Iran, Russia sign nuclear pact
Thursday, 13 Dec 2007 15:36
Known Iranian nuclear sites (US state department)
Iran and Russia have reportedly agreed a schedule for the completion of construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant.
The building of Iran's first major nuclear reactor had been halted by delays with Russia alleging that Tehran had fallen behind on payments for the plan.
However the Iranian government believes Russia has stalled construction due to political reasons, with the potential reaction of the US and its
European allies likely to have played a part in Russian willingness to complete the project.
The major powers on the United Nations security council have pushed for stringent economic sanctions against Iran due to its refusal to freeze its nuclear enrichment campaign.
Though the recent US national intelligence estimate (NIE) report suggested that Tehran had halted its nuclear weapons programme in 2003, British foreign secretary David Miliband stressed last weekend that the international community must continue to put pressure on Iran to cease enrichment.
But speaking ahead of a meeting today between Russian and Iranian foreign ministers in Moscow, Atomstroieksport president Sergei Shmatko confirmed the two nations had agreed to finish production of the $1 billion (£490 million) nuclear power plant at Bushehr.
"Difficulties with the Iranian client are resolved and we have agreement on the timetable for construction. I shall call it more precisely at the end of December," he was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.
While he did not confirm a commencement date, he said the delivery of nuclear fuel - after which the plant could begin operations within six months - would "definitely" go ahead.
Click here for a look at Iran's nuclear confrontation with the rest of the world.