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Moscow-Tehran atomic energy cooperation positive: Asefi

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Feb 22, Itar-Tass/ACSNA/IRNA -- Atomic energy cooperation 
between Moscow and Teheran is positive, Iranian Foreign Ministry 
Spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi said at a Sunday press conference. 
He noted that the relations are based on international laws and 
rules. 
He reaffirmed the Iranian appeal on foreign companies to take part
in peaceful atomic energy programs in Iran. 
"What we are offering to Western countries, even Americans, shows 
that Iran is absolutely transparent and has no military goals," Asefi 
said. 
The United States is trying to put pressure on the IAEA in 
connection with its future report on the Iranian nuclear program. The 
report will be submitted to the IAEA Board of Governors, he said. 
Iran has informed the IAEA about the research on uranium 
enrichment centrifuges, Asefi further added. 
Meanwhile, a Russian atomic energy official said here last week 
that Russia will never yield to US pressures to stop nuclear 
cooperation with Iran. 
Spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Nuclear Energy Nikolai 
Shingariev told IRNA "we have always stressed that there is no 
evidence of Iran`s attempts to build atomic weapon." 
His remarks were in response to claims raised by some US 
authorities that Iran is seeking to acquire nuclear material for 
making nuclear bombs. 
He underlined "Iran`s stance, given its signing up to the 
additional protocol to Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well as its 
close cooperation with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is 
quite clear." 
Turning to US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage`s 
remarks on Bushehr power plant, he said "we have repeatedly announced 
that Russia`s activities in Bushehr plant are quite clear. So, we are 
ready to respond to any questions in this regard." 
US Under-Secretary of State Richard Armitage said last week 
Iran is still seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, despite commitments 
made to the international community. 
Iran has always denied trying to make a nuclear bomb, saying its 
nuclear program is simply intended for generating electricity. 
Russia`s activities in Bushehr power plant are in compliance with 
the UN atomic watchdog regulations and it does not help the 
country proliferate atomic weapons, said the Russian official. 
He further said that Russia`s cooperation with Iran and presence 
of IAEA inspectors in Iran would further strength NPT. 
/NB/210 
End