Iranian Official Comments on Al-Baradi’I Visit, Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant

Starting at 0748 gmt, in a 45-minute discussion programme entitled “45 minutes”, Mohammad Sa’idi, deputy head for international affairs of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, commented on IAEA Director-General Muhammad al-Baradi’i's recent visit to Tehran, as well as on the Bushehr nuclear power plant project.

Sa’idi was the only studio guest and he was asked a number of questions by the unidentified presenter. A banner on the top left- hand corner of the screen indicated that it was “a repeat” broadcast.

Sa’idi spoke of the good cooperation between Iran and the IAEA over the past few months, and said that, during Al-Baradi’i's recent visit, it was agreed that Iran would answer the IAEA’s remaining questions over the next few weeks in order to allow the resolution of these questions to be reflected in Al-Baradi’i next report.

Sa’idi also said that some (unnamed) countries had tried to “generate ambiguities” in order to hamper the resolution of the nuclear dispute, but that the IAEA’s investigations had verified everything that Iran had said.

Sa’idi also said that Iran had a right to use nuclear energy and that no-one had the right to deprive Iran of this right. He said that fossil fuels were finishing and the 21st century would be the century of nuclear energy.

Towards the end of the programme, Sa’idi said: “From about a year and a half ago, we’ve tried, in the field of nuclear power plants, to reach a clear stage in domestic capability. Of course, this is a very difficult aim, but we’re sure and we have no doubt that, in the field of nuclear power plants – of course, with a low capacity, when I say a low capacity, [I mean] at the level of 360 MW – we’ll take the country to self-sufficiency within 10 years times.

“The model that other countries have followed: as you know, apart from the five countries in the world that have this technology in full – [even] in these five countries, a country such as China has tried, since about 25 years ago, to have the ability to build nuclear power plants itself. And, today, it’s among the countries that can build 360-MW power plants. But this same country [China] is now getting its other nuclear power plants from countries such as America, Russia and France, or North Korea and Japan. We’ve tried to use the Japanese and North Korean model in the construction of nuclear power plants in the country. And we’re sure that, with the technology and the capability that has been created in the country in the nuclear fuel cycle sector, we can easily traverse this difficult course in less than 10 years, God willing. And, within 10 years, we will be able to see the country’s first domestic nuclear power plant enter the grid. And, then, the production of these power plants will take place in a routine and regular way thereafter.

“Of course, alongside this, we’re trying to use the possibilities and potentials that exist outside the country and the companies that are capable of doing this. And we welcome the companies in the world that build nuclear power plants to come and take part in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s long-term projects and to play a fundamental and important role.

“[Presenter] Yes, thank you. Dr Sa’idi, tell us about the progress of the completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant. What state is it in?

“[Sa'idi] As you know, the fuel for the Bushehr power plant started to arrive in the country from about a month ago, on the basis of the programme that we’ve drawn up with the Russian sides. And this is continuing. Over the next few weeks, all the fuel will arrive in the country.

“In terms of the construction of the inside of the power plant, we’ve provided the necessary conditions inside, with the assistance of the Russian contractor, so that, God willing, on the basis of a schedule that we’re in the process of discussing and agreeing with the Russian side – and it will not take a long time – we will reach, first, the stage of launching [Persian: rah-andazi] and then exploiting [Persian: bahrebardari].

“The plant is now at a stage where it is, physically, more than 95 per cent complete. And we are, in fact, in the stages that are the project’s final stages.

“[Presenter] When will the product of these efforts enter the country’s energy flow?

“[Sa'idi] As I said, we’ve briefly agreed with the Russian side on a date. But, as to the definite and specific date, we’re in the process of holding talks with the Russian sides.

“[Presenter] What about at Darkhoveyn?

“[Sa'idi] As I said, the 360-MW domestic power plant which is being designed by domestic specialists and is to be built with domestic resources – this power plant will be built in Darkhoveyn.”

The programme also included musical interludes and video montages of Al-Barad’i's talks in Tehran.

Originally published by Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, Tehran, in Persian 0748 14 Jan 08.

(c) 2008 BBC Monitoring Middle East. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.