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Russian nuclear fuel for Iran

Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW: Russia has reaffirmed its commitment to complete the construction of the Bushehr nuclear power station in Iran and to supply fuel for the plant next year.

Under an agreement the two sides signed on Tuesday, Russia will deliver 80 tons of low-enriched uranium for a light-water reactor it is building in Iran in March next. The 1000-MW reactor will be launched in September and start generating electricity in November.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of a visit by Iranian Vice-President and head of the Atomic Energy Organisation Gholam Reza Aqazadeh.

Earlier Iranian officials complained about repeated delays in the construction of the power station, which originally was to go into operation this year. Ahead of his talks in Moscow, Mr. Aqazadeh said Iran could complete the construction itself if Russia fails to do the job.

Russia's Security Council Secretary Igor Ivanov assured the Iranian delegation on Tuesday that Russia "will strictly honour our obligations."

He reiterated Russia's position in favour of a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear problem.

"We are firmly convinced of the need to resolve the question of the Iranian nuclear programme through the negotiating process, at the negotiating table," Mr. Ivanov told the Iranian Vice-President.

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