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Equal Access Enshrined in Russian Nuclear Centers Proposal - Putin

Posted on: Wednesday, 1 February 2006, 12:00 CST

MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) - Russia's proposal to establish an international network of uranium enrichment facilities is designed to meet the needs of all countries wishing to advance nuclear power engineering, including Iran.

"We have suggested setting up a network of uranium enrichment centers and securing equal access to everyone wishing to participate in joint efforts to advance nuclear power engineering, with access free from discrimination. This applies to our Iranian partners as well," he told a Tuesday news conference in the Kremlin.

"How do we find a solution that guarantees that everyone who wants a chance to advance their nuclear power engineering at the same time guarantees global nuclear security? One of the proposals was formulated at the EurAsEC summit meeting in St. Petersburg," Putin said.

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan did not rule out the possibility of joining the project, he said. "It could therefore be designed for the long-term and involve countries with significant reserves of uranium," he said.

"There could be more than one center and Russia is a natural partner for tackling such tasks given the comparatively high level of its nuclear power industry, the existence of experts and an advanced nuclear infrastructure," he said.

"Such centers could be set up in other members of the nuclear club on the proviso that everyone could have access to them free from discrimination," Putin said.

Source: Daily News Bulletin; Moscow - English

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