Russia will help Iran despite nuclear moves
Posted on: Tuesday, 2 August 2005, 07:50 CDT
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will maintain support for Iran's nuclear program despite Tehran's decision to restart the enrichment of uranium, Russian news agencies quoted sources in Russia's atomic agency, Rosatom, as saying on Tuesday.
"We always stressed Iran's right to develop its nuclear fuel cycle, though we at the same time urge countries not possessing the cycle to refrain from developing it," Interfax and RIA Novosti agencies quoted a Rosatom source as saying.
A spokesman for Rosatom did not comment on the specific situation, but repeated Russia's position that Iran has a right to the peaceful use of atomic energy.
He said the latest moves, which have sparked a crisis that could go to the United Nations Security Council, did not undermine that.
Russia is building a nuclear power station for Iran at Bushehr on the Gulf, despite Washington's concern that Tehran could use Russian know-how to build an atomic bomb.
Britain, France and Germany have been trying to broker a deal that would give Iran nuclear, political and economic incentives to halt its enrichment activities.
But Iran has now said it is impatient with the talks, and wants to restart nuclear fuel work -- prompting the European powers to move closer to the U.S. view that Iran should be referred to the Security Council for possible sanctions.
The EU trio told Iran on Tuesday that a resumption of its nuclear activities would end negotiations on the nuclear issue and it would have to pursue "other courses of action."
A spokesman for Rosatom said only a U.N. resolution or a decision by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) could provide the legal basis for Russia to break its contracts and stop working with Iran.
"It goes without saying that we would fulfill those," Nikolai Shingaryov said.
Russia sees Iran as a key market for its atomic technology, and has previously said it is keen to expand their partnership with more lucrative power stations.
Source: REUTERS
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