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25 November 1998

TEXT: STATE DEPT. ON RUSSIA'S WORK ON IRAN NUCLEAR REACTOR

(Response to November 24 taken question) (240)
Washington -- The State Department issued a statement in response to a
November 24 taken question on Russia's construction work on the
Bushehr nuclear reactor in Iran.
Following is the State Department statement:
(begin text)
US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 24, 1998
Taken Question (11/24/98)
RUSSIA/IRAN:  BUSHEHR
Q: Russia has reportedly agreed to speed up work on the Bushehr
nuclear reactor in Iran. Can you comment on this?
a: -- Russia began preliminary construction activities at the site of
the first nuclear power reactor at the Bushehr Complex in 1995,
seeking to complete a reactor project begun by a European company many
years ago.
-- It is likely that financial and technical difficulties will delay
completion of the reactor, which, according to the Russian timetable,
is expected to be about three years from now.
-- Moscow has discussed the completion of three additional power
reactors at the same site, although Russian officials have noted
publicly that construction of those reactors will not begin until the
first unit is complete.
-- The Russian minister of atomic energy visited Iran during the week
of November 23, but we have no information on his discussions there.
-- Iran has a program to develop nuclear weapons and the US is opposed
to any cooperation with Iran's nuclear sector including the Bushehr
project.
(End text)