DATE= 10/2/97 TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT NUMBER=2-220732 TITLE=RUSSIA / IRAN MISSILES (S-ONLY) BYLINE=MICHELE KELEMEN DATELINE=MOSCOW CONTENT= VOICED AT: INTRO: RUSSIA HAS DENIED ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE REPORTS THAT THE KREMLIN IS HELPING IRAN DESIGN BALLISTIC NUCLEAR MISSILES. BUT AS V-O-A'S MICHELE KELEMEN REPORTS FROM MOSCOW, RUSSIA'S DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE SERVICE ADMITS IRAN HAS TRIED TO OBTAIN MISSILE TECHNOLOGY FROM RUSSIAN COMPANIES. TEXT: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE TOLD RUSSIA'S ITAR-TASS NEWS AGENCY AUTHORITIES HAVE PREVENTED SEVERAL ATTEMPTS BY IRAN TO GAIN TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPMENT TO MAKE NUCLEAR MISSILES. THE UNIDENTIFIED OFFICIAL SAID IRAN TRIED EARLIER THIS YEAR TO MAKE PARTS OF LIQUID-FUEL MISSILE ENGINES AT A RUSSIAN PLANT AND DISGUISE THE PARTS AS GAS-PUMPING EQUIPMENT. THE OFFICIAL SAYS IRANIAN STUDENTS HAVE ALSO BEEN TAKING CLASSES IN MISSILE ENGINEERING IN RUSSIAN COLLEGES, BUT WERE NOT OFFERED ANY SPECIAL COURSES. THE FEDERAL SECURITY SERVICE WOULD NOT COMMENT FURTHER ON THE ITAR-TASS REPORT. IT IS NOT CLEAR IF RUSSIANS WERE INVOLVED IN ANY OF THE ATTEMPTS TO ACQUIRE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY. ISRAEL HAS LONG ACCUSED RUSSIA OF COOPERATING WITH IRAN IN DEVELOPING MISSILE TECHNOLOGIES. PRESIDENT BORIS YELTSIN LAST WEEK SAID THAT IS NOT TRUE. RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTRY AND THE MAIN WEAPON'S EXPORTER, ROSVOORUZHENIYE, ALSO HAVE DENIED INVOLVEMENT. (SIGNED) NEB/MLK/JWH/RRM 02-Oct-97 11:31 AM EDT (1531 UTC) NNNN Source: Voice of America .
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