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Iran, Russia to continue cooperation in peaceful nuclear energy

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, Dec 24, IRNA -- Russian First Deputy Chairman of State Duma 
said here Friday that Moscow attaches importance to ties with Iran as 
a strong nation in the region and is keen to bolster bilateral 
relations in all areas in 2005. 
Speaking to IRNA Lubov Sliska said that Tehran-Moscow cooperation 
will forge ahead in political, economic, scientific and technical 
areas, "irrespective of enemies` intentions." 
She also alluded to the negative sensitivities exhibited by some 
Western nations, saying that "mutual cooperation is in the interest of
the two nations and not against any third country." 
She said that Russia`s relations with Iran pertaining to Tehran`s 
nuclear activities confirms to international standards. "No country 
has the right to impose its views on another country," the Russian 
official underlined. 
The Russian official further brushed aside the accusation leveled 
by the US against Iran-Russia nuclear cooperation as "jealousy", 
"which s damaging to an atmosphere of building confidence in 
international community." 
"Our peaceful nuclear relations with Tehran are not affected by 
these sorts of pressures and will continue in the future," Sliska 
added. 
"Iran based on its international rights can and should have access
to peaceful nuclear energy and Russia supports this policy," She said.
Head of the Russian Federation`s Atomic Energy Agency Alexander 
Rumyantsev said here last week that Russia may construct seven other 
nuclear power plants in Iran. 
Speaking to Ria-Novosti news agency, he said the total cost 
of the projected power plants has been estimated at Dlrs ten billion. 
Iranian officials are now studying the issue with Russia as well 
as some other countries, he pointed out. 
"We believe that Iran needs such nuclear capabilities for peaceful 
application of nuclear technology," he said. 
Russian nuclear technicians are now preparing themselves for 
implementation of the project in Iran, he said. 
Russia is helping Iran build the country`s first nuclear reactor 
in the southern port city of Bushehr on a 800-million-dollar contract 
to generate power. 
The power plant, the subject of an international media hype, has 
seen several dates for its operation pushed back from its initial 
target of 2003. 
In August, Iran said the plant would become operational in 
October 2006, a year behind the schedule. 
Once operational, the Bushehr power plant is projected to 
generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity, 6,000 megawatts less than the
target which Iran has set to produce by 2021 in nuclear power 
plants. 
But, its construction has been dogged by a whole slew of 
`complexities`, primarily the deal on the return of spent fuel and 
its costs. 
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