US Repeats Concern Over Russian Arms Sales to Iran

Washington on Tuesday repeated its concern over Russia's decision to resume arms sales to Iran, saying US officials did not know which weapons or technology is involved.

"It doesn't help bilateral relations," said White House spokeswoman Mary Countryman, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's remarks on Monday that Moscow was poised to expand nuclear and weapons cooperation with Tehran.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said: "We have been quite clear in the past with Russia. We have not seen, at this juncture, any particular details or contracts or information coming out of the visit to Moscow (by the Iranian President Mohammad Khatami). We'll have to ask. We'll have to find out."

"We would continue to be concerned about any sales of advanced conventional weapons or sensitive technologies which we think are not only a problem, but also a security threat to the United States and other Persian Gulf countries," Boucher said.

The United States is by far the largest arms seller in the world and it often sells advanced weapons to areas of conflict or potential conflict.

People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/