Putin sees no reason for Iran not singing IAEA protocol

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Sunday, September 21, 2003

Putin sees no reason for Iran not singing IAEA protocol

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Iran has no excuse of not signing the additional protocol with the UN nuclear watchdog if it does not attempt to produce nuclear weapons.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Iran has no excuse of not signing the additional protocol with the UN nuclear watchdog if it does not attempt to produce nuclear weapons.

If Iran is not pursuing to develop nuclear weapons, it should have "no reason not to sign the special protocol with the IAEA," which would allow snap inspections to all of Iran's nuclear sites, Putin told American reporters during an interview.

The Russian leader denied claims that Russia has been assisting Iran's alleged efforts in making nuclear weapons, calling the world community to "stop blabbering and use real facts."

Russia, a steadfast cooperator with Iran in the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in defiance of the allegation from the United States that Iran may use the project to develop nuclear technology, has urged Tehran to sign the additional protocol to the nuclear nonproliferation treaty that may help to rebut the suspicion.

Putin pointed out that Russia's intelligence departments have got information that many west European and American companies are cooperating with Iran in the nuclear industry, "including the dual-purpose technology."

The information needs to be checked and Russia will not "completely monopolize it" and will share it with other countries, Putin noted.

He also confirmed that all nuclear fuels that Russia will supply to Iran must be returned back after being used, saying Russia and Iran are discussing about signing an agreement on returning the spent nuclear fuels.

Iranian President Mohammad Khatami had said that he was ready to sign such protocol, Putin noted.

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