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Russia stresses continuation of nuclear cooperation with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Moscow, Feb 17, IRNA -- Russian minister of atomic energy reiterated 
here Tuesday Moscow`s intention to continue nuclear cooperation with 
Tehran. 
In a bulletin on the ministry`s internet site, Alexander 
Rumyantsev also outlined Russian nuclear program`s priorities in 2004.
He said in addition to Iran, Moscow will continue with 
construction of nuclear power plants in China and India and plans to 
increase its exports of nuclear fuel and technology to satisfy 
Russia`s contractual obligations. 
Also, spokesman for Russia`s nuclear energy ministry said that 
Moscow will not succumb to pressure by the US over its cooperation 
with Iran. 
Speaking to IRNA, Nikolai Shingariev said the construction of the 
initial phase of Bushehr nuclear plant is continuing and `feasibility 
studies including technical research is underway for building the 
second reactor`. 
In addition, he said, the two countries` state commission is 
holding talks on application of nuclear technology in scientific and 
medical research. 
"Russia`s position over nuclear cooperation with Iran has not 
changed," Shingariev stated. 
Meanwhile, Rumyantsev said Monday that the decision for the 
postponement of his visit to Iran has no political background and are 
purely technical. 
"Documents related with the contract on the return of spent 
nuclear fuel to Russia from Iran`s Bushehr nuclear power plant have 
not been finalized yet," he said. 
"Originally it was expected that Russia`s TVEL corporation -- the 
monopoly producer and provider of nuclear fuel and Iran`s Atomic 
Energy Organization will draft a contract for the removal of spent 
nuclear fuel from the Bushehr nuclear plant by the middle of February.
However, the price to be charged for keeping spent nuclear fuel 
is still to be agreed on. The differences may be settled within two or
three weeks," Rumyantsev said. 
The Russian atomic energy minister`s visit to Tehran for talks on 
completing the construction of the first reactor at the Bushehr 
nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for the middle of February, 
has been postponed till early March. 
In the course of his talks in Tehran, Rumyantsev will meet with 
his Iranian counterpart to review progress in the construction of 
Bushehr`s first reactor. 
NB/AH/210 
End