizes Iran's defiance |
| 2008-02-14 |
| Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has criticised Iran for its repeated declarations over its nuclear and rocket technology ambitions. "We don't approve of Iran's permanent demonstration of its intentions to develop its rocket sector and continue to enrich uranium," Mr Lavrov said. Mr Lavrov said Iran should refrain from raising international tensions. "It's impossible to ignore the fact that problems with Iran's nuclear programme have arisen in recent years," Mr Lavrov was quoted by Russia's Interfax news agency as saying. "While they haven't been resolved it would be better to refrain from actions that raise tensions and create the impression Iran is ignoring the international community," he said. Mr Lavrov was speaking as he travelled back from an EU-Russia meeting in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Recently Russia spoke out after Iran launched a rocket into space, saying it raised suspicion over the true aim of its nuclear programme, which many Western nations say is aimed at developing nuclear weapons, but which Iran says is solely for energy production. Iran said the rocket which was test-fired would be used to launch research satellites. In the past, Russia has been more sceptical than some Western powers about Iran's missile capability, saying it would take a long time to build long-range missiles. Russia has been supplying Tehran with uranium for the Bushehr nuclear power station being built by Moscow in the south of the country. |
| Posted by:lotp |
| #3 Don't think the Russians are capable of embarassment. Likely they knew Iran was working on the delivery system (and probably helped in development - for a price). |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-02-14 12:34 |
| #2 russkies said its silly to put missiles in Poland, cause Iran is years from missiles that can reach Europe. Than the Iranians test rockets that go farther than anyone thought the Iranians could. Kinda embarrasing for the Russkies. |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2008-02-14 09:12 |
| #1 IOW: Stop being so noisy about it! |
| Posted by: gorb 2008-02-14 02:20 |