Russian delegate denies Iran’s claim over nuclear fuel
A Vienna-based Russian diplomat involved in nuclear negotiations denied on Sunday Iran’s claim that Russian nuclear fuel was ready to be sent to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Saturday that fuel for the plant, being built by Russia’s Atomstroyexport in south Iran, was “ready, with the security seal of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).” However the Russian delegate in Vienna, where the United Nations nuclear competition office is based, said: “Fuel for the Bushehr NPP has been prepared, and has been stored for several years in the Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant [in Siberia], but the process of sealing by international experts, which is an important step for preparing it for transport to the Bushehr NPP site, has not yet taken place.”
Russian nuclear equipment export monopoly Atomstroyexport has been building Iran’s first nuclear power plant despite opposition from Western countries, amid international concerns that the Islamic Republic is pursuing a covert nuclear weapons program. The plant’s construction has faced repeated delays, with Russia accusing Iran of missing payment deadlines. Iran denies any funding problems, and has accused Russia of delaying tactics. Iranian Vice President Gholamreza Aghazadeh said on Tuesday that the plant is 95% ready, and that Tehran is not delaying its completion. He said a Russian-Iranian committee was engaged in talks on the issue.
Earlier Russian nuclear officials said the construction would be completed no earlier than fall 2008. (rian.ru)
ADVERTISEMENT
Companies Make Net Repayments on Credit in April
Parl't Approves Amendments to Legislation on Judiciary
Wizz Air Participates in USD 50 mln Investment
Tourism Nights Slightly up in April 2023
SUPPORT THE BUDAPEST BUSINESS JOURNAL
Producing journalism that is worthy of the name is a costly business. For 27 years, the publishers, editors and reporters of the Budapest Business Journal have striven to bring you business news that works, information that you can trust, that is factual, accurate and presented without fear or favor.
Newspaper organizations across the globe have struggled to find a business model that allows them to continue to excel, without compromising their ability to perform. Most recently, some have experimented with the idea of involving their most important stakeholders, their readers.
We would like to offer that same opportunity to our readers. We would like to invite you to help us deliver the quality business journalism you require. Hit our Support the BBJ button and you can choose the how much and how often you send us your contributions.
