Russia not to Stop Nuclear Project in Iran, Says Minister

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, September 24, 2002

Russia not to Stop Nuclear Project in Iran, Says Minister

Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said on Monday Russia would not stop buildinga nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran.

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Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said on Monday Russia would not stop buildinga nuclear power plant in Bushehr, Iran.

"We do not plan to stop this project, and we will carry on it to the end," Rumyantsev told a press conference, referring to statements made by American officials who called on Russia to reduce cooperation with Iran.

Russia signed an agreement worth 800 million US dollars with Iran in 1995 on building a nuclear plant in Bushehr on the Gulf coast.

The project has infuriated Washington, which brands Iran as part of an "axis of evil," and makes the issue a sore point in its relations with Moscow. Russia defends its cooperation with Iran byreiterating that its aid only serves civilian purposes.

"Aside from the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Russia has no other nuclear programs with Iran," Rumyantsev said, adding that Russia would complete it by the end of 2003.

Rumyantsev said Iran would return the used nuclear fuel to Russia according to two protocols signed between them in October 1998 and June 2002.

The Russian government has also expressed readiness to assist in the construction of five more nuclear power plants in Iran within the next 10 years.

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