Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Iran ready to help Russia launch Bushehr power plant: Aqazadeh

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, March 11, IRNA
Iran-Russia-AEOI
Iran on Sunday expressed readiness to help the Russian contractor of Bushehr power plant, in southern Iran, increase its liquidity to inaugurate the plant on due time.

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Reza Aqazadeh was speaking to reporters on the financial problems of the Russian contractor building Bushehr power plant.

"The Russian company needs Iran's help with respect to its liquidity problem to inaugurate Bushehr power plant in due time. We are ready to enhance the Russian side's liquidity, although it is not within Iran's legal commitments," Aqazadeh said.

Atomstroiexport Company is Russia's national agent and general contractor for construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr.

"It is necessary for us to hold occasional sessions with Russia before opening the plant.

"Inauguration of Bushehr power plant is important for Iran.

Back-up sectors of the plant, including industrial water and transfer of sea water to a system of water circulation, are currently ready to be inaugurated," the AEOI head added.

He said, "Iran's nuclear case has been turned into a political issue. Every country is using the issue based on its
particular situation."

Referring to considerable delays occurred in opening Bushehr power plant, Aqazadeh expressed hope the Russian side would not enter political issues at the current circumstances that there are talks about resolutions against Iran by the UN Security Council.

"The Russian contractor has changed more than eight of its managers so far. It has received payments from Iran which have not been used in due sectors," he said.

He stressed, "Tehran has paid its financial dues in time. We have even paid our payments ahead of time." He added, "Currently, nearly 200 Russian workers are active in the plant."

In response to a question on IAEA's decision to halt its cooperation with Iran in certain areas, the AEOI head said, "We are not happy with the IAES decision. Such decisions will undoubtedly affect Iran's cooperation with the agency.

"Cooperation between Iran and the IAEA still continues on 40 projects. We have three types of cooperation with the agency which includes technical cooperation like security of Bushehr power plant as well as regional and general cooperation."

The Iranian official said, "Based on the recent decision made by the agency, the IAEA has suspended its general and scientific cooperation with Iran which includes participation in scientific conferences of the region."
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