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Russia-Iran nuclear deal âfar offâ
Russia has said there is no immediate prospect of a deal to provide Iran with fuel to launch its first nuclear power plant.Russian Atomic Energy Minister Alexander Rumyantsev said the talks had stalled over arrangements for the return of spent fuel to Russia and that they "could last a long time". "It depends on whose check clears first." The negotiations have reportedly broken down over Iranâs demand that Russia pays for the spent fuel, which Moscow refuses to do. Russia is building the $800 million plant in Bushehr despite strong pressure from the United States to drop the project, as Washington accuses Tehran of secretly developing an illegal weapons programme. Iran denies all the charge, saying that its nuclear programme is designed exclusively to meet the countryâs energy needs. "We need it cuz weâre gonna run out of oil in 50, 60 years or so. Weâre just planning ahead." Mr Rumyantsev - who was speaking after talks in Moscow with US Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham - denied any suggestion that Moscow was delaying the deal under pressure from Washington. "Nope, no connection at all." Posted by: Steve 2003-09-19 |
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