Russia Presses Iran to Resolve Nuclear Crisis

Russia urged Iran yesterday to improve its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency if Tehran wants to see Moscow complete construction of a nuclear power reactor in Iran, ITAR-Tass reported (see GSN, April 23).

Russia has halted work at the nearly finished reactor at Bushehr, originally claiming the freeze was forced by a financial dispute.  Later, however, Russian officials said Iran would need to resolve the crisis surrounding its uranium enrichment program before Moscow would complete the reactor or provide nuclear fuel for the facility (see GSN, March 20).

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov wrapped up two days of talks in Iran yesterday.

“Russia does not abandon its obligations, and we tell this to our Iranian colleagues,” he told ITAR-Tass.  “We also say that the implementation of this project is only possible if the Iranians adhere to the principles of the treaty on nonproliferation of nuclear weapons, cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and are ready to take spent nuclear fuel abroad.”

Losyukov offered Iran more cooperation if Tehran can reduce international concerns over its nuclear ambitions.

There are “prospects for further work on other phases of Bushehr, especially if the situation around the Iranian nuclear program recedes into the background,” he said (ITAR-Tass, May 16).

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