DATE= 10/28/97
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-221822
TITLE=RUSSIA/IRAN (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=MICHELE KELEMEN
DATELINE=MOSCOW
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: RUSSIA HAS AGAIN DISMISSED CHARGES IT IS HELPING IRAN
ACQUIRE BALLISTIC MISSILES. MOSCOW CORRESPONDENT MICHELE KELEMEN
REPORTS THE KREMLIN ACCUSES ISRAEL AND THE UNITED STATES OF
JOINING FORCES TO PRESSURE MOSCOW TO CUT TIES WITH IRAN.
TEXT: PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN'S SPOKESMAN SAYS RUSSIA HAS NOT
COOPERATED WITH IRAN IN BUILDING MISSILES AND NEVER WILL.
SPOKESMAN SERGEI YASTRZHEMBSKY SAYS THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAEL
OFTEN ACCUSE RUSSIA UNFAIRLY.
/// YASTRZHEMBSKY ACT IN RUSSIAN ///
MR. YASTRZHEMBSKY SAYS -- WE THINK THIS IS A CONSCIOUS POLICY
AIMED AT FORCING RUSSIA OUT OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH IRAN.
BUT HE SAYS IT WILL NOT WORK. HE SAYS RUSSIA WILL CONTINUE TO
TRADE WITH IRAN, WHICH HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT PARTNER FOR MOSCOW.
RUSSIA IS BUILDING A NUCLEAR POWER STATION FOR IRAN, DESPITE
REPEATED CALLS BY THE UNITED STATES TO ABANDON THE PROJECT.
OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON FEAR TEHRAN WILL USE THE PLANT TO DEVELOP
ATOMIC WEAPONS -- A CHARGE IRAN DENIES. ISRAELI OFFICIALS HAVE
ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT IRAN'S INTENTIONS IN BUILDING THE
PLANT AND RUSSIA'S INVOLVEMENT IN THE PROJECT.
MR. YASTRZHEMBSKY'S LATEST COMMENTS ECHO MANY OTHER HIGH-RANKING
RUSSIAN OFFICIALS WHO HAVE SAID, ON THE RECORD, MOSCOW IS NOT
HELPING IRAN ACQUIRE A NUCLEAR ARSENAL. (SIGNED)
NEB/MLK/PCF/RAE
28-Oct-97 10:13 AM EST (1513 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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