Iran Underfunds Construction of Nuke Plant – Russian Firm

MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) – Construction of the nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran, a project in which Russia is involved, has slowed down “due to insufficient financing from the Iranian side,” said a spokesman for Russian company Atomstroiexport, general contractor for the plant’s construction.

The plant’s construction is to finish “on average three to four months” later than planned, the spokesman told Interfax.

He said the Russian side was accurately meeting its commitments. “Atomstroiexport is taking all measures to make up for the delay,” the spokesman said. This has included more personnel employment.

“The Iranian side is assessing our efforts appropriately,” he said.

In a television program on Sunday, Russian chief auditor Sergei Stepashin said his agency was investigating the funding the project and that that “means serious work for the [Russian] Prosecutor General’s Office.”